Liquid Cooling, is it necessary?

[Jacoba 55]

I'm spec'ing out a new gaming rig and I am wondering if the liquid cooling is really necessary?

 

Here the specs via Cyber Power PC that I'm looking at... any suggestions are very welcomed!

 

 

Configuration

• *BASE_PRICE: [+1216]
• CARE1: Ultra Enhanced Packaging Solution - Protect Your Dream System During Transit [+19]
• CARE2: Cooler Master Thermal Fusion 400 Extreme Performance CPU - Thermal Compound Optimized for Thermal Dissipation [+10]
• CARE3: Professional Wiring for All WIRING Inside The System Chassis - Minimize Cable Exposure, Maximize Airflow in Your System [+19]
• CAS: Thermaltake Chaser MK-1 Full Tower Gaming Case W/ Side Panel Window [+107]
• CASUPGRADE: 12in Cold Cathode Neon Light [+10] (Blue Color)
• CD: LG 12X Internal Blu-ray Drive & DVDRW, 3D Playback Combo Drive (BLACK COLOR)
• CD2: LG 12X Internal Blu-ray Drive & DVDRW, 3D Playback Combo Drive [+61] (BLACK COLOR)
• COOLANT: High-Performance Coolant powered by Koolance [+19] (Blue Color [+10])
• CPU: Intel® Core™ i7-3820 Quad-Core 3.60 GHz 10MB Intel Smart Cache LGA2011 (All Venom OC Certified)
• CS_FAN: Maximum Enermax 120MM Case Cooling Fans for selected case (Maximum Silent Operation) [+29] (500-1,200 RPM T.B. Silence Black Color with Blue LED Twister Bearing 8-14 dBA [+0] 
• FA_HDD: Vigor iSURF II Hard Disk Drive Cooling System [+21] (2 x Systems [+27])
• FAN: CyberPower Xtreme Hydro Liquid Cooling Kit 240MM w/ XSPC Rasa 750 RS240, Dual Fan(CPU & GPU Liquid Cool Capable, Extreme Overclocking Performance + Extreme Silent at 18dBA)(All Venom OC Certified) [+63]
• HDD: 2TB (2TBx1) SATA-III 6.0Gb/s 64MB Cache 7200RPM HDD (Single Drive)
• HDD2: 2TB (2TBx1) SATA-III 6.0Gb/s 64MB Cache 7200RPM HDD [+112] (Single Drive)
• IEEE_CARD: None
• IUSB: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports
• KEYBOARD1: (Keyboard & Mouse Combo) Razer Cyclosa Gaming Keyboard & Abyssus Gaming Mouse [+30]
• MEMORY: 32GB (4GBx8) DDR3/2133MHz Quad Channel Memory [+273] (Corsair Vengeance [+79])
• MONITOR: 32" Widescreen 1920x1080 Sceptre X325BV-FHD LCD HDTV w/ Built-in Speakers, VGA & HDMI-Input [+248]
• MONITOR2: None
• MONITOR3: None
• MOPAD1: Razer Destructor 2 Expert Hard Gaming Mouse Pad [+33]
• MOTHERBOARD: (4-Way SLI/CrossFireX Support) GIGABYTE X79-UP4 Intel X79 Chipset Quad Channel DDR3 ATX Mainboard w/ Ultra Durable 5, 7.1 HD Audio, GbLAN, 4 Gen3 PCIe x16, 2 PCIe x1 & 1 PCI
• NETWORK: Intel Pro Gigabit 10/100/1000 Network Card [+34]
• NOISEREDUCE1: Sound Absorbing Foam on Side, Top And Bottom panels [+29]
• NOISEREDUCE2: Power Supply Gasket [+5]
• NOISEREDUCE3: Anti-Vibration Fan Mounts [+9]
• OS: Microsoft® Windows 7 Professional [+31] (64-bit Edition)
• OVERCLOCK: Pro OC (Performance Overclock 10% or more) [+19]
• POWERSUPPLY: * 1,000 Watts - Cooler Master Silent Pro M 80 Plus Power Supply [+113]
• PRINTER_CABLE1: PPA 6FT HDMI TO HDMI MALE BLACK CABLE WITH GOLD PLATED CONNECTORS [+12] (1 piece)
• RUSH: RUSH!!! READY TO SHIP IN 5 BUSINESS DAYS [+49]
• SERVICE: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
• SOUND: Creative Sound Blaster Z 5.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCIe Sound Card w/ SBX Pro Studio & Sound Core3D Processor [+79]
• SPEAKERS: 600Watts PMPO Subwoofer Stereo Speakers [+15]
• TEMP: NZXT Sentry LX Aluminum High Performance Fan Control, Clock, & Temperature Display [+69]
• TUNING: Intel® Core™ i7-3820 Performance Tuning Protection Plan by Intel [+29]
• TVRC: None
• UPS1: OPTI-UPS VS575CB 575VA/345W 6 Outlet Uninterruptible Power Supply [+57]
• USB: None
• USBFLASH: None
• USBHD: None
• USBX: NZXT Internal USB 6-PORT Expansion Module [+19]
• VIDEO: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 2GB 16X PCIe 3.0 Video Card [+173] (Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA)
• VIDEO2: None
• VIDEO3: None
• WNC: 802.11b/g/n 300 Mbps Wireless Card + External 2.4G 5 Dbi Omni-Directional Wireless Antenna [+39]
• _PRICE: (+3167)

[martin-w 3,234]

No! Water cooling is not required. Most definitely not for the overclock you quote above.

 

I have an i7 3770K, at 4.5GHz.

 

It's cooled with a Noctua NH-D14.

 

It runs very cool, and very quiet.

 

If you decide to go for a full blown water cooling kit, remember that water cooling requires maintenance. In addition, water leaks are a possibility, even with the all-in-one water coolers.

[Jacoba 55]

 

 

If you decide to go for a full blown water cooling kit, remember that water cooling requires maintenance. In addition, water leaks are a possibility, even with the all-in-one water coolers.

 

Thanks for the info!

[martin-w 3,234]

Be warned though.

 

There are plenty of water cooling fanatics around who will try to convince you otherwise. Whether you need water cooling or not.

 

People like to justify their own choices, by claiming their choices are superior.

 

:smile:

[Lawyer+Pilot 126]

No! Water cooling is not required. Most definitely not for the overclock you quote above.

 

I have an i7 3770K, at 4.5GHz.

 

It's cooled with a Noctua NH-D14.

 

It runs very cool, and very quiet.

 

If you decide to go for a full blown water cooling kit, remember that water cooling requires maintenance. In addition, water leaks are a possibility, even with the all-in-one water coolers.

Sort of. Not all water cooling solutions require maintenance. There are a number of good closed loop water cooling units on the market.

 

For my Cyberpower rig, I went with the CoolIT ECO 240mm closed loop cooler. I had a NH-D14 on my last rig. A good air cooler, but it's a massive pain in the #%^--literally. Performance wise, see Tom's Hardware for a good comparison:

 

http://m.tomshardware.com/reviews/water2.0-extreme-kraken-x40-hydro-h90-elc120,3434.html

 

Speaking of the massive NH-D14, Tom's Hardware said (referring to the Noctua beast): "Our recent experiences show that heavy coolers damaging motherboards during shipping is now a rule, rather than the exception. We hate to think about what could happen if a system were to fall on its side while supporting two pounds of metal from its PCB."

 

Good point.

[Sara Louise Capon 21]

Had mine running now for 1 year solid with water cooling.

Home made cooling loop. Is it neccesary? it helps for sure, and is silent.

How much better, no idea, never tried this computer without water cooling,

Motherboard, memory, GPU & CPU all water cooled.

Running i990X at 4.6 steady, and temps don't go above 65 on the cpu with all 6 cores under full load.

GPU 45.

Leaks - none, I use good old fashioned jubilee clips, nothing sexy.

Maintenance, topped up the header tank twice in 12 months, about 400ml total.

Is it superior, no idea, i just know it works.

[g_precentralis 191]

Liquid cooling is not necessary at all. There are advantages and flaws compared with air cooling. It's your choice.

 

 

 

 

Be warned though.

 

There are plenty of water cooling fanatics around who will try to convince you otherwise. Whether you need water cooling or not.

 

People like to justify their own choices, by claiming their choices are superior.

 

:smile:

 

Your mean attempt to present people with water cooling solutions as fanatics, and water cooling as bad, risky, nerdy...whatever, maybe is sign of your try to justify your own choice, or you are just jealous? :smile: 

 

Please do not try to transfer your fears to other members anymore, if you are unconformable with water cooling stay away from it and do not write such a things at forums anymore. :smile:

[jfri 42]

 

 

remember that water cooling requires maintenance

 

What kind of maintenance ?

[snowingairlines 20]

Other than that, you might want to reduce the wattage of your psu. You could save money by going with a 750W model.

[Lawyer+Pilot 126]

What kind of maintenance ?

Think about it like the oil in your car. It needs to be monitored for leaks and fluid levels. Coolant must be changed periodically because, as this is an open system, contaminants (like algae) can find a way in and clog the loop.

[Azone 39]

Think about it like the oil in your car. It needs to be monitored for leaks and fluid levels. Coolant must be changed periodically because, as this is an open system, contaminants (like algae) can find a way in and clog the loop.

No, many simple liquid cooling systems require no maintenance and are rather inexpensive.

[Lawyer+Pilot 126]

No, many simple liquid cooling systems require no maintenance and are rather inexpensive.

Yes, I realize that. Except that the post he was quoting was referring to open-loop, not closed-loop, water cooling setups.

[HighTowers 1,434]

I use the Corsair H70 closed loop. Been running very well for over a year, and temps are great. Also pretty quiet. 

 

Is it better than air cooling? IMO I had better results, but as alot of products and methods say.... Your mileage will vary. 

Is it necessary? Yes as relative as air cooling is. FSX runs CPU hot, so efficient cooling is paramount be it an outstanding air cooler or water cooling. 

[jfri 42]

Yes, I realize that. Except that the post he was quoting was referring to open-loop, not closed-loop, water cooling setups.

 

So for the system in the link below I don't need to worry about maintenance since its closed loop and prefillt.

http://www.dustinhome.se/product/5010658124/corsair-h60-hydro-cpu-cooler-s-1050-1155-2011-am3/

[Lawyer+Pilot 126]

So for the system in the link below I don't need to worry about maintenance since its closed loop and prefillt.

http://www.dustinhome.se/product/5010658124/corsair-h60-hydro-cpu-cooler-s-1050-1155-2011-am3/

Correct. To put it into fighter pilot speak, these are fire and forget units. Of course, like any complex part, things can fail. But that's way different than the burden of routine maintenance.