[CPU Cooling Options]
Narrow ILM
Most of the recommended boards have Narrow ILM. This is an unfortunate consequence of the Square ILM boards being in high demand and carrying a higher price tag.
You can use one (or two) of these air coolers, but they go from [cheap + loud] to [expensive + quiet], with no real [cheap + quiet] option.
| Brand | Model (link) | Rated noise (dBa) | Rated TDP | Fan Size | Expected Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dynatron | R24 2U | 47.5 | 160W | ??? | $35.00 |
| Supermicro | SNK-P0050AP4 | 38 | 160W | 92mm | $39.00 |
| Supermicro | SNK-P0050AP4 + F9 PWM Replacement Fan | 18 | 160W | 92mm | $45.00 |
| Noctua | NH-D9DX i4 3U | 22.8 | 175W | 92mm | $55.00 |
| ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- |
| Arcitc | F9 PWM PST 92mm replacement fan | 18 | ----- | 92mm | $6.00 |
Out of the Narrow ILM options listed above, I would personally go for the Supermicros and replace the fan at a later time if you find it to be too loud.
Square ILM
Note: 4U rackmount chassis have restricted CPU cooler height, shorter than most tower chassis.
Rosewill L4500 max height = 158mm
Supermicro 4U max height = ???mm
| Brand | Model (link) | Rated Noise (dBa) | Rated TDP | Height | Fan size | Expected Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deepcool | Gammax 400 | 30 | 130W | 154.5mm | 120mm | $20.00 |
| Arctic | Freezer 12 | 23.5 | 130W | 130mm | 92mm | $24.00 |
| Arctic | Freezer 12 CO | 24.5 | 130W | 130mm | 92mm | $30.00 |
| Arctic | Freezer 33 | 23.5 | 150W | 150mm | 120mm | $30.00 |
| Arctic | Freezer 34 | 23.5 | 150W | 157mm | 120mm | $32.00 |
| Arctic | Freezer 34 CO | 23.5 | 150W | 157mm | 120mm | $32.00 |
| Arctic | Freezer 34 eSports DUO | 27 | 210W | 157mm | 120mm | $40.00 |
| Cooler Master | Hyper 212 Evo | 36 | 150W | 159mm | 120mm | $35.00 |
| Cooler Master | Hyper 212 LED | 31 | 150W | 160mm | 120mm | $33.00 |
| Cooler Master | Hyper 212 Black | 26 | 150W | 159mm | 120mm | $37.00 |
| Cooler Master | Hyper 212 Black LED | 26 | 150W | 159mm | 120mm | $39.00 |
| Noctua | NH-D9DX i4 3U | 22.8 | 175W | 110mm | 92mm | $55.00 |
| Noctua | NH-L9x65 | 23.6 | 140W | 65mm | 92mm | $50.00 |
| Noctua | NH-U12DX i4 | 22.4 | 200W | 159mm | 120mm | $65.00 |
| Intel | BXSTS200C 2U | 40+ | 130W | 65mm | 60mm | $35.00 |
| Raijintek | Aidos | 29 | 110W | 136mm | 92mm | $20.00 |
| Raijintek | Themis | 24 | 140W | 158mm | 120mm | $25.00 |
Liquid Cooling
Below… there’s another option. Dual 120mm all-in-one water coolers. There’s quite a few models that you can use, and they aren’t all covered here. You can pick whatever cooler you want, so long as it uses standard Asetek mounting. (all of the ones listed are Asetek) You must also buy an Asetek Narrow ILM mounting bracket for each of the AIOs.
Dual 120mm AIOs can be mounted in the Rosewill L4500, Phanteks Enthoo Pro, Phanteks P600, Cooler Master N400, and more. Make sure the case has enough clearance to mount two. If you’re not sure, ask below before buying.
It doesn’t matter what CPU bracket the AIO comes with, we will be replacing them with a Narrow ILM bracket below. If you need a Square ILM bracket, that is also listed at the bottom of the table. (Most come with a Square ILM bracket, just double check)
Some of the AIO coolers have shorter tubing than others. Keep in mind where you plan to mount the CPU coolers and where the CPU socket locations are in relation to the mounting.
| Brand | Model (link) | Fan Size | Rad Size | Notes | Expected Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asetek | 550 | 120mm | Thin | $23.00 | |
| Asetek | 570LC OEM Gen4 | 120mm | Thick | $40.00 | |
| Asetek | 550LC | 120mm | Thin | $50.00 | |
| Asetek | 570LC | 120mm | Thick | $50.00 | |
| Alienware/Dell | Aurora R4 | 120mm | Thin | Short tubing | $28.00 |
| Alienware/Dell | Area 51 R1/R2 | 120mm | Thick | Short tubing | $32.00 |
| HP | 855712-001 | 120mm | Thin | Red | $70.00 |
| Antec | Kuhler H20 620 | 120mm | Thin | $30.00 | |
| Antec | Kuhler H20 920 | 120mm | Thick | $50.00 | |
| Corsair | H50 | 120mm | Thin | $50.00 | |
| Corsair | H55 | 120mm | Thin | $50.00 | |
| Corsair | H80i V2 | 120mm | Thick | $70.00 | |
| EVGA | CL11-V1 | 120mm | Thin | Square ILM only | $54.00 |
| Zalman | LQ-320 | 120mm | Extra Thick | $50.00 | |
| Thermaltake | Water 3.0 Performer | 120mm | Thin | $66.00 | |
| Intel | BXTS13X | 120mm | Thin | $83.00 | |
| ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- | |
| Asetek | 2011 Narrow ILM Bracket | ----- | ----- | $8.00 | |
| Generic | 2011 Square ILM Bracket | ----- | ----- | $11.00 |