soooo AIO or DIY Bundle

Thekwango

Thekwango

Thekwango

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looking for a bit of advice from the good folks on here as usual

starting down the path of water cooling as I don't want a hulking lump of metal hanging of my mb - I have an Inwin303 with tempered glass panel so have decided to move to water in one form or another.

I know AIO's don't receive much love here but some of them perform decently (going off reviews) and look pretty good. but looking at the cost of the higher end ones you aren't far off the costs of a DIY bundle. but I have no experience of either so can't really figure if the extra is worth it for a DIY bundle.
I don't have the time and don't want to drop 3-400 on a full custom loop. so thinking AIO or DIY bundle is the way to go?


any one give me their thoughts/advice?
 
Thekwango said:
looking for a bit of advice from the good folks on here as usual

starting down the path of water cooling as I don't want a hulking lump of metal hanging of my mb - I have an Inwin303 with tempered glass panel so have decided to move to water in one form or another.

I know AIO's don't receive much love here but some of them perform decently (going off reviews) and look pretty good. but looking at the cost of the higher end ones you aren't far off the costs of a DIY bundle. but I have no experience of either so can't really figure if the extra is worth it for a DIY bundle.
I don't have the time and don't want to drop 3-400 on a full custom loop. so thinking AIO or DIY bundle is the way to go?


any one give me their thoughts/advice?
Click to expand...

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/cooler-master-seidon-240v-liquid-cpu-cooler-hs-078-cm.html

Cooler Master Seidon 240V. Great cooler for £60. Bit of a faff installing it is the only downside for me.

Excellent temps and quiet too.
 
Had the same AIO since 2009 and (obviously) not had to do anything to maintain it besides dust out the rad fins occasionally. Not that bad since its behind a dust filter.

Did ditch the fan but then I ditched all fans in my case at least twice since 2009 just because so nothing particularly against the supplied fan.

The pump is an extra motor in the case so it will add some noise of its own. You won't know if that is an issue for you until you run it in your case.
 
cheers for all the replies folks.

Admiral Huddy said:
I've had a custom loop for years in different systems.. but I'm starting to loose a bit of faith in them tbh... Some of the newer AIOs are just as effective in both cost and cooling efficiency.

I love the look of this..
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/nzxt-kraken-x62-aio-water-cooling-unit-280mm-hs-017-nx.html#awards
Click to expand...

yea was looking at that, very highly rated in reviews. so is this,

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/thermaltake-water-3.0-riing-rgb-240-aio-cooler-240-mm-hs-046-tt.html

even found a couple of reviews that state the Water 3.0 240 matches or beats the kraken 280!

actually just found via google that the 360 version of the thermaltake water 3.0 can be had for about the same money as the kraken!
 
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Admiral Huddy said:
I've had a custom loop for years in different systems.. but I'm starting to loose a bit of faith in them tbh... Some of the newer AIOs are just as effective in both cost and cooling efficiency.
Click to expand...

Quite simply you are doing custom loops wrong if you are finding AIOs just as effective in performance. Done right, nothing can touch a custom loop in terms of performance and noise levels. Of course, it is case dependent to a large extent, as that will determine what you can do with rads and fans, which ultimately will be the biggest determining factor in the end result... although it's by no means the only thing that matters.

OP, there is quite a difference between an AIO and a custom loop... you have infinite customisation with the latter and although the cost is much higher, you will find it's far more flexible, reliable and adaptable, not to mention capable of offering superior performance across the spectrum if done correctly. It may simply come down to budget at the end of the day though, and what you can afford.

If it's purely an aesthetic drive pushing you away from an air cooler, the NZXT Kraken series would be a good choice, or the ThermalTake as linked, all fine as AIOs go.
 
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Legend said:
Quite simply you are doing custom loops wrong if you are finding AIOs just as effective in performance, least of all a Thermaltake AIO, jeez!! Done right, nothing can touch a custom loop in terms of performance and noise levels. Of course, it is case dependent to a large extent, as that will determine what you can do with rads and fans, which ultimately will be the biggest determining factor in the end result... although it's by no means the only thing that matters.

OP, there is quite a difference between an AIO and a custom loop... you have infinite customisation with the latter and although the cost is much higher, you will find it's far more flexible, reliable and adaptable, not to mention capable of offering superior performance across the spectrum if done correctly. It may simply come down to budget at the end of the day though, and what you can afford.

If it's purely an aesthetic drive pushing you away from an air cooler, the NZXT Kraken series would be a good choice.
Click to expand...

to be honest it is mainly aesthetics, my builds have always been quiet enough for me. but just with the forth coming rebuild in the inwin303 I don't want to me looking in at a lump of metal!
I'd love to do a custom loop but time more than money would be the prohibiting factor which was why I was thinking initially AIO.

the DIY water cooling bundles did peek my interest though as it seems to be a simpler, quicker version of a full custom loop - just not sure are they worth the extra ££'s over a high end AIO as I can't imagine a 200 quid diy bundle is going to be any where near the same quality as a full custom loop
 
Thekwango said:
to be honest it is mainly aesthetics, my builds have always been quiet enough for me. but just with the forth coming rebuild in the inwin303 I don't want to me looking in at a lump of metal!
I'd love to do a custom loop but time more than money would be the prohibiting factor which was why I was thinking initially AIO.

the DIY water cooling bundles did peek my interest though as it seems to be a simpler, quicker version of a full custom loop - just not sure are they worth the extra ££'s over a high end AIO as I can't imagine a 200 quid diy bundle is going to be any where near the same quality as a full custom loop
Click to expand...

You may want to reconsider a 240/280 AIO in the 303... the only placement is on the front facing shelf, so you'd end up with a big gap. A 360 would look better, but also you'll want to double check the clearance to the window and how far the tubing extends from the cooler... not sure if that would be prohibitive.

Which DIY bundles are you referring to exactly?
 
Thekwango said:
these are the ones I spotted.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/water-cooling/water-cooling-kits/diy-bundles

and just realised you're actually the sod who has put me off air coolers :mad::mad:- your build in the inwin303 is breath taking! :D:D

yea if I do go AIO think it'll definitely be a 360. but sorely tempted to try these bundles!
Click to expand...

Sorry (not) :p

Well, with the EK bundles, you are getting a vastly superior pump for a start, better fans rad and fittings... that's vs an AIO. Also, don't forget with almost any AIO you can only cool your CPU. With one of those kits you can easily add a GPU (or two) in to the loop, providing you have the adequate rad space. Plus you have more customisation with a wide choice of coolant colours. The cost is more, yes, but you are getting what you pay for. Personally, I'd look at putting together something separately, but that's just me. The kits offer good value, but you could spec something even better by buying all parts individually.

If you don't want to spend a lot of money, an AIO may be the best route for you. Watercooling is fantastic for aesthetics, performance and noise levels... but it costs a pretty penny and certainly isn't for everyone.
 
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There sure are lots of options for AIO solutions now but I would still be tempted to go custom loop. If you're just going for CPU cooling for the time being there's no reason why you couldn't piece something together for about the same price.

I had a XSPC Raystorm block and hated it, the mounting system is naff and I never found the performance to be particularly good, at least not in comparison to my EK Supremacy. While the other XSPC bits are great I'd personally stay away from those Raystorm kits.

If you go separate now, it'll be much easier to add more to it later. You may find yourself saving money in the long term if you are likely to drop a GPU in at a later date.

If you find yourself swapping out the fans on on AIO (most seem to do this) it'll likely end up costing more than speccing something from scratch.
 
Money's not an issue - not meaning to sound arrogant, I just have a nice bit set aside for a full system rebuild. It's more the time putting it all together. With the AIO's I've been looking plus extra fans I'm already nearing 200 quid so I'm starting to head towards custom loop territory anyway.
In your opinion what kind of time scale would I be looking at, bearing in mind I'm a total water virgin, to build a cpu only custom loop?
 
If you get all the bits together and you're just going for a single rad in the mean time, you're talking an afternoon to set it up. You'll want to leak test too so maybe let it run overnight (I would do this with an AIO too).

You'll get much more satisfaction piecing it together yourself :) If you're building a new rig anyway you might as well go for a custom loop. If you build it all at once it'll be much easier to plan and tie in with the rest of the build.

A Black Ice Nemesis GTX or GTS rad, EK Supremacy CPU block, Scythe GT1850 fans (you can still get these if you go digging, they're amazing) a D5 pump which is overkill for now, but after trying both D5 and DDC I would always use a D5 if possible. Add a basic res and you'll have essentially the best performing loop you can buy, with change left over from 200 quid.
 
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Bluntwrapped said:
If you get all the bits together and you're just going for a single rad in the mean time, you're talking an afternoon to set it up. You'll want to leak test too so maybe let it run overnight (I would do this with an AIO too).

You'll get much more satisfaction piecing it together yourself :) If you're building a new rig anyway you owe it to yourself lol.
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Hmmm an afternoon you say. I thought these sort of custom loops took days/weeks to put together!! I guess it's time for a spec me thread!!
 
As long as you've got everything you need there's no reason why it'll take days to finish. Compression fittings and flexible tubing are easy to work with. You'll want extra tubing to be on the safe side but it's easy to measure and cut it to length between runs.

I would 100 times over recommend the spec I posted. Some EK compression fittings and either the EK ZMT Matt black tubing or primochill advanced LRT, to match whichever fittings you go for.
 
Bluntwrapped said:
As long as you've got everything you need there's no reason why it'll take days to finish. Compression fittings and flexible tubing are easy to work with. You'll want extra tubing to be on the safe side but it's easy to measure and cut it to length between runs.

I would 100 times over recommend the spec I posted. Some EK compression fittings and either the EK ZMT Matt black tubing or primochill advanced LRT, to match whichever fittings you go for.
Click to expand...

Sorry didn't see your spec in your previous post! Find it hard to believe that I can get a custom loop, albeit just for a cpu for the same price as an AIO with extra fans! I know how I'll be spending this evening!!
 
Thekwango said:
any one give me their thoughts/advice?
Click to expand...


Having moved from AIO like the Corsair, to the EK Predator series a year ago, I will say that EK Predator with it's expandable system worth the investment.
Got the rev 1.1 last January (2016) and has been superb.
The cooling is great while the ability to replace parts of the loop without hassle is what matters most.

To give you a description in a single year used the Predator with 3 different CPUs, 2 different motherboards and 2 Graphic cards of which plug-unplug on the loop gazillion times when I was running benchmarks on both of them.
No hassle what so ever. Plug - Unplug job done.
No leaks no mess barely few second job to deal with the loop which has the full benefit of the performance a custom loop has

Only downside "doesn't look good".

However EK has this series now as EOL and new series comes out in April much more advance and with more expandability.
(looks like the CPU block ain't going to be there as a constant)

Imho wait to see their offerings. I cannot praise enough that type of product.
 
Panos said:
Having moved from AIO like the Corsair, to the EK Predator series a year ago, I will say that EK Predator with it's expandable system worth the investment.
Got the rev 1.1 last January (2016) and has been superb.
The cooling is great while the ability to replace parts of the loop without hassle is what matters most.

To give you a description in a single year used the Predator with 3 different CPUs, 2 different motherboards and 2 Graphic cards of which plug-unplug on the loop gazillion times when I was running benchmarks on both of them.
No hassle what so ever. Plug - Unplug job done.
No leaks no mess barely few second job to deal with the loop which has the full benefit of the performance a custom loop has

Only downside "doesn't look good".

However EK has this series now as EOL and new series comes out in April much more advance and with more expandability.
(looks like the CPU block ain't going to be there as a constant)

Imho wait to see their offerings. I cannot praise enough that type of product.
Click to expand...

yea I did look at the EK predator but to be honest for me it was every bit as ugly as an air cooler. think my mind might set on a custom loop now. just struggling to work exactly what I need, there's so much to choose from!!
 
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Thekwango said:
so does anyone wanna dive in (excuse the bad pun) and 'spec me' the remaining parts needed for a cpu loop? :D
Click to expand...

The problem with Watercooling is;

1) Its very subjective, what you consider "Good enough" can be very diffrent from someones else's budget plays a massive factor in this

2) Some people really care what their pc looks like, others dont care and just want it to "Work"

3) Skill level; Is the person willing to start cutting holes in their case etc.

As such I find watercooling very personal and always find it extremely difficult to ever give anyone any advice on what to get...
 
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