Custom Loops vs AIO- Temps?

[ajd422]

I am debating on upgrading to a full custom loop with a gpu block, a custom loop and a sperate cooler using a kraken g10, or just having a aio cooler and a kraken g10 cooler. This all depends on the temps. What should I pick and which one would have the coolest temps? I always like having very cool temps even when overclocking and I already have postive air pressure in my case but I want to bump the cooling up a notch from my shitty 120mm aio cooler.

 

 

Thank you

[Enderman]

temps depend on the radiator specs (size, thickness, and fin density)

if you have the same radiator, it will perform the same

[Raudi_]

temps depend on the radiator specs (size, thickness, and fin density)

if you have the same radiator, it will perform the same

This and also AIO's use aluminum rads (besides a select few). Copper and Brass Rad's have better thermal dissipation.

[ajd422]

This and also AIO's use aluminum rads (besides a select few). Copper and Brass Rad's have better thermal dissipation.

 

But will it be worth extra for having only a fews degrees C taken off?

[Raudi_]

But will it be worth extra for having only a fews degrees C taken off?

I personally think so, but its arguable.

[ajd422]

I personally think so, but its arguable.

How much extra will it cost and I am looking for a 280mm rad and w/wo a gpu block depending on if having a kraken g10 with a 120mm rad separte would be better?

[Enderman]

This and also AIO's use aluminum rads (besides a select few). Copper and Brass Rad's have better thermal dissipation.

the thermal capacity of aluminum and copper is very close

the difference will not affect the temperatures

 

But will it be worth extra for having only a fews degrees C taken off?

its less than a degree so no

[brandishwar]

The only reason to go full custom over an AIO is looks and bragging rights. If you're really gung-ho on it and don't need the money you'll be spending on it, or the debt you'll be taking on, then go for it. It was a lot of fun to me planning out the loops I've built. And I'm considering modifying the loop in my system to provide for an external reservoir. Why? For the hell of it.

 

Will it make a significant difference? Since you're starting with a single 120mm or single 140mm radiator unit, then the difference might be a little more pronounced, but probably not earth-shattering, especially if you're not currently overclocking.

 

If you're wanting to bring temperatures down on your GPU, then consider the Kraken G10 and a compatible AIO for it -- you'll get similar performance compared to a custom water loop with a block, and stick with a single 120mm or single 140mm AIO as you don't need to go any higher than that. When I had a Kraken G10 w/ ThermalTake Water 2.0 Performer on a GTX 770, compared to the water blocks I currently have, the temperatures are about the same, though the load temperatures are a couple degrees cooler on the water block than with the AIO and G10. A lesser-expensive AIO with the G10 will be under $100 -- which is less than the cost of most GPU water blocks.

 

Otherwise, again, about the only reason to go full custom is looks. You can get better radiator capacity as well since you can string together as many rads as will fit in your case (or that you can piece together externally if you want to do that), but beyond a certain point, it won't make a difference on temperatures.

 

You'll probably get better value out of a Kraken G10 than going full custom. If the AIO you have on your CPU is compatible with the G10, then consider replacing it with an AIO with a 240mm or 280mm radiator and get the G10 for your GPU -- obviously make sure to get some new thermal compound. That route will give you better cooling on your CPU, plus allow you to put a water cooler on your GPU, for less than 150 USD depending on which AIO you select.

[Faceman]

I am debating on upgrading to a full custom loop with a gpu block, a custom loop and a sperate cooler using a kraken g10, or just having a aio cooler and a kraken g10 cooler. This all depends on the temps. What should I pick and which one would have the coolest temps? I always like having very cool temps even when overclocking and I already have postive air pressure in my case but I want to bump the cooling up a notch from my shitty 120mm aio cooler.

 

 

Thank you

Less than $100 will get you 85% of the performance of a custom loop.

 

Check out my How To Water Cool a CPU and GPU for Under $200 USD Guide.  I talk in great detail about the G10 mod.