CPU Cooler Comparison

XtremeAero426 · Apr 9, 2014

I'm looking for a liquid CPU cooler. I've narrowed it down to two options. It's the Corsair H100i and the Enermax ELC-LM120S-TAA. I'm comparing price AND performance, not just performance. Compatibility is not an issue.

Corsair H100i
PCPartPicker Link: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-cpu-cooler-h100i
Newegg Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181032
VS
Enermax ELC-LM120S-TAA
PCPartPicker Link: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/enermax-cpu-cooler-elclm120staa
Newegg Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835214055

Brantyn Gerik · Apr 10, 2014

well, the h100i cools better, but is more expensive...do you want to pay for more cooling or not? not really much comparison as they are two different sized coolers

leeb2013 · Apr 10, 2014

the 120s costs 14.2c / cub.cm
the H100 costs 13.13c / cub.cm

so the H100 is greater value and no doubt better performing as the radiator is 48% bigger.

XtremeAero426 · Apr 12, 2014

leeb2013 :

The impression that I'm getting is that you're saying that the H100i has better airflow. However, the Enermax ELC-LM120S-TAA has 105.7 CFM, 28.7 CFM more than the H100i.

Did you look at the sites before posting this comment? Sorry if I'm wrong but the Enermax ELC-LM120S-TAA costs $30 less. (Source: Newegg)

XtremeAero426 · Apr 12, 2014

Brantyn Gerik :

I'm comparing "Bang for Buck". (Meaning I'm comparing price+performance)

Vic 40 · Apr 13, 2014

Bang for buck would i look at the next,
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rls24m24pkr1
looking at reviews can it be loud,but if it's about performance it's imo the best bang for buck compared to the two you chose.

Nuclear101 · Apr 13, 2014

Neither. What CPU are you using?

XtremeAero426 · Apr 13, 2014

Vic 40 :

For me, performance(bang) also includes noise.

XtremeAero426 · Apr 13, 2014

Nuclear101 :

Did you read the entire message? I said compatibility is not an issue. If you're trying to recommend a different CPU cooler, I need a liquid one. Also, it's an AMD Athlon X4 760K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor.
PCPartPicker Link: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/amd-cpu-ad760kwohlbox

leeb2013 · Apr 14, 2014

XtremeAero426 :

Your understanding of my reply is wrong and yes I did read the sites and spent some time making calculations in order to try and help you. Apologies I was not successful.

Vic 40 · Apr 14, 2014

XtremeAero426 :

I can't smell that.From your reactions to people's solutions do i get the feeling that you know it already so well.

The h100i can be as loud or silent as the cooler master so it's a toss of the coin there.From what i read is the next a good and not to loud 240mm cooler too,
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/swiftech-cpu-cooler-h220
but the cooler master saves a healthy $25 at the bill=price/performance to me.
For a comparison,
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6916/cooler-master-seidon-240m-and-12-more-coolers-the-retest-and-megaroundup/6

Why the specific need for a watercooler? A good aircooler,like for instance the NH-D14,should already be good or other choices,these are often more silent.

Also this,

I said compatibility is not an issue

has most of the times nothing to do with the cpu,but more with the case that the cooler should fit in.

Executeorder66 · Apr 14, 2014

I have a corsair h100i but you should consider the kraken x60

Vic 40 · Apr 14, 2014

Executeorder66 :

Which is a 280mm radiator,so talking about compatibility ...

XtremeAero426 · Apr 15, 2014

Vic 40 :

XtremeAero426 :

I can't smell that.From your reactions to people's solutions do i get the feeling that you know it already so well.

The h100i can be as loud or silent as the cooler master so it's a toss of the coin there.From what i read is the next a good and not to loud 240mm cooler too,
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/swiftech-cpu-cooler-h220
but the cooler master saves a healthy $25 at the bill=price/performance to me.
For a comparison,
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6916/cooler-master-seidon-240m-and-12-more-coolers-the-retest-and-megaroundup/6

Why the specific need for a watercooler? A good aircooler,like for instance the NH-D14,should already be good or other choices,these are often more silent.

Also this,

I said compatibility is not an issue

has most of the times nothing to do with the cpu,but more with the case that the cooler should fit in.

I need water-cooling for overclocking my GPU & CPU.

I also looked at your suggestion. The CFM is 22 lower than the H100i. I'm looking for good airflow as well.

Brantyn Gerik · Apr 15, 2014

you realize you can change the fans on the h100i right? same with any other cooler (many people actually do change the fans for aesthetics) the bottom line is that an h100i will allow you to overclock your cpu to the max possible that you would be able to get while maintaining a good temp

XtremeAero426 · Apr 15, 2014

Brantyn Gerik :

So you're saying to get the H100i over the Enermax ELC-LM120S-TAA?

Brantyn Gerik · Apr 16, 2014

That is what pretty much everyone here is telling you...

XtremeAero426 · Apr 16, 2014

Brantyn Gerik :

Thanks for your help! (This applies to everyone who answered)

CPU Cooler Comparison

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