Ambient temps; wc v ac

[el Kuarlos]

I know that ambient temp will generally affect cpu temp, I run a zalman9500 (cannot fault it) on air on an antec 300and see temps jump a good 10C between the room being cool and warmish.

Would a corsair h50 set up (in an antec 300) cope better with a warmer room- I want to overclock and the issue I am seeing is that the zalman seems to get overwhelmed (we are not talking heavy here, 56/60 max at 3.8ghz).

Is there a better balance, of, and in this order-

QUIET!!!
CPU cooling
good all round airflow
Practicality

The Corsair h50 appleals but as I am sure everyone knows, the jump to water in any amount needs to be utterly justifiable. Main issue is noise, second is ability to cope with high ambient temps.

 

[el Kuarlos]

Thanks having looked at things I think I am going to leave it, I like the fact that the zalman (realised its a 9700) blows air over the entire motherboard and with the antec 300 top and rear fans air really does get dragged all over it.

Think my heat situation will improve once that pesky 9800 stops pumping 80 degree air into the centre of my case.