which CPU waterblock?

blaindev

blaindev

blaindev

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Joined
30 Dec 2011
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belfast
in need of a few pointers, first ever watercooling attempt coming up, going to be going with the XSPC 750 dual bay res/pump, EK coolstream 360 rad, mayhems coolant and compression fittings (probs EK or XSPC again @ 3/8") so that just leaves the CPU waterblock. Going to be running a 2011 rig (3820 i7 on UD3 mobo) and only running a single loop on the CPU only, and im on a budget of 50-70 quid for the waterblock, which leaves me with 2 options i think, which are the Swiftech Apogee GTZ (59.99) and the XSPC raystorm (49.99) and was wondering which you would recommend? If there aint much between them, then ill probs go for the XSPC due to the LED inclusion (going green and black stealth rig, so the led lights would complement perfectly, but i dont mind the look of the swiftech block either)

also, if anyone can recommend a good rad for under 60 quid thats better than the EK one, feel free to leave a comment too :)
 
For me it's the raystorm, looks good and according to all the reviews I have read performs well. That's what I am getting this week anyway.
 
Either the Supreme HF, or the Raystorm depending on your budget. The Raystorm is cheaper, and performs very well, close to the HF if I remember correctly. The difference though is not very huge, so it all depends on which one fits your budget and aesthetic needs.
 
well i went for the raystorm, but cannot comment yet on preformance, as watercooling is the last stage in my build, just bought a bitfenix shinobi XL (going to do pull only with an alphacool 45mm rad (3x120mm) as there is only 80mm clearance at the top of the case) and a new PSU (finally could afford a corsair AX850W!)
 
blaindev said:
well i went for the raystorm, but cannot comment yet on preformance, as watercooling is the last stage in my build, just bought a bitfenix shinobi XL (going to do pull only with an alphacool 45mm rad (3x120mm) as there is only 80mm clearance at the top of the case) and a new PSU (finally could afford a corsair AX850W!)
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Or you could do what I've done and go for a thick rad (EK Cool Stream XTX 360) and put the fans above the case (but under the plastic fascia).

Works a charm, and allows me to use a thick rad :)

Oh, and I'm going push/pull using Scythe Slip Stream Slim 12mm thick 120mm fans, they just fit between the rad and the board :)
 
mlwood37 said:
Actually the EK supreme with jet plate 6 has the same flow rate if not better than the raystorm according to some reviews.
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Aye, the Raystorm is better than the HF, with the exception if you use plate 6. Not seen the revision with plate 6 on sale yet though, and there seems to be a lot of different revisions of the Supreme HF floating about. Regardless, they're all very close performing wise so it's not worth getting hung up about.
 
paradigm said:
Or you could do what I've done and go for a thick rad (EK Cool Stream XTX 360) and put the fans above the case (but under the plastic fascia).

Works a charm, and allows me to use a thick rad :)

Oh, and I'm going push/pull using Scythe Slip Stream Slim 12mm thick 120mm fans, they just fit between the rad and the board :)
Click to expand...
ahhhh good idea, although only issue i may have is the rad im looking at needs a decent airflow over it due to FPI (fins per inch) not being massive (26FPI) so it needs a slightly higher amount of airflow, although its something to consider, as that would allow me to get a 50mm rad or possibly even a 60, but ill need to measure once it all arrives.

@Jokester, went for the raystorm more on asthetics, as it will go lovely once i add in the UD3 (although that may change based on ivybridge) and my green bitfenix spectre fans (going green and black stealth) as i can wire in 4 green leds to the block for finishing touches ;)
 
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