AIO vs Air vs Custom loop
AIO vs Air vs Custom loop
I have a budget of about 250US to achieve optimal cooling for my CPU.
If I build a custom loop for my CPU (like with the EKWB L360 kit), I can add a GPU block later.
Choosing an AIO would save money and let me invest in something more practical (what exactly? lmao).
Air cooling would reduce maintenance needs.
I’m not sure where to begin, but my setup would be an i5 6600k with a 1060.
The Corsair 780T would make a strong case for a custom loop.
Thanks for any advice.
Zachariah Engelbrecht :
I understand your point, but a 360mm radiator seems excessive for a 6600K. You might run into power supply or VRM limits before needing such a large one.
For air coolers, you can check the recommendations here: https://pcpartpicker.com/products/compar...P6,4vzv6h/
What about the Coolermaster V8?
It's a solid cooler when it works, though it can cause RAM clearance problems on many newer boards.
I've created many custom loops and I want to say that keeping them in good shape is really tough. Even using the wrong metals in the loop can cause it to clog up because contaminants build up in the coolant. AiO makers avoid this by making their products very strict.
For CPU cooling, air cooling seems best unless you're planning heavy overclocking. I usually don't go beyond a 500MHz boost because it puts extra stress on the motherboard's VRMs when voltage increases.
Plus, the savings from AiO or air cooling could be spent on a graphics card with a better cooler.
Could you please share your overall budget for the system and the amount you've already purchased?
weberdarren97 :
May I ask what's your budget for the entire system and how much have you already bought?
well I havent spent all too much as all this is going to be an upgrade I do over the course of next year. but my total budget would be around 800 dollars. that's not including the GPU or the peripherals. final build is gonna be:
Corsair 780T
GTX 1060
i5 6600k (or possibly 7th gen/Zen)
Chipset of mobo to match
then the rest is probably gonna go into a cooler.
S1eeet :
Can i ask why you want to spend so much on cooling? you can get a good quality AIO or a really top air cooler for WAY less than what you want to spend for a relatively low end custom loop?
Yea, I'll probably get a nice air cooler and rather get a SSD with the spare money
I understand, a 360mm radiator might be too much for a 6600K. You risk hitting the power supply limits or the VRM capacity on the motherboard before needing such a large one.
My suggestions for air coolers: https://pcpartpicker.com/products/compar...P6,4vzv6h/
weberdarren97 :
i understand, a 360mm radiator seems excessive for a 6600k. you might run into power supply or vrm limits before needing such a big one.
my suggestions for air coolers are: https://pcpartpicker.com/products/compar...P6,4vzv6h/
you've been very helpful, but I can only find coolers in south africa. check rebeltech.co.za, evetech.co.za and pricecheck.co.za. if you look there, it would be a good effort. otherwise, i completely get it. thanks for your support!