Returning to air...

slipd · 9 Mar 2023 at 13:36

Hi guys,

After hearing my mate's new all-air build, I've decided to jump ship from my recent history of AIO.

Spec in sig, I'm just trying to get a bit of a feel for what to look for/some recommendations etc. The rest of my case cooling is Noctua but I'm open to other vendors?

Thanks.

Deleted member 77746 · 9 Mar 2023 at 15:14

Copy off your mate if it’s that good. What’s the specs of your mates rig?

slipd · 9 Mar 2023 at 18:43

GaryTheSnail said:
Copy off your mate if it’s that good. What’s the specs of your mates rig?

Fair point! I think it was a Noctua (Intel) but I'm not 100%, I'll need to ask him. I just wondered if anyone had any other out-n-out recommendations for me to start looking at?

t2na · 9 Mar 2023 at 18:48

Can't go wrong with the U12A from Noctua!

Deleted member 77746 · 9 Mar 2023 at 18:51

slipd said:
Fair point! I think it was a Noctua (Intel) but I'm not 100%, I'll need to ask him. I just wondered if anyone had any other out-n-out recommendations for me to start looking at?

I went to an AIO over air the noise was less under load

Rroff · 9 Mar 2023 at 19:02

For a long time I ran my main system with a large passive CPU cooler and just the air movement from Be Quiet! Silent Wings 3 case fans (aided by having a large cube case) which meant it was very quiet even under load - unfortunately the 3070FE put paid to that - now have a fairly high speed fan on the CPU heatsink to cope with the amount of hot air which gets dumped in the CPU area

Cyber-Mav · 10 Mar 2023 at 14:31

Nh d15, dr4pro, fuma2, u12 plenty of air coolers around and will outlast any aio on the reliability side

Drumroll · 10 Mar 2023 at 16:57

Plenty of options to tame CPUs under normal use. If you’re going to stress the CPU to its limit, easier done with a 360/420 AIO. Even high end CPU, if capped voltage, is doable with high end cooler. Case and airflow will play a big part there.
Cases like Fractal Torrent will allow the air cooler to perform at its best.
Even cases focused on AIO or custom loop, like the O11 family, can achieve peak performance for air cooled system. Just need a bit more planing.
Also worthy checking the T30 as fan case.

slipd · 11 Mar 2023 at 19:01

Thanks guys! The obvious choice is the Noctua NH-D15 but the be quiet! BK022 Dark Rock Pro 4, also seems very well regarded... a bit cheaper too.

Performance-wise though, not a lot in it?

Drumroll · 11 Mar 2023 at 19:26

slipd said:
Thanks guys! The obvious choice is the Noctua NH-D15 but the be quiet! BK022 Dark Rock Pro 4, also seems very well regarded... a bit cheaper too.

Performance-wise though, not a lot in it?

The Noctua is way easier to install, not a big deal installing the DRP4, but the Noctua is way easier.
Personally I like the look of the DRP4, but performance wise, as long airflow is good, you won’t be able to tell the difference, unless squeezing the very last bit of performance.

ChocAndGray · 12 Mar 2023 at 01:44

Noctua for me are the go-to air coolers.

There are other coolers that are better, or close in some regards but Noctua hit high marks in most categories, ease of install, quality of parts, noise levels, performance. On top of that you have countless accessories and great customer support.

Other coolers will usually fall short in one or more areas when compared to the Noctua equivalent.

But I appreciate it does come at a price premium.

I went with a U12-A which has been ok, I was tempted to go for the D-15 (my usual go-to) but will wait for their next gen version which I'm hoping releases this year!