AIO or Aircooler

[Dtshaw]

Hey,

I have recently purchased a DarkRock Pro 4 and while it does the job of being silent and having good temps... it does make things awkward in regards to removing the graphics card and well.. if i am honest just doesn't look good.

I can't help but consider a AIO due to the looks. I know from a practical stand point it makes no sense due to it costing more, possiblity of pump failure and so forth but there is something about seeing the sleek design of the VRMS and Ram that make it very appealing.

I guess ultimately there are two things i wish to ask. Is there any aircooler that has the ability to solve the above problems and the other being that my Phantek P600s. While using stock config and fans. The cooling feels subpar from the fans. I can set the fans to 70 percent and still feels lackluster in terms of airflow with the panels off on the case.

I have looked up SW3 for both apperance and practical for the purposes of replacing the 3 stock case fans. I did have a look at the Eloops but read reports of them conflicting unless having 5mm of space? (The 28mm version in black)

 

[Dtshaw]

The included fans in P600 are not very good, especially if front is closed. P600 just doesn't have enough front vent area to supply it's intake fans .. and unless you block all openings in the fan mounting panel not covered by fans the air they are pushing into case is leaking back into the space between case front and fan mounting plate.

As for AIO, keep in mind there are AIOs and there are CLCs and most of what people call AIO are really CLC. CLC are factory sealed with no way to service or repair if needed. AIOs that are not CLC have copper radiators, threaded fittings and fill port so they can be serviced and repaired as needed. Still not as good as custom loops, but better than CLCs.

You say you don't like the looks of air cooling. I don't like the look of the black snakes CLCs and AIOs create inside of case.

Indeed, the part about CLCs is entirely subjective in it's self. I know AIOs belong to Coolit and Astek and rebranded for all the major players so to speak.. your corsairs and what have you. I was looking at Alphacool's line up such as their 360/240 Eisber line up but seen they have the new and improved one coming out.. only problem is no new news since computerx!.

Yeah.. i gathered as much. I took the panels off the front and back and still lackluster airflow hence why i was asking if i went two intake, 1 exhaust with the SW3 High performance fans would make a drastic different?

 

[Dtshaw]

Nothing subjective about it. AIOs are parent group and CLCs are a sub-group of AIOs. All CLCs are part of AIO parent group but not all AIOs are CLCs. I don't think either Coolit or Asetek sell any AIO that are not CLCs. Alphacool Eisbaer line are AIOs, not CLCs, as is be quiet! Silent Loop and new Thermalright Turbo Right line. They all have copper radiators and fill ports. Not sure about Turbo Right line but Eisbair and Silent Loop all have threaded fittings. Silent Loop is made by Alphacool.

All intake, remove all PCIe back slot covers /vents to improve rear vent area around GPU thus improving airflow around GPU and giving you lower temps. Make sure you block off all opening in fan mounting panel so the air intake fans are pushing into case cannot leak back into that small area between front grill and fans. We do not want the air doing in circles at the front of case instead of moving air toward back of case and out.



"Crying out for a custom loop," good deal if user wants to spend that much time bulding, has deep enough pockets to afford all the components and is willing to service it annually it's great. But if user wants to keep cost down and have dependable cooler air is the obvious choice.

I was refering to looks being subjective, aka "Black snakes", not the matter of AIOS/CLCs and as for blocking.. what would you suggest that is practical to block the holes?.

 

[Dtshaw]

the P600s is crying out for a custom loop. I've got a white P600s with two 360 rads a D5 140mm EK unit and a 5700XT in mine. The supplied fans are **** although I've kept one for the rear inlet. I use arctic p12 fans on the rads. Loudest thing is the PSU.

I personally would not bother changing the cooler but fit different fans to the chassis. CLC's are not better or worse than an AIO in terms of performance. many manufacturers refer to their units as AIO's so the name is irrelevant. Replace the stock fans with some P12 or P14 fans.

how often do you remove your graphics card?

Yeah, i mean i don't have that much cash to spare for a custom loop! but for the looks and temp/noise, no doubt!. I guess after using my last kraken x60 for 5 years or so i just got use to the look/room. Which for practical purposes means very little, just me getting used to a big beefy aircooler.

I have heard good things about the P12s and P14s for the performance/noise/cost but strangely going towards the SW3 High performance fans. I have only heard good things about them tbh!.

 

[Dtshaw]

I don't mean for you to buy one just that it has the space for it with great rad support. I personally wouldn't bother with an AIO given the current prices. If your temps are fine then don't bother replacing. What CPU are you using? spending all that cash for a SW3 may bring a bit extra performance at full speed but do you run your fans at full speed?

Yeah, i know what you mean. IF i was to go for anything it be something like an Alphacool CLC. They are apparently coming out with a new one but no new news since Computerx!.

Oh, as for CPU it is the 3600 on an Gigabyte x570 elite. I plan on getting whatever 8/12c next year for the 4000 series and as for temps. It's my g-card that overheats. If pull the side panel of a bit it reduces temps/fan curve hence why i wanted to replace the fans!. I do plan on getting either a 2070 super or Sapphire nitro though!.

The stock fans i have now are at 70 percent fan speed but barely have any airflow when tested with a bit of tape + paper.

 

[Dtshaw]

pieces of stiff construction paper, file folders work, or thin cardboard over big openings held in place with water soluble glue stick, maybe pieces of tape over a few holes. In one of my cases I cut a piece of thin cardboard to fit the entire panel and cut out the holes where fans and their mounting screws went. Rattle can black before I installed so it matchs case and have to look real hard to even tell it's there. Another case I used file folder stock cut to fit and glue stick.

Ah, thanks. I'll give that go and see what happens.

 

[Dtshaw]

Oh, sorry. I should have included that...! my bad.. >.<! i have done that too and while it helped... somewhat. The problem still remains!.

 

[Dtshaw]

I've been running a £60 Cooler Master Seidon AIO for just under three years. cooling a hot OC'd six core X5650.

It has worked flawlessly, keeps the CPU under 70c (most I've seen the hottest core reach under full load is 68c), whilst running quiet.

The pump is inaudible, some here would have you believe they make noises like a wailing banshee on heat.

If the pump went pop tomorrow I'd buy another AIO in a heartbeat.

Well, i did have the Kraken x60 for 5 years and was silent till the pump eventually went on it.

 

[Dtshaw]

Yeh, AIO's are never going to be as reliable as air cooling, that's a given.

The trade off as far as I'm concerned is looks, easy installation, performance and ease of access to other components, in no particular order.

Yeah, i couldn't agree more. The reason i went for the DarkRock Pro 4 was due to it's silence/performance and had not tried aircooling for over 10 years!. However, the downside being what you said above.