Custom loop vs dual AIO - Reflections

[Agosto]

Hi all


I was thinking about water cooling my next build and something led me to evaluate dual AIOs.

I currently don't have enough money to get a new pc, so I'm pretty sure I will switch to Skylake or Haswell-E ( if skylake won't be good enough ). I was planning to watercool, but this means 500+ euros for a full loop. After reading some reviews about the Corsair H110i GT ( which looks kinda powerful ) I thought: what about a h110i for the cpu and a h100i for the GPU? There are lots of considerations to make, since I'm an university student.

PROS:

- cost
- ease of transportation ( a custom loop would require much more caution; moreover, less weight )
- no more maintenance than an air cooler
- good enough look ( those braided-like tubings from corsair GTs look nice )

CONS:

- not cool as a custom loop
- worse performance ( but not so much, I think )
- noisier?


Dual AIOs take less space. However, what about pump noise? Are they quiet enough?

Before someone starts screaming " OBV CUSTOM LOOP YOU NOOB " please, read all pros and cons and consider that I move my pc quite often.

Let me know what you guys think about it

[Altecice]

If you're moving a lot then id suggest you stick to air (no maintenance and its easy to remove/replace when moving). With your Pros/Cons you are correct but it really depends on how much you are spending on a custom full loop vs AIO. You can gain MUCH better performance depending on the amount of radiators etc.

[Agosto]

If you're moving a lot then id suggest you stick to air (no maintenance and its easy to remove/replace when moving). With your Pros/Cons you are correct but it really depends on how much you are spending on a custom full loop vs AIO. You can gain MUCH better performance depending on the amount of radiators etc.

 

 

With 2 AIOs I would spend ~200 euros less. My initial thought was to put a 420 and a 240 inside an Enthoo Luxe but with dual AIOs I could use a smaller case.

[907rider]

personally I would recommend a custom loop for you for one simple reason.  That would be redundancy, if you do two AIO's they will essentially be separate "loops" What this means is that you will have two pumps on two separate loops so if one of the pumps fails say while you're away from your computer, results could be not good.. They make dual pump units for computers which have both pumps in series, I have a setup like this in my rig.  What I do is set one pump to about 1/2 max rpm, and the other to minimum rpm, that way if either one fails, there is still water moving and nothing fries completely.

 

Either route you go the 2x AIO's or my route you will end up with two pumps but if you go the custom route and get variable speed pumps you can slow one or both down to where they honestly wont even be noticeable.

[Faceman]

@Agost

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/233847-how-to-watercool-a-cpu-single-gpu-for-under-200-in-the-us/

Dual AIOs all the way. I did it myself, spent less than $200 total, and I get 90% the performance of someone who spent $600 on a custom loop. In an Enthoo Pro, so it will be easy to visualize how it will look in your Luxe.

Check out my dual AIO guide that I did back in October. Im on my phone right now, but on Monday I will better be able to answer your questions.

Also, 120mm AIO is all you need for your GPU to get the best price to performance. You start to experience massive diminishing returns past 120mm.

I would go with a Cooler Master Nepton 240M for your CPU, maybe even go push/pull because of the extra room in the Luxe. For your GPU, all you need is an H55 with a 2nd fan. I also encourage you to buy some high end thermal paste.

This will likely be the best mix of price/performance/low noise. I estimate total cost to be no more than €225, and that is with all of the extras I recommend in my guide.

[Agosto]

@Agost

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/233847-how-to-watercool-a-cpu-single-gpu-for-under-200-in-the-us/

Dual AIOs all the way. I did it myself, spent less than $200 total, and I get 90% the performance of someone who spent $600 on a custom loop. In an Enthoo Pro, so it will be easy to visualize how it will look in your Luxe.

Check out my dual AIO guide that I did back in October. Im on my phone right now, but on Monday I will better be able to answer your questions.

Also, 120mm AIO is all you need for your GPU to get the best price to performance. You start to experience massive diminishing returns past 120mm.

I would go with a Cooler Master Nepton 240M for your CPU, maybe even go push/pull because of the extra room in the Luxe. For your GPU, all you need is an H55 with a 2nd fan. I also encourage you to buy some high end thermal paste.

This will likely be the best mix of price/performance/low noise. I estimate total cost to be no more than €225, and that is with all of the extras I recommend in my guide.

Very nice guide!

The Enthoo Luxe is my #1 choice for a full loop, I may change case if I decide to go for dual AIOs ( a smaller one ).

I aimed at the H110i GT for the CPU because of the looks, the performance and because corsair link seems quite useful. Moreover AFAIK it has a quiet enough pump.

Very important: I'm more interested in quiet pumps than quiet stock fans, since I'll probably change them anyway.

I thought about a 240mm rad for the GPU in order to stay safe with any gpu on the market and to be able to lower fan speeds.

[Faceman]

Very nice guide!

The Enthoo Luxe is my #1 choice for a full loop, I may change case if I decide to go for dual AIOs ( a smaller one ).

I aimed at the H110i GT for the CPU because of the looks, the performance and because corsair link seems quite useful. Moreover AFAIK it has a quiet enough pump.

Very important: I'm more interested in quiet pumps than quiet stock fans, since I'll probably change them anyway.

I thought about a 240mm rad for the GPU in order to stay safe with any gpu on the market and to be able to lower fan speeds.

Corsair link is a buggy mess, and they had to recall the H110iGT because of a shipping problem. Something about the temperature dropping while the radiator was in flight and it causes the thing to leak.

The Nepton 240M is by far the most quiet pump on the market, check out some reviews, its not even close. The included fans are also very stylish and exceptionally quiet.

GPUs are starting to get more power efficient, so going overkill with a 240mm radiator wont be as necessary. Also, you HAVE to place the GPUs radiator as exhaust, so keep that in mind when planning your case and airflow. I have a 120mm rad, and I keep my fan speed really low at just 1200rpm, I just wish I didn't get an X31 because that pump is loud. Also, if you ever wanted to go SLI/Xfire, going with 120mm rad makes that possible.

[Agosto]

Corsair link is a buggy mess, and they had to recall the H110iGT because of a shipping problem. Something about the temperature dropping while the radiator was in flight and it causes the thing to leak.

The Nepton 240M is by far the most quiet pump on the market, check out some reviews, its not even close. The included fans are also very stylish and exceptionally quiet.

GPUs are starting to get more power efficient, so going overkill with a 240mm radiator wont be as necessary. Also, you HAVE to place the GPUs radiator as exhaust, so keep that in mind when planning your case and airflow. I have a 120mm rad, and I keep my fan speed really low at just 1200rpm, I just wish I didn't get an X31 because that pump is loud. Also, if you ever wanted to go SLI/Xfire, going with 120mm rad makes that possible.

 

I know about the H110i GT, but that's about shipping from corsair itself and not from retailers, so I think they will fix it in a few weeks.

 

Doesn't the nepton 240M have a DC-LT pump just like other asetek units ( including corsair and nzxt ) ?

Moreover, why are you saying that I'd have to put the gpu rad as exhaust?

[Faceman]

I know about the H110i GT, but that's about shipping from corsair itself and not from retailers, so I think they will fix it in a few weeks.

Doesn't the nepton 240M have a DC-LT pump just like other asetek units ( including corsair and nzxt ) ?

Moreover, why are you saying that I'd have to put the gpu rad as exhaust?

Yea, hopefully they get the shipping fixed.

Nope, Cooler Master does all of their stuff in house, whereas Corsair, NZXT, Thermaltake, Antec, etc.. are all Asetek based. Im on my phone otherwise I would link you the reviews, the Nepton is far and away the most quiet AIO. Basically Noctua level silence and performance in the form of an AIO.

If you read my guide I talk about the heat that is expelled from the radiator when connected to the GPU. Switching the fans on a G10's radiatorfrom intake to exhaust has caused as much as a 10C drop in component temperatures, most importantly VRMs. Maybe it won't be as severe with a 240mm radiator, because it has more surface area. I still wouldn't advise a 240mm radiator to pair with a G10/HG10 because the diminishing returns are massive. For instance, Unigine Heaven for 15min on Ultra settings, maximum fan speed comparing an H55 to X61, the difference is less than 9C, and the H55 is already getting you sub 60 or sub 50C temps depending on the GPU being used.

[Agosto]

Full loop is leading right now D:

[Faceman]

Full loop is leading right now D:

 

As it should, it is the "better" of the two.  That doesn't mean you should discount dual AIOs. 

 

If you want to go custom loop, then be prepared to get deeply invested into it.  The complexity of it all is what deterred me, and after doing my research, the dual AIO setup was the right choice for me, doesn't mean it is the right choice for you.  I crusade for dual AIO setups because it is so inexpensive, and so damn powerful.  We're talking a 3rd the price, and 85% of the performance.  Noise is also lower on dual AIO systems unless you invest in two pumps, and have them both running at low RPMs, but that is more money.

 

Custom loop is a serious hobby, it is not cheap, but it is rewarding if you have the patience to see it through.  Another thing to keep in mind, is that if you ever upgrade GPUs, you will need to buy a new waterblock.  Whereas with the G10 Bracket, it can easily move from one GPU to another, even cross platform without issue.  Newer cards are also supported by the G10 Bracket.

[Agosto]

As it should, it is the "better" of the two.  That doesn't mean you should discount dual AIOs. 

 

If you want to go custom loop, then be prepared to get deeply invested into it.  The complexity of it all is what deterred me, and after doing my research, the dual AIO setup was the right choice for me, doesn't mean it is the right choice for you.  I crusade for dual AIO setups because it is so inexpensive, and so damn powerful.  We're talking a 3rd the price, and 85% of the performance.  Noise is also lower on dual AIO systems unless you invest in two pumps, and have them both running at low RPMs, but that is more money.

 

Custom loop is a serious hobby, it is not cheap, but it is rewarding if you have the patience to see it through.  Another thing to keep in mind, is that if you ever upgrade GPUs, you will need to buy a new waterblock.  Whereas with the G10 Bracket, it can easily move from one GPU to another, even cross platform without issue.  Newer cards are also supported by the G10 Bracket.

 

 

I know it's cheaper, but a full rig is a full rig. Moreover, DDC and especially D5 pumps are quieter and more reliable than AIO ones. If these fail, you have to replace the whole AIO.

 

I could probably choose a universal GPU WB and use some heatsinks on the VRMs, but I have plenty of time to decide. The most important advantage of dual AIOs is probably the easier transport, in my case.

[Faceman]

I know it's cheaper, but a full rig is a full rig. Moreover, DDC and especially D5 pumps are quieter and more reliable than AIO ones. If these fail, you have to replace the whole AIO.

 

I could probably choose a universal GPU WB and use some heatsinks on the VRMs, but I have plenty of time to decide. The most important advantage of dual AIOs is probably the easier transport, in my case.

 

AIOs are pretty sturdy, and come with good warranties, especially Corsair, excellent warranty.

 

universal waterblock looks ugly IMO, but it will work if you want ease of upgradability with a custom loop.

 

That was the deciding factor for me.  I had the money and the time to do custom loop, but I didn't want the hassle of maintaining, draining, bleeding, taking apart and moving everything anytime I wanted to tinker a little or move.

[Agosto]

AIOs are pretty sturdy, and come with good warranties, especially Corsair, excellent warranty.

 

universal waterblock looks ugly IMO, but it will work if you want ease of upgradability with a custom loop.

 

That was the deciding factor for me.  I had the money and the time to do custom loop, but I didn't want the hassle of maintaining, draining, bleeding, taking apart and moving everything anytime I wanted to tinker a little or move.

 

 

Let's see what some other people think about it ( I hope they read the OP )

However, right now it's 12-6 for the custom loop D:

 

Moreover, I'll have to see if skylake is worth or not...

[Agosto]

You guys really like custom loops D:

[uofaboy]

I've been using air cooling and hybrid air + aio for my cpu and while I think it is perfectly fine for normal everyday use and some overclocking, I decided to jump to a custom loop. I'm just waiting to receive all the parts and am pretty excited to definitely tweak my system. While the performance gains, better temperatures and decreased sound are good when using a custom loop, I want to do it because I enjoy the challenge and motivation to do something better -- not to mention, it looks awesome!

 

But that is just my $0.02. 

 

In response to your question, it all depends on the weight of the pros and cons and what you feel would be the most important factors for you. If you have the time, patience, extra $$$ and motivation to do a custom loop, I'd say go for it! If you feel that it would be time consuming, laborious, then a custom loop isn't for you -- especially with the risks associated with a custom loop.

 

Good-luck with your decision.

[Agosto]

I've been using air cooling and hybrid air + aio for my cpu and while I think it is perfectly fine for normal everyday use and some overclocking, I decided to jump to a custom loop. I'm just waiting to receive all the parts and am pretty excited to definitely tweak my system. While the performance gains, better temperatures and decreased sound are good when using a custom loop, I want to do it because I enjoy the challenge and motivation to do something better -- not to mention, it looks awesome!

 

But that is just my $0.02. 

 

In response to your question, it all depends on the weight of the pros and cons and what you feel would be the most important factors for you. If you have the time, patience, extra $$$ and motivation to do a custom loop, I'd say go for it! If you feel that it would be time consuming, laborious, then a custom loop isn't for you -- especially with the risks associated with a custom loop.

 

Good-luck with your decision.

 

 

Have you ever moved you PC after you installed the custom loop? How much does you PC weigh now?

[uofaboy]

Have you ever moved you PC after you installed the custom loop? How much does you PC weigh now?

 

I haven't had the chance yet since I am still waiting to get all the parts to put it all together but I can imagine that it will be very heavy... I think the case I'm using weighs around 18Kg by itself without components installed. 

[Agosto]

I haven't had the chance yet since I am still waiting to get all the parts to put it all together but I can imagine that it will be very heavy... I think the case I'm using weighs around 18Kg by itself without components installed. 

 

 

I'd like to get the Enthoo Luxe. Phanteks came in like a truck in the case market and it's doing a very good job.

 

In order to bring the cost down I'm considering a single 420mm rad ( probably a Phobya G-changer ), but I have to actually get the case to decide how the actual loop will look like

[uofaboy]

I'd like to get the Enthoo Luxe. Phanteks came in like a truck in the case market and it's doing a very good job.

 

In order to bring the cost down I'm considering a single 420mm rad ( probably a Phobya G-changer ), but I have to actually get the case to decide how the actual loop will look like

Yup! Phanteks is doing awesome.. first air coolers, now cases! How many blocks are you going to be using/needing to be cooling? 

[Agosto]

Only CPU and a GPU

[heikkikon]

I'm currently running an H100i on my 4670k. Wish I'd gone with air though. Something like an NH-D14 would've been quieter and better. Don't know about transporting, though. The block isn't big and the radiator is screwed to the case so it won't fly around.

 

I'd probably go with a custom kit and add the GPU parts to it. Then again I can't settle for good enough.

[Agosto]

Another question: how much weight does a full custom loop add? Let's say with only a thick 420mm rad, cpu and gpu block