And The Best Cooler Is...

It makes sense that Intel doesn't include its RTS2011AC heatsink as part of the standard bundle with LGA2011 processors, equally most users wouldn't desire to use something so underpowered. Most enthusiasts would undoubtedly rather put the $30 toward a cooler with a whole lot more than potential for only a little more than cash.

The reason Intel'southward solution is underwhelming stems from the company's belief that it'southward unwise to hang a kilogram of metal on your motherboard. We can concur with that sentiment in some situations -- if y'all travel a lot, for case -- only we're willing to bet that most LGA2011 users stay fairly well put with their system.

Either way, nosotros're comfortable with scrapping the hot and noisy RTS2011AC for an aftermarket offer. For only $five more than the RTS2011AC, yous could get Silverstone'southward Argon AR01, which shed 15 degrees off the stock cooler'south i7-4960X load temperatures and at 420g, it'south not exactly a PCB buster if that's a genuine business organisation.

Model Price Performance Dissonance Install Compatibility Total
Noctua NHU14S 3 five iv 3 4 19
Silverstone Argon AR01 5 3 2 4 5 19
Silverstone Argon AR03 4 iv ane four five xviii
Noctua NH-U12S 3 3 iv 3 5 18
Thermalright Macho Rev.A four 4 4 4 2 eighteen
Xigmatek Nighttime Knight 4 iii 2 3 5 17
Silverstone Heligon HE02 three 2 5 4 1 15
Thermalright Archon SB-E X2 ii 5 three 2 3 xv
Thermaltake FrioOCK three 2 1 four 4 14
Thermaltake NiC C5 4 one one 3 four 13

Of the remaining models, four toll $fifty to $55 (the Xigmatek Nighttime Knight, Thermalright Macho Rev.A, Silverstone Argon AR03 and Thermaltake NiC C5) while the remaining five cost $seventy to $85 (we'll become to these in a minute). In the more than affordable grouping, the Macho Rev.A and Argon AR03 scored the best.

The Dark Knight was no pushover, but its operation and ease of installation were definitely a notch behind its nearest rivals. The Macho Rev.A and Argon AR03 seem somewhat tied initially as the former loses points for compatibility due to its massive size, while the latter was disappointingly noisy.

Notwithstanding, when you realize yous have to reduce the AR03's fan speed to accomplish a tolerable operating volume, we'd say the Macho Rev.A has an border, making it the all-time $50 heatsink bachelor in our eyes.

Folks with $70 to $85 for a cooler -- most LGA2011 owners we suspect -- accept plenty of options to consider, with the Thermalright Archon SB-Eastward X2 being the most expensive in this roundup. We wanted to like the Archon SB-Eastward X2, but its loftier toll and bad-mannered installation aren't worth its key benefits (better-than-average system compatibility and an operating volume that tied the Macho Rev.A).

Silverstone's Heligon HE02 is a little harder to criticize considering it ships without a fan, only information technology falls short on compatibility and to some extent, performance. Although it could technically be seen as one of the best performing heatsinks we tested in that it managed to passively cool the i7-4960X, information technology doesn't deserve to be straight compared with actively cooled solutions. If more than heatsinks could handle that task without a fan, we would have reserved the HE02 for that roundup, but few such models exist.

The Thermaltake FrioOCK and NiC C5 tanked, offer poor thermal and noise performance, which leaves the Noctua NH-U12S and NH-U14S. The first scored well, matching the Macho Rev.A and Argon AR03 for points and outclassed both in operating volume, which was barely audible. Picking betwixt the NH-U12S and the Macho Rev.A wouldn't be piece of cake, though I'd probably opt for the Macho Rev.A.

Best of the Best: Noctua NH-U14S
Best in Form: Thermalright Macho Rev.A

That leaves the NH-U14S continuing equally the best cooler of our shootout, assuming toll isn't an issue. It may cost $75, merely the NH-U14S is worth every penny if you want the all-time performance, operating volume and great compatibility. For whatever it'south worth, regardless of whether you buy the all-time or worst aftermarket option, it'll probably still run circles effectually the stock coolers from Intel or AMD.