New AIO desired

Meddling-Monk

Meddling-Monk

Meddling-Monk

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2 Sep 2013
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Bit of history:

4930K (at 4.3Ghz, 64GB RAM, currently at 32GB RAM whilst 32GB is sent back for RMA). Using AIO to cool. Reaches 75-79c odd under full load. Using stock fans set at 50% (so fairly loud still). Case is a Corsair 650D.

Whilst my old H100 and H100i hasn't bit the dust yet, the H100i which I moved over to my main rig has finally started to show signs of wear on the rubber seals around the tubes that connect to the Rad (cracking on the rubber seals). I know from research that it's largely cosmetic in nature and it won't affect the safety of the AIO, but it has been 5 years approaching 6 now (so any device spillage/splash protection/warranty is out). So I'm looking to get possibly get a new AIO that is:
1. Quiet Pump (so fans are even more noticably quiet when running low speeds)
2. 240mm or 280mm (have a Corsair 650D case)
As for fans loudness etc, I'll be aiming for some quieter fans to help with any AIO (as I've found out that my 4930k can hit 4.5ghz, maybe more, RAM was issue previously), but if any AIO comes with a set of good quiet fans I'll be happy to grab that set too.

Whilst I've previously had recommendations to move back over to a HS/F such as the Noctua DH15, my issue with that is my hands are fairly large, and as half my RAM has recently gone back for RMA, I'll need to be able to test them and put them back into the system without cutting up my fingers and hands when I finally get them back. So whilst the DH15 may cool as well and is as quiet or more so than an AIO, with the temps (AIO is currently hitting 75-79 and that's only at 4.3, it'll be more when I push it more), spacing (seriously don't want to end up with cut skin all over my fingers and hands), etc requirements I'm after, hence I'm AIO searching right now.

Fans I'll be looking to obtain for airflow+noise are the Noctua A12x25 (for 240mm) or A14 (280mm) for replacement fans if the fans that come with the AIO are not quiet enough (and with enough airflow at slower speeds).

Any recommendations would be appreciated.
 
That doesn't seem like a good reason not to use something like the D15. As you have a functional AIO cooler at the moment you can test the returned memory before you change the cooler and not risk your fingers at all.
 
A few things:

1. RMA return of the RAM is an unknown period of time. Heard from others who have waited lengthy periods of time to get their replacements back. Could be a lengthy wait before I get them back. Especially since the RAM is long since discontinued.
2. Subsequently the uncertain RMA return time increases the time betwen I am stuck with the existing AIO which with the warranty already up, doesn't cover any of the kit it sits stop in the case if it decides to leak. Hence the urgency for alternatives but less desirability of a HS/F way for now (since the RAM remains away for now).
3. Airflow. The Corsair 650D is notoriously bad for airflow placement of fans. Right now the AIO is in exhaust at the top. If I retain the AIO, it can remain in exhaust and cool the CPU without inhibiting the rest of the airflow in the case with the HS/F and remain in (just over) Positive Pressure. If I switch to HS/F there will be obstruction via the HS/F to various parts that currently can be cooled very efficiently from the airflow that is being created from the air blowing acorss the case (RX580 I'm looking at you) and I don't have to waste the top two fan locations which would only serve to increase Negative Pressure (since there isn't enough front Fan Intake as anyone would like on the 650D and no Rad to blow through means higher airflow exhausting), unless I switch the top fans to Intake (which whilst it increases Positive Pressure, works against normal Hot Air that rises).
Current config for fans is:
Case - Top: 2x120mm fans as Exhaust at 50%. (Changing to Noctua A12x25 and running it on the AIO controller or on motherboard PWM to 20-X% where X is the maximum it can go without causing a racket on the AIO)
Case - Rear: 1x120mm fan as Exhaust at 20-70% (PWM depending on CPU temp). Aiming to change to A12x25 and putting it on as high as possible without causing much noise.
Case - PCI (Mod): 1x80mm fan as Exhaust at 50%
Case - Front: 200mm fan as Intake at 50% (Changing to Noctua 200mm and running it at near 100% since it's so quiet)
Case - 5.25 (Mod): 140mm fan as Intake at 50% (Changing to Noctua A14 140mm and running it at a noise level where I can't really hear it)
Currently, if I pull out the fans for the AIO, the system is basically making virtually zero noise (almost sounds like it hasn't been turned on). Only very minor pump noise detectable with my head in the case. So I know an AIO can go very silent as well compared to the D15. Just need the right fans for the job.
4. Want to be able to push higher on the clocks now on the CPU after I've found my RAM was the issue previously preventing it from going higher as there was an error on one of the sticks. Not certain the D15 will cool well enough with the desired noise levels if it can clock well. Since it's already working the H100i fairly hard on full load at 4.3. 4.5 will surely send it higher. And if it can go even higher, not sure the D15 will be enough without sacrificing noise levels by increasing the fan speeds and losing the silence.
5. Windowed case. Have got used to seeing the Red of the GPU, Yellow of Asus RIVE LEDS, and green of the H100i glowing away when it's on.
:: edit ::
6. Just checked just now and the clearance of the D15 with fans is 165mm, which would put the HS/F at touching distance of the Case Window and also obstruct a fair chunk of the air that would be blowing over the RX580 otherwise.

It's for these reasons why I am not loo fond on jumping onto the D15 instead of looking for another AIO right now. But I haven't thrown out the D15 completely for usage, just don't feel it's ideal given current circumstances and goals.
 
Last edited:
Ross Thomson said:
CPU rad should be intake.
Click to expand...

I had this before and it kept the old 7950 really dust free, but apparently hot air rises etc so switched it around. But can switch it back around again, especially since I'll have a better exhaust fan at the back of the case anyway now.

But no one knows of a fairly quiet pump that's in use in an AIO? Or did I get one of the more lucky ones with my H100i and they're actually supposed to be much louder than what I'm hearing?
 
Thanks for the recommendation. Will look around over the Silent Loops. Although I'm a bit hesitant on looking at some of the reviews so far about it going from silent to loud in a few months. Production issue?

Anyone know if OCUK has the supposed newer batch that doesn't have this issue? Or still the old lot?
 
I've had the 280mm Silent loop for a year and apart from the fact the pump is failing on me as of today (intermittent whirring noise) I can't fault it really, temps have been pretty good and its really quiet!
 
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