Good 120mm AIOs?

[JebKerman]

I'm opting for silent cooling of a Core i7 4790 (not the k variant) in a Corsair 380t, my original plan was to go overboard with an H100i, mostly so i could cover the side not taken up by the GPU (970 Strix).

 

Is maybe "downgrading" to a single 120mm AIO on the rear a better idea since the chip can't be overclocked?

 

If so, which one(s) would you recommend, I'm thinking a Corsair Hydro of some form (thinking H60 SE) possibly with an upgraded fan if nessesary

[Nup]

I don't know how a 120mm cooler like that would perform on said chip. I presume it would have to work some to keep it cool.

 

Perhaps you could consider a 140mm aio, something like the nzxt x41, or h90. 

 

EDIT;

 

Oh and welcome to the forums!  

 

Don't forget to follow your posts! @JebKerman

[JebKerman]

a 140mm would have to sit on the front (no 140mm mounts anywhere else in the case), what i guess i'm looking for is an upgrade to the stock cooler

[SonoDanshi]

Perhaps you could consider a 140mm aio, something like the nzxt x41, or h90. 

The 380t can only fit a 120mm rad on the rear so 140mm options are off the table.

 

I run a 140mm AIO on my aging 3770k @4.3GHz and it really does perform well - but that is in a mid tower, so plenty of space for air to circulate compared to a 380t. I would imagine though that as long as you aren't running a gfx card that is going to pump out a huge amount of heat then the 120mm AIO will keep your CPU in the safe zone, but not really on the cool side of safe.

[Nup]

a 140mm would have to sit on the front (no 140mm mounts anywhere else in the case), what i guess i'm looking for is an upgrade to the stock cooler

Is that not ok? 

 

A 120 would certainly be a worth while upgrade. I was just think that if eventually you get another cpu that is unlocked you could tsil use the 140 for better effect. 

 

But a 120 will net you some very nice results.  

 

The x31 seems to be doing very well. 

[Nup]

The 380t can only fit a 120mm rad on the rear so 140mm options are off the table.

 

I run a 140mm AIO on my aging 3770k @4.3GHz and it really does perform well - but that is in a mid tower, so plenty of space for air to circulate compared to a 380t. I would imagine though that as long as you aren't running a gfx card that is going to pump out a huge amount of heat then the 120mm AIO will keep your CPU in the safe zone, but not really on the cool side of safe.

I thought it could fit one in the front intake.

 

It would be nice to have it in the front too, as it'd be getting lots of fresh air, as opposed to getting the 970's hot air going through it. 

 

Considering that Mr. OP isn't OCing then i think that the 120 will do very well. So as you said, i think that it'll do ok, even considering that the gpu will be pumping out some heat. 

[JebKerman]

The Kraken X41 might actually work since it has 40cm long tubes, I'll look into it. Seems nice and controllable as well. although the front fan, unless you can change it's position looks like it actually sits right between the chassis and front plate.

 

Yup, as I suspected... 

 

Edit:

although, the X31 looks nice and i can mount 2 120mm fans on the front one might be able to have the radiator mounted on the other side, inside the chassis

[Nup]

The Kraken X41 might actually work since it has 40cm long tubes, I'll look into it. Seems nice and controllable as well. although the front fan, unless you can change it's position looks like it actually sits right between the chassis and front plate.

 

Yup, as I suspected... 

 

Edit:

although, the X31 looks nice and i can mount 2 120mm fans on the front one might be able to have the radiator mounted on the other side, inside the chassis

 

Seems tricky alright. Keep me potsed on your findings. 

 

Oh and dont forget to quote! nearly missed your reply!

[Tim Drake]

Bro if you're cooling a non overclocked chip you can literally go for the cheapest one and be done.

 

Best options: Corsair H55, Cooler Master Seidon 120v, Cooler Master Seidon 120M, NZXT x31 (still op but sexy as fuck)