Aircooling a CPU
Aircooling a CPU
Can you increase the clock speed of your CPU using air cooling while overclocking? I'm planning to upgrade my RYZEN 1700 and want to know the limits when using a Hyper 212 evo.
Using a hyper 212 evo won’t push you too far. Realistically, you’ll aim for around 3.9ghz or 4.0ghz with a Ryzen processor. Most of the 240/280/360 AIOs should suffice for such an overclock, and a custom loop probably isn’t necessary. I do have a H115i that I’m phasing out due to excessive pump noise. I’m switching back to air cooling, and I believe air cooling is sufficient for these CPUs as long as you use a good cooler. The Hyper 212 is quite basic (I used one before), but it’s not the thermals that usually limit performance here. I’d recommend trying a larger air cooler—it’ll be more affordable, quieter, and more dependable than water cooling, which can still work passively if something fails.
I’m not against water, there are clear reasons for wanting it, but with my 1600 I’m still working on stable overclocks and the biggest hurdle hasn’t been the thermals at all.