Air-Cooling vs Closed-Loop Liquid-Cooling for Overclocking

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Alright so as the question above suggests, I would like to overclock (using a 4790K) and my initial thought would've been a Closed Loop Liquid Cooling unit not unlike the Corsair H110.

However, after reading a few forums that elaborated about Closed Loop Liquid Cooling units sounding like a "Jet Engine" or simply being excessively loud, and that a person who truly wants water-cooling should set up their own custom-loop system.
Since I do not think I will be setting up my own custom-loop system, and considering that previous advice given here has been that there are Air coolers that do just as good a job as say the: H100.

So my question here is what would you have to say on that fact; that Air Cooling is as good, if not better, than a Closed Loop Liquid Cooling, when it comes to noise levels, and simply that Closed Loop Liquid Coolers are not as good as they seem. Oh and is there a less noisy corsair unit, that is better than Air Cooling???

Also if Air Cooling is the way to go, does anyone have some suggestions?

Adding onto this, is a corsair H110 really as noisy as people say? I mean it sounds like a great option and my case supports it so why not?
The whole issue for me is the noise level if there is one. If not then I'll probably for for the H110 unless you can give me a good reason not to :)
 
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TheMagicalWallaby


I have an all in one in my system and I chose it for looks. I would choose the kraken, as it will be quieter and the chance of a leak is very very low. However, a Noctua cooler will never fail on you and the fans will last a long time (not to say that the NZXT fans won't). They also have a 6 year warrenty. The Noctua fans are louder (at max speed), but I would replace them with SP140 blue led fans if I used it my build.

Really...
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Gam3r01

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This is the easy way to break it down.
Liquid cooling does offer better performance, but it requires high speed static pressure fans to push the air through the rad. This means faster speeds compared to air, and thus more noise. I wouldnt call them jet engines, thats AMDs stock cooler, however.

Big air cooling does come very close, for less money, and important to most, less noise.
My suggestions: Phanteks TC-PH14PE, Noctua NH-d14 or d15
 
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Could you give me a rundown as to how noticeable the noise would really be? In comparison to Air Cooling.
 
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TheMagicalWallaby

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Depends on the fans you use, if you have corsair fans that come stock with their coolers, you will have a jet engine in your pc. If you you Noctua NF-F12's or Silverstone ap123 fans, it will be quiet.
 
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TheMagicalWallaby

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dBA levels are not accurate due to the many variables including. I wouldn't trust fan specs as they can be false. My Corsair AF140 is rated at a higher decible than my Noctua NF-A14, but is significantly quieter than the Noctua.
 
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So if I understand what you said correctly, the NZXT X61 is a Liquid Cooler that beats the performance of fans and is silenter. Would you say that it's sound levels would be much more noticeable than an air cooler, or better yet, noticeably less noisy than the H110?

And then on to the Noctua NH-D15, it's an air cooler, and it's quiet, yes? It further beats the H110, but would you say it's better than the NZXT X61?
 
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TheMagicalWallaby

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It should be less noisy than an h110 as it has a variable speed pump (meaning the pump is quieter in certain situations) . I am not sure how loud the H110 fans are, but the x61 fans are fairly quiet. the Noctua NH-d14 is fairly quiet at the right speed (but those fans can be replaced). If they go right by the max speed, they are not the most quiet thing in the world). However, the Noctua does not beat the X61.

Keep in mind that these coolers are only a couple degrees apart.
 
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Gam3r01

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The dH-15 would beat it (sometimes), while still being quieter. They are all very similar.

As for noise itself. That depends. Im using a G35 headset at 12%, can barely hear my swamp cooler a few feet away, PC is completely silent (to my ears, not silent itself)
If you are using speakers you might hear it, or if you have a poor quality set of headphones. Also depending on the volume you use. I would personally say no, you wont hear them over games/music.
 
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Okay so we've established that the Corsair H110 is out of the question, since the Noctua NH-D15 and the NZXT X61 are both clearly better, with the NZXT coming out as better. But if the Noctua does stand a chance, please do tell me what the difference between the two are, and the reliability of the two. I do not want a leakage preferably. I just don't find the Noctua as very 'attractive' and quite clunky.
 
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Gam3r01

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Leakage dosent happen often. The main draw for the heatsink if for paranoid people and noise.
The X61 is a slightly better performer and looks cleaner.

The only reason I run an h100i is for the LED block and the sleek looks of it. (My PC is my senior project, so it has to look fanceh)
If you arent paranoid and have the money to spend, get the X61. If not get the heatsink. The X61 is ~40-50 bucks more than a heatsink, for a few C difference. Thats your call.
 
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TheMagicalWallaby

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Since the Noctua is an air cooler (and its Noctua/ highest quality fan brand out there), you have practically no points of failure. The x61 has a very very slim chance of a leak, and to test it, just run it outside of your case for a little bit and wait to see if there is a leak. The Noctua may pull ahead if you add a third fan to the back. They both allow high profile ram. They are both easy to install. By the way, if you don't like the Noctua fan color, you can always paint the sides or them (NOT THE INSIDE OR BLADES) or replace the fans.
 
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Okay, now one final question. What would you choose?

Since both are very good, with the Noctua being a completely risk free case, and the NZXT being only slightly better. But the NZXT looking much sleeker and having the slight performance advantage, but the small risk value. What would you guys choose?
 
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Completely understandable decision, now my only concern I just realised is that my planned Case (the Corsair C70) has 11 fan spots........ So I don't know whether to go for the Water-Cooler to shape things up
 
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TheMagicalWallaby

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I have an all in one in my system and I chose it for looks. I would choose the kraken, as it will be quieter and the chance of a leak is very very low. However, a Noctua cooler will never fail on you and the fans will last a long time (not to say that the NZXT fans won't). They also have a 6 year warrenty. The Noctua fans are louder (at max speed), but I would replace them with SP140 blue led fans if I used it my build.

Really its up to you, do you want the looks and slightly better performance of the kraken, or do you want the Noctua for a 100% chance that is can't leak (haha)
 
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TheMagicalWallaby

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PS if you are afraid of leaks, get the 105 and replace the fans with Noctua NF-f12's as corsair may (its a case by case situation) cover leak damage if that ever happened. It the same in terms of performance as the NH-D15.
 
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Wait what am I replacing?
 
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4Ryan6

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Read this before spending any money! :)

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2196038/air-cooling-water-cooling-things.html

 
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