Which 240mm AIO?

[Chris Pratt]

I'm about to bite the bullet and upgrade my 3700X to a 5900X, and I'm considering getting an AIO for the first time, because I'm worried about the higher TDP part pushing temps out of control.

 

Right now, I'm rocking a Noctua U12S chomax.black, with a second fan added. On the CPU compatibility chart, Noctua rates the U12S as sufficient for cooling a stock 5900X. The U12A, which comes with two fans (which I imagine makes it closer to my actual setup), is rated for cooling the 5900X with OC. I like a silent profile, so currently, my 3700X idles at 50C and gets up to 67C under load. I don't want to go much higher on the temps and I'd prefer not to run the fans any faster, so that's why I'm considering an AIO.

 

However, my case will only fit a 240mm rad up top, so I'm not sure if that will be enough to actually beat out my current setup. Assuming I do get the AIO, I've narrowed it down to three choices, partially driven by my general distaste for RGB and that I have a very clean black and white build. In no particular order:

 

• Be Quite Pure Loop 240mm
• EK AIO Basic 240mm
• Artic Liquid Freezer II 240mm

From my research, these all seem to be really good AIOs, but I've found it very difficult to find reviews specifically for the 240mm rad size, with most focusing on 280mm. I'd have to assume the cooling performance will be some measure worse, but no idea how much different it will really be in practice.

 

Still, bouncing all this around in my head, so I'm totally open to suggestions or other options.

 

[SavageNeo]

27 minutes ago, Chris Pratt said:

Right now, I'm rocking a Noctua U12S chomax.black, with a second fan added

Will be plenty for 5900x if you have a good case with decent airflow.

27 minutes ago, Chris Pratt said:

I don't want to go much higher on the temps

Why? Thermalthottling happen at around 85C and damage in around 95c-100c

 

28 minutes ago, Chris Pratt said:

Artic Liquid Freezer II 240mm

The best one. Or if you can get the Be quiet Silent loop 240mm that would be the best. Overall one of the lowest sound levels with one of the best cooling performance. Cooling performance similar to the artco freezer but the silent loop is quiter.

[RejZoR]

I'd certainly throw an eye at EK's AiO's. They are not really priced ridiculously and they now come without the RGB vomit. EK's AiOs have always been one of the best and could almost rival dedicated water cooling loops. So worth checking those out. Otherwise, Liquid Freezer has been universally praised.

[freeagent]

Out of those three probably the EK.