Cpu cooling advise
Cpu cooling advise
I have an AMD Ryzen 1700x with a Wraith Spire cooler. My old Ryzen 1600 at 3.6GHz was getting about 68°C during stress tests. I considered getting a Corsair H75 because my friend would give it to me for a low price, or I wondered if it’s worth it. I don’t plan to buy any Noctua coolers since they’re out of my budget. I’m not familiar with liquid cooling yet and heard in some cases it can leak and harm the system. I’d appreciate hearing other people’s opinions on this. Thank you a lot.
They can and do leak. It happens occasionally, but enough times that I've heard two confirmed instances, even with top-end AIO closed loop coolers, recently on Tom's. One involved a moderators system, the other another member setup. I don't use water cooling.
While it performs well for many, I prefer sticking to the first rule of electronics—keep water and electronics as separate as possible. If the cost is reasonable and it's not outdated, it might be worth considering. The older they become, the higher the chances of leaks or pump issues, and they tend to be noisier than air cooling.
Given your budget constraints, this cooler would be the best choice, surpassing options like the 212 EVO and X...
They can and do leak, though not very often. I've heard about two confirmed instances recently, even with high-end AIO closed loop coolers, here on Tom's. One involved a moderators system, the other on another member's setup. I don't use water cooling.
While it's effective for many users, I prefer sticking to the basic rule in electronics: keep water and electronics as separate as possible. If the cost is reasonable and the unit isn't too outdated, it might be worth considering. Older units tend to leak more or suffer pump issues, and they're also noisier than air cooling.
Given a limited budget, this cooler stands out as the best fit. It outperforms the 212 EVO and X coolers quite significantly. In fact, both of these options are solid budget picks.
I am also a strong supporter of watercooling, but 'watercooling' and 'closed loop liquid coolers' come at different price points, performance levels, or quality standards, making a direct comparison not straightforward.
Some AIO/closed loop coolers perform well, while others fall short.
Air coolers in the $40 to $60 range offer solid results. Beyond that amount, many air coolers surpass liquid coolers in comparable budgets.
If your budget is under $100, I recommend opting for a quality air cooler and avoiding closed loop models unless you find exceptional deals.
I agree that closed loop and open loop systems are completely different and shouldn't be compared directly. This is why I usually avoid mentioning open loop setups when criticizing AIO coolers in general. It's hard to say I have a clear opinion on whether good or bad units exist, since the BignastyID model was a top-tier closed loop and the other that failed recently was likely a Swiftech unit while the one from BNID probably belonged to an EK. Both seem to fit into the "good" AIO category compared to some less reliable options.
I support open loop cooling only if someone is willing to invest time in learning proper techniques and use high-quality components. For most people, especially those with a budget under a hundred dollars, I think air cooling is the better choice unless aesthetics are a strict requirement. That's just my perspective, and I completely understand your preference for water cooling.