Best cooler for an i3?

[adz08]

Hi all

I'm looking for a low profile, quiet cooler for an i3 2100. No overclocking or anything, but for use in a HTPC.

It can't be any bigger than the stock one though, well definently no taller as the stock cooler only just fits my case now.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[shaithis]

Have a look at the Scythe Shuriken series.

[Pob255]

The stock cooler should be fine, unless you're putting it under heavy constant load, when it might start getting noisy due to the fan speed ramping up.

The scythe shuriken's are good however they do take up more horizontal space, eg if you're using a mini-itx board and a graphics card then you'll hit issues as the socket is very close to the pci-e slot, also tall ram can be an issue.

But these issues will effect any low profile cooler bigger than the stock cooler on a mini-ITX board.

The Arctic cooling freezer 11 low profile is also worth a look http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/...pid-14877.html

[adz08]

Thanks, I'll take a look.

With the case I have, the PSU rests ontop of the fan, not ideal, but sometimes it can get a little loud. I think less because the CPU is getting over worked, and more when the room gets a bit warm.

[Dilz]

You don't need to replace it, intel stock coolers do the job just fine!

[tieran7890]

How about this;

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/...pid-13925.html

I'm in the process of designing a mITX build and have found reviews for this seem pretty good.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

You cannot overclock a Core i3 2100. The stock cooler should be fine - I use the stock cooler for the 95W Core i5 which is better due to its copper core and slightly taller fins. My case does not have much room for a taller cooler - the other one I considered was the Scythe Kozuti.

[twenty4seven]

How about this;

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/...pid-13925.html

I'm in the process of designing a mITX build and have found reviews for this seem pretty good.

That one's very good in terms of low height and noise. Looks the job too.
In terms of cooling though, it's probably no better than the stock HSF.

Look at the Akasa ones too. These 2 are the same cooler, but each a different colourway:
http://www.akasa.co.uk/update.php?tp...l=AK-CCE-7106H
http://www.akasa.co.uk/update.php?tp...AK-CC7118HP01P
They are similar in performance to the Gelid, maybe a millimetre taller and a tad noisier at full speed, but reasonably quiet at slower fan speed.