Liquid cooling recommendations

[Atlantis852]

I am seriously considering replacing my Thermalright True Spirit 140 air cooler with liquid cooling (water not nitrogen :D) so I can get the use of my top PCIe slot back (the current cooling solution blocks it) and maybe get some better temps. Any thoughts or recommendations?

[kkn]

KenV99 wrote:
Hi,

I have been considering this as well. From what I have read, it seems that most closed loop coolers perform only marginally better than a good air cooler and are somewhat noisier (reviewed here), but those out there that have tried both, please correct me. I am currently running a MVIF with a 4770k and a Noctua nh-u14s with a stable overclock to 4.5GHz with ambient temp of 21C, idle temp of 38C and an OC temp of about 80C. I would like to see both better idle temps and OC temps, but I fear that means an external LQ setup.

I have been reading up on doing this here: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/277130-29-read-first-watercooling-sticky

It seems like a serious science experiment, so I have been on the fence about taking the plunge, so to speak. 😉

its expensive, and you will void warranty if you take parts apart.
you have to have the case for it ( no atx or mini-atx cases but a full tower ) to fit the rads and all the equipment inside.
you have external rad units where you can fit pump and reservoar too if so desire.
for each OC component hooked up to the loop you need 2x 120 fan slot to have it on a ok cooling level.
take a look in the build log that's on the main forum and see what ppl on here have done it.
custom cooling is a costly route to go, its addictive, and you will expand more and more 😛

[The_Tick]

I am using the CoolerMaster Seidon 240m. It was the easiest CPU cooler I have ever installed. It does a great job keeping my 4770K cool at 4.4 gig.

I highly recommend it.

[Madfonzy]

kkn wrote:
its expensive, and you will void warranty if you take parts apart.
you have to have the case for it ( no atx or mini-atx cases but a full tower ) to fit the rads and all the equipment inside.
you have external rad units where you can fit pump and reservoar too if so desire.
for each OC component hooked up to the loop you need 2x 120 fan slot to have it on a ok cooling level.
take a look in the build log that's on the main forum and see what ppl on here have done it.
custom cooling is a costly route to go, its addictive, and you will expand more and more 😛

Hey I managed to fit 1x 120x240 and 1x 200x200 rad in my Bitfenix Prodigy, Cooling a 4770k and eVGA GTX780.
It was a very tight fit but it can be done, I had to put the 230mm front fan on the outside of the case. I am going to make a cover up for this.

Yes I also agree that it can get very expensive, but the benefits is that it runs cool and quiet. This was my first build using water cooling so it was a bit of a learning curve. I'd say do your research first as to your case and components to use.

[djdelirius]

My idle temps are around 21c-26c. Right now, I'm looking at my OC panel and have 3 monitors hooked up while watching a 1080p movie in XBMC and it is 24c. My temps while benching in XTU or Real Bench are around 65c and my temps while playing Skyrim or Crisis 3 in 3-D at the highest ultra settings are around 36c-40c.

[djdelirius]

Also on a side note if you haven't purchased it yet newegg just sent me an email showing the h100i is on sale for $95 with the promo code "EMCXLVN47". The code is only good until the 3rd of next month. 😄

[richieb]

Just built two systems with Hero boards and 4670k's, one running a h100i and the other using the zalman reserator 3 max, both are working just fine and good temps ;0)

[Atlantis852]

I decided to go with the HT100i yesterday. Installed it and its working . Looks like my temps are around 8 to 10 C lower under heavy load.

One thing to note though, I also had an issue where the bracket was too loose. It looks like the standoffs Corsair includes are a bit too long. I solved it by using the back plate from my Thermalright True Spirit 140 as a giant washer . I put the Thermalright back plate in place and put the corsair one on top. It was just right and everything fit well.

Just in case, if you buy the HT100i, do make sure you have some rubber or plastic washers available or try the back plate from your old air cooler as a big washer to ensure it can fit snugly.

[Atlantis852]

One more note, I have the Cooler Master HAF XM (a mid-tower case) and mounted the radiator and fans on top instead of inside. I can't put the slide on cover back over it because the radiator plus fans are too tall (not really an issue as I don't mind looking at the radiator :D) but mounting it inside was not really feasible due to the CPU power connections on the top left of the M6E motherboard blocking things a bit.

[Coiledvipers]

I have the Kraken X60 on a fx 8350 at idle with it in silent mode fans barely hearing it. Temps are running at 29C and 27c Liquid Temps. Mind you 8350 is overclocked to around 4.5. at idle with custom settings Can get it down to around 27--28c at idle Liquid temps usally 1-2c lower than the CPU temp itself. Do have Kraken set up in Push pull Config with NZXT fans they are loud FYI at full blast. Gaming temps never go over 35c with heavy gaming. Prime 95 Temps never go over 45C Temps in house are around 75f to 80f. Have NZXT 630 case with 6 fans total for the case itself plus 4 for the Kraken. Upgrading the system tho to intel Monday when parts get here to ASUS MAXIMUS VI HERO LGA 1150 Intel Z87 with 4670k and EVGA gtx 780 Classified I think it is. First time in along time going back to intel gonna give them another shot just hope CPU don't melt like my core 2 Duo long time ago lol.

But with the Kraken I would recommend getting quieter Fans if I was you sounds like a Car Electric fan kicking on of a four cylinder car lol.

[Atlantis852]

My core temps at idle are on the low 30s but I have C States disabled and run the system in the Performance profile in Windows 7. Max temps under OCCT are in the high 50s to very low 60s.