The Search For A Better Sink
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Whether we’re talking Porsche engines or performance PCs, surface area has always been liquid cooling’s greatest advantage. You get additional benefits from moving your radiator to a cooler part of your case, though few PC enclosures are designed for this (here’s one). And while it's possible to build an air-only solution similar in size to our favorite liquid-based products, we don't like the thought of a multi-pound copper heat sink hanging from our motherboards. After all, we've seen big coolers devastate processors and sockets when they're strapped in and shipped.
As a result of those logistic nightmares, most boutique builders use liquid cooling of some sort in their overclocked PCs. Of course, those high-end shops have enough experience to know not to ship a filled water-cooled box with an air vent. And they certainly can't expect most of their customers to know how to top-off their own systems, or follow a regular flush and fill routine. Closed-loop coolers are consequently popular because they prevent both leakage and maintenance hassles.
| Closed-Loop CPU Cooler Features | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Corsair Hydro H90 | Enermax ELC120 | NZXT Kraken X40 | Thermaltake Water2.0 Extreme |
| Length | 6.8" | 6.0" | 6.8" | 10.7" |
| Width | 5.5" | 4.8" | 5.4" | 4.8" |
| Rad. Thickness | 1.1" | 1.3" | 1.1" | 1.5" |
| Cooling Fans | 1 x 140 x 25 mm | 2 x 120 x 25 mm | 1 x 140 x 25 mm | 2 x 120 x 25 mm |
| Total Thickness | 2.1" | 3.3" | 2.1" | 2.5" |
| Control Type | Motherboard Fan Headers | Motherboard Fan Headers | Software Programmable | Software Programmable |
| Weight | 28 Ounces | 28 Ounces | 32 Ounces | 41 Ounces |
| AMD Sockets | AM2 to AM3+ | AM2 to AM3+ | AM2 to AM3+ | AM2 to AM3+ |
| Intel Interfaces | 1156/1155, 1366, 2011 | 775, 1156/1155, 1366, 2011 | 1156/1155, 1366, 2011 | 1156/1155, 1366, 2011 |
| Web Price | $100 | $90 | $85 | $145 |
If you don't plan to move your PC, you might not be as stressed about the weight of a big air cooler. For you, liquid cooling is all about temperature control. Therefore, the preeminent big air cooler serves as today’s performance baseline in a follow-up to December's Four Closed-Loop CPU Coolers Take On Noctua's NH-D14.
