Cooler

Comprehensive Guide to Upgrading Third-Party CPU Coolers for LGA 1151 Platform: Performance, Noise,

2025-05-07

I. In-Depth Analysis of Cooling Pain Points for LGA 1151 Platform

The LGA 1151 platform, supporting Intel 6th to 9th generation Core processors, ranges from the 65W TDP i3-6100 to the overclocked 125W+ i7-9700K. The stock cooler’s aluminum 下压式 (downflow) design struggles under medium to high loads:

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  • Thermal Throttling: i7-7700K at 4.8GHz overclock hits 95°C under full load, triggering CPU throttling

  • Excessive Noise: Fan noise exceeds 52dB at high speeds, well above the 35dB comfort threshold for office environments

  • Airflow Limitations: In compact ITX cases, stock cooler temperatures spike by 15°C due to restricted airflow


II. Technical Breakdown and Model Comparison of GAMEMAX Coolers

(A) Air Cooler Technological Advantages

1. Heat Pipe & Fin Design

  • Twin 600 BK: 6 heat pipes with AGHP anti-gravity technology (solves liquid 回流 issue in vertical cases), paired with dual 120mm PWM fans. 实测 maintains 82°C on overclocked i7-9700K (5.0GHz).

  • Sigma 550 Infinity BK: 5x6mm nickel-plated heat pipes, 220W TDP capacity. Wave-shaped fins increase airflow by 18%.


2. Silent Optimization

  • Ice Wind: 92mm hydraulic bearing fan (28dB noise), 4 heat pipes with direct-touch technology. Ideal for silent office builds, achieving 32°C idle temperature.

  • Gamma 300 Rainbow: 120mm large fan with ARGB lighting, intelligent PWM (1000-2000RPM), caps 满载 noise at 39dB.


(B) Liquid Cooler Performance Breakthrough

1. All-in-One Liquid Solutions

  • IceBurg 240 Digital BK: 240mm radiator + dual ARGB PWM fans, 245W TDP rating. Keeps overclocked i7-8700K (5.0GHz) at 75°C with 32dB noise.

  • IceBurg 360 Infinity BK: 360mm ultra-large radiator, 300W extreme cooling, supports Intel 1151/1700 and AMD AM5. Perfect for i9-9900K at 5.2GHz full-core overclock.


(C) Core Model Comparison Table

CategoryModelHeat Pipes/RadiatorTDP SupportFan SpecsNoise (Full Load)Price (RMB)Key Technology
Entry AirIce Wind4 Heat Pipes150W120mm PWM32dB119No-light silent design
Mainstream AirGamma 300 Rainbow4 Heat Pipes180W120mm ARGB39dB159Top airflow acceleration
High-Perf AirTwin 600 BK6 Heat Pipes240WDual 120mm PWM36dB299AGHP anti-gravity heat pipes
240mm AIOIceBurg 240 Digital BK240mm Radiator245WDual 120mm ARGB32dB599All-white design + smart PWM
360mm AIOIceBurg 360 Infinity BK360mm Radiator300WTriple 120mm PWM35dB999Motherboard-synced ARGB


III. Scenario-Based Selection Guide for GAMEMAX Coolers

(A) Office/Light Entertainment (TDP ≤ 65W)

  • Recommended Model: Ice Wind

  • Advantages: 4 heat pipes with direct-touch, 92mm hydraulic fan (50,000-hour lifespan), compatible with Intel 1151/1700 and AMD AM4. Ultra-compact (125mm height for small cases).

  • Test Data: i5-6500 idles at 30°C, 55°C full load, noise <30dB.


(B) 3A Gaming/Design Rendering (TDP ≤ 120W)

  • Recommended Model: Gamma 300 Rainbow

  • Advantages: 120mm fan provides 65CFM airflow, ARGB lighting sync with motherboards. 2mm fin spacing boosts efficiency, compatible with tall RAM (155mm height).

  • Performance: i5-8600K at 4.5GHz overclock: 72°C in FPU test, fan speed 1800RPM (39dB noise).


(C) Extreme Overclocking/Productivity (TDP ≥ 150W)

  • Recommended Models: Twin 600 BK (air) / IceBurg 240 Digital BK (liquid)

  • Air Solution: Dual-tower 6 heat pipes, dual fans for 120CFM airflow. Maintains 82°C on i7-9700K (5.0GHz, 1.35V).

  • Liquid Solution: 240mm radiator + custom pump lowers temperature to 75°C, supports 1600RPM smart 调速,<5°C fluctuation during long renders.


(D) ITX/Compact Cases (Height ≤ 135mm)

  • Recommended Model: Ice Surface BK

  • Features: Low-profile design (47mm height), 4 heat pipes + 92mm hydraulic fan. Fits Intel 1151/1200 and AMD AM4, compatible with JoeSbo V4 and GAMEMAX LEADER 2 BK compact cases.


IV. LEADER 2 BK Case Compatibility & Airflow Optimization

(A) Hardware Compatibility

  • Cooler Height: Supports up to 185mm tower coolers (Twin 600 BK is 158mm). Liquid radiators fit front 420mm/top 360mm/rear 140mm.

  • GPU/PSU Space: 425mm GPU support (vertical mount with adapter), 245mm depth PSU bay for full-modular PSUs.


(B) Airflow Design Guidelines

  • Air Cooling: Front 2x140mm intake fans (GAMEMAX FN14A-S5 recommended), rear 140mm exhaust, creating horizontal airflow through cooler fins.

  • Liquid Cooling: Front 360mm radiator (intake), top 360mm radiator (exhaust), positive pressure design reduces case temperature by 5-8°C.


(C) Installation Tips

  1. Thermal Paste Application: Use GAMEMAX TF7 paste, apply a soybean-sized dot at CPU center.

  2. Bracket Installation: For 1151, secure backplate on motherboard rear; tighten screws diagonally (torque ≤1.5N·m).

  3. Cable Management: Use 32mm rear cable channels for fan wires; connect ARGB to motherboard 5V 3Pin for lighting sync.


V. Long-Term Maintenance Recommendations

  1. Dust Cleaning: Quarterly compressed air cleaning for fins (air coolers) / radiator mesh (liquid coolers) to prevent 20%+ airflow loss.

  2. Thermal Paste Replacement: Annual replacement; clean CPU and cooler base with isopropyl alcohol.

  3. Fan Inspection: Monitor speeds via BIOS; replace noisy fans promptly (keep GAMEMAX 120mm PWM spares).


VI. Summary of GAMEMAX Solution Advantages

  • Full Performance Coverage: 7 air and 5 liquid options span 65W to 300W, fitting all CPU models.

  • Silent & Stylish: Choose no-light Ice Wind, ARGB Gamma, or all-white IceBurg to match build aesthetics.

  • Case Friendly: LEADER 2 BK supports 185mm coolers and 420mm radiators, future-proof for upgrades.


When selecting GAMEMAX cooling solutions, prioritize CPU TDP (4-5 heat pipes for i3/i5, 6 heat pipes/liquid for i7/i9), case size (Ice Surface for ITX, Twin 600 for ATX), and budget (100RMB Ice Wind to 1000RMB+ liquid). Pair with proper airflow design to unleash full potential of your LGA 1151 platform.


LEADER 2 BK

GAMEMAX,Computer Case,Power Supply,Cooling Parts,Keyboard,Mouse,Monitor LEADER 2 BK | Gaming PC Case

Comprehensive Compatibility: Supports E-ATX motherboards, 425mm GPUs, 420mm radiators, 245mm PSUs, and 185mm air coolers for versatile hardware configurations.
Advanced Cooling Matrix: Offers 9×120mm or 8×140mm fan mounts with 4 pre-installed 140mm ARGB PWM fans and a dedicated controller.
Future-Proof Connectivity: Features Type-C Gen 2, dual USB 3.0 ports, and BTF motherboard compatibility for modern cable management.
Effortless Building: Incorporates a tool-free design, vertical GPU support, and hidden cable routing with a detachable cover.
Lion-Inspired Design: Showcases bold claw-mark mesh panels, a tempered glass side panel, and customizable ARGB lighting.

FN14A-S5

GAMEMAX,Computer Case,Power Supply,Cooling Parts,Keyboard,Mouse,Monitor FN14A-S5 | Case Fans

FN14A-S5 140mm Hydraulic Bearing Fan | High-Efficiency Cooling, Ultra-Quiet Design, RGB Lighting Sync Compatible for Gaming PCs
Efficient Cooling Performance: The fan speed range is adjustable from 600 to 1400 RPM, providing up to 43 CFM of airflow and 1.83mm-H2O static pressure for excellent cooling performance.
Ultra-Quiet Design: The maximum noise level is 30dB(A), offering a quiet and comfortable environment, ideal for long hours of work or gaming.
Durable and Reliable: Equipped with a hydraulic bearing, it offers a lifespan of up to 30,000 hours, ensuring stable and long-lasting performance.
Versatile Compatibility: Supports both 4Pin PWM and 3Pin Aura connectors, compatible with motherboard lighting synchronization for enhanced visual effects and performance.

Ice Wind

GAMEMAX,Computer Case,Power Supply,Cooling Parts,Keyboard,Mouse,Monitor Ice Wind | CPU Air Cooler

Gamemax Ice Wind CPU Air Cooler, 4 Heat-Pipes, 120mm PWM Fan, No Light ,Fins Bending, 4-pin CPU Cooler, For Intel LGA 1700 115X, and AMD AM4 AM5
Excellent color combinationlarge air flow
High static air pressureRiveted iron shell design, more silent, more balanced, more stable
2x Rotor balance corrections, no vibration during fan operation
Nickel plated heat pipes to prevent oxidationBent heatpipes that don'
interfere with memory, installation without removing fans
47 pieces of 0.4MM fins,Strong thermal performance
Support INTEL/AMD for all platforms

IceBurg 240 Digital BK

GAMEMAX,Computer Case,Power Supply,Cooling Parts,Keyboard,Mouse,Monitor IceBurg 240 Digital BK | CPU Liquid Cooler

GameMax IceBurg 240V Digital BK, Liquid CPU Cooler 240mm Addressable ARGB Pump Fans 245W TDP AIO Water Cooler
Stylish Design: All-white, sleek aesthetics.
ARGB Sync: Customizable lighting syncs with motherboard.
Intelligent Cooling: Auto-adjusts fan speed for optimal performance.
Enhanced Heat Transfer: Efficient cold plate and fans.
Wide Compatibility & Durability: Fits multiple sockets, long-lasting materials.