whats so bad about me using a 120mm rad
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NeverBackDown
AMD Enthusiast
Not worth the investment. Better off with an h100i or h105.. WC kits are only worth it for 240mm rads with a CPU and a 360mm+ rad with a CPU and GPU loop.
maybe but thats not what im asking, im asking this for people who only have 120/140mm fans space not like bitfenix ghost which has 2x120mm top
for under £200 just buy the EK 240 or 360 watercooling kit. It has pump, res, a 240 or 360 radiator, tubing, fittings and fans and is within your budget.
I still don't see why you are so eager to use a 120mm. Everyone here is telling you its a bad idea yet you don't seem to be prepared to listen.
I still don't see why you are so eager to use a 120mm. Everyone here is telling you its a bad idea yet you don't seem to be prepared to listen.
NeverBackDown
AMD Enthusiast
Or look at XSPC kits.
What case is this going into?
What case is this going into?
not what im asking, just asking why spend more on a 240 for one component wheither it be cpu gpu rams
Remmy
New member
If the price difference between a 120mm rad and a 240mm radiator is a concern to you, you should probably just hold off on the watercooling for a while. If you want to save on some money just get an AIO.
its not that, i can build a new rig a few times over just with my current build the stock cpu cooler doesnt make it a custom pc. i was looking at one i think was a zalman dunno what model but its shows a blue led on pump block ?
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Please use grammar and punctuation. I ran out of breath reading that.
240rad is an optimum setup. You can run fans quietly and still have pleasant results. Using a 120mm rad regardless of fpi etc, the results will not be as good due to low surface area.
sorry didnt realized it was an english lesson
Remmy
New member
He wasn't being mean, but it's really helpful to make your message clear; especially on a forum because the information is conveyed purely through text. When you think or say something you know where the pauses are, and what you mean, but it's difficult to tell when it's just reading a long string of words.
NeverBackDown
AMD Enthusiast
The sarcasm should be dropped. No need for it as it does nothing but take us off topic.
Please try to use grammar and punctuation along with proper spelling. It helps people better understand your questions; therefore, give better answers. If English is not your native language then please try your best to help us help you more effectively. Thank you.
What people are trying to tell you is that there is no point in watercooling with a proper kit when it will do the same job as a cheaper AIO. If you plan on watercooling then the bare minimum should be a 240mm rad. Even if money is no issue its still a waste of time; after all time is money.
Scoob
New member
I used one of the original Antec Kuhler 620's - the smaller 120mm version - for a while on my 2500k. It worked well once I got some improved fans and ran push+pull. It kept the temps down ok with a 4.6ghz Overclock too, though it was a little noisier than I'd like.
I later moved on to "proper" water cooling, with a huge external rad, low-rpm (silent) fans, a decent D5 pump. A better overall solution for cooling now multiple devices, including two GPU's (first 570's and more recently 680's) - however, due to my quest for SILENCE (really, my laptop is noisier) cooling was better than the AIO 120mm unit of course, but not staggeringly so.
One thing I did notice on the smaller unit though was basically "heat soak". In essence, the unit would displace the heat from an overclocked CPU working hard quite happily during benching sessions - we're talking OCCT + AVX here, so pushing things hard - but, during a much longer, but less stressful gaming session, temps would start to rise.
Basically, the smaller units are fine but, IMO, they NEED push+pull to be most effective and they need a slightly more agressive fan profile, which gives more noise when pushing things. The smaller volume of liquid vs. "proper" water cooling can become saturated quite quickly during a gaming session. Of course, the warmer the coolant, the less efficient the heat exchange from CPU to liquid is, so the hotter the CPU can get. Like I said though, I only really saw this heat build up in longer gaming sessions (ok, that's pretty much ALL of them!) in a demanding title.
If you're running a stock system, then I really don't think you'd have any worries, as these coolers were comparable to "good" air coolers, yet ran a little quieter.
A tip for you, and what I'd do now if I was using an AIO. I'd NOT go push+pull, I'd use ONE set of fans in PUSH, but I'd use a shroud. These have the effect of MUCH reducing turbulance, so the air pressure is cleaner and quieter. Indeed, my full custom system uses shrouds, which means the fan blades aren't spinning just a couple of millimetres over the rad fins, which is a lot quieter.
Anyway, I rambled lol.
Scoob.
I later moved on to "proper" water cooling, with a huge external rad, low-rpm (silent) fans, a decent D5 pump. A better overall solution for cooling now multiple devices, including two GPU's (first 570's and more recently 680's) - however, due to my quest for SILENCE (really, my laptop is noisier) cooling was better than the AIO 120mm unit of course, but not staggeringly so.
One thing I did notice on the smaller unit though was basically "heat soak". In essence, the unit would displace the heat from an overclocked CPU working hard quite happily during benching sessions - we're talking OCCT + AVX here, so pushing things hard - but, during a much longer, but less stressful gaming session, temps would start to rise.
Basically, the smaller units are fine but, IMO, they NEED push+pull to be most effective and they need a slightly more agressive fan profile, which gives more noise when pushing things. The smaller volume of liquid vs. "proper" water cooling can become saturated quite quickly during a gaming session. Of course, the warmer the coolant, the less efficient the heat exchange from CPU to liquid is, so the hotter the CPU can get. Like I said though, I only really saw this heat build up in longer gaming sessions (ok, that's pretty much ALL of them!) in a demanding title.
If you're running a stock system, then I really don't think you'd have any worries, as these coolers were comparable to "good" air coolers, yet ran a little quieter.
A tip for you, and what I'd do now if I was using an AIO. I'd NOT go push+pull, I'd use ONE set of fans in PUSH, but I'd use a shroud. These have the effect of MUCH reducing turbulance, so the air pressure is cleaner and quieter. Indeed, my full custom system uses shrouds, which means the fan blades aren't spinning just a couple of millimetres over the rad fins, which is a lot quieter.
Anyway, I rambled lol.
Scoob.
CrazyTeeka
New member
You could always just buy the 120mm rad and see for yourself how it performs. 
Scoob
New member
You could always just buy the 120mm rad and see for yourself how it performs.
Oh come on, be sensible!
Joking aside, I know I paid £40 for my cooler back in the day. I was experienced with PC building though and had done my homework, plus I wanted to try one out. Vs. the stock cooler my Retail CPU came with, I couldn't really loose...well, unless I did lol. Still, it's prudent to do your homework, even for a £40 purchase...and that's what the OP is doing.
Scoob
Silverstone-Z
New member
I don't understand the problem here...
OP, you want to know whether a custom loop with a 120mm rad will do the same job as an all-in-one cooler and you're not interesting in overclocking. Why spend an extra ~$100+ for a miniscule difference in temperature that's insignificant to the CPU? In your case, go for the cheaper alternative, the all-in-one (ie. Corsair H80i). To throw money into a custom loop, for a 120mm rad and single cpu block for a chip that won't even be overclocked, doesn't make any sense.
The only reason I'd see for you to go with a custom loop is if you plan on expanding down the road. In this case, you'll want to PLAN for the future as well. Use components that will be able to dissipate the added heat of extra components, such as a larger radiator, pump that can handle the added resistance, etc. At this point, everything will seem like overkill. However, what's now overkill can instantly become merely "adequate" when something is added to the loop. Am I recommending this route? For you, not at all.
OP, you want to know whether a custom loop with a 120mm rad will do the same job as an all-in-one cooler and you're not interesting in overclocking. Why spend an extra ~$100+ for a miniscule difference in temperature that's insignificant to the CPU? In your case, go for the cheaper alternative, the all-in-one (ie. Corsair H80i). To throw money into a custom loop, for a 120mm rad and single cpu block for a chip that won't even be overclocked, doesn't make any sense.
The only reason I'd see for you to go with a custom loop is if you plan on expanding down the road. In this case, you'll want to PLAN for the future as well. Use components that will be able to dissipate the added heat of extra components, such as a larger radiator, pump that can handle the added resistance, etc. At this point, everything will seem like overkill. However, what's now overkill can instantly become merely "adequate" when something is added to the loop. Am I recommending this route? For you, not at all.
so if i was to buy an aio loop like the h80i or a zalman 320 i would be wasting money
Remmy
New member
If you want a cooling solution without the prospect of upgrading then get an AIO. This is a waste only if you know you will soon want custom watercooling.
Equally, if you want a custom loop that won't need upgrading, then a 120mm loop is a waste of money, because an AIO would be just as good, and cheaper.
If you want a custom waterloop, invest a decent amount of money into it and get a basic loop with a minimum of a 240mm radiator, then you can build on it from there.
Why are you so desperate to use a 120mm radiator? xD
Silverstone-Z
New member
If you don't plan on adding components to the loop, an AIO cooler is the way to go. With no overclocking, sticking with a nice air cooler would be even better.
If you do plan on adding components to the loop, don't waste money on a dinky ass radiator.
If you do plan on adding components to the loop, don't waste money on a dinky ass radiator.
im not its people say on youtube and other forums different things hence why we're here
what would is better 120mm aio loop
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