Custom loop vs. H100i

[iiBetrayforAR]

I was just curious if a custom loop can outperform an H100i for the same price (Fans, etc. all things neccesary for it to function)? And of course have similar reliability. If so how much, because a custom loop is obviously more difficult to install than an H100i. If it is like ~5C difference I wouldn't consider it worth it. Oh and I am just talking CPU cooling only.

 

[remember300]

depends if you can get the pump the tubing the rad the fans and the cpu block and the fluid all for less than the h10i0ithen it will probs perform the same if you get a rad a simular size. and thickness

 

[airdeano]

if talking strickly price.. can not be done correctly on new price.
in the sates a corsair H100i is averaging $110 shipped
custom loop:
ex240 - 54.00
jetway pump - 28.00
cpu block - 35.00
2x SP120 fans - 25.00
4x barb fittings - 10.00
6ft hose - 6.00
comes to $158 plus shipping
will you see better temps yes, i have gotten 6°-10° with the exact
parts. but the pump lasted 36days, so another 75.00 for a D5 or $55 DDC

no guarantee on anything.. all custom is responsibility of the purchaser. like
electronics, if you dont know what you are doing, it can ball-up on you and
be dramatically epic to see smoke come from "where?"

H100/i leak, custom loops leak.. H100/i pump fails, custom loop pumps fail..
fans dont work, are too loud, got one huge air lock/bubble.. if these scare
you look away. stay on air-cooling. if you like a challenge and like to tinker..

welcome to the world of PC water-cooling
careful planning, experience to what the parts do and their releationship with
each other and the options are key elements. then once you have the grasp
of the knowledge dive in with a kit (keep an air-cooler handy)..

 

[NeverBackDown]

Considering the h100i is 91pounds(don't have the pound sign) and an xspc rs 240kit is 139.99pounds... H100i is better bang for the buck for maybe anywhere between 5-10C.

 

[airdeano]

i applaude anyone new to the enthusiasts league of modifications. but know your
limitations and work on exceeding those limitations. pick your battles to win the war!

i use H100, custom loops and air-cooling. it all depends on the situation and
budget. no sense blowing a budget and finding out half-way that something is
not co-ordinated right and it'll cost even more than antisipated.

if you have to have something now.. H100/i is king, yes it is the best proven
bang for the buck.
but if you have this tinker-bug, research, developed conversations and budget
always makes for a great experience and turns out a great feeling of accomplishment
(plus you did something 40-60% cant do)

 

[iiBetrayforAR]

Yeah, just looking around a little it looked like $200 is very easy to spend in custom water cooling. Maybe in my next build, several years down the line, I will do a custom loop.

 

[SEBAR]

I know I am a little late but I thought I would share my experience. I started out not to long ago with an antec H2O 620 for my CPU, It worked fine and with the right set of fans it was very quiet. I decided to go for a custom CPU loop and found some good prices on used fittings, pump and res. I got everything I needed for a CPU loop and got it up and running for less than $150. I soon found myself wanting to try new things like different tubing, different res, larger radiator, and the list goes on. Now I am sitting on several unused parts, loads of tubing that I have not used yet, extra fittings and on and on and on. I recently did an audit on all the spending I have done in the last year, over $2,000. This all started by wanting to try a CPU only water loop. I am totally addicted to water cooling now and am even thinking of changing my system again, even though I just spent $200 on copper pipe just last month. Moral of the story, you will get addicted and spend way more then you initially think.

 

[airdeano]

I am totally addicted to water cooling now and am even thinking of changing my system again, even though I just spent $200 on copper pipe just last month. Moral of the story, you will get addicted and spend way more then you initially think.

welcome to WCA (Water Coolers anonymous)
my name is deano.. (hey deano!) i am a water-cooling junkie..
it all started with a small......

 

[SEBAR]

welcome to WCA (Water Coolers anonymous)
my name is deano.. (hey deano!) i am a water-cooling junkie..
it all started with a small......

Ha ha, the needs to be a WCA thread on the forum so we can try to help each other get thru this addiction.

 

[Mgutierrez33]

Ha ha, the needs to be a WCA thread on the forum so we can try to help each other get thru this addiction.

I would join too... only my problem stems from the tragedy of improperly overclocking the balls out of my now dead... *gulp*... 2600K, and now having all of that knowledge under my belt and not being able to do anything with it. Had I the chance to do it all over again, I'd have just waited a month or two more, gotten a proper case, and done a good CPU loop for it (instead of using an Antech h2o 620... for an AUTO CLOCK 4.6 Ghz -_-).

... part of healing is admitting the problem and owning up to it x-)

 

[iiBetrayforAR]

Lol we can help you man

;P