2nd Build - Still Debating My Case/Cooler

[ramzabeoulve]

I built my first desktop in 2011. Throughout the years, I have upgraded the GPU and some storage. However, my motherboard died so I decided this was the time to build anew. I do gaming and consume media. My productivity work consists of mostly databases and web programming. So I decided that I didn't need the i7. This is what I ordered on 8/19.

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor (Purchased For $219.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14PE_BK 78.1 CFM CPU Cooler (Purchased For $74.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VIII HERO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard (Purchased For $219.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory (Purchased For $81.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case (Purchased For $89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply (Purchased For $99.99 @ Newegg)

Base Price: $783.95
Shipping: $2.99
Combo Discounts: -$24.99
Promo Discounts: -$18.20
Total Rebates: -$40.00
Total Including Discounts, Shipping, Taxes: $706.74


Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (Salvage from 1st build)
Storage: 320GB 2.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive (Salvage from 1st build)
Storage: Toshiba 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Salvage from 1st build)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Salvage from 1st build)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 960 4GB Video Card (Salvage from 1st build)


I snapped up the Define R5 Blackout Edition for a good price ($80 USD after rebate). But I'm having second thoughts. Going into the process, I wanted a case that provided a good balance of cooling and acoustics. Keep it or what other case options? I was also considering the 400Q but that would require changing the CPU Cooler as well for clearance issues. (The box is unopened so no restocking fee and I get free returns).

 

[Bill_Bright]

IMO, I would have bought that case at full price!!!! I have the R4 which is very similar. It has outstanding and very flexible cooling options. Note like the R4, the R5 case has dense sound absorbing lining - and it works. The included fans are dead silent. If you hear any fan noise, it will be from the GPU or PSU but only because they directly vent out the case. But frankly, the only fan noise I hear is the air conditioning blower motor coming through the AC vent in the room!

I have had a couple Corsairs, 300r and 400r (not the 400Q, however) and frankly, I was disappointed. They were quiet enough but the build quality was not up the level of Fractal Design. The 300r wobbled because the case was not exactly "true" - all 4 feet did not sit firmly on the floor. And because the case was not true, the side panels did not fit just right and were difficult to remove and very difficult to replace. And both cases had a [admittedly minor] finishing issues with the sheet metal edges still being rough. I cut my knuckles on the 300r.

The design of both Corsair was great. As were the cooling options. But I am so much happier with my Fractal Design I wholeheartedly recommend you stick with yours.

750W is way overkill for what you have. But too late now.

 

[slozomby]

I'm somewhat confused on the cpu cooler.
why not go with something like a corsair h60 instead.

 

[ramzabeoulve]

750W is way overkill for what you have. But too late now.

Going for the GTX1070 or 1080 once Skyrim Remastered drops.

I'm somewhat confused on the cpu cooler.

why not go with something like a corsair h60 instead.

High end air cooler beats low end AIO.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Going for the GTX1070 or 1080 once Skyrim Remastered drops.

It is still WAY overkill. Note NVIDIA only recommends 500W for the 1070 and those recommendations are always inflated to ensure enough horsepower. The 1080 has the same 500W.

That 750W does not hurt anything, but your budget.

As for choosing an air cooler, I would too. I see no need for water cooling except with extreme overclocking scenarios. Most water cooling solutions are for bragging rights, not because it is needed.

I personally don't like side firing air coolers (or any alternative cooler that does not include a downward firing fan) because there is the potential for neglecting the cooling requirements of the heat generating/heat sensitive devices the motherboard designers intentionally clustered around the CPU socket in anticipation of the downward firing OEM cooler. Sadly, many less experienced builders are remiss at addressing those concerns when they implement alternative cooling solutions. This is actually why I always stick with OEM coolers (if one comes with the CPU). Contrary to what many think or want us to believe, OEM coolers today are quite capable of providing adequate cooling, even with mild to moderate cooling - assuming a properly cooled case.

With the FD R5 case, when properly configured, there should be plenty of air flow through the case for the other components too.

 

[thebluebumblebee]

I wanted a case that provided a good balance of cooling and acoustics

That could be the sales line for the R4/R5.
I don't see what you think you need. The R5 has more than enough "thermal capacity" for what you have and what you're thinking about adding. I think that the 400Q and the R5 would have similar thermal performance. Now the 600Q...

I personally don't like side firing air coolers (or any alternative cooler that does not include a downward firing fan) because there is the potential for neglecting the cooling requirements of the heat generating/heat sensitive devices the motherboard designers intentionally clustered around the CPU socket in anticipation of the downward firing OEM cooler. Sadly, many less experienced builders are remiss at addressing those concerns when they implement alternative cooling solutions. This is actually why I always stick with OEM coolers (if one comes with the CPU). Contrary to what many think or want us to believe, OEM coolers today are quite capable of providing adequate cooling, even with mild to moderate cooling - assuming a properly cooled case.

I just want to add that today's performance motherboards are designed and built with the idea of water cooling or tower HSF's, so its no big deal, but, I too like downward blowing coolers (check my specs).

 

[rtwjunkie]

I snapped up the Define R5 Blackout Edition for a good price ($80 USD after rebate). But I'm having second thoughts. Going into the process, I wanted a case that provided a good balance of cooling and acoustics.

Why have 2nd thoughts? You already got an almost perfect blend of cooling and acoustic dampening. Airflow is great, and noise is low.

 

[Bill_Bright]

I just want to add that today's performance motherboards are designed and built with the idea of water cooling or tower HSF's,

Exceptions don't make the rule. Some high-end "performance" boards may include support for alternative cooling solutions but I note VRMs are still clustered in crowded real estate around the CPU socket. Motherboards are designed for specific CPUs and most come with OEM coolers. Not every builder buys these expensive, high-end boards.

To illustrate, I note here where ASRock says for the Fatal1ty 990FX Killer/3.1(my bold underline added),

* For cooling the CPU and its surrounding components, please install a CPU cooler with a top-down blowing design.

But it's a moot point so best not drive this OT as the OP has already bought his cooler and that case (if he sticks with that FD r5) will provide plenty of cool air flowing through the case.

 

[Kanan]

Tower coolers are good for component mb cooling too, but depends somewhat on the model used. I know the Noctua fans at least are good for it and strictly designed to do so.

Build looks good but I concur with darkwing duck here, the psu is about 150-250W over the top. Look what I use and my system draws a lot more even. Power consumption on mine is 400-500W worst case. 250W vs 150W gpu, cpu one to two times more, etc.

Anyway seems to be the latest crazyness to have a totally overdimensioned psu nowadays. Doesnt change the facts though, its not efficient.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Doesnt change the facts though, its not efficient.

I agree it is not "efficient" as in the efficient use of budget money. But in terms of wasting energy, if both supplies are 80 PLUS Gold, their energy efficiencies are essentially going to be the same.

Tower coolers are good for component mb cooling too, but depends somewhat on the model used. I know the Noctua fans at least are good for it and strictly designed to do so.

The key here is, "depends on the model used". If the cooler has a side firing fan, the air flow will be concentrated in one direction only - and only the components in the path of that direct flow will benefit. And even then, because side firing fans sit up so high, most of that directed flow will be "up" too high to even help much there either.

With downward firing fans, the downdraft is disbursed "down" to component levels then out in a near 360° pattern even with a fined heatsink to where the VRMs on one side will benefit as well as RAM on the other side, and all points in between.

To say a motherboard these days is designed to "support" alternative cooling, that really just means it has the necessary fan and monitoring "headers" to control and monitor these devices. It does not mean they have been redesigned to address the lack of cooling on socket surrounding components that may occur with alternative cooling.

If Corsair made motherboards and specifically designed their motherboards with Corsair water cooling in mind, then I might buy it.

 

[Kanan]

Yeah that's basically what I thought too. The important thing is that there is airflow in the case, my case for example has 2x 140mm fans that blow directly on the components of the PC, without any drive bays etc. in its way. The NH-D14 I use on the other hand at least cools the components in front of it (in direction of the fan blow), the 140mm fan is pretty low mounted, so I'm sure it helps. Noctua themselves are stating "excellent component cooling" on most of their coolers, and with their great reputation I tend to believe them.

That said, I'm not a fan of AIOs, I like custom watercooling though and if I would ever use water cooling I'd make sure I have a lot of airflow over the components.

 

[Bill_Bright]

The important thing is that there is airflow in the case

Exactly!

 

[Komshija]

I'm somewhat confused on the cpu cooler.
why not go with something like a corsair h60 instead.

This cooler literally destroys H60, H70 and very likely H80 considering cooling performance. Besides, it's far more reliable & durable, just like any other air cooler vs water cooler.

@ramzabeoulve : Check Be Quiet! Silent Base 600.