OCing/Cooler/Fans/Case

Hardware Overclocking
1

So, below is what I've basically decided on, but I'm not really sure on a few things.

First off, I'm wanting to OC that CPU to 5GHz(hopefully).

I'm just wondering whether I would be better off with a CLC(maybe the H100?) or go with a air based cool (maybe the Noctua NH-D14?).

Based on which CPU cooler I get, which case should I get? I want good airflow, and something that will keep my rig cool. Will I also need to replace the fans in my case with better ones(Noctua fans?)?

Thanks for the help in advance!

 

[b]CPU:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/amd-cpu-fd8350frhkbox]AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor[/url] ($193.79 @ Amazon)


[b]Motherboard:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-ga990fxaud3]Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard[/url] ($124.62 @ NCIX US)

[b]Memory:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f312800cl10d16gbxl]G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory[/url] ($80.99 @ Newegg)

[b]Storage:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st2000dm001]Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive[/url] ($89.99 @ Amazon)

[b]Storage:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/ocz-internal-hard-drive-vtx425sat3128g]OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk[/url] ($114.99 @ Newegg)

[b]Sound Card:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-sound-card-xonardg]Asus Xonar DG 24-bit 96 KHz Sound Card[/url] ($26.99 @ Best Buy)

[b]Power Supply:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cmpsu750hx]Corsair Professional 750W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply[/url] ($143.99 @ Best Buy)

2

All your questions are kind of subjective......but I will give you my views that my be wildly different from the next persons.

Water Vs Air Cooling :

Here are some handy bench marks for coolers water and air

http://www.vortez.net/articles_pages/corsair_h100_hydro_series_extreme_performance_liquid_cpu_cooler,13.html

As you can see the H100 is at the top, but we are talking about 1°C between the H100 and Air coolers that cost half the price.......the advantage of the water cooling is your eject the heat from the CPU right out the case via the radiator, where as with air cool without a pushpull with exhaust ducting you are reliant on the air flow of you case to get that heat out the case........is this a huge issue? IMHO not if you have a good modern case with good airflow.

Regard picking a case...there are 100 of really good one, let us know a budget and im sure people will post recommendations for a suitable one that will take a H100 and Air cooling.

Regards replacing the fans, this depends totally on the case and the ambient temps of where you are, for example if you went with a Corsair case, probably no need.....but no way of really know till you have overclocked everything and seen what temps your getting.

 

3

Okay, so if I go with water, choose the air H100, what about as far as a air cooler?

Also, as far as a budget goes, I'd like to spend less than $200 usd on a case and a cooler.

Also, it would be nice if the case had front USB3 that used a 20-pin header to connect to my mobo.

4

If you want to get a Cloosed loop water cooler get a cracken x60 (much better than the H100) and throw it in a define R4, and if you get air, also get the R4 because it has tons of room for huge air coolers and still a lot of extra room for airflow, dont be too set on 5Ghz though, a lot of people hit a wall at around 4.7Ghz with the 8350

the R4 can be found at around 80-90 dollars if you look, and the kracken around 120

5

Some benches for the H100 vs Kracken x60

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6530/closing-the-loop-contained-liquidcoolers-from-corsair-and-nzxt-compared/5

Dont know about your side of the pond, but there is a good £40/$60+ price difference here in England for the Kracken......I struggle with £40 for a 3/5°C improvement, but then it is cold 12months of the year here:)

6

The kraken looks very good, but it has very few reviews on Newegg. Could I get around the same cooling as a Kraken x60 with a air cooler? Maybe the Noctua?

7

well i was trying to give him something simple, as on quiet it outperforms the h100 on max which is loud, if he decided to spend maybe 20$ more he could get a loop kit and beat the H100 by at least 8-10 degrees

8

I'm using the H80 with AMD 8350... Browsing the web, HD video playing - 15-18 C. Full load Prime95 - 58-60 C. Gaming - 40-55 C. This is my first build in a long time so I don't have a lot to compare it to, but I'm quite happy with the setup... Not sure where you live, but NCIX in Vancouver had the H80 for like 70 bucks? Anyways, good luck!

EDIT: Sorry, my 8350 is at 4.6ghz.

9

Dont get me wrong, as soon as the Kracken comes down in price I'm grabbing one.......much prefer the block over the Corsair too.

And every time I power up I could shout release the KRACKEN!!!!!!!!!

10

for the 8350 set the HT/NB speed to 2000mhz, will make it more stable and has no effect on performance

 

11

So, could anyone tell me if the Kraken x60 would fit in the Fractal R4? Maybe even with a push/pull setup(4 fans)? Also, I read somewhere that the Kraken x60 wouldn't fit with some motherboards due to the 8pin connector's location. Is this a problem with the mobo that I chose? 

12

In the top itll squees in with only one set of fans (push OR pull) and in the front with the HDD cage moved back abit it will fit with one set (push OR pull) and with the HDD cage moved all the way back or completley removed itll be able to hold it with 2 sets of fans (push/pull) 

and you 8Pin should be out of the way, it was a problem on the Asrock Extreme 4 though, so youd have to fiddle with the set-up to get it all to fit. 

P.s. Push/Pull wont really show any benefit over Juts Push OR pull because the Closed Loop Rads are low FPI (Fins Per Inch) meaning there isnt much resistance, Push/Pull it only needed with High FPI and Extra thick rads.