Anyone still use air cooling?

pc_monkey

pc_monkey

pc_monkey

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I have not tinkered with my 2500k for about 5 years and I must admit I am now lost when I try to read up on the current tech.

I have been having an itch for a week now and been thinking of putting together an i7 6700k with water cooling.

From a little reading, it seems water cooling is more hard work because there are lots of bits and bobs you need to think about and the testing for leaks etc.

Has anyone on this board had a "leak" developing while the computer is used and cause damage?

Has everyone shifted to using water cooling now?
 
Did my first custom loop recently, it's a fun process. Some things can be a little tricky but as long as you take your time and watch enough videos you'll be ok.
 
I think you'll find that the majority of people still use air cooling :)

Water does require a bit more research for a first timer, but it's pretty easy once you've got your head around the basics - which are quite basic tbh.
It just seems complicated when you don't know what you're looking at.

As far as leaks go, unless you're really unlucky with a faulty component, you shouldn't have any problems. Just make sure your fittings and tubing are the right size for each other and that everything is properly tightened.
 
Proper water cooling is only for those who want to spend quite a large sum of cash on it, unless they buy all of their parts second hand. Air cooling is still by far the most popular choice of cooling as far as I am aware. I do not consider those AIO units to be 'water cooling,' because while they are, they are nowhere near as good.

I've had a leak, once before, with a loop. The rig ran fine after I discovered it as the coolant was non-conductive. :)
 
Not sure it's worth doing for most people these days with the availability of hybrid graphics cards and enclosed CPU water coolers, especially if it costs a lot for a custom loop setup.
 
Water takes time and can be very very expensive very quickly!

I have done loops before buy second hand for less than £100 for the cpu and gpu.

My latest build cost over £500 just for fittings alone never mind the rads and blocks

Is it worth it for the performance gains when you are into that much? No

Is it more of a hobby now and more about the silence? Yes

None conductive coolant takes a lot of the risk element away. I have had disasters where the whole mobo has been showered in fluid and survived.
 
Greebo said:
Water takes time and can be very very expensive very quickly!

I have done loops before buy second hand for less than £100 for the cpu and gpu.

My latest build cost over £500 just for fittings alone never mind the rads and blocks

Is it worth it for the performance gains when you are into that much? No

Is it more of a hobby now and more about the silence? Yes

None conductive coolant takes a lot of the risk element away. I have had disasters where the whole mobo has been showered in fluid and survived.
Click to expand...

I went with a big external radiator, my case has no windows in the side panel so no need for fancy stuff>lights or fittings, etc.

Everything is new and the only things that will not be carried over to my next build out of the components below is Tubing and Coolant.

External 560mm Quad Radiator : Full Copper-£90
Fans 1000rpm 4x140mm-£40
Various Compression Fittings -£50
Various Cables-£20
Tube 100mm Reservoir-£23
PWM Pump-£38
Tubing 2mtr-£12
Coolant-£9
CPU Block-£50
Grand Total=£337

My GPU is a Asus 980Ti Poseidon its a hybrid you just connect it to the loop.
 
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DarrenM343 said:
Not sure it's worth doing for most people these days with the availability of hybrid graphics cards and enclosed CPU water coolers, especially if it costs a lot for a custom loop setup.
Click to expand...

Custom loops are not value for money. If you want bang for buck you go for a dedicated component cooler.

They also tend to require a lot of space, make general case access more difficult and can hugely increase the weight of the build.

Also requires some light technical knowledge and desire to tinker with things.

You'd do it for the looks, challenge and there is potential for lower noise even though that might not actually be the case.

Never was for the average user.
 
Still a lot of developments coming out for air cooling mate, but the prices on 120mm closed loop coolers is getting so close its almost a no brainer to choose it over air. Custom loops are still not as cost comparative but we do it because we enjoy the challenge/aesthetics/bragging rights :)
 
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