Price to performance AIO

[Kd4lif3]

Hey guys. Just built my new rig and imm already looking at an AIO. This is a future consideration because I still need to buy my gpu but what do you guys sugest for 120mm. I have a 6600k, asus z170a and a master box 5. I want a 120mm because I don't like to front mount radiators and I don't want to remove the 5inch bay. That leaves me with just the top mount cutout with space for. Since I didn't get the master case 5 there is just 1 120/140/200? Mount. I would get a 140 for the extra radiator surface however there is a small radiator that sticks out an inch or so from the top of the mobo that would probably block it. I don't think there is any thickness restrictions and I would do a push pull config. I am over clocking however I am not pushing it to far. As this is a future consideration I don't really have a price point. Aesthetics would be nice because I do have a window. 

[Skiiwee29]

Honestly 120mm AIOs are useless. You can get an air cooler for about the same price that will do a better job at cooling. 

 

 

[iBabySlapper]

Get a beefy air cooler instead. 120mm AIOs are good for making hybrid GPUs but that's about it. Just look for a cooler with the most heatpipes and the largest aluminium fins that fits in your case and you can afford. The Thermalright HR-02 Macho is a good example for a good aircooler for about the same price as a 120mm AIO and it should fit in your case.

[kelvinhall05]

7 minutes ago, legacy99 said:

Honestly 120mm AIOs are useless

They are useless if you have space in a case to have a beefy air cooler, but if you are doing a mITX build, for example in the Silverstone SG13, a 120mm AIO would actually be ideal since there isn't much space for a good air cooler.

[Skiiwee29]

I would still go with an air cooler personally. Such as these from Noctua or Silverstone:

 

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835220069

 

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608030

 

 

[iBabySlapper]

Or you could do what I did and get a large low profile cooler like my AXP-200, as they have very nice aesthetics. But you need RAM that doesn't have tall heatsinks on it.

[Kd4lif3]

6 minutes ago, ibabyslapper said:

Get a beefy air cooler instead. 120mm AIOs are good for making hybrid GPUs but that's about it. Just look for a cooler with the most heatpipes and the largest aluminium fins that fits in your case and you can afford. The Thermalright HR-02 Macho is a good example for a good aircooler for about the same price as a 120mm AIO and it should fit in your case.

Ok makes sense. Do you have any sujestions? My In my current config I have a cm T2 however if I ever want to upgrade to 4 sticks of ram with the current brand I have now the first ram slot will be blocked. So I need ram clearance however hight isn't really an issue because the master box is super wide.

[MVPernula]

Aircoolers will have no failing parts except the actual fans.

AIO's can break in multiple ways and you risk breaking parts due to water damage.

 

Either way both alternatives are good.

If you want GOOD cooling go for a double rad, either 240 or 280.

If you want similar performance from AIR it's way cheaper however.

 

I recommend AIR for less risks and pretty much the same cooling performance, usually a bit worse than a good AIO.

I recommend WATER for the eyecandy and if you really want those extra 2-5c cooler temps.

 

There are good looking, highperforming and silent airtowers too though. The DR(P)3 is a good example.

I personally have a D14 with black F12's and white chromax vibration pads.

 

Used to have an H100i.

[iBabySlapper]

1 minute ago, Kd4lif3 said:

Ok makes sense. Do you have any sujestions? My In my current config I have a cm T2 however if I ever want to upgrade to 4 sticks of ram with the current brand I have now the first ram slot will be blocked. So I need ram clearance however hight isn't really an issue because the master box is super wide.

The Thermalright HR-02 Macho I mentioned is quite good, it can handle moderate OCs and it has quite a lot of ram clearance. Most ATX motherboards have enough space for the 140mm fan too, though you might have to buy a slim 140mm.

[dexT]

24 minutes ago, MVPernula said:

I recommend WATER for the eyecandy and if you really want those extra 2-5c cooler temps.

They make rads much bigger than 240 or 280. A lot more than 2-5c is to be gained.

 

If you're talking about CLC from Corsair or Cooler Master etc. yes those are kind of a waste of money.

[MVPernula]

2 minutes ago, dexT said:

They make rads much bigger than 240 or 280. A lot more than 2-5c is to be gained.

 

If you're talking about CLC from Corsair or Cooler Master etc. yes those are kind of a waste of money.

The typical AIO double RAD's are 240 or 280, NZXT Kraken, H100/H110 series, x61/62 series are what most people go for.

There ARE better, much better coolers than that.

 

But considering this was a p/p question I took to account which AIO's coolers go for about the same p/p as the best AIR towers.

 

I'm sure OP doesn't aim for more than regular consumer AIO's.

[dexT]

24 minutes ago, MVPernula said:

The typical AIO double RAD's are 240 or 280, NZXT Kraken, H100/H110 series, x61/62 series are what most people go for.

There ARE better, much better coolers than that.

 

But considering this was a p/p question I took to account which AIO's coolers go for about the same p/p as the best AIR towers.

 

I'm sure OP doesn't aim for more than regular consumer AIO's.

 

I'd take a high end air cooler over any AIO CLC.

 

The best thing to do is order a couple of WC parts every time you buy something on amazon or newegg.