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Your cooling setup and why did you choose/go that route?

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Well my system is all Water cooled (sort of). The 5950X is being cooled by a Inwin SR36 AIO with 2 pumps. The GPU is cooled by an EK block with Alphacool Quick connect tubing (painless) with a Alphacool pump/res and a 420MM rad. The Case is the Phanteks Enthoo Pro2. The GPU rad is installed in the roof to exhaust the hot GPU temps. The CPU is in the side panel with the fans on the outside pulling air out of the rad. That allows for me to have 3 front fans for intake and 3 bottom fans for intake. I am not a fan of having any rad at the front for intake.

I have always been a fan of Full tower cases though. My last 3 Cases have been the Raven V02 from Silverstone, Thermaltake Level 20 (My largest and most flexible case ever) and the previously mentioned Enthoo Pro2. The fans from the AIO are on the bottom and I use some sickle flow Cooler Master 120s on the AIO rad to have nice quiet cooling. All of the other fans are Phanteks ARGB SK140mm that have a beautiful lighting effect and move nice air. My system is so quiet that I totally enjoy it. I love the Alphacool Quick connect because it allows for me to change parts without draining the whole loop. That means I can get a GPU, buy a block and just get 2 Quick connect tubes to do a 15 minute add on.
 
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I agree, it might take years, even when accelerated by higher temperatures.

Didn't mean to get off-topic
 
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I've been running custom water on my main PC since 4.1GHz socket 478 Prescott days. Had a small leak on a fitting when the loop was connected to my 4.65GHz FX 8320 rig, but didn't suffer any damage from it. I'm still using the same pump & reservoir on my current AMD R7 rig that I was using on that old Prescott. Good water components can be an investment that can last you many years through many builds.
 
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cpu/gpu custom loops on both my riggs, just because i can really i think air cooled riggs look as good as custom loops but ive lots of jobs for folks with water so have bits left over and its a shame to not use them.
 
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Heh, been running my NH-D14 for years and years. Got it for my 950, then it went on my x5950 xeon, then I got the 2011 adapter, and ran it on my 1650, 1680 and 2697.... still keeps my cpus really cool, have no use for water cooling.
 
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AIO for me. Every time.

I'm a silence freak, but also a small form factor freak. Big tower coolers usually don't fit in the cases that I choose, but I can use the fan mounts for the radiator. Also, the pump doesn't weigh so heavily on the motherboard, and the exhausted heat doesn't add to the overall case temperature. It looks better than a chunk of metal, as well. A custom setup would perform even better, but I don't want the hassle.
 
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This is a great thread. I've been thinking about going custom loop for my next build. My current rig is on air for simplicity mainly and air is all I know really. Bit concerned as to the size of case required for a solid custom loop.
 
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I like 95watt (or less) CPU's and have always went with the midsize tower air coolers. I still use a Zalman copper cooler in one PC
that is 12 years old. I keep it simple and play older games anyway. I can OC from 3GB to 3.5GB with no real temp increase. The AIO's look
great but I still don't like water. :)
 
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This is a great thread. I've been thinking about going custom loop for my next build. My current rig is on air for simplicity mainly and air is all I know really. Bit concerned as to the size of case required for a solid custom loop.
The biggest issue is the res. Alphacool Aurora has the res on the CPU block. When you think about that is a serious amount of fluid to soak into.

AIO for me. Every time.

I'm a silence freak, but also a small form factor freak. Big tower coolers usually don't fit in the cases that I choose, but I can use the fan mounts for the radiator. Also, the pump doesn't weigh so heavily on the motherboard, and the exhausted heat doesn't add to the overall case temperature. It looks better than a chunk of metal, as well. A custom setup would perform even better, but I don't want the hassle.
AIOs are a no brainer for noise. Noctua coolers are no slouches in that department though. Generally speaking an AIO is much easier to install as well.
 
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I agree, it might take years, even when accelerated by higher temperatures.

Didn't mean to get off-topic
don't worry.
its actually recommended to use ketchup or distilled white vinegar to clean your blocks/rads if you want to avoid harsh chemicals. not sure about some homebrew coolant but i've seen enough millwrights put together custom cooling that will have everyone (esp boutique builders!) pull their hair out. to them, compare to their day job, it's a toy.

i'm sorta thinking this is still all "what cooling and why" framework, no?
 

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AIOs are a no brainer for noise.
Really? You still have a couple of fans, and a pump.. How loud your system is depends on your choice of fans, and corresponding curves.. I know that sounds pretty obvious, but not all cases and fans are created equal. My AIO was no quieter than what I run now.. well maybe a tad because I didn't have 3K fans back then. If you feed your AIO fresh air, that is a better shot at cooler temps than most people normally give an air cooler, which usually swelters inside a quiet case with less than ideal airflow.

But feed that cooler lots of fresh air and sunlight and it will grow to make you a proud operator :)
 
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Really? You still have a couple of fans, and a pump.. How loud your system is depends on your choice of fans, and corresponding curves.. I know that sounds pretty obvious, but not all cases and fans are created equal. My AIO was no quieter than what I run now.. well maybe a tad because I didn't have 3K fans back then. If you feed your AIO fresh air, that is a better shot at cooler temps than most people normally give an air cooler, which usually swelters inside a quiet case with less than ideal airflow.

But feed that cooler lots of fresh air and sunlight and it will grow to make you a proud operator :)
That is why I have 6 intake (4 Pin) fans and tune them to run at a higher RPM (200) than the exhaust fans on the rad and at the back. The Phanteks SK140s (7) are as quiet as Noctua DH15 fans. The Pump on my Alphacool unit is whisper quiet. Maybe it's because I have a 420mm rad but I feel there is enough fluid to absorb most of the pump noise anyway. I do not recommend using the stock fans on some AIOs though. I have a Cooler Master Nepton 280 (in some ways the best AIO ever) and those fans sounded like a hair dryer but again Phanteks had some 140mm fans that fit into 120mm holes that made the cooler 2 degrees cooler and about 20DB lower at the same time. My Gaming PC is in my bedroom so the Wife has to get quiet sleep and that dictates my cooling purchases. To be honest the introduction of Zero fan software (and all it's initial Gremlins) drove me to water cooling in the first place.

That is why I have 6 intake (4 Pin) fans and tune them to run at a higher RPM (200) than the exhaust fans on the rad and at the back. The Phanteks SK140s (7) are as quiet as Noctua DH15 fans. The Pump on my Alphacool unit is whisper quiet. Maybe it's because I have a 420mm rad but I feel there is enough fluid to absorb most of the pump noise anyway. I do not recommend using the stock fans on some AIOs though. I have a Cooler Master Nepton 280 (in some ways the best AIO ever) and those fans sounded like a hair dryer but again Phanteks had some 140mm fans that fit into 120mm holes that made the cooler 2 degrees cooler and about 20DB lower at the same time. My Gaming PC is in my bedroom so the Wife has to get quiet sleep and that dictates my cooling purchases. To be honest the introduction of Zero fan software (and all it's initial Gremlins) drove me to water cooling in the first place.
The only 3K fan I ever had was a Scythe Typoon 120mm but it is 3 pin so no thank you. You could easily slice carrots with that.
 
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This is a great thread. I've been thinking about going custom loop for my next build. My current rig is on air for simplicity mainly and air is all I know really. Bit concerned as to the size of case required for a solid custom loop.
Then go external. It's really the best. Removes all the heat from the case and with quick disconnects you don't have to worry about moving. Then there is the fact you can use longer tubes to move the cooler to better locations under your desk.
 
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Then go external. It's really the best. Removes all the heat from the case and with quick disconnects you don't have to worry about moving. Then there is the fact you can use longer tubes to move the cooler to better locations under your desk.
That is an interesting concept.
 
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I did water in a bucket for many years. I couldn't be bothered with properly fitting everything in my old skool rocketfish case. Not sure how many years it sat on the desk with no side panel.
This was LGA775 C2Q 9650.
3 monitor.jpg


I finally rounded out my hole saw collection & got everything in the case. Still using the 3x120 rad with res & pump in the case.
FX 8320
IMG_0124.JPG

And the R7 3800 system
100_0676.JPG

Very low key...
100_0673.JPG
 
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Really? You still have a couple of fans, and a pump.. How loud your system is depends on your choice of fans, and corresponding curves.. I know that sounds pretty obvious, but not all cases and fans are created equal. My AIO was no quieter than what I run now.. well maybe a tad because I didn't have 3K fans back then. If you feed your AIO fresh air, that is a better shot at cooler temps than most people normally give an air cooler, which usually swelters inside a quiet case with less than ideal airflow.

But feed that cooler lots of fresh air and sunlight and it will grow to make you a proud operator :)
Most AIOs come with quiet pumps nowadays, and fans can be swapped if needed. I can heartily recommend Be Quiet! My Silent Loop 2 is whisper quiet on my 11700 at 80 °C max even with a near 200 W load.
 

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I went custom water, because in 40C ambients PC go whirrrrr every summer.

If i could have got an AIO on the GPU, i'd have settled for that.

Hi,
Never seen any copper or brass damaged by vinegar personally
No need to beg man just post up some source showing damage you claim will do.
all my blocks are damaged from vinegar, it totally can scuff them up. Sure you can clean them again, but vinegar totally can mess with the finish.
 
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System Name Nebulon-B Mk. 4
Processor AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Motherboard MSi PRO B650M-A WiFi
Cooling be quiet! Dark Rock 4
Memory 2x 24 GB Corsair Vengeance EXPO DDR5-6000
Video Card(s) Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 7800 XT
Storage 2 TB Corsair MP600 GS, 2 TB Corsair MP600 R2, 4 + 8 TB Seagate Barracuda 3.5"
Display(s) Dell S3422DWG, 7" Waveshare touchscreen
Case Kolink Citadel Mesh black
Power Supply Seasonic Prime GX-750
Mouse Logitech MX Master 2S
Keyboard Logitech G413 SE
Software Windows 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores Cinebench R23 single-core: 1,800, multi-core: 18,000. Superposition 1080p Extreme: 9,900.
I went custom water, because in 40C ambients PC go whirrrrr every summer.

If i could have got an AIO on the GPU, i'd have settled for that.
I wish more GPUs (even mid-range ones) came with AIOs. I wouldn't have to settle with an overpriced and over-specced 6500 XT just to avoid noise. :(
 

Mussels

Freshwater Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 6, 2004
Messages
58,413 (8.21/day)
Location
Oystralia
System Name Rainbow Sparkles (Power efficient, <350W gaming load)
Processor Ryzen R7 5800x3D (Undervolted, 4.45GHz all core)
Motherboard Asus x570-F (BIOS Modded)
Cooling Alphacool Apex UV - Alphacool Eisblock XPX Aurora + EK Quantum ARGB 3090 w/ active backplate
Memory 2x32GB DDR4 3600 Corsair Vengeance RGB @3866 C18-22-22-22-42 TRFC704 (1.4V Hynix MJR - SoC 1.15V)
Video Card(s) Galax RTX 3090 SG 24GB: Underclocked to 1700Mhz 0.750v (375W down to 250W))
Storage 2TB WD SN850 NVME + 1TB Sasmsung 970 Pro NVME + 1TB Intel 6000P NVME USB 3.2
Display(s) Phillips 32 32M1N5800A (4k144), LG 32" (4K60) | Gigabyte G32QC (2k165) | Phillips 328m6fjrmb (2K144)
Case Fractal Design R6
Audio Device(s) Logitech G560 | Corsair Void pro RGB |Blue Yeti mic
Power Supply Fractal Ion+ 2 860W (Platinum) (This thing is God-tier. Silent and TINY)
Mouse Logitech G Pro wireless + Steelseries Prisma XL
Keyboard Razer Huntsman TE ( Sexy white keycaps)
VR HMD Oculus Rift S + Quest 2
Software Windows 11 pro x64 (Yes, it's genuinely a good OS) OpenRGB - ditch the branded bloatware!
Benchmark Scores Nyooom.
I wish more GPUs (even mid-range ones) came with AIOs. I wouldn't have to settle with an overpriced and over-specced 6500 XT just to avoid noise. :(
I got a 3080 with an AIO built in, which was loud and had no fan control - and then the AIO leaked. And it had shit, and i mean shiiiiiiit VRAM cooling (effectively: none)

I miss my kraken G12, and bigass custom air coolers. the 3080 and 3090 absolutely justify those honkers, and yet they're basically off the market
 
Joined
Sep 21, 2020
Messages
1,465 (1.14/day)
Processor 5800X3D -30 CO
Motherboard MSI B550 Tomahawk
Cooling DeepCool Assassin III
Memory 32GB G.SKILL Ripjaws V @ 3800 CL14
Video Card(s) ASRock MBA 7900XTX
Storage 1TB WD SN850X + 1TB ADATA SX8200 Pro
Display(s) Dell S2721QS 4K60
Case Cooler Master CM690 II Advanced USB 3.0
Audio Device(s) Audiotrak Prodigy Cube Black (JRC MUSES 8820D) + CAL (recabled)
Power Supply Seasonic Prime TX-750
Mouse Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave
Keyboard Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave
Software Windows 10 Pro
I've been using big tower coolers ever since the AthlonXP days. To me this seems the most economical choice. High-end units can easily handle 99% use cases, maybe except overclocked top SKUs under extended all-core load.

I'm not a hardcore oc'er myself, I don't bench competetively, I don't need maximum fps in my games. I have no use for an R9/i9 since I don't run multicore workloads all day. So the advantages of custom water over top-end air cooling are minimal for me. And of course there's the extra cost and maintenance.

I briefly considered AIOs, but the small difference in temperatures - even with unrealistic synthetic loads - doesn't appear to justify the expense. I don't care for the RGB bling either, so the esthetics are of minor importance in my book.

The only drawback of tower coolers (especially dual designs) may be case compatibility and RAM clearance. At least memory issues can be easily remedied by swapping a 120mm fan on the front. Then there's the misconception that efficient air cooling must be noisy. That doesn't have to be the case. All my rigs use a single intake and exhaust fan running at 1300-1500 rpm max - when stress testing - plus a single CPU fan at even lower speed. Only my current Zen3 PC uses a dual CPU fan.

All my systems are barely audible in everyday use and very quiet when gaming. And the temperatures are low :)
 
Joined
Feb 20, 2019
Messages
7,194 (3.86/day)
System Name Bragging Rights
Processor Atom Z3735F 1.33GHz
Motherboard It has no markings but it's green
Cooling No, it's a 2.2W processor
Memory 2GB DDR3L-1333
Video Card(s) Gen7 Intel HD (4EU @ 311MHz)
Storage 32GB eMMC and 128GB Sandisk Extreme U3
Display(s) 10" IPS 1280x800 60Hz
Case Veddha T2
Audio Device(s) Apparently, yes
Power Supply Samsung 18W 5V fast-charger
Mouse MX Anywhere 2
Keyboard Logitech MX Keys (not Cherry MX at all)
VR HMD Samsung Oddyssey, not that I'd plug it into this though....
Software W10 21H1, barely
Benchmark Scores I once clocked a Celeron-300A to 564MHz on an Abit BE6 and it scored over 9000.
I went with an Alphacool loop for CPU+GPU during lockdown as I needed to squeeze all that I could out of a 3900X for working locally on data instead of being on site to run datasets over 10GbE links to 2P servers.

At the time I had a 2070S with a particularly frustrating cooler and that was the tipping point (coupled with lots of time at home) to build a loop. I still have a 140mm+360mm radiator cooling just my 5800X now which is ridiculous overkill but the Asus TUF 3060Ti I have is whisper quiet and I didn't bother buying a waterblock for it. Depending on how stupid the power draw of Lovelace and RDNA3 cards is, I may well revert to watercooling my GPU again.

The first thing Nvidia and AMD have to do though, is convince me that there's any point. I already run everything I play at 1440p165 on high or ultra. Games don't look significantly better at 4K because 1440p is already sharp enough to see polygons in the art assets and get the most out of hi-res textures. There's good reason that 1440p is called the gaming sweet spot and performance isn't the only reason that game devs target half-4K checkerboard or dynamic scaling - it's because there comes a point where adding resolution achieves very little visual improvement. I game more on my 4K TV than I do on my 1440p desktop these days and a lot of the time I don't feel that the game looks any better for it.
 
Joined
Feb 20, 2020
Messages
9,160 (6.11/day)
Location
Louisianna
System Name Ghetto Rigs z490|x99|Acer 17 Nitro 7840hs/ 5600c40-2x16/ 4060/ 1tb acer stock m.2/ 4tb sn850x
Processor 10900k w/Optimus Foundation | 5930k w/Black Noctua D15
Motherboard z490 Maximus XII Apex | x99 Sabertooth
Cooling oCool D5 res-combo/280 GTX/ Optimus Foundation/ gpu water block | Blk D15
Memory Trident-Z Royal 4000c16 2x16gb | Trident-Z 3200c14 4x8gb
Video Card(s) Titan Xp-water | evga 980ti gaming-w/ air
Storage 970evo+500gb & sn850x 4tb | 860 pro 256gb | Acer m.2 1tb/ sn850x 4tb| Many2.5" sata's ssd 3.5hdd's
Display(s) 1-AOC G2460PG 24"G-Sync 144Hz/ 2nd 1-ASUS VG248QE 24"/ 3rd LG 43" series
Case D450 | Cherry Entertainment center on Test bench
Audio Device(s) Built in Realtek x2 with 2-Insignia 2.0 sound bars & 1-LG sound bar
Power Supply EVGA 1000P2 with APC AX1500 | 850P2 with CyberPower-GX1325U
Mouse Redragon 901 Perdition x3
Keyboard G710+x3
Software Win-7 pro x3 and win-10 & 11pro x3
Benchmark Scores Are in the benchmark section
I went custom water, because in 40C ambients PC go whirrrrr every summer.

If i could have got an AIO on the GPU, i'd have settled for that.


all my blocks are damaged from vinegar, it totally can scuff them up. Sure you can clean them again, but vinegar totally can mess with the finish.
Hi,
I did read heat does compound the effects so 40c jeez open a window your a/c is broken that's hotter daily than in Texas atm :laugh:
 
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