H100 Vs. Custom Loop

Roverno · 8 Dec 2011 at 22:08

I originally posted this in the OC and Cooling forum but recommended to post here:

So i have been considering upgrading my CoolIt Vantage ALC cooler to an H100 for a couple of weeks now (since i needed something on my Christmas list). I have only had my pc for 5 or 6 weeks but i love tinkering with it so i need something to occupy me and thought a cooler upgrade might be nice. However, today i watched a video on you tube for a 120mm water cooling system for CPU only and the kit cost about £100.

So i was wondering, if i bought an H100 it would cost £80 for the unit and 2x £10 for the fans i would put on it, then it would mount nicely in the top of my 600T and all be over pretty quickly. But if i bought the single 120mm cooling block and all the necessary stuff to go with it, it would also cost £100. So is the H100 just saving me time? Because i'd rather do it myself to be honest, much more fun.

Or would i need a much more expensive watercooling kit to get the same cooling performance as the H100, thus costing me more?

im currently selling a bunch of new HDDs on the bay so i should have a little money come through soon and may be able to afford a water cooling setup.

What would you suggest?

In addition

What sort of price would i be looking at to make a comparable loop to a H100.

d4ns · 8 Dec 2011 at 22:23

I had a h100 and am about to sell it. Have just swapped it for a custom loop. I spent around £300, but has taken 10 degrees off of the h100. The h100 is a simple upgrade from air and fills the middle gap nicely at a fair price. If your looking for water cooling temps, it doesnt do it im afraid.

Roverno · 8 Dec 2011 at 22:26

since i enjoy the tinker time with my pc, i think watercooling is much more my thing. But i really don't want to spend £300

Is that everything cooled or just CPU?

demonstag · 8 Dec 2011 at 22:44

You could always get one of the starter kit from OCUK or EK as detailed below:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-116-EK

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-041-OE&groupid=962&catid=1532&subcat=

I went for the EK kit due to price and have already added Full water block an will be adding 360 Rad after Xmas. Very easy to setup and comes with everything that you need. Once you get started you can than change the system a bit at a time and change components as you see fit.

Roverno · 8 Dec 2011 at 22:47

They look good, might have to see how my money goes after christmas though. Only problem i have is that my 600T is less than ideal for Watercooling i think.

Roverno · 8 Dec 2011 at 23:02

Also, another question i have. I will have to move my PC around the country a fair bit, maybe 4 times a year. Should this impact my decision to use custom water cooling?

ThePengu1n · 8 Dec 2011 at 23:10

Stick with the H100, far less hassle and way better cooling than you will get from a £100 custom loop.

Roverno · 8 Dec 2011 at 23:30

I like the hassle, tinkering and maintenance is all part of the fun. Unless you mean i would have to dissassemble each time i move my case or something?

I would accept paying for for custom WC, definately a nice option as long as moving it all around would be fine.