140mm closed loop cooling just as effective as 240mm for just cooling CPU?

theuserjohnny · June 10, 2014

So I am planning to buy a closed loop water cooler for my CPU and I was deciding between 140mm and 240mm. Right now I have a 200mm fan as an exhaust on the top and then I have 1, 120mm intake (stock) and 1, 120mm outtake (stock).

I was thinking of getting a 240mm because more surface area = better cooling right?

But if all I'm planning to do is just cooling the CPU wouldn't a good 140mm radiator with a pull/push config just be as effective? All I'm trying to do is just cool the CPU, no plans to expand and say cool the GPU and such...

The 200mm does a good job of outtaking that air and I feel I'll lose that massive AF of outtake if I opt to remove the 200mm fan on top.

I have enough space to mount in the front and maybe even the back (not sure with the 200mm fan).

ForsakenLive · June 10, 2014

140mm AiO liquid coolers are VERY thin, and cool about the same of a single 120mm. For example a H80i beats the hell out of a H90 (140mm).

Get a 240mm, or a 280mm AiO. If not a good air cooler can outperform this choices. The Phanteks PH-TC14PE is a beast air cooler, better than any 120mm or 140mm AiO while been quieter.