CPU cooler recommendations needed

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arkaboogie

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Jun 19, 2015
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My first build is going to be a portable Windows 8.1-based pro audio virtual instrument hosting and recording PC with a 17 to 20.1 inch display built into or onto the longest/tallest side. The case will be either a custom Spotswood/8020 extruded aluminum frame with a couple of perforated side panels (the rest of the frame will be open) or a Lian-Li PC-T80 test bench. Either way, pretty open air. The hardware is recommended by a pro audio system builder - an Asus mATX Z97 Gryphon motherboard and Intel i7 4790 Haswell processor, with 32 gigs of Mushkin RAM. No overclocking - just lots of processing and memory accessing. If I go with the extruded aluminum frame, I may install the motherboard vertically to save on some case width/depth. This system will be used indoors and out, sometimes in heat and humidity. Besides the CPU cooler and the PSU fan, I'll have one fan blowing across the motherboard, probably one on the SSDs and HHD. Could really use some experienced recommendations on CPU air cooling. A Noctua NH-L12 is my best thought so far. Not comfortable with liquid cooling on this rig. Thanks.
 
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arkaboogie

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Jun 19, 2015
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Okay, I'll just ask you... is liquid cooling 100% safe and reliable? No surprises? Low to no maintenance? Draining and refilling the coolant at each gig wouldn't be an option. I will travel with this rig (in a roadworthy case, of course), but it gets loaded into the trailer along with everything else. It will be the brain and heart of my live keyboard rig. I use master controller keyboards. They don't have sound-generating software or hardware built into them, they just trigger the software sounds on the PC. I intend to carry my old host, a five-year-old quad-core laptop, as a back-up, but it's retiring from being the primary host because it needs to retire. I don't want to introduce opportunities for system failure. I'm definitely willing to hear what you have to say, though.
 
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nathanstrainrocks

nathanstrainrocks

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Jun 10, 2015
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A closed loop liquid cooler requires only that you clean the dust off the radiator every few months, You should do the same for any air cooler, Corsair's liquid coolers come factory sealed and have a five year warranty, They do not require you to replace the coolant. But if you feel uncomfortable with liquid cooling I understand I was to at first when it comes to a cooler If it has a lot of good reviews than it will probably be fine.
 
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