CC268

As always, thanks for the feedback! I ordered an NH-D15 (I realize it’s way overkill haha) and some NF-A14s. Got chromax in both so it should actually look pretty good.

Hey guys, It's been years since I've paid much attention to PC components. I currently have NZXT X61 (CPU) and x41 (GPU) AIO coolers. They are approaching 6 years old and my GPU temps are starting to be abnormally high. I should mention that I really don't game anymore. In fact, my desktop has really just become a "cool" looking web browser haha. Here is my build (some of the SSDs have been updates, not that it matters): https://pcpartpicker.com/b/bcnnTW That said, I think it would be good to switch back over to the stock MSI GPU air cooler and then possibly upgrade the CPU cooler to a Noctua NH-D15 (I assume this will fit in my Fractal Design Define S Mid Tower?). I guess my questions are: 1. Is the Noctua NH-D15 my best bet for an air cooler? (i5-6600K) 2. I plan to just go back to the stock MSI GPU air cooler, but I suppose I am open to suggestions. Again I don't game at all anymore. (MSI 980TI) 3. Any suggestions on good case fans and the most optimal setup? (2-3 fans up front, one in the rear, and 2-3 up top?, 120 vs 140mm?) Thanks!

Well it appears everything is working now.

I didn't think of doing that...good news is I just tried again and it looks like it may be working now after about the 10th time of trying to get through the setup. We will see...

Hey guys, I've been trying to do a clean install of Windows on my PC (see specs in my signature). However, I can't even get through the setup without the monitor going black. The PC is still running and I can hear Cortana talking through the Windows setup, but the signal to the monitor is getting cut off for some reason. I've tried a new HDMI cable, but that didn't work. I have no idea what to do considering I can't even get it to boot up and run through setup before the screen goes black.

Ahh I gotcha. Thanks for the feedback.

You wouldn't by new yet because there is some new stuff coming out 2019? Does Corsair have any GPU coolers for the 980TI?

Yea that is what I was thinking. I never move my computer around so I'm not worried about that. The reality is by the time I buy the Noctua, fans, a better air cooler (Morpheus 2?), I will be in it for just as much as a new x42 and x62. I might just end up sticking with the AIOs. What seems to be the top AIOs now a days anyways? Sticking with NZXT is probably my best bet since I know they will fit. Will be simple to swap out.

Interesting...never heard of that one before. I will take a look. That would be great if there was just a better air cooler I could throw on it. This thing relatively easy to install? @GoldenLag Thing is big. Wondering if my case would have room for that plus fans and then the Noctua NH-D15...

See my build here: https://pcpartpicker.com/b/bcnnTW I'm considering changing over from my NZXT AIOs (Kraken x41 and x61) to the Noctua NH-D15 (black chromax) with all new Noctua chromax case fans. I would put the original air cooler back on my MSI 980TI. My biggest concern is going back to air cooling on the MSI 980TI. The Kraken x41 keeps temps cool and keeps it quiet (no noisy fans), which is great. That said, I don't game at all. I built this system ~4 years ago, mostly for fun, and thought I might get into PC gaming, but never did. I do a little bit of 4K video editing, but not frequently. Realistically, I probably don't NEED the AIO on the GPU. I also don't do any overclocking. I did a little bit of this when I first built it and this is where the AIO seemed to make a big difference in terms of temps and noise. Things I like about the NZXT AIOs: - Aesthetics: They look so good and keep the build clean. The Fractal Define S was really setup and designed for water cooling. I actually think the Noctua NH-D15 in black (maybe red accents) would look really good in my build though. That said, it is going to cramp the case some more. - Cooling: This is negligible for the processor as the Noctua NH-D15 is as good if not better than the x61 AIO. That said, my concern is with the GPU. Air cooling on the GPU is not nearly as good as the AIO and my guess is the fans are going to offset the drop in noise I get from the Noctua NH-D15? I'm not entirely sure. Things I don't like about the NZXT AIOs: - Pump Noise: This drives me nuts. My PC sits on my desk right next to me and the only way to get rid of the pump noise (which has become worse over time), is to raise the fan speed and thus pump speed. - CAM Software: This software kind of sucks. They change it all the time and I feel like half the time they change it I can't even access the controls for the AIOs (such as right now!). - Reliability: I've had these for ~4 years and so far they seem to be okay, but my impression is that these things are going to need to be replaced every 4-5 years due to failing/noisy pumps. The NZXT x41 has already showed some signs of it going out. I could be wrong about this though. Overall I've been fairly happy. So what do you guys think? Should I take the temperature hit on the GPU by going back to air cooling? Is this going to kill the aesthetics/clean look of my build? (I think Noctua chromax will actually look pretty sharp). Or should I look into upgrading to the NZXT x42 and x62? Any suggestions are highly appreciated. Thanks!

Good to know thanks!

Thanks. Hard to believe I built it almost 4 years ago. I learned a lot back then, but I’ve forgot a lot of what I learned haha

Does anyone know if the Noctua NH-D15 will fit in a Fractal Define S with two sticks of Corsair Vengeance LPX RAM? I'm honestly thinking about converting over from my NZXT AIO to air cooling. The pump on my NZXT x41 is failing and I'm kind of over water cooling. Don't feel like spending $300+ to upgrade to the x62 and x42. Tired of pump noise, CAM software, etc. My full build is here: https://pcpartpicker.com/b/bcnnTW Thanks for the help.

Thanks. Think I will pick up some Kryonaut

Yea I know CAM sucks lol. I verified with HWInfo...says the same.