Recently I found myself facing a CPU cooler problem while building a Sandy Bridge-E rig with a friend. Having bought all the parts, we discovered that the Core i7-3820 processor didn't come with a cooler. Instead, Intel sells its heatsink/fan separately for $30. Although I knew we'd need a cooler, I wasn't prepared to answer my buddy's question when he asked which model to purchase.
It had been years since our last CPU cooler roundup so my knowledge was a little dated.
With the recent arrival of Ivy Bridge-E (see our Core i7-4960X review), I felt it was a good time to check out the latest aftermarket coolers. The new chip is fully compatible with Sandy Bridge-E/EP's LGA2011 socket. We contacted all the major players and received 10 heatsinks to test including units from Noctua, Thermalright, Xigmatek, Silverstone and Thermaltake.
Read: The Best CPU Cooler: 10-Way Roundup
These articles are brought to you in partnership with TechSpot.
15 Comments
Load the comments and join the conversation!
Read the comments, ask the editors questions, show respect and join the conversation.