Are these closed loop systems just novelty/space savers?

[kingbal]

I did my build a few weeks back and currently running at stock with stock intel cooler.

I'm liking the looks of these corsair H series coolers but can't decide whether to take the plunge.

The only benefit i can see over an air cooler is the space that you save.
Am i right?

 

[OLDPHART]

Hi, closed CPU H2o Coolers work very well, l had a H50 + Viper Fans push/pull CPU at 4.2 and gave very good temps, ambiet temp had to be 24'c before it went over 70'c. Also your case cooling helps as well.

 

[Plec]

The only benefit i can see over an air cooler is the space that you save.

They're very useful if you move your rig a lot - as heavy air coolers have a habit of falling off and trashing components (if you're not careful.).

The all-in-one's, although not as efficient as a top end Air for the same money, are still very capable and make moving rigs less of a worry.

For the money i would buy the equivalent priced Air Cooler but if space is limited and you move your rig a lot then the all-in-ones really come into their own.

 

[Mockingbird]

Assuming decent airflow in your rig, then pound-for-pound (money) a top-end air cooler will perform better in terms of cooling, and similarly in terms of noise.

With a cramped case, the extra airflow from the all-in-one water system might mean lower temps for other components, but it's not certain and you can get around with extra fans/better cable routing etc. with an air system.

The big, heavy air solutions cause some people concern about stresses on the motherboard (never been that bothered myself, but don't move my PC much).

For my money, the best thing about the all-in-ones (and the reason I've just side-graded to one) is that they take up so much less space, look nicer (IMO) and contribute to whole-case cooling if set up correctly.

I'm extremely happy with mine (Antec 620) - I just wish I could find a similarly-priced and easy-to-use set for a HIS HD 5850 Love that card but it's the loudest, hottest thing in my case by a country mile. If I could get a cheap loop on there I think I'd be all but silent except under extreme load.

 

[kingbal]

Thanks for your comments - i think it's the novelty of these watercoolers that attracted me to them in the first place; they look cool and theres no denying that.

I'm not going to be moving my case around much though and i don't have a window to peer into and admire the innards, so i think i'll end up going for the silver arrow over the H60 i've been eyeing up.