I'm planning to upgrade my CPU to the Intel 270k Plus and I'm wondering if my current cooler, the NH-U12S redux, will be sufficient for cooling it. If it's adequate, do I need new mounting hardware since I'm upgrading from an LGA1700 socket? If it won't cut it, I'm considering alternatives like the Noctua U12A, Thermalright Peerless (V2, V3), or Thermalright Phantom Spirit (V1, V2). I prefer a quieter system and I'm okay with a price difference of around $30-$40, but I don't want to go too far beyond that. Additionally, I've got the default intake and exhaust fans from my Corsair Airflow 4000D case—should I be looking to upgrade or add more?
1 Answer
For gaming, your current cooler should handle the 270k Plus just fine since it pulls about 120 watts while gaming. However, it might throttle under full load unless you undervolt or limit the power, so keep that in mind! If you're doing more intensive tasks, I'd suggest considering a dual tower cooler at the very least, or even a budget-friendly 360mm AIO for better performance.
I plan to use it for productivity tasks too, like code compiling and running VMs, so maybe I should look for something stronger?