240mm AiO for a 7950X3D? - Kinda pointless 'upgrade' time !

[Rob_B]

I'm using a DeepCool AK400 Zero Dark at the moment on my CPU (-25ish CO) and running cinebench for 5mins it hits about 82C. I only game and work on the machine, no real productivity so it's unlikely I'll ever hit sustained CPU utilization of close to 100% outside of stress tests & benchmarks. This lives in an NZXT H5 Flow with 2 x 140mm intakes on the front.

My rear exhaust fan (Noctua NFA12 I think) is starting to get a bit of a whine over 700rpm and with my sensitivity to noises like that it's a bit annoying. So I was looking to replace it but for a little more than a new Noctua I could go with an AiO and maybe kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

I know it's unnecesary, I know a 240mm likely won't be much (if any) better than my current cooler but I was interested in whether it'd be a *bad* idea rather than just a *useless* one? I'm thinking 240mm so I can keep my 140mm intakes although I'm aware a 360mm might fit in the top of the H5 with a little work.

Any thoughts appreciated

Rob

 

[jp7152]

You can't go wrong with am artic aio. They are a little thicker than some others so a 240mm cooler can still be quite effective. The biggest benefit of an aio perhaps that the fans can adjust slower than an air cooler might need to.

 

[Rob_B]

To answer my own question.

Its louder than a tower cooler.
The trickle noise really annoys me.
It's about 4C cooler
The VRM fan (Freezer III) won't go to 0rpm for some reason.
Yes I set fan curves for the pump/vrm/fans

Waste of time

edit: given time to settle in and with the detachable VRM fan safely confined to a cupboard it's actually running OK now, I'd say slightly louder than my old HSF idle but at load it's definitely quieter. A 360 might have been a smarter move.

 

[abd25]

Have you considered just upgrading the fans

 

[Rob_B]

I had, wasn't sure what to get though. Then I saw the Freezer III 360 Pro with the new Arctic P12 Pro fans (seemingly the only difference) so was tempted by that and would need to mount as intake so I need to think about it when they come into stock.