Back to Liquid Cooling for CPU

fireberd · 13 May 2017

I had initially installed a Deepcool "Captain 120 EX" liquid cooler on my new built with an i7 6700K CPU. I got concerned about the liquid and removed it and installed a Noctua NH14S with second fan. I need a "quiet" PC as its used as my recording studio system. However, the CPU is running 10 to 15 degrees C hotter at idle or minimum CPU use and much hotter under load and I don't like that. Speeding up the CPU cooler fans don't do much. So next week, when I have a chance to do it, I'm going to reinstall the Captain 120 EX. I'll chance liquid leakage for the better cooling. Both coolers have quiet fans so that is not an issue.

bobkn · 13 May 2017

That's surprising.

In my limited experience, a small all-in-one liquid cooler shouldn't outperform a large, high quality air cooler.

I'm using an AIO water cooler now in my primary system, but it's mainly to free up space on the motherboard.

fireberd · 13 May 2017

Noctua has a good reputation. I used Arctic Silver compound when I installed the Noctua. I've been using CPUID HWMonitor and Core Temp to check temperatures. Both report about the same. Right now, at almost idle I'm seeing upper 30's C for the CPU cores. With the liquid cooling it would be upper 20's.

CountMike · 14 May 2017

I'm still waiting for Cooler Master to send a kit for AM4 to install my Nepton 140XL, it's so much better than my Mugen3 which is also enormous air cooler. Nepton brought me at least 200MHz of OC over Mugen. In mean time I micro polished contact surface so it will be even better. I mounted radiator and fans to the outside back of the case and there's so much more space inside.

fireberd · 14 May 2017

The Noctua cooler almost does not fit in my BeQuiet Silent Base 600 case. After I installed it I was concerned with space. I just barely get the side panel on. With the liquid cooler and the radiator and fan there is plenty of room.

OldMike65 · 14 May 2017

fireberd said:

Noctua has a good reputation. I used Arctic Silver compound when I installed the Noctua. I've been using CPUID HWMonitor and Core Temp to check temperatures. Both report about the same. Right now, at almost idle I'm seeing upper 30's C for the CPU cores. With the liquid cooling it would be upper 20's.

Just a little tip on Arctic Silver, buy some Arctic MX-4 and use that next time, its Much Better then the Arctic Silver compound.

essenbe · 14 May 2017

OldMike65 said:

Just a little tip on Arctic Silver, buy some Arctic MX-4 and use that next time, its Much Better then the Arctic Silver compound.

Mike, that is an often debated subject. There are a lot of people who disagree with you and some who do agree. Arctic Silver just takes a long time to 'cure', over 200 hours by many accounts. Personally I always use Noctua NT-H1. But, I digress. Lets not turn Fireberd's thread into a which Thermal paste is best thread.

CountMike · 14 May 2017

essenbe said:

Mike, that is an often debated subject. There are a lot of people who disagree with you and some who do agree. Arctic Silver just takes a long time to 'cure', over 200 hours by many accounts. Personally I always use Noctua NT-H1. But, I digress. Lets not turn Fireberd's thread into a which Thermal paste is best thread.

+1 for Noctua NT-H1 I'm using it with great success.

OldMike65 · 14 May 2017

essenbe said:

Mike, that is an often debated subject. There are a lot of people who disagree with you and some who do agree. Arctic Silver just takes a long time to 'cure', over 200 hours by many accounts. Personally I always use Noctua NT-H1. But, I digress. Lets not turn Fireberd's thread into a which Thermal paste is best thread.

I had No intention of doing so Steve ....was just a tip. Which I STILL stand by 100% .

essenbe · 14 May 2017

I know you didn't intend to Mike. It's just one of those subjects that brings people out of the woodwork to argue about. Not quite as bad as saying Nvidia Graphics Cards are a lot better than AMD.