CPU/GPU AIO Water Cooling Solution and Compatibility

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GuybrushT2

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The PC I recently built serves as my HTPC, gaming PC, audio preamp, etc. As such, it is located in a closed cabinet under my TV, inside an nMediaPC 2800B case that is packed to the brim. I have a two-slot sound card, TV tuner, and an MSI Gaming 980Ti GPU. The 4790K is cooled by a dual fan Noctua cooler. I've packed it full of silent case fans as well, but 4k gaming is causing everything to get quite hot. At 100% GPU load on Battlefront, the GPU temps are around 87-89C, and the CPU runs around 70C. I live in Arizona and when the summer hits, these borderline temps are going to go up. I think this setup requires liquid cooling.

I've built full custom loops in the past and had a bad experience, and I really don't want the upkeep, but I'm open to a closed loop solution that covers both GPU and CPU. I know the EKWB predator is perhaps the best option, but spending around $400 for cooling is out of my budget. I've looked at the ID-Cooling Hunter Duet, but I don't know how to check GPU compatibility. They list compatibility for reference design GPUs, but mine is the MSI Gaming 980Ti. I don't find the mounting pattern for that anywhere. Has anyone seen a non-reference compatibility list for this cooler? I'm also open to other suggestions. Is it worth waiting for the EVGA QRC/QRG to come out?
 
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rubix_1011
I look forward to reading your Predator 240 write-up. Seeing how that is the only full-block GPU closed loop solution there is, I'd love to have it. It's just so darned expensive.
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The Predator is great, but I do have a few minor beefs with it. Even so, it sits at the top of my CPU-only loop list or anything that is a closed loop cooler alternative (I really have never recommended them at all).

There is also the Swiftech H220-X which is cheaper than the Predator 240 by almost $50. I am going to be testing it next.

They also have (and have for years) a handful of compact watercooling solutions before others starting making them. http://www.performance-pcs.com/complete-kits/shopby/brand--swiftech/?

Many Corsair (and...
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rubix_1011

rubix_1011

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Jan 12, 2007
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Not to try and rain on the parade, but if you are seeing load temps that high on your existing cooler, putting both your overclocked i7 and GPU on the same 240mm cheap aluminum radiator with a very low-flowing pump isn't going to be of any improvement.

I just got done doing tests on the EKWB Predator 240 & it's possible to cool 300+ watts at a 10C delta on it. The write-up is going through executive approval now, so should be out in the next day or so in the forums here.
 
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GuybrushT2

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Jan 1, 2016
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I believe my issue is terrible case airflow. I've put in as many case fans as I can, but it's a very small case that is packed to the brim that is sitting inside a closed cabinet with a hole cut in the back for cables and exhaust. I understand that a 240mm rad is small for these components, and I'll probably have to mod the case to even fit that in, but the thought was liquid cooling, even if insufficiently sized, would keep more hot air out of the case and wouldn't require as much cool air coming in, which is in short supply in my case.

I look forward to reading your Predator 240 write-up. Seeing how that is the only full-block GPU closed loop solution there is, I'd love to have it. It's just so darned expensive.
 
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rubix_1011

rubix_1011

Contributing Writer
Moderator
Jan 12, 2007
16,707
660
60,190
I look forward to reading your Predator 240 write-up. Seeing how that is the only full-block GPU closed loop solution there is, I'd love to have it. It's just so darned expensive.
Click to expand...

The Predator is great, but I do have a few minor beefs with it. Even so, it sits at the top of my CPU-only loop list or anything that is a closed loop cooler alternative (I really have never recommended them at all).

There is also the Swiftech H220-X which is cheaper than the Predator 240 by almost $50. I am going to be testing it next.

They also have (and have for years) a handful of compact watercooling solutions before others starting making them. http://www.performance-pcs.com/complete-kits/shopby/brand--swiftech/?

Many Corsair (and other) closed loop coolers are built with the same pumps (either Asetek or CoolIt) and use cheap, aluminum radiators, I just cannot recommend these kinds of coolers when you can buy actual watercooling gear for about the same cost and for better performance and quality. Having copper and aluminum in the same loop is never a good design choice, regardless that you have a 'coolant' inside to prevent corrosion.
 
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