Need to Upgrade my CPU cooler. Whats better Air or Water cooling?

[xAOCx_Death]

i have an amd fx 8120 thats running a bit hot. im looking at replacing the cpu cooler but im not sure if i should go with water cooling or a new cpu fan/heatsink. and which one will fit inside my NZXT Phantom case with the side 200mm fan still there?

any thoughts would be helpful.

[Zka17]

Welcome to the ROG forum!

The best aircoolers (Noctua NH-D14 and Thermalright Silver Arrow) have very similar performance than the best closed loop water cooling systems (like the Corsair H100)... while with these aircoolers you may have clearance issues (at memories too), with the Corsair H100 or even H80 you will be just fine...

[Level]

Air Cooling
Noctua NH-D14
Phanteks


Water Cooling
H100
Thermaltake Water Series

[asusrogboy]

Zka17 wrote:


while with these aircoolers you may have clearance issues (at memories too), .

what do you mean by this? are you reffering about the spacing between the aircooler and the rams? or are you referring to the compatibility?

[Arne_Saknussemm]

Hey there!:)

Generally the nzxt is a no go with the NH-D14 though there are ways ( http://www.overclock.net/t/957782/nzxt-phantom-how-to-fit-200mm-fan-on-sidepanel-with-nh-d14-no-modd... ) I would go the H100 route if you don't want to go the whole hog and set yourself up a water loop.

[Zka17]

spacing... memory modules with too tall heat spreaders won't fit below NH-D14...

Basically agree with Arne, will be easier to go with the H100... and you will be able to use whatever memories you want...

[asusrogboy]

Zka17 wrote:
spacing... memory modules with too tall heat spreaders won't fit below NH-D14...

Basically agree with Arne, will be easier to go with the H100... and you will be able to use whatever memories you want...

Im planning to buy a NH-D14. They are cheaper than liquid cooling. Will these fit with NH-D14??

http://gskill.com/products.php?index=349

http://www.corsair.com/en/memory-by-product-family/vengeance/vengeance-8gb-dual-channel-ddr3-memory-...

[Arne_Saknussemm]

asusrogboy wrote:
Im planning to buy a NH-D14. They are cheaper than liquid cooling. Will these fit with NH-D14??

http://gskill.com/products.php?index=349

http://www.corsair.com/en/memory-by-product-family/vengeance/vengeance-8gb-dual-channel-ddr3-memory-...

The Gskill yes the Vengeance no... http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=compatibility_ram_gen&products_id=34&lng=en

[asusrogboy]

Thanks for the info Arne! 😮