CPU AIO Cooler question

[Phil Cunningham]

Hey Guys,

 

So, with my income tax return i was able to purchase a PC upgrade to a Ryzen 7 3800x. Currently, i have a Corsair H80i v2 AIO attached to it. Stress testing showed my temp couldn't get over 81 degrees. (As they are rated for 100 degrees, 20 degree wiggle room seems fine)

 

The Radiator has 2 fans in a push/pull configuration, and has a lot of airflow through the 120mm radiator. 

 

My question is, should i just keep this AIO, or would it be better to upgrade to a 240mm rad with 2 fans in a push configuration? Such as the Corsair H100i?

 

The rad would have more surface area, but the airflow would be stepped down without the push/pull configuration. 

 

Thoughts on this?

[paddy-stone]

Personally, I prefer a 240mm rad, mainly because you'll get better cooling even with just push or pull, instead of both, and can cool at a much lower fan speed, so less noise.

[ObsidianAura]

Sounds like you don't need to do anything if you're happy at 81 degrees and its inside the safe rating. So the only thing to worry about is board flex.

 

What case is this fitted inside? I'm guessing this is a push pull exhaust rather than push pull intake?

 

 

[Phil Cunningham]

The case layout is as follows:

 

200mm intake fan located on the bottom front of the case
200mm exhaust fan on the top of the case
120mm exhaust AIO near the top of the case, close to the 200mm exhaust.

If i go with the 240mm Radiator, it would take the place of the 200mm exhaust on the top of the case, and i would add a 120mm intake fan to provide some cool air feed closer to the Radiator.

 

https://www.coolermaster.com/catalog/legacy-products/cases/enforcer/

[Phil Cunningham]

I guess what my real question is, would i see enough of a loss in temps to warrant the purchase of a 150$ AIO. If i am only expected to see a 2 or 3 degree change, then its not worth it.

[Tristerin]

2 minutes ago, Phil Cunningham said:

I guess what my real question is, would i see enough of a loss in temps to warrant the purchase of a 150$ AIO. If i am only expected to see a 2 or 3 degree change, then its not worth it.

What are your ambient temps?  While I know the chiplet design of Zen++ can get pretty hot, my 120mm AIO on my R7 1700 only gets to 56c max during heavy loaded sessions in push/pull.

 

I think you would see a 5-10c drop going to 240mm radiator.  I think with the right TIM (TG Kryo) you would see an additional 3-5c drop.

 

 

[Phil Cunningham]

I don't have an exact number for ambient temps, i usually keep the room cool, and there is an AC unit right above the tower. So ambient temps are never very high. The AIO is about 3 years old so a new one wouldn't be a bad idea. I suppose i am just on the fence. (I mean lets face it, who wants to spend 150-200 bucks if they don't NEED to, right? lol) But its always amazing to hear other peoples opinions on the subject.