Cooling a 3930k in a Xigmatek Aquila

[xvi]

Any advice on keeping an Intel i7 3930k cool in a Xigmatek Aquila?

Air Cooling Option
I've got a Scythe Mugen Max on it right now, but would prefer to utilize the two 120mm fan mounts on the top of the case to assist in cooling the motherboard's components since I'd like to start moving the clock speed up a bit.

AIO Water Option
Never really was sold on AIOs from a performance standpoint. The Mugen Max is cheaper, very quiet, and uses 100% less water. The only appeal here is that it would be a considerably smaller package than a custom loop.

Custom Water Option
I do have a waterblock and a 2x120mm radiator that's meant for another project, but I don't think I can get it all to fit well in that case. I don't think I can keep air out of the radiator. The radiator is 54mm thick and I have enough San Ace 120x120x40mm fans to fill all four spots, but I really doubt I could get it all in there gracefully. Even with only two fans on the radiator, that's 94mm of clearance needed (at least).

Wat do?

 

[Asylum]

I would go with a AIO that will fit on a dual fan mount in your case.

Just take the measurements and find a good quality one that will fit.

 

[GorbazTheDragon]

Either 2x120mm AIO, or make a water loop IMO.

Not sure how clearance works with the board and case, but you could also try one of Noctua's dual towers.

 

[xvi]

A decent 2x120mm AIO is what I'm leaning towards just since it'd be in a relatively small package and would consolidate all required fans to just the two on top. I fear anything aircooled would restrict a lot of the airflow necessary to keep VRMs cool if I start pushing the CPU. I'd prefer a custom loop, but I just don't think I have the space. Any recommendations on something inexpensive that can handle the 3930k's 130w TDP (plus mildly aggressive overclock)?

Finally looked it up, the mobo is an ASRock x79 Extreme 4m. Main concern is the 6+2 VRM design. Not sure how well they'll hold up, so I'd like to get as much airlfow on them as reasonably possible.

Edit: Did some googling around to compare a couple Corsair units (generally not a fan of Corsair tbh). One of the top results was a thread on Toms Hardware forums. People are crazy over there.

 

[Haytch]

XSPC Raystorm with their Dual Pump D5/Dual bay Res & their RX radiator.
They also sell kits which are cheaper but I don't think they offer the Dual pump D5 in a kit.

Of course, this means you will have to put it all together yourself and you will need some tubing, fluid, water-flow meter, temp sensor, fans etc, but it will be a lot better and more fun that an AIO solution like the Corsair H110i.

I love my XSPC products, I find them to be very good off the shelf, even better after I tinker with them for a while.

 

[Nordic]

Some form of custom watercooling would be best. You have a few options with that mugen. Try it out and see if the mugen is enough. If it is not you could undervolt and keep it at stock clocks. You could probably cut the heat out put in half that way. If that is unacceptable, than you could buy several very powerful fans such as these rpm ones. That would be expensive enough where it would just be cheaper to buy a better air cooler.