Venture into Liquid Cooling?

[iSarge]

I would like an opinion or two about my first, proposed, venture into liquid cooling.  This is the case I have: Fractal Design Define Mini

 

It has 1x120/140 radiator/fan mounting area at the top of the case.  It also has 1x120 fan mounting area at the back of the case.  For the CPU alone, I am considering a 140 radiator at the top and a 120 radiator at the inside back of the case.  1 2x5.25" drive bay available for a resevoir.

 

Q1: Will this suffice to liquid cool a i9-7900x ?
Q2: Two separate radiators connected in-line for the CPU an "Ok" or "Passable" strategy?

 

The positioning of the top 140mm radiator might negate the back radiator because of the locale: Top Back 140mm and Rear Top 120mm radiator are in the same proximity.  But, it might work.

 

Q3a: Will a single 140 radiator/fan suffice for cooling the CPU?

Q3b: Will Q3a allow the CPU to run at 4.3/4.5 GHz?

 

I plan on running this at 4.50 GHz or maybe less, like 4.30 GHz.  OC'ing the CPU is not something that I really need or that I "have to have."  Not overclocking the GPU.  Budget is maybe $400 USD to $500 USD for liquid cooling.

 

Looking for comments/concerns.

[Lurick]

You'll need at least 240mm of radiator space to cool that CPU, a single 140 or 120 will not cut it for that heat monster, especially if you overclock it.

[iSarge]

ok, i understand fully.

 

Q1: is my current cpu (7900x) ok for browsing the web on air?  my temps are 29, 28, 29, 29, 32, 30, 28, 31, 29, 30 all C.  That's assuming the temps reported by HWiNFO64 are reliable.

 

Q2: True or False: DO NOT GAME ON THE 7900x Air Cooled

[Curufinwe_wins]

Yeah honestly watercooling really doesn't become worthwhile until you get up to the 240/280mm size. And I say that as someone who runs a custom loop.

 

If you are willing to spend say 500 dollars, buy a slightly better case for it.

 

Like the Define Mini C has 2x 240mm rad support which is much better and is a similar size and pretty cheap.

[Curufinwe_wins]

3 minutes ago, RiDDiCK51PB said:

ok, i understand fully.

 

Q1: is my current cpu (7900x) ok for browsing the web on air?  my temps are 29, 28, 29, 29, 32, 30, 28, 31, 29, 30 all C.  That's assuming the temps reported by HWiNFO64 are reliable.

 

Q2: True or False: DO NOT GAME ON THE 7900x Air Cooled

Absolutely fine.

 

And go ahead and game on it if your cooler is up to snuff. Anything under 80C should be fine.

[iSarge]

2 hours ago, Curufinwe_wins said:

Absolutely fine.

 

And go ahead and game on it if your cooler is up to snuff. Anything under 80C should be fine.

oh thank God.  i thought i was gonna have to change my underwear.  ive been watching the cpu temp very, very, very closely.  it hasn't gone over 52 C while gaming.  pretty much just a stock clock, i haven't gone tinkered in the bios at all.  thank god almighty.  i have a relatively huge heatsink on it, a cryorig H5 ultimate. with push/pull fans running locked at 1,300 rpm.  more than you want to know, i understand.  the define mini c has been on my radar, so i'll look into that more.