Alright. Hey guys! Im currently building a gaming pc for all up around $1500. So far i've bought my cpu, ram, mobo,case and psu! ive got it all installed inside my case ready for the next few parts. The problem im having is trying to decide what cpu cooler i want. I definitely want a liquid cooler so please dont recommend an air heatsink. Now originally when i first started my pc i said i wanted to get the Corsair H100 and the some after market fans because everyone knows the stock ones are horrible, but then corsair went and brought out the Corsair H100i and my decision changed. And i stuck with that decision untill recently the NZXT Kraken X60 came out and then the Corsair H110 and now im just plain confused on what to get. Im fairly sure that my case (Thermaltake Chaser MK-1 Full Tower) can fit a 280mm rad, and i've looked up temperature differences and the Kraken beats the H100i. But again, now corsair has the H110 i'm so confused. My budget for cpu cooler is no more than $180 and i also definitely want a double radiator not a single solution like the Corsair H80i or Kraken X40. One last thing is that i bought a two pack of Corsair SP120 Quiet edition for the H100i but im kind of leaning towards the 280mm rads and dont know what i should do with the extra fans as they are for heatsinks and rads, and btw the rad will be running in push/pull. Can you tell me pros/cons of the coolers themselves and whats quieter, etc. Thanks in advance and my rig specs are posted below.
Intel Core i7-3770K Going to be overclocked to about 4.4 - 4.6
You should check to see what mounting wholes you have on the top exhaustes before buying one. I see it has top 200mm fan slots just like my HAF X, however if it doesn't have the mounting for smaller ones that could be a problem.
As for which cooler to get, I would recommend one of the duel 140s unless you really want to use the SP120s. The duel 140mm rads will blow the socks off of the 120s especially with some good static pressure fans. I'm more shifted towards the corsair H110 just because the H100 is so highly regarded and they've been working on the corsiar link software for awhile.
but yes, it's good you do not want to get a single 120 or 140 mm rad. They've been shown to preform about as good as an tower style air cooler.
Personally I'm waiting for a duel 200mm all in one rad to come out. If my case supports the size and cooling is mostly limited by surface area, why not?
I bet a CLC could stand up against a custom loop as long as the fields are even. Obviously you can get much faster and more powerful pumps with custom. The increased amount of water would probably help too. But if it's the same pump speed, same radiator size, and within reason the same quality waterblock then it's possible a CLC is a contender. However I'm sure you can get much better parts for cheaper going custom, so you have a point.
Hey guys thanks for answering, for the moment im as well hundred percent dont want to run a custom just yet as this is my first build. my case can run a 240mm rad at the top but im not too sure about the 280mm. ive looked on the top but i cant really tell if it has the right holes. I am willing to mod my case if necessary. The case comes with 2 200mm colourshift fans and they can both be arranged at the top just fyi.
from what i have seen the kraken x60 outperforms the h100i by 3-6 degrees in cases but the kraken is quieter at full load so i would go kraken, btw i just installed my first custom loop yesterday it took a few hours but i got there in the end and the result is great i pickeded green liquid which looks awsome