Closed loop CPU cooler recommendations?

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lxstuart

lxstuart

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I am considering getting a closed loop CPU cooler and would like to know peoples recommendations.
My current set up is an AMD Phenom II X4 980 with stock cooler, ASUS Sabertooth, R9 295 X2 GPU, plus all the other stuff, in an Antec 1200 (though possibly looking to change the case).
I'm currently running stock speeds, but during games I am hitting 50°C which is higher than I would like.
I have considered a larger air cooler, but the problem with this option is that I will be pushing all the hot air from the CPU into the radiator for the Graphics card.

The two CLC I had in mind were the Corsair H115 and the NZXT Kraken X61, both of which get good reviews and are at a similar price.

Does anyone have any experience with these coolers (or similar), or could suggest another solution?

Thanks
 
Solution
AdmiralDonut


Aftermarket compound on a stock cooler will make about 1-3°c difference, so I wouldn't consider it worthwhile. Personally I'd grab a Phanteks Enthoo Pro case. and then go for one of the new Arctic Cooling 240mm AIO's and mount it in...
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geofelt

geofelt

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You have one of the best cooling cases around.
No need to change it.

Where is the radiator for the gpu located?

I would think it should be in the rear as an exhaust.
I can see your concern, though for an air cooler.
The second rear 120mm exhaust is somewhat high up.
Since you have a very nice top exhaust, why not orient an air cooler so that the exhaust sends the hot air straight up and our of the case where the 200mm fan is located?

Your 3 front 120mm intakes should supply the case with plenty of fresh intake air for both the cpu and gpu..

How would you locate the liquid cooling radiator?
Remember, Liquid cooling is really air cooling, it just puts the heat exchange in a different place.
The orientation of the radiator will cause a problem.
If you orient it to take in cool air from the outside, you will cool the cpu better, but the hot air then circulates inside the case heating up the graphics card and motherboard.
If you orient it to exhaust(which I think is better) , then your cpu cooling will be less effective because it uses pre heated case air.

Your gpu radiator needs the equivalent of a 120mm fan worth of fresh air.
A simple air cooler with a 120mm fan will need the intake of a second 120mm fan.
You have more than that in the 3 front intakes.

Really, I think you would satisfy your needs more simply and cheaper with a air cooler with a 140mm fan oriented to exhaust straight up.

 
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Kahless01

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50 might be higher than you would like but those chips have a 65c limit. quit worrying and playon. id be more worried about that portable oven 295 youve got in there heating up. if you really want it to run cooler just grab a hyper212
 
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lxstuart

lxstuart

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I did consider having an air cooler aiming up, but that would mean it would be pulling air from the back of the GPU (as an estimate, I think there would be perhaps 3" between the back of the GPU and the fan for the cooler). Whilst this may actually help cool the GPU, it could defeat the object of upgrading the CPU cooler.
At the moment the GPU radiator is mounted on the back of the case as an exhaust, however due to the size of the radiator I had to lose both of the rear 120mm fans.
If I went with the water cooler, I would likely change case. I was considering the Corsair 750D, and having the radiator exhausting out of the top of the case.
 
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Kahless01

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why not just move your gfx down. if its only a 3" difference youve got it mounted in the 1st slot. the 4th slot should give you more space if youre worried about that. youve got another x16 slot in slot 4 since that board was built for xfire. unless me eyeballing the picture of your mb just looks like more than 3" from that bottom slot.
 
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lxstuart

lxstuart

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GPU is currently installed in the top slot, which gives ~3" between the back of the GPU PCB, and the bottom of the stock heatsink/fan.

Motherboard manual says "In single VGA card mode, use the PCIe 2.0 x16_1 slot (the top one) for a PCI Express x16 graphics card to get better performance"

It doesn't say you can't use the other slots, but I'm reluctant to go against their advise.

Thanks for the suggestion though.
 
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lxstuart

lxstuart

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Another idea, when I built the PC I just used the thermal compound that was already applied to the stock heat sink.
Do you think it would make any noticeable difference removing this and applying some aftermarket thermal compound?
I'm guessing not, but thought I would ask anyway.

Also, what is the shelf life of thermal compound?
I have a tube of Arctic cooling MX-2, that is maybe 5 years old. I only used it for one application, and has been in the cupboard ever since. Should this still be ok to use?
 
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AdmiralDonut

AdmiralDonut

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Aftermarket compound on a stock cooler will make about 1-3°c difference, so I wouldn't consider it worthwhile. Personally I'd grab a Phanteks Enthoo Pro case. and then go for one of the new Arctic Cooling 240mm AIO's and mount it in the roof of the case.
 
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