YounGMessiah Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Curious on how people have their cooling set up in their rigs. Please share And do you prefer air or liquid? Why? For my uses im going to stick with air, this is the safest route for me and not having to worry.. Im going to get a Noctua CPU cooler and eventually GPU cooler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phouchg Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 I've seen quite an increase in closed-loop CPU watercooling systems (Corsair Hydro of all calibers, a handful of TTs). Even started recommending them myself (being a Corsair fanboi), because it's so easy (especially H60/H80, which are almost braindead simple) and doesn't really break the bank. Stock fans kind of suck (as in "are loud"), but that's no issue. However, before hearing bubbling noises now and then right out of the box, and then reading about leaks destroying high-end gear. And now I'm much less enthusiastic. You can't really tell, though, I guess? First thing I do now - put metal clamps on hoses, because I don't trust the heat sealing. Probably in vain, though - if it does leak, it'll be in the head, especially near the swivels, which, I must say, seems like a patently bad idea. For SB-E or any AMD I'd still probably go closed-loop. For anything else a decent air cooler (the almost legendary 212 even) would suffice. For GPU - no idea. Aren't they pretty good as they come, with, say, Windforce and all? One day I'd love to build a full LC setup, though. The immense factor of cool (both kinds) it brings is unrivaled. Then again, seating the whole thing in mineral oil is even more cool. And about the same distance from being possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason S. Global Moderator Posted March 25, 2013 Global Moderator Share Posted March 25, 2013 i've never owned a liquid cooler, but now that the closed-loop coolers are out, i'll be investing in one for my next build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsupersonic Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 For me, Air cooled - cheap, easy, and low temperatures. I have an Antec 300, with 4x120mm fan, 1 x140mm fan. My CPU heatsink is the Arctic Freezer 7 Pro Rev. 2 and it idles at 24-30 degrees C, and load tempaeratures in the low 50's. GPU is cooled by the 2 fans that are built in and one of the 120mm case fans, it stays very cool also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astra.Xtreme Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 I have a Corsair H50, and you can overclock like a beast with that thing and it keeps it nice and cool. It handles 4.5GHz on my i7 with ease. Never really pushed it further than that though. It being dead silent is worth it alone. djdanster 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirEvan Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 I use an corsair h80 on my desktop gaming machine and an h60 on my file/hyper-v server. Both are miraculous. the h60 keeps my server running at ~87-90F @ load (ambient is ~75 F) and is nearly silent. the H80 keeps my desktop pretty cool as well, though I don't have #'s off the top of my head. As Phouchg said, they're easy as cake to install, and are very good setups for the cost. (got my h60 for around 50$ and I think 64$ for the 80.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLegendOfMart Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 I've owned several closed loop liquid coolers such as Coolit ECO single and dual fan radiator versions, currently rocking the Antec Kuhler 620. Imho they aren't worth the money, you can get equally good if not better results with a decent tower heatsink if you use decent fans. The problem with the cheap closed loop watercoolers is that after a while the pump tends to start rattling/gurgling, it's happened to all the ones I've owned so far and its really irritating and spoils the only thing going for watercoolers which is how quiet they are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f0rk_b0mb Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Just got a closed loop cpu cooler myself. No problems from it and my tep. dropped 5* C. Would highly recomend the H60. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattmatik Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 I'm thinking of getting a H110i when I up to a 3770K before summer. Really worried about temps, we get above 100F many days in summer here. And to have cooling as well as a decrease in noise, seems like a no-brainer. I'd really like to get my GPUs cooled as well but until the AIO units can do this easily I won't worry about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindovermaster Moderator Posted March 25, 2013 Moderator Share Posted March 25, 2013 I have the H80i on my 3570K. I haven't overclocked it yet, but I sit around 30C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
compl3x Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Is liquid cooling drastically better than air cooling? Comparing an air cooled system where someone has taken advantage of optimal air flow and good cable management and a liquid cooled system, it there a noticeable difference? Or is water cooling just something tech-heads like to do because it is geeky? Like extreme over-clocking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJ_ Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 I use a noctua NH-D14 on my 4.4ghz oc 3570k setup. CPU runs mid 20s at idle & mid 50s at max load. After reading horror stories about leaky LC's ruining new builds, I opted for the noctua which offers similar or better performance than a lot of LC's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_K Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Awh, no oil cooling ? :p I've never had water cooling, was interested in it once upon a time, and liquid nitrogen cooling but meh, got a server and UPS running which are loud in comparison to laptop/normal PC so never bothered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radium Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Water is a superior heat conductor. The risk of water leaks is what puts me off. I have a Noctua NH-D14 and my i7-2600K runs between 30 and 39 degrees C at all times. The water coolers that I've seen are not good enough for me. I want a NH-D14 to be transformed into a water block. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YounGMessiah Posted March 26, 2013 Author Share Posted March 26, 2013 I use a noctua NH-D14 on my 4.4ghz oc 3570k setup. CPU runs mid 20s at idle & mid 50s at max load. After reading horror stories about leaky LC's ruining new builds, I opted for the noctua which offers similar or better performance than a lot of LC's. Water is a superior heat conductor. The risk of water leaks is what puts me off. I have a Noctua NH-D14 and my i7-2600K runs between 30 and 39 degrees C at all times. The water coolers that I've seen are not good enough for me. I want a NH-D14 to be transformed into a water block. :D That is actually the Noctua I was looking at for my CPU, from what I read it is better than most liquid cooling and highly rated. And there is nothing wrong with my GPU cooling, just think aftermarket would be nice to have on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboShrimp Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 with todays chips if you build a pc correctly you need nothing but stock cooling. i play anything any game on Ultra settings on a ivy bridge core i3 GTX 670 no need for anything other then stock cooling do not let anyone tell you otherwise my max temps on cpu is 50 and max GPU is 70 under 100% load with stock cooling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
123456789A Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 I am going to get water cooling on my new PC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YounGMessiah Posted March 26, 2013 Author Share Posted March 26, 2013 Stock cooling is suffice for generally most users, but Science starts kicking in and having an aftermarket cooler to keep it more cool helps in the longer run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radium Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 The NH-D14 keeps the CPU much cooler and generates less noise at heavy load compared to a stock cooler. There is nothing wrong with stock coolers, but there are coolers that are much better. Keeping the stock cooler is up to you, but I rather hear the noise from the actual air flow than the noise from the fan itself. There is a difference between noise and noise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cacoe Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Air, mainly because it's much cheaper and easier. The overclocking potential with a decent after market cooler is good enough imo. Also, the performance gain from liquid isn't worth the cost imo, you might as well just get a faster processor. If you get the fastest processor available and want to overclock it even then, you might as well go with liquid because you can probably afford it but you probably don't need the extra power if you've got the fastest processor and you're probably just doing it for the lulz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLegendOfMart Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Don't see the point in closed loop, you are still going to have fans cooling the radiator, if you can get one as cheap as a decent heatsink then go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusi0n Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Corsair H100 for me.. I did it because it was "cool" and easy.. but the air coolers they have out now can easily out proform it. I would only do watercooling if you where going to go all in..Video, North Bridge.. ect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangel Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Is liquid cooling drastically better than air cooling? Comparing an air cooled system where someone has taken advantage of optimal air flow and good cable management and a liquid cooled system, it there a noticeable difference? Or is water cooling just something tech-heads like to do because it is geeky? Like extreme over-clocking. Yes it's drastically better (the physics support that) - i've been doing it for about a decade and really I started because I was sick of the noise of air cooling. It is amazing how much temps drop on things like GPUs versus air though - it gives you a lot more headroom for overclocking. Air cooling has come a long way but i'd still stick with my giant rad loops for two 670s in SLI and an overclocked i7 because everything is very quiet and much cooler (longevity, reliability and of course the lack of noise preserves my sanity). When I bench tested the 670s on air it drove me nuts quite quickly - way too noisy for me. To do it right is very expensive and very time consuming - it's not for the faint hearted but I do enjoy the challenge of doing it (another reason why I still do it today). Changing anything is an adventure(!) So many things can go wrong and there's so much to learn - which is fun! ish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breach Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Air. 3770K at 4.6Ghz - 75 C at max load.Noctua NH-D14. Water is what you need if temps are limiting (not my case, I'm chip limited), but to get much better than the Noctua you'll need a custom loop which is frankly expensive and a hassle. One day when I have no other hobbies left I might switch to water but for now it's just pointless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YounGMessiah Posted March 28, 2013 Author Share Posted March 28, 2013 Im really hooked on getting these for my desktop.. Noctua NH-D14 for my i5-3570k ARCTIC Accelero Hybrid for my GTX 680 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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