comparison of 120mm, 240mm and air cooling systems
comparison of 120mm, 240mm and air cooling systems
I need to find out if I should get a water cooling solution or an air cooling setup for my i5 8600k. Also, I want to compare the performance benefits of a 120mm versus a 240mm radiator for this level of overclocking.
Some individuals focus solely on fans, while I don’t. The 240 unit may be pricier than the 80, but it offers more time for the water to cool in the radiator. Noticing your interest in 5G, I suggest choosing the 240 to 280 range if your setup can support it. It’s better to prioritize adequate cooling rather than having insufficient one. I’ve used Corsair H100i with two 120mm fans (240mm) on an FX6300, a H110i with two 140mm fans (280mm) on an FX8350, and a Ryzen 5 2600x all three configured with exhaust fans. The FX8350 is rated for continuous operation at 4.5GHz with Prime95 stress tests, maintaining temperatures between 50-60°C during summer heat in a room without air conditioning. The Ryzen performs at 76°C with boost overdrive and extended frequency range enabled. Hope this assists...
Some individuals focus solely on fans, while I don't. The 240 unit might be pricier than the 80, but it offers more time for the water to cool in the radiator. Noticing your interest in 5G, I suggest the 240 to 280 range if your setup can support it. It's better to prioritize adequate cooling rather than having insufficient one. I've used a Corsair H100i with two 120mm fans (240mm) on an FX6300, a H110i with two 140mm fans (280mm) on an FX8350, and a Ryzen 5 2600x all three configured with exhaust fans. The FX8350 is designed for continuous operation at 4.5GHz with stable temperatures between 50-60°C during a prime95 stress test in summer conditions without air conditioning. The Ryzen performs well under the same tests, achieving 76°C with boost overdrive and extended frequency range enabled. Hope this assists. Good luck.
Of course, with that goal in mind, it's definitely not 120mm. The usual rule of thumb is that affordable water cooling performs worse than decent air cooling, and 120mm units tend to be the least expensive. So you might want to choose a 240mm model OR a top-of-the-line air cooler. Surprisingly, an air cooler around $80 could outperform any 120mm option, and some 240mm ones are actually decent too.