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New guy, probably old question. Air vs. All-in-one loop.

285 views 6 replies 5 participants last post by  mdocod 
#1 ·
Having just built my first working computer ever, of course now I'm looking to maximize it's potential (and it gives me something to do now that the building is done). I have started doing some research into the world of overclocking. First thing that comes up on almost any how-to guide is a big section about cooling.

Here's what I built.

Processor- Intel 4770K
Mobo- Asus Maximus IV Hero
Ram- 16 gig (2x8) G.skill Ripjaws X 1866.
PS- Corsair 1000w modular
Case- CM Storm Trooper.
CPU cooler- Coolermaster tpc 812.
GPU-EVGA superclocked GTX 770
SSD- Samsung 840 evo 256g.

But now that I'm considering overclocking, I'm concerned about the cooler I chose. The reviews are mainly lukewarm on that cooler. Everyone seems to say, works fine, but nothing earthshattering. So I'm looking for opinions.

Right now, I'm not up to building an entire cooling loop from scratch. Not to mention the wife would strangle me for spending that much more money after building my comp.

So I see a couple of options available, and I wanted some knowledgeable opinions.

1) Keep the tpc 812, and see how far I can get with it. I've read that putting a second fan on it in push/pull does improve it's performance.
2) Spring for a new air cooler. Seems as if Noctua gets the nod. Unsure how much performance increase I will get over the 812.
3) Look at a closed loop all-in-one system from one of the major manufacturers (Corsair, Coolermaster, NZXT). I actually like this idea, but, I would like to make sure that it will actually do a significantly better job than my air cooler before I spend the $.

So have at it, all opinions welcome.

Thanks,

Doc
 
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#2 ·
The hobby makes you spend, so there is no escape. I used an antec 920 for a year to see how far I could push it. Learned its limits and flaws and also the best features of it. When you over clock to the limits you will start to see a max out point of your current cooler. But by that time you will have an idea what you want in a custom loop. I would try to max the limits then upgrade at a later date. Push/pull fans will increase cooling but will add noise, you will see it is a very cheap improvement to start out with.
 
#3 ·
That's a pretty serious cooler. No low-end all-in-one loop is gonna match the performance of that. Please do a little research on "heat pipes" because you really should familiarize yourself with what goes on in those heat pipes - mainly the fact that's not an air-to-air cooler. It's technically a phase-change cooler.
 
#4 ·
see how far you can get with your present cooler as max said. its not a bad air cooler at all. im betting its at least as good as the hyper 212+ which is an outstanding bargain.
if you want to add fans, get 2 GOOD fans. you dont want 2 more sleeve bearing fans. if you need help with anything just ask. plenty of knowledgeable people on the forums.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cavi Mike View Post

It's technically a phase-change cooler.
um, no. As you may recall, vapor chambers are effectively flattened heatpipes.
phase change
lachen.gif


http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/cooler_master_shows_new_vertical_vapor_chamber_heatsink_technology

 
#6 ·
mounted vertically, high speed yate loons. mount horizontally or vertically, gentle typhoon ap-15.
there are a lot of good fans. just remember sleeve bearings wear out fastwhen the fan is laid down. ball bearings last for years but are usually a bit noisier.
check all the fan threads. here is an old fan review/test on heatsinks not radiators.
http://www.overclock.net/t/724577/the-well-dressed-megahalems-65-fans-and-112-setups-56k-warning/80
here is a newer review/test
http://www.vortez.net/articles_pages/120mm_and_140mm_fan_comparison,1.html

good luck finding fans that make you happy
biggrin.gif
 
#7 ·
A lot of those "BIG" gnarly umpteen billion heat-pipe coolers miss out on having the sort of thermal conductivity from the chip to the pipes that some of the modern lightweights benefit from. The "big" units like that 812 would undoubtedly be able to dissipate far more thermal energy than something like a 212 EVO, but unfortunately, there's no way to get the heat from the tiny chip to all the pipage that is effective enough to appreciate all of the dissipation headroom, especially through the haswell lid. The 812 is a better match to 32-45nm CPUs with ~300mm die sizes (piledriver and SandyBridge-E). Haswell would undoubtedly respond better to direct-touch pipes and well designed water blocks.

That said, I would still see what you can do with it first. Maybe strapped down good and tight with that "perfect" amount of thermal compound you'll be able to exercise it a bit.
 
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