talk me into water cooling

[Harlikwin]

So 9700k, using an Asrock Z390pro4 mobo.... Currently with some Coolermaster fan thingy on it.

 

Generally running it at 4.8ghz all cores... Mostly stable, but "warm". Had a few shutdowns recently (presumably overheating). Main issue with the cooler is that its huge and pushes up against my ram slots which I hate.

 

Water cooler wise I have some vents up top in my case. but I'm worried about space.

 

Whats a decent water cooler to use thats compact?

 

Also not sure if I have free internal USB port for "Controlling" the cooler.

 

Also, what are the unknown unkowns for me? I.e what obvious questions am I not asking.

 

I'd like to get a stable 5ghz+ OC.

[Eiskatze]

I did water cooling for my CPU about 2years ago and I'm very happy with the results. It dropped my temps to only about 5-15C above ambient (30-45C) so it never gets close to thermal max. And even in our very hot (>33C) summers I don't think I've ever seen it get about 50C.

 

And it is SO quiet! The main reason I did it was for quiet and stability in our hot summers. I'm only doing a mild overclock, but that has more to do with my CPU which just doesn't want to overclock no matter what I tried. I'd say to do water if you want quiet and stable first and if you can get some extra overclock then that is an extra bonus.

 

I actually went for a custom loop with a 360mm radiator (Alphacool NexXxoS UT60) because I eventually wanted to put a water cooler on my GPU but I still have not done it. But I think for my next GPU upgrade I will buy one with a water block.

 

If you go for an all-in-one I know the corsair H100 or H115 are very well respected. I would recommend getting as large a radiator as you can fit since it will create a more stable temperature. I'm not sure I can recommend the single-fan radiators. You should probably go for at least a 2fan (240mm) radiator.

 

I don't want to tempt you into a custom water cooling loop (it was a lot of research and effort), but if you are curious I can let you know what I did.

Edited October 1, 2020 by jsevr

[Taz1004]

I had Corsair H60 about 5 years ago. Mostly to keep noise down rather than for OC. Bought 2 at same time and both water pump failed about 3 years of usage within a month interval. Both failing with same issue so closely suggests manufacturing defect. Which probably got sorted. Got them warrantied and still working fine.

 

I'm planning to upgrade CPU soon so I'm OC'ing my i7-4790K higher now with H60. Went from 4.0Ghz to 4.7Ghz now but CPU temp still under 60'C under load.

 

Water cooling has gotten so easy and affordable that the "fear" factor is gone. But as in my experience, you're adding one more component that may fail. Always keep your stock HSF as backup.

 

And when it failed, it wasn't a disastrous failure like it used to in early days of water cooling. You just get CPU fan failure warning on boot.

Edited September 30, 2020 by Taz1004

[LucShep]

I've always looked at liquid cooling more like a fun hobby (paper towels for the leaks notwithstanding ) and better if propper done at the custom level (EK stuff and etc = $$$$$).

 

I'm an air cooling guy through and through (dual tower push-pull fan setup, Scythe Fuma I/II and Noctua D14/D15 are still my go to, everytime) and always avoided AIOs at any costs, after seeing so many failures and annoyances with them in my time with PC repairs. Reliability is absolute with air coolers, other than the (unlikely) possibility of a fan failure, they'll last forever without ever giving any issues whatsover... though they take a lot of space and can be an hassle when the time comes to clean things inside the case.

 

But, with that said, there's one recent AIO that made me pause for a bit and actually considering getting one myself for next upgrade (hopefully in next few months).

It's the Arctic Cooling Liquid Freezer II 360 (triple 120mm fan rad) and seems surprisingly well built for an AIO, especially one so affordable.

I love its simplicity (no bimbo RGB stuff, no extra cables spaghetti or software complications) and -first time I see in an AIO- it has a clever little fan to cool the motherboard VRMs (aspect that sometimes is an issue with AIOs).

Pretty much perfect in my book. From what I gather, the 280 version (dual 140mm fan rad) is just as good (~2ºC difference between them).

Check the stellar reviews and teardowns on the interweb, such as from GamerNexus and etc.

 

So, as long as you have the space for it in your PC case....

 

Edited October 1, 2020 by LucShep

[David OC]

Mostly for stable, reliability and quiet. No problems with an AIO for the last three or so years. Corsair H100i v2 Extreme with a quiet Fractal Design Define R5 Case.

[hansangb]

I had an AIO cpu cooler. But delid'ing it made a HUGE difference. This was with 8700K which didn't have solder as the TIM. When I got the 10700K, I didn't even bother with AIO. I delid'ed *and* went direct to die (so no more Integrated heat shield) and using Noctua tower cooler.

 

both CPUs are OC'ed to 5.1GHz.

 

So my conclusion led me to believe that delid (or direct-to-die) matters more than what cooler you have.

[Harlikwin]

Any comments on "thin" coolers? Or better brands/more reliable? I'm looking at coolermaster/AIO and maybe corsair? Any brands to avoid? Also ease of install is a big plus in my book.

 

As I mentioned I don't have free internal USB port, so I'd rather avoid having to control it through one if I can.

 

 

As for De-lidding, not sure I'm ready for that yet.

Edited October 1, 2020 by Harlikwin

[Bossco82]

Hi Harlikwin,

 

I use to have custom water cooling back in the days of overclocking Intels 2600k's to 5Ghz. However I have been using Corsair 240mm AIO coolers for the last 8 years on my own machine. I think you need a USB connection for all of Corsairs, Antecs and NZXT's coolers, (I may be wrong). I think most of the AIO coolers are fairly similar now and a 240 AIO roughly matches a big tower air cooler in the real world. The only model I know for sure doesn't use a USB connection is the Coolermaster 240 Lite. I fitted one for someone at the beginning of this year. Pump goes to CPU fan header and the PWM fans have a splitter for the PWM fan header. It was an easy install cooling a 9700k and as far as I know is still working just fine. He does long online FPS gaming sessions.

[Bossco82]

As for de-lidding I have done it with the debaurer tool. Any doubts though get someone with experience to do it. Made a big difference on a 9900k I used to own. Again though it didn't make a scrap of difference while gaming in the real world. The temps were obviously lower but it was pointless as they were not overly high when gaming before I did it. For example gaming before 65 degrees C, gaming de-lidded 50 degrees C. That was with the fans on my AOI turned low. I just had the kit and a free weekend.

[Taz1004]

Any comments on "thin" coolers? Or better brands/more reliable? I'm looking at coolermaster/AIO and maybe corsair? Any brands to avoid? Also ease of install is a big plus in my book.

 

As I mentioned I don't have free internal USB port, so I'd rather avoid having to control it through one if I can.

 

 

As for De-lidding, not sure I'm ready for that yet.

 

Maybe mine is old but new ones require USB connection?

 

It needs to connect to the CPU fan header which I'm sure will be vacant once you take off existing HSF. That's where it's being monitored through.

 

Then you need 4 pin power connector to power the pump. If you're out of those, you can always use split cables.

 

What would USB connection do? Control it? Ohhhh... to control the LED.... :doh:

Edited October 2, 2020 by Taz1004

[speed-of-heat]

So 9700k, using an Asrock Z390pro4 mobo.... Currently with some Coolermaster fan thingy on it.

 

Generally running it at 4.8ghz all cores... Mostly stable, but "warm". Had a few shutdowns recently (presumably overheating). Main issue with the cooler is that its huge and pushes up against my ram slots which I hate.

 

Water cooler wise I have some vents up top in my case. but I'm worried about space.

 

Whats a decent water cooler to use thats compact?

 

Also not sure if I have free internal USB port for "Controlling" the cooler.

 

Also, what are the unknown unkowns for me? I.e what obvious questions am I not asking.

 

I'd like to get a stable 5ghz+ OC.

I can do that on air, a lot depends on your case air flow and cooling solution, but as below my cpu fans are whisper quiet on air...I wem5 with the noctua nh15d... So it's not for every case but it works.

[Taz1004]

Based on Linus techtips testing, you don't get any benefit from water cooling over big ass air cooling. Both in terms of performance and noise level.

But the humongous HSF hanging sideways is what always worried me about using big ass air cooling. Shown by Linus at 10:58 on the video below.

 

Edited October 3, 2020 by Taz1004

[hansangb]

Based on Linus techtips testing, you don't get any benefit from water cooling over big ass air cooling. But the humongous HSF hanging sideways is what always worried me about using big ass air cooling. Shown by Linus at 10:58 on the video below.

 

 

 

The Noctua one he reviews is NOT going anywhere. The moment arm won't be enough to budge it at all. The base is well made.

[Taz1004]

The Noctua one he reviews is NOT going anywhere. The moment arm won't be enough to budge it at all. The base is well made.

 

That's the point I (and he) was making. HSF may not be going anywhere. But the weight has the go somewhere. If it's so tight on the MB, then MB has to give. Unless you support it some other way.

[speed-of-heat]

Agreed proper fitting is required to deal with the mass...

[Bossco82]

I like the simplicity and reliability of a large air cooler. Now my AIO is getting on for about 5 years old I do keep an ear out for the pump failing.

 

The weight is a problem. I only heard of one case. I replaced a motherboard where a Thermalright Silver Arrow broke the cpu socket on the motherboard. This was during a house move though!

[speed-of-heat]

I like the simplicity and reliability of a large air cooler. Now my AIO is getting on for about 5 years old I do keep an ear out for the pump failing.

 

The weight is a problem. I only heard of one case. I replaced a motherboard where a Thermalright Silver Arrow broke the cpu socket on the motherboard. This was during a house move though!

 

Also agreed, which is about the the same as numbers of aio's that have leaked... Or been badly installed.

[speed-of-heat]

Back to thenop's point and linus and many others, you can do it with either... The thing likely to screw you up in both cases is... Well the case,nif you have good airflow either route should provide amplemover clock headroom. With a decent cooler or aio.

[hansangb]

I like the simplicity and reliability of a large air cooler. Now my AIO is getting on for about 5 years old I do keep an ear out for the pump failing.

 

The weight is a problem. I only heard of one case. I replaced a motherboard where a Thermalright Silver Arrow broke the cpu socket on the motherboard. This was during a house move though!

 

 

Ironically, the new fan design of 3090's makes me think AIO CPU cooler is back in play.

[Svsmokey]

Gamer's Nexus (or possibly Jayz ) was surprised to find that the CPU ran COOLER with a FE and an air cooler as compared to a triple-fan card . Much of the card heat on the FE is directed out of the back of the card , as opposed to the triple fan dumping all the heat in the case .

[speed-of-heat]

It was GN, But they also said that a non fe card, the card was cooler than the fe card

[hansangb]

Yeah, something I do have to think about because I gave away my CPU, MB and AIO-CPU cooler when I upgraded my current HW.

 

I guess I'll just sit tight for the EVGA Hybrid. They're usually 6-8 months behind launch.

[Harlikwin]

Well i pulled the trigger on a corsair AIO watercooler. Got usb splitter as well.

 

When I'm OC ing im seeing 80-90C with aircooler, maybe repasting would help, but need to get it lower.

[speed-of-heat]

whats your case airflow like ?

[Harlikwin]

whats your case airflow like ?

 

3 fans. 2 big ones in front 1 in the rear. Fairly decent imo. Most other components dont get "warm".

 

Im actually thinking perhaps the paste might be breaking down after 2 years. Or perhaps i had to jiggle the HS for my recent ram upgd and that may have casued issues as i recall the temps were definately lower at these settings a while back.

 

Anyhow, its academic at this point, water cooler is ordered, I'll get it installed, and hopefully shave off some double digit temps, so I can OC to like 5ghz+

Edited October 6, 2020 by Harlikwin