Are single rad AIO's any good?

[orangecat]

So I have a small mATX case and I can't fit a dual 120 or 140mm rad in there and I'd really like to beef up my CPU cooler. I would like to get an AIO cooler since full custom loop cooling is waaaaay out of my budget. I might end up just buying a new case and buying a dual rad anyways but I thought I'd see if you guys had any input on single rads.

[TheGhzGuy]

1 minute ago, Kilobytez95 said:

So I have a small mATX case and I can't fit a dual 120 or 140mm rad in there and I'd really like to beef up my CPU cooler. I would like to get an AIO cooler since full custom loop cooling is waaaaay out of my budget. I might end up just buying a new case and buying a dual rad anyways but I thought I'd see if you guys had any input on single rads.

What CPU cooler do you use now?

[Vivilacqua1]

They're pretty good for small cases because they get the hear directly out of the case, leaving cooler air for the GPU.

[Mug]

I'd say that the extra cost (usually double) is not worth the couple of degree improvements.

[orangecat]

Just now, TheGhzGuy said:

What CPU cooler do you use now?

A really old Hyper 212 form back when I ran a Athlon 64 X2 5000+...

[TheGhzGuy]

Just now, Vivilacqua1 said:

They're pretty good for small cases because they get the hear directly out of the case, leaving cooler air for the GPU.

Agreed.

[TheGhzGuy]

1 minute ago, Kilobytez95 said:

A really old Hyper 212 form back when I ran a Athlon 64 X2 5000+...

If you can get a AIO for cheap, I'd go for it

[TheGhzGuy]

https://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-cpu-cooler-h60cw9060007ww

Here's a decent one.

[Mug]

1 minute ago, TheGhzGuy said:

https://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-cpu-cooler-h60cw9060007ww

Here's a decent one.

I wouldn't necessarily go Corsair, the brand's what you're paying for. Try the likes of Cooler Master- I have one and I am quite happy with it.

[TheGhzGuy]

1 minute ago, Mug said:

I wouldn't necessarily go Corsair, the brand's what you're paying for. Try the likes of Cooler Master- I have one and I am quite happy with it.

The H60 and Seidon 120V are the same cooler. And the same price. Corsair has a 5 year warranty as well.

[TheGhzGuy]

https://pcpartpicker.com/part/lepa-cpu-cooler-lpwac120hf

This one is a little more but quite good.

[givegomezthegun]

The h60 isn't going to perform much better than a hyper212.. But one benefit can be that it's not necessarily dumping a bunch of hot air inside your case.  With it mounted so that the air coming through the rad is being exhausted directly outside it can keep things a little cooler inside.

[airdeano]

most of the single 120/140 kits will usually need a fan replacement (too loud to keep the temps low) so investing in a fan(s) only increases the cost involved as where a mid/high-end HSF is just as efficient with a lower noise footprint.

the 240 AIO is usually where one starts to be a consideration.