What is your favorite AIO cooler?

[ChiefRobb]

I was wondering what the community considers to be the best aio cpu cooler, so I figured I'd make this topic. If you make any claim tell me why as well. Thanks!

[3 Lions]

Corsair H115i 

[ChiefRobb]

On 12/3/2017 at 2:10 PM, LinusTechTipsFanFromDarlo said:

Corsair H115i 

 

On 12/3/2017 at 2:09 PM, ChiefRobb said:

If you make any claim tell me why as well.

 

On 12/3/2017 at 2:12 PM, STRMfrmXMN said:

-snip-

I'm trying to oc an i7 8700k without delidding, so I'm trying to decide on what to buy. You basically cannot oc the 8700k with air.

[STRMfrmXMN]

Just now, ChiefRobb said:

I'm trying to oc an i7 8700k without delidding, so I'm trying to decide on what to buy. You basically cannot oc the 8700k with air.

A really high-end air cooler like a Noctua D15 cools better than most AIOs.

http://www.relaxedtech.com/reviews/noctua/nh-d15-versus-closed-loop-liquid-coolers/2

[3 Lions]

4 minutes ago, ChiefRobb said:

If you make any claim tell me why as well.

It's probably the best AIO on the market (tied with the EVGA CLC 280 which is basically the same unit). 

 

 

Edited December 3, 2017 by LinusTechTipsFanFromDarlo

[ChiefRobb]

On 12/3/2017 at 2:15 PM, LinusTechTipsFanFromDarlo said:

It's probably the best AIO on the market (tied with the EVGA CLC 280 which is basically the same unit). 

Where would you throw the x62 into that mix? I know all three of them are Asetek.

 

On 12/3/2017 at 2:14 PM, STRMfrmXMN said:

A really high-end air cooler like a Noctua D15 cools better than most AIOs.

http://www.relaxedtech.com/reviews/noctua/nh-d15-versus-closed-loop-liquid-coolers/2

If I can get 4 degrees out of an aio then I'd rather have that. Also what is the height of the D15? I've got a phanteks p400, so 160mm max.

[STRMfrmXMN]

1 minute ago, ChiefRobb said:

If I can get 4 degrees out of an aio then I'd rather have that. Also what is the height of the D15? I've got a phanteks p400, so 160mm max.

Ah, if you have a P400 then that's out of the question.

 

I generally dislike watercooling pumps that are super cheap in my system which is why I never recommend AIOs. Asetek has a monopoly on pump design so you can't really avoid it. Best to get whatever AIO you can find with the longest warranty. Corsair has a 5-year so that's a solid start.

[flibberdipper]

4 minutes ago, ChiefRobb said:

Where would you throw the x62 into that mix? I know all three of them are Asetek.

X62 is just an overpriced blingmonster. If you live, breathe, and shit RGB, go for it. Otherwise you're honestly better off getting a CLC280/H115i (depending on which one is cheaper, since they perform literally the same).

[3 Lions]

Just now, ChiefRobb said:

Where would you throw the x62 into that mix? I know all three of them are Asetek.

For flat out thermals (not including noise) the Corsair H115i and EVGA CLC 280 are the best, if you only want it for the thermals then you can't go wrong with either but if you want best noise to performance then get the X62. 

[ChiefRobb]

Just now, STRMfrmXMN said:

Ah, if you have a P400 then that's out of the question.

 

I generally dislike watercooling pumps that are super cheap in my system which is why I never recommend AIOs. Asetek has a monopoly on pump design so you can't really avoid it. Best to get whatever AIO you can find with the longest warranty. Corsair has a 5-year so that's a solid start.

Thanks! If I do have an issue with the pump dying or the loop leaking, who is most likely to replace damaged parts, EVGA or Corsair? (I'm only two years into the scene so I'm still unbiased when it comes to brands).

[Damascus]

11 minutes ago, ChiefRobb said:

You basically cannot oc the 8700k with air.

Air can handle an 8700k, an Nh-D15 or similar can handle.

 

HOWEVER, there is a place for aios and here are my carefully researched top picks, organized best performance down to value/lower performance.

 

EKWB Phoenix kits

 

Blmost as costly as a custom loop, these radiator + pump units (120, 140, 240, 280, 360 mm options) use high end pumps and fantastic full copper radiators with some of the best fans on the market. A 280mm rad + cpu block  set will run you about $250

10/10

 

celcius s24/36

A higher end radiator, expandability and decent included fans make these kits wonderful value.  

8.5/10

 

Nzxt X62

flashy and same performance as the next two and quite expensive.

7/10

 

Evga CLC 280/h115i

The two trade blows and are pretty good value, both have TRASH fans and are in the same performance tier as cheaper dual tower air coolers

7/10

[epic_ziver_D]

I also have a i7-8700k and am planning to do a light oc without delidding and I'm going to get a H100i v2 so if you want something better the H110i or H115i should be nice. I have also heard good things about NZXT's Krakens (I know all of this has been mentioned but personally I don't think you need much more than that.) How much rad space do you have tho?

 

Edit: Only get the Kraken if looks and a bit of sound improvement matters otherwise it performs about the same as corsairs offerings 

[ChiefRobb]

Just now, epic_ziver_D said:

I also have a i7-8700k and am planning to do a light oc without delidding and I'm going to get a H100i v2 so if you want something better the H110i or H115i should be nice. I have also heard good things about NZXT's Krakens (I know all of this has been mentioned but personally I don't think you need much more than that.) How much rad space do you have tho?

only 160mm so I'm trapped going with aio, because of the size to performance ratio.

[STRMfrmXMN]

2 minutes ago, ChiefRobb said:

Thanks! If I do have an issue with the pump dying or the loop leaking, who is most likely to replace damaged parts, EVGA or Corsair? (I'm only two years into the scene so I'm still unbiased when it comes to brands).

Corsair's support has never let me down. Definitely would suggest them. They'll end up giving you whatever the newest version of their 240 MM cooler is by the time yours fails too.

[epic_ziver_D]

Just now, ChiefRobb said:

only 160mm so I'm trapped going with aio, because of the size to performance ratio.

I mean RAD size (240,280,360)

[ChiefRobb]

On 12/3/2017 at 2:23 PM, Damascus said:

Air can handle an 8700k, an Nh-D15 or similar can handle.

 

HOWEVER, there is a place for aios and here are my carefully researched top picks, organized best performance down to value/lower performance.

 

EKWB Phoenix kits

 

Blmost as costly as a custom loop, these radiator + pump units (120, 140, 240, 280, 360 mm options) use high end pumps and fantastic full copper radiators with some of the best fans on the market. A 280mm rad + cpu block  set will run you about $250

10/10

 

celcius s24/36

A higher end radiator, expandability and decent included fans make these kits wonderful value.  

8.5/10

 

Nzxt X62

flashy and same performance as the next two and quite expensive.

7/10

 

Evga CLC 280/h115i

The two trade blows and are pretty good value, both have TRASH fans and are in the same performance tier as cheaper dual tower air coolers

7/10

Why do you have the celcius s36 ranked so high? I've only seen bad performance when it comes to them.

 

On 12/3/2017 at 2:26 PM, epic_ziver_D said:

I mean RAD size (240,280,360)

Sorry, I misread. 360 if I'm front mounting and 280 if I'm top mounting.

[Damascus]

2 minutes ago, ChiefRobb said:

Why do you have the celcius s36 ranked so high? I've only seen bad performance when it comes to them.

They tend to run quieter and cool very closely to280mm counterparts while also being expandable, that alone gets lots of bonus points with me

[ChiefRobb]

On 12/3/2017 at 2:30 PM, Damascus said:

They tend to run quieter and cool very closely to280mm counterparts while also being expandable, that alone gets lots of bonus points with me

 

On 12/3/2017 at 2:26 PM, STRMfrmXMN said:

Corsair's support has never let me down. Definitely would suggest them. They'll end up giving you whatever the newest version of their 240 MM cooler is by the time yours fails too.

How are the stock fans?

[epic_ziver_D]

 

3 minutes ago, ChiefRobb said:

Sorry, I misread. 360 if I'm front mounting and 280 if I'm top mounting.

 

If you want to use the full 360 available in the front then don't look at Corsair's Hydro or NZXT's Kraken series. If you just want to use 280 then the Hydro series will probably provide the most value if we are talking about AIO's there are complete out of the box. Also I think that you can "upgrade" whichever AIO you choose VERY nicely with Magnetic Levitation fans (ML Series fans from corsair) which are excellent fans as long as you are sure you can use PWM to control them. (They are quieter than normal fans and have high pressure and high airflow)

 

EDIT: Altho at least with Corsair I know that the included fans are good but the ML series will be much more of a sound upgrade than performance. Also IMO you don't need more than 280 (altho 240 should be enough) for a 8700k)

[STRMfrmXMN]

Just now, ChiefRobb said:

How are the stock fans?

They suck but so do all AIO fans except for perhaps Fractal's (still not amazing) and be Quiet's (super spendy).

 

They'll last a couple years but they're not gonna move as much air and be as quiet as a $20 fan, of course.

[Damascus]

Just now, ChiefRobb said:

How are the stock fans?

Pretty good, the gp-12 are much better than corsairs/evga a, a fair bit better than the kraken a (air flow optimized but quiet, meh) and a fair bit worse than the vardars that come with the pheonix

[ChiefRobb]

On 12/3/2017 at 2:32 PM, STRMfrmXMN said:

They suck but so do all AIO fans except for perhaps Fractal's (still not amazing) and be Quiet's (super spendy).

 

They'll last a couple years but they're not gonna move as much air and be as quiet as a $20 fan, of course.

 

On 12/3/2017 at 2:33 PM, Damascus said:

Pretty good, the gp-12 are much better than corsairs/evga a, a fair bit better than the kraken a (air flow optimized but quiet, meh) and a fair bit worse than the vardars that come with the pheonix

Alright thanks. I'm going to look into some benchmarks.

 

On 12/3/2017 at 2:32 PM, epic_ziver_D said:

If you want to use the full 360 available in the front then don't look at Corsair's Hydro or NZXT's Kraken series. If you just want to use 280 then the Hydro series will probably provide the most value if we are talking about AIO's there are complete out of the box. Also I think that you can "upgrade" whichever AIO you choose VERY nicely with Magnetic Levitation fans (ML Series fans from corsair) which are excellent fans as long as you are sure you can use PWM to control them. (They are quieter than normal fans and have high pressure and high airflow)

 

EDIT: Altho at least with Corsair I know that the included fans are good but the ML series will be much more of a sound upgrade than performance. Also IMO you don't need more than 280 (altho 240 should be enough) for a 8700k)

I've seen the benefits of 360, and they are minimal, so I'm leaning with a 280 right now.

[flibberdipper]

19 minutes ago, STRMfrmXMN said:

They suck but so do all AIO fans except for perhaps Fractal's (still not amazing) and be Quiet's (super spendy).

 

They'll last a couple years but they're not gonna move as much air and be as quiet as a $20 fan, of course.

From a purely performance perspective, the H115i fans do great, but when you do a noise normalized test they're uh... Well they're shit, honestly. These fans on an air cooler would be nuts because of how much air they move.

[ChiefRobb]

Just now, tmcclelland455 said:

From a purely performance perspective, the H115i fans do great, but when you do a noise normalized test they're uh... Well they're shit, honestly. These fans on an air cooler would be nuts because of how much air they move.

Thanks, I think I've decided I'm going with the h115i.

[Damascus]

20 minutes ago, epic_ziver_D said:

Altho at least with Corsair I know that the included fans are goo

Wat? swqpping out my 2 stock corsair fans with a single noctua high pressure fan dropped my temps 11c and more than halved the noise output.