Help choosing a quiet CLC / AIO Cooler

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BobbySixKiller

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Nov 20, 2014
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Hi Guys,

I could really do with some help here.
I've read about 15-20 reviews / round ups but keep going round in circles.

I've ruled out a custom loop due to cost and the fact that I'm only cooling the CPU.

4790K @ 4.7Ghz 1.2v
32Gb 2400Mhz Trident X
Asus Z97-Pro
Fractal Edison M 450W PSU - It's a gold cert.
Fractal Define R5 case
Cough, cough, integrated graphics - all work, no play!

I currently have a Fractal Kelvin S24 which cools fine but the pump is doing my head in.
I'm fine with any amount of noise at full pelt really but when it isn't doing anything I don't want to hear it!
Even at 7v (lowest operating voltage) the pump on the S24 is annoying - high pitch pulsing type of noise, it's going RMA this week.

My budget is £150, don't want to go over that really.

Here are what I was considering:
Kraken X61 £115 ish from Aria PC or Scan
CM Nepton 280L £90 ish eBuyer
Swiftech 220X €180 so £140 ish (inc shipping) Highflow.nl
// The 220X has a smaller rad but I don't think I'll get away with the 240 as the reservoir will foul the RAM

The Z97-Pro has proper PWM and DC fan control on all headers so the control software on the X61 isn't necessarily a plus point.
Actually, if I HAVE to use their software it's possibly a negative point.

Ok, so, questions I guess are:
1. Are the X61 fans and pump controllable via normal PWM headers? I know it takes the 12v from sata but if it just has normal PWM connectors that's fine.
2. The pump on the 280L isn't variable is it? Is the pump audible over the fans on low?
3. Is the DDC pump on the swiftech loud? I thought they were for some reason.

Thanks Guys!
 
Solution
Thelps
I'd recommend the Kraken since I'm using one to cool my Graphics Card. It's efficient, low-noise (occasional, quiet noise of the pump squirting but easy to ignore).

Here's a review:
http://forums.evga.com/Review-of-the-NZXT-Kraken-X41-AIO-Cooler-m2278947.aspx

CAM is actually quite useful although the interface is somewhat large and clunky. What's of particular use is that, as temperatures rise and fall, you can set the software to adjust fan speed.

I don't have much experience with the other coolers mentioned but so far my NZXT setup hasn't caused any problems and keeps my Graphics Card at about 50% of the temperature it had with the stock cooler. I'm sure you'll see similar results on a CPU.
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Thelps

Thelps

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Feb 20, 2013
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I'd recommend the Kraken since I'm using one to cool my Graphics Card. It's efficient, low-noise (occasional, quiet noise of the pump squirting but easy to ignore).

Here's a review:
http://forums.evga.com/Review-of-the-NZXT-Kraken-X41-AIO-Cooler-m2278947.aspx

CAM is actually quite useful although the interface is somewhat large and clunky. What's of particular use is that, as temperatures rise and fall, you can set the software to adjust fan speed.

I don't have much experience with the other coolers mentioned but so far my NZXT setup hasn't caused any problems and keeps my Graphics Card at about 50% of the temperature it had with the stock cooler. I'm sure you'll see similar results on a CPU.
 
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BobbySixKiller

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Nov 20, 2014
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Glad to hear it's quiet :)

The reason I said having to use CAM could be a negative is that the Asus Fan controller is built into a larger app that also allows you to fiddle / monitor pretty much everything on the board without having to drop down to the bios.

I should have paid more attention while reading the reviews, it looks like the only way to control the pump is through CAM, the fans are normal PWM connections so could run them however you wanted.

Thanks for your help @Thelps!

Anyone with either a 280L or a H220X that could comment on pump noise at idle?
 
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BobbySixKiller

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Nov 20, 2014
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Just in case anyone's interested:

I ended up getting a "Phobya Pure Performance 240LT Intel Watercooling Kit"
http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/Phobya-Pure-Performance-240LT-Intel-Watercooling-Kit.html

It wasn't that hard to install and all I can hear now are the case fans.
Plus it looks really cool :)

I went down the route of temporarily placing everything where I wanted it to go.
Then put the tube fixings into the respective holes and stuck one end of tube on the barb and just worked out how long I needed it by putting it next to where it was going.

Once the tubing was cut I took it all out and tightened the compression fittings.
Then got something to stand the rad up and keep the res as the highest point and filled it away from the box.

The only head scratch was how to power the pump without powering the motherboard.
The pump is a 3 pin fan header connection (only draws about 0.6) and I didn't have a molex to fan adapter.
Ended up putting it next to a running box and used a spare fan header on it.

Filling it away from the box and installing it as if it were an AIO felt much safer than the way you see people doing it by cycling the pump and filling as they go.
 
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