CPU Cooler, Power Supply and to fan or not to fan

Munimentum

Munimentum

Munimentum

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Joined
24 Dec 2007
Posts
736
Hi guys,

As the title says, I'm gonna be asking about CPU Coolers, Power Supplies and additional/replacement fans here :) First though I'll give you a rundown on my rig:


Case: CM ATCS 840
Motherboard: Gigabyte EX58-UD5
Memory: 6GB (cant remember make or model but not pertinent here anyway :))
CPU: i7 920
Cooler: Fenrir v1
GPU: 1GB 5870
PSU: 1000W Non-Modular (Corsair I think)
HDDs: Crucial M4 64GB SSD, 250GB OCz Apex SSD, 2TB Samsung f4
Soundcard: Xonar DG

Ok, so CPU Cooler first. Lately I've been hearing this incredibly annoying whining that starts anytime while doing anything and which I can hear in my headphones. I'm pretty sure it's from my Fenrir which is probably due for an upgrade anyway, so I'm going to do so.

I really liked the idea of an all in one easy to use watercooling system for it so I've been looking at a Corsair H80, but reading around I hear that the Antec Kuhler H20 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-006-AN is the better option.

1. Which of these would I be better of going for? Or would something else entirely be different?

I like the idea of such a loop because of the amount of space it saves around the CPU area, leaving me a lot more room to manouvre and sort out wires etc, so ideally I'd rather not go for another air cooler unless they are significantly better performance wise (I could live with 5 degrees hotter or so on the loop just for looks and size alone).

2. I have read the Kuhler has paste on it already also, is that worth using or applying high quality paste myself? Which paste and TIM cleaner are the best (price/performance if that's a better indication) for such a cooler?


Next, we come to my power supply. While it's not giving me any problems, and I probably won't be replacing it at the same time as my CPU cooler I figured I would ask this hear anyway as it has been on my mind.

3. I really want a modular power supply for ease of use and upgrading (mine is a pain for HDDs and stuff), and I'm pretty sure 1000W is far too much for what I use so what would people recommend for a Modular power supply in an ATCS 840? Bear in mind that I plan on *possibly* adding a more modern ATi card in the future and running the 5870 as a second card, so it would need to incorporate that and any additional fans in the case (2 I think can be added)

4. Now, about fans. In an ATCS 840 there is room for 2 extra fans attached to the HDD bay. Obviously with two large fans exhausting out of the top of the case and the cooler exhausting out the back, I feel like there is a difference there. Is it worth it? Also, which fans would be best suited for such a job?

5. Also, including anything from the previous questions, is it worth replacing any fans elsewhere (Such as the Kuhler/H80, stock fans on 840 etc)?

6. Additionally, I need 2 SSD support brackets for my drives (They're sort of hanging there at the minute :P), which would you recommend as I'm completely clueless about sizes and build quality in such an area.


Thanks for reading, and I appreciate you taking the time to reply if you do :)
 
1) the Antec 920 is indeed the better cooler, but do you still have the brown box that came with the case to swap the top fans in the roof for 120MM versions? if so you could easily fit a 120.2 Rad with custom water block/pump or the bigger Corsair H100 cooler.


2) It does, its some silver stuff, get some MX-4 paste anyways incase you want to re-fit it at any time.


3) This is a good modular (partially) PSU - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-116-AN&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1088

Reviews,
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=140
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/766

Also the cables are long enough for the case.


4) Make sure all three dust filters are cleaned including the front one. Adding more fans isnt worth it.


5) If you got a H100 or a dual 120MM Rad then theres loads of room in the roof to do a Push/Pull so you are sandwiching the rad either side with two fans each.


6) This Akasa thing can be made to fit easily - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-059-AK

IMG_0607.jpg
 
Thanks for the reply stu, I appreciate it :) I think you helped me with my last query here also, so it's nice to see you're still super helpful and quick to reply.

stulid said:
1) the Antec 920 is indeed the better cooler, but do you still have the brown box that came with the case to swap the top fans in the roof for 120MM versions? if so you could easily fit a 120.2 Rad with custom water block/pump or the bigger Corsair H100 cooler.

5) If you got a H100 or a dual 120MM Rad then theres loads of room in the roof to do a Push/Pull so you are sandwiching the rad either side with two fans each.
Click to expand...

Indeed I do still have the box. Is the H100 replacing the top fans in an ATCS840 better than an Antec 920 with the stock top fans?

For your answer to 5, if the answer is yes to that, what exactly do you mean by push/pull? The bottom 2 fans pulling air from inside the case and the outer 2 pushing it out? Also, would you recommend the stock H100 fans or replacing them with something better? Obviously a £50+ price difference between the 920 and h100 with custom fans might not be ideal if the performance isn't hugely boosted.

stulid said:
3) This is a good modular (partially) PSU - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-116-AN&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1088
Click to expand...

I assume this recommendation means 750W is enough for my needs? (Forgot to mention my CPU is oc'ed to 4Ghz, if that changes anything in addition to Crossfire.

stulid said:
6) This Akasa thing can be made to fit easily - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-059-AK
Click to expand...

That looks great, thank you.

Thanks for the answers there mate, you've been incredibly helpful :)
 
I suppose the extra cost of going from a Antec 920 to a H100 (and then maybe adding another two extra fans such as - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=fg-030-sy&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=4 ) isnt worth it, it was just a suggest as to whats possible to fit inside this huge case.

h100 using a stock i7 920 - http://www.vortez.net/articles_page...extreme_performance_liquid_cpu_cooler,11.html

H100 using a i7 920@4Ghz with various fan setups - http://www.vortez.net/articles_page...extreme_performance_liquid_cpu_cooler,13.html

I assume this recommendation means 750W is enough for my needs? (Forgot to mention my CPU is oc'ed to 4Ghz, if that changes anything in addition to Crossfire.
Click to expand...

Yes it is, it will handle any single card setup and SLi/Crossfire upto GTX570's or ATI 6970's

That looks great, thank you.
Click to expand...

You just need a drill bit the same thickness as the metal pins on the HDD cage (those things in the rubber grommets) as a hole needs to be drilled out either side for them to snuggly fit in, then add a screw at the rear on either side.
 
stulid said:
I suppose the extra cost of going from a Antec 920 to a H100 (and then maybe adding another two extra fans such as - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-030-SY&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=4 ) isnt worth it, it was just a suggest as to whats possible to fit inside this huge case.
Click to expand...

From a quick comparison:

Antec 920 with 2 typhoons is £103
Corsair H100 with 2 is £118
Corsair H100 with 4 is £143.

The jump to the h100 is fine with me actually, so I think I'm gonna go with the H100 after all judging from the performance increase over the 920 in those benchmarks. Thanks for linking me those.

One more question here, would the H100 with 4 typhoons be a big improvement over the 2+2?

stulid said:
You just need a drill bit the same thickness as the metal pins on the HDD cage (those things in the rubber grommets) as a hole needs to be drilled out either side for them to snuggly fit in, then add a screw at the rear on either side.
Click to expand...

That sounds fine, but for options sake, are there any which are tool less installation (relatively)?
 
The H100 comes with a pair of fans, these you would fit to the roof to "pull" air from the rad, then you would fit the rad, then fit two fans "pushing" underneath.

The Typhoons are strong fans so will be good for the "pushing"

That sounds fine, but for options sake, are there any which are tool less installation (relatively)?
Click to expand...

Not that I am aware, you need to use those plastic frames to make what ever you use fit the metal cages.
 
stulid said:
This is a slightly more custom setup - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-115-EK&groupid=962&catid=1532&subcat=

Gives an idea - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNO208QwCaE
Click to expand...

Yeah I was looking at those a little while ago, but I don't think I'm ready for the maintenance requirements of a proper watercooling setup. I like the hassle free nature of the H100/Antec 920 as much as their performance.

Thanks for the info there though, I might end up going that route in the future although by then there will probably be better alternatives :)

EDIT: One last thing, there won't be any problems with having an extra 2 fans on that H100, height wise will there? Like, they won't touch the memory or whatever? Just in case :P
 
stulid said:
Have you looked in your case lately:D?????? its huge.
Click to expand...

LOL touche!

One last question (once again, they never end :P), Is it not possible to use the 2 230mm fans on top as the pull fans, and then just the stock corsair/typhoons as the push ones? Or is it better to have 2 120's? Was just a thought I had after watching a video of someone doing this in a HAF X.
 
The rad is held in place by screws that pass through the fans into the rad, the mounting holes of the 230mm fans are just to far apart.
 
Just had a look.

Even if you could rig up those plastic adapters directly to the underside of the 230mm fans to then hold the rad underneath.

The fans motor/center is huge creating a huge "dead zone" directly in the middle of the rad.
 
Ah, thats ok, was just an idea.

Thanks again Stu :)

Let's hope when I do order an H100, I don't have any problems with faulty hardware like most people seem to be with these. Are Antec 920's more reliable in that sense, cus if they are and H100's are still really unreliable I might end up getting one of those with typhoons instead. I'm not gonna be doing this myself (I'm not confident doing CPU/cooler/watercooling stuff myself so will be paying a mate of mine to do it for me, at least the first time so I can see how to do it first hand) so having to RMA it is a big nono really.

Fingers crossed that's my last question rofl.
 
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Seen things said about all these types of systems if im honest.

Some make huge "clicking" sounds some just dont work.

But you will always see more people posting their problems than people posting to say its awesome.

My 920 is whisper quiet and cant complain, it comes with two fans as standard.
 
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