Custom Loop v H50 performance ?

wildman · 24 Nov 2011 at 13:23

I am thinking of trying my hand at 'proper' water cooling to replace my current H50.

The H50 is currently cooling a 2500K at 4.4ghz. WHen running prime I get load temps into the high 70's, with at least one core hitting 79. If I replaced the H50 with a proper water cooling kit like the H30 120 kit from OCUK for example would this result in a largish reduction in temps on full load or would this be an exercise is futility and yield marginal improvements ?

is there any stats available on performance of H50 v custom solutions ?

lrlcr · 24 Nov 2011 at 15:34

The H3O 120 only has a 120mm radiator so it's not going to be hugely different, you'll probably see a couple of degree's difference. You really want a double or triple rad if you really want to see big improvements.

s7cn · 24 Nov 2011 at 17:18

With a double rad you would probably see a drop of anywhere between 15-20* underload.

demonstag · 25 Nov 2011 at 00:16

I went from the H50 which was cooling a i7-2700K and my load temps went from 74C average to:

Full Load (5Ghz @ 1.4v)

Core 0 = 59C
Core 1 = 67C
Core 2 = 67C
Core 3 = 68C

I am using the EK-H30-Supreme HF 240. I am going to change the 240 rad to a 360 and mount the 240 externally or on the bottom of the case if it will fit, so I can add a EK-FC6970 full waterblock to it.

I would recommend the EK kit, however I have only just started watercooling in the last 2weeks, so I am still learning from all on this forum. Hope this helps

Hotwired · 25 Nov 2011 at 00:46

wildman said:
I am thinking of trying my hand at 'proper' water cooling to replace my current H50.

The H50 is currently cooling a 2500K at 4.4ghz. WHen running prime I get load temps into the high 70's, with at least one core hitting 79. If I replaced the H50 with a proper water cooling kit like the H30 120 kit from OCUK for example would this result in a largish reduction in temps on full load or would this be an exercise is futility and yield marginal improvements ?

Depends how picky you are.

If you're after temps then forget it. The key thing is how much surface area there is to exchange heat with the air. Since both items you're comparing are using a 120mm radiator you're not going to get your moneys worth.

Generally if you want to beat a premade loop to any degree worth doing it for, you need a big case and room to put frankly, a larger radiator than the premade loops have.

If you want lower temps then the same as with air coolers applies, increase the surface area for heat exchange. Get a bigger radiator. And/or get louder fans to increase airflow over the surfaces.

wildman · 25 Nov 2011 at 12:00

thanks for all the replies, I think I am going to start a new project then rather than trying to cram a massive rad into my 690.