Great quit/silent cooler
Great quit/silent cooler
I was checking the h110, it looks great overall except for the noise levels. I'm considering a h100i and think it wouldn't be worth it for the pump fan cooler I was thinking about. The Noctua NH-D15 seems good but I'm not sure what the sound is like. Is there a model with a fanless option when the CPU isn't under heavy load? What's the best choice overall, especially with a 5930k and a 980 ti?
The Noctua is extremely large. Many users face difficulties fitting it into their cases, and its weight is 3lbs. It's quite unusual to have such a heavy component hanging from a motherboard. You might consider replacing the fans on the Noctua with quieter 8db models, or simply adjust the stock ones using PWM control. A liquid cooler would be my choice. Numerous people use pumps and radiator fans controlled by a PWM splitter, allowing the pump and fans to adjust automatically as CPU temperatures fluctuate. For instance, with an AMD 8350 processor—already quite hot but still manageable—I run it at about 28°C in a 20°C room using my EKWB predator 240mm setup. The pump is installed on the radiator, and everything functions smoothly.
The Noctua is quite large. Many users face difficulties fitting it into their cases, and its weight is around 3lbs. It's quite unusual to have such a heavy unit hanging from a motherboard. You might consider replacing the original fans with quieter 8db models, or simply adjust the stock units using PWM control. My choice leans toward a liquid cooler. Numerous builders use pumps and radiator fans powered by a PWM controller. As temperatures shift, the pump and fans automatically increase or decrease accordingly. For instance, with an AMD 8350 processor—already quite hot but manageable—I keep it at around 28°C using my EKWB 240mm case. The pump is attached to the radiator, and both fans are managed via the CPU fan header on the motherboard. To keep things steady at 28°C, the fans spin at about 800 RPM from a typical range of 500-2200 RPM. Under heavy load, the CPU can rise to roughly 36°C, prompting the fans to increase to 1200 RPM for stability. It runs very quietly.
Switching to an insulated case like the Fractal Designs Define S or R5 would further reduce noise. The insulation keeps the cooler sealed, leaving only the case fans audible. In my setup, older Antec cases used case fans as the main source of noise; replacing them with Noctuas would help, but I’d prefer a more affordable alternative than buying multiple Noctua units.
Comparing the stock AMD fan, it was noisier than the water kit. At idle, the CPU stayed near 45-48°C, reaching about 65°C under load.
The EKWB is costly, but it resembles a bespoke open-loop system. The pump uses a Liang DDC design with its own reservoir, mounted separately from the water pump. I could adapt a standard water block for a custom open loop, allowing further customization. Regular AIO units typically have the pump integrated into the waterblock and can't be modified. Swiftech is another brand with a similar layout. A bare waterblock without a pump simplifies installation. EKWBs are straightforward to install.
Leaving the previous discussion aside, a Noctua D15 costs around $100, matching the starting price of many liquid cooler kits. It seems unnecessary to spend such a small amount on air cooling when liquid options exist. For air cooling, a Cooler Master 212 or CryoQuant H7 would be under $40.
I believe a high-quality water cooler is so efficient that PWM can effectively reduce noise while keeping temperatures stable. A well-insulated case makes a huge difference. The Fractal S model is excellent, priced around $80 without compromising quality—though it often comes with trade-offs in drive cages to keep costs down.