Help Please! New case = new CPU Cooler

oaksmokedbacon · 4 Jan 2016 at 20:16

Hi all

I am just about to upgrade my case to the In Win 805 - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/in-win-805-aluminium-midi-tower-case-black-ca-055-iw.html

My current CPU cooler is 1mm too tall for the 805's width - a little frustrating but it only cost £20 and has had 18months good use. I guess the statement "life is defined on small margins" is true as well.

Having a look at a replacement it brings me to a little conundrum that I need some advice on. A lot of the good CPU air coolers hit the region of £30-50 and the first few I've looked at hit me with the same height issue... just mm's too tall.

However I have seen AIO watercoolers in the region for £60-70 such as
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/nzxt...t-120mm-variable-speed-control-hs-012-nx.html

or

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ocuk...-liquid-cooling-upgrade-bundle-bu-097-tl.html

Now I've always been nervous about approaching Water in the pc however the costs have come down. I'm happy with air cooling on the GFX card as its pretty cool as is.

Are these types of AIO worth looking at and do they give good performance? or is there a good CPU air cooler that anyone can recommend?

Thanks for the help in advance and its interesting for me that a new case has made me think about using watercooling as before I wouldn't touch it.

mickyflinn · 4 Jan 2016 at 20:50

The ideal placement for a 240mm rad would be at the top which that case doesnt support. You could mount it at the bottom or at the front of the case which is not ideal or go for a single 120mm aio cooler.

Lankoss · 6 Jan 2016 at 19:33

I've looked at this myself and from what I can tell, the single 120mm Corsai AIO coolers give cooling results that are equal too and in majority of cases surpass most air coolers. Some of the top performing air coolers are comparable to the AIO's though. If i were to go the single 120mm route I would be putting my money into either the Kraken you posted or one of the Corsair models.

doyll · 6 Jan 2016 at 21:35

I would try the cooler you now have. I may fit just fine.

I would not get a CLC. Asetek originally called them LCLC 'low cost liquid cooler' Basically if they were any cheaper they would not work at all. Total weight of a clc is similar to just a bare radiator of similar size used in custom loops.