Pre-assembled Water Cooler

[azeem40]

This is my build so far:

Total: $1636

GIGABYTE Z68XP-UD3 ATX MOBO: $85 after rebates: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0366193

I5-2500K: $180: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354589

MSI Radeon 7970 GPU: $580: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127645

Patriot Signature 2 x 4GB DDR3 1600 MHz SDRAM: $35: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220570

CM HAF 922: $105: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

Crucial M4 128GB SATA III SSD: $182: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442

ASUS VG236HE 23" 120Hz 2ms LCD Monitor: $320: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236104&Tpk=vg236he

Antec Gamer Series 750W PSU: $100: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049

Asus 24x DVD Burner: $20: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Turtle-Beach-Ear-Force-Z1-PC-Gaming-Headset/12575360?wmlspartner=je6NUbpObpQ&sourceid=11875648800243266486&ci_sku=12575360&ci_src=14110944&sourceid=1500000000000003142050

I will play: Runescape MMORPG, other Gaming (MW3, BF3, CoD, Dragon Ball Z, Spyro, Sonic, Tekken, maybe Skyrim, League of Legends, Counter-strike, Half-life 2, and Pokemon are some examples but I'm open to all genres).

The games I will buy are not included in the budget.

Should I water cool, and if so, what water cooler should I get?

 

[rubix_1011]

Should I water cool, and if so, what water cooler should I get?

This is a question only you can answer. Why do you feel you need/want it?

Is your budget meaning: $1800 - $1636 = $164?

If so, you are pretty limited to CPU-only, and to expand on this, only a Corsair LCS cooler or XSPC Rasa RS 240/360.

Have you read the watercooling sticky? (linked in my signature below).

 

[azeem40]

The reason I want to water cool is because I like to have a very cool PC.

Yes, I meant to say my Water Cooler budget is $164 lol. Sorry for the confusion.

I have read the sticky.

 

[rubix_1011]

You aren't going to get much other than what I listed above. As for 'very cool PC', do you mean in terms of stylish or temperature? I guess it depends on what your expectations are...for your budget, you are fairly limited in what your options are if you choose to go that route.

 

[azeem40]

I mean in temperature.
Sorry I didn't clarify this, but I am only interested in closed-loop water-cooling systems, not anything with blocks, radiator or the like. Please also say if the case will fit the cooler.

 

[pacioli]

If you are looking for a closed loop system the Corsair H100 is one of the best if not the best closed loop system around. You can pick one up for a little over $100.

Having said that most high end air cooling systems offer similiar performance for slightly less $.

I like my Corsair H70 closed loop because of the clean appearance, no hassle installation, quiet operation, and clearance around the CPU for things like RAM with giant heatsinks. Plus your CPU will have a pirate ship picture on top of it.

And yes... it will fit in the top of the CM HAF 922 if you remove the top 200 mm fan. No modding needed

 

[azeem40]

Will the H100 really not be too much better at keeping temperatures down than air cooling? What temperature do you think the H100 will keep my pc at?

Otherwise, what cooler should I get then?

 

[rubix_1011]

Sorry I didn't clarify this, but I am only interested in closed-loop water-cooling systems, not anything with blocks, radiator or the like

To clarify- closed loop coolers have these components as well.

 

[azeem40]

I must be off today.. What I meant to say was I don't want a complex water cooler; just want a pre-assembled cooler.

 

[pacioli]

The H100 rates within 1 degree C of the top air cooling systems under load.
http://www.guru3d.com/article/corsair-h100-review/7
So yes... it is among the best you can buy.
The ZALMAN CNPS9900 NT beats it by 1 degree C under load and costs only $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118054

The benefits of the H100 over the Zalman are:

The ability to put the fan in a different area than on top of the CPU. This relieves pressure on the motherboard from a huge hunk of metal hanging off it to one side.

Looks. I think the H100 looks sexy and less cluttered.

Space. Your rig will have room in and around the CPU for whatever you want.

 

[azeem40]

Does that mean it is worth getting over the EVO?

 

[rubix_1011]

Completely agree with pacioli, here.

H100 does perform considerably well and often a bit better than most high-end air coolers. However, it does cost more than most and for the price of the H100, you can almost buy the Rasa RS240 kit as a full, entry-level watercooling setup that performs significantly better. This is where the price/performance curve looks ugly for the H100 in terms of good air and entry-level water.

Does that mean it is worth getting over the EVO?

This is your decision. For 1-2C better and costing $20-$30 more only you can determine if this is true.

 

[saratj1]

Ive used both a corsair h50 with 2 yate loon high speed fans (push/pull) and a cooler master hyper 212 with 2 fans on an overclocked i7 2600k and the difference is the hyper212 has a lower idle temp and the h50 had a lower max temp, So basically the water cooling doesnt fluctuate as much.
example:

hyper212 - idle 22* max - 57*

H50 - idle 28* max - 51*

 

[rubix_1011]

For the record, H50 is not water cooling.

 

[pacioli]

Completely agree with pacioli, here.

H100 does perform considerably well and often a bit better than most high-end air coolers. However, it does cost more than most and for the price of the H100, you can almost buy the Rasa RS240 kit as a full, entry-level watercooling setup that performs significantly better. This is where the price/performance curve looks ugly for the H100 in terms of good air and entry-level water.

Does that mean it is worth getting over the EVO?

This is your decision. For 1-2C better and costing $20-$30 more only you can determine if this is true.

The advantage of the Rasa RS240 kit is lower temperatures than the H100.

The advantages of the H100 are ease of installation and less risk of frying your equipment by getting it all wet.

If you don't have a lot of experience with setting up a watercooling system it can be a real nail biter the first time you turn on that ah heck...

 

[rubix_1011]

That's why we are here...there isn't really a lot to be afraid of other than cutting corners and rushing through your build. We try to stress that watercooling isn't something you decide on in a day and attempt the next...there should be a considerable amount of learning, planning and decision-making before you pull the trigger on loop components.

 

[azeem40]

I have decided to not water cool and went with the Noctua DH14.