i5 8600k running at 5ghz paired with cryorig h7
i5 8600k running at 5ghz paired with cryorig h7
Previously, the biggest AIOs offered a distinct benefit that even the largest air coolers couldn't match, especially in terms of maximum TDP. The AIOs could manage 300 watts, while the big air coolers were closer to 250 watts plus. This difference was important for achieving maximum OC on many processors. After the Skylake release, that edge is largely gone because you'll reach voltage limits long before thermal limits, making the performance gap between big air and big liquid essentially nonexistent.
The only noticeable factor in either cooler type is the fans. Big air models tend to have noisy fans, whereas little air models also have noisy fans. My Kraken X61 is nearly silent, even during gaming sessions, though it's hard to pinpoint exactly where the sound comes from—whether from intake fans or elsewhere.
I considered placing the order, but tests indicate their difference is small—around 2-3 degrees. I’m unsure if it’s that or something much better, like a noctua dh-15 (too bulky for nzxt s340 elite) or an AIO. (Living in Brazil and having a poor RMA experience makes me nervous about liquids inside my case, even with Corsair or NZXT.) Any suggestions?
If you're not OC, it should be okay.
H7 doesn't work well with 8th gen.
I believe you. Please let me know if there are other options you'd like to consider.
Are NZXT AIOs more resistant to leaks compared to Corsair models?
What you don't notice in those tests is the difference in wattage. The H7 model is 145 watts, while the H5 is 180 watts. A temperature of 70°C at 145 watts is completely different from 70°C at 180 watts. Most comparisons also use just one test bench designed to handle whatever is being tested, so even with overclocking, the CPU rarely reached around 140 watts. This results in a lot of extra energy loss. If you tried pushing a 160-watt overclock, the H5 would still stay within a safe range, but the H7 would likely shut down due to overheating.
For example, my i5-3570k running at 4.3GHz reaches 67°C (with 4 threads p95 and 26.6 small FFTs), while my i7-3770K at 4.9GHz hits 70°C (with 8 threads p95 and 26.6 small FFTs). Both stay between 54-55°C during idle and 54-55°C while gaming. The i5 is installed in a 120mm AIO (150W), whereas the i7 uses a 280mm AIO (300+W). It’s impossible to force the i5 to match the i7’s overclock without risking damage to the 3570k. The performance gap between the two coolers is significant, even if temperatures seem similar.
The 120mm AIO is a Corsair H55, and the 280mm AIO is an nzxt Kraken X61. Both are five years old or more. I’ve been using AIOs for years, and I can say this: AIOs don’t leak on their own. Leaks only occur under two circumstances. First, from the factory—quality control missed a faulty crimp on a hose, which is inevitable. Second, from user misuse. With careful installation and proper care, the chances of a leak are extremely low. If leaks do happen, they usually result from improper installation by others, such as forcing hoses in the wrong direction when they’re cold and shaped from packaging. Always set final configurations and aesthetics after the PC has warmed up for an hour and the hoses have become flexible. Pushing hoses before that can damage the connections at the radiator and pump. Now there’s a real risk of leakage.
The maximum temperature you can achieve with an I5-8600K depends largely on your ability to secure a high-quality chip. You should aim for around 5.0°C if you can push the core voltage up to 1.4v. The cooling system is mainly influenced by your case design. Your NZXT 340 offers excellent performance and supports two 140mm front intakes, which are enough to power any cooler you choose. You also have space for an additional 161mm air cooler if needed. The noctua NH-D15s would be ideal, requiring only 160mm, while the s variants are specially designed to accommodate tall RAM modules and graphics cards in the first PCIe x16 slot. They are very quiet and straightforward to install. In my setup with a single 180mm front intake on low speed and NH-D15s, cooling performance is satisfactory. Yes, they are delidded, which significantly impacts temperature control. Air coolers don’t leak or require upkeep, whereas AIO units tend to be noisier despite similar fan speeds. Generally, air coolers match the efficiency of comparable fans when it comes to heat dissipation.
Whoa you guys are awesome!
Thank you so much. Im learning a lot.
Ok so Noctua-DH15s is only 1mm gap I can´t take that risk... I already pay like 60% more of taxes and everything cause I live in brazil so if soething goes wrong when I import I´m in bad sheets. Theres only one guy with the nh-d15s on pc part picker... and it looks like its almost touching the glass...
I may need to find something a little smaller but better (not only on temps - thank you so much Karadjgne) than my new (not even arrived) H7.
Something for the upcoming months...
Even a Kraken X62 with replaced more silent fans would be noisier, right?
What if I get a delided one at 5ghz from silicon lottery?? h7 would be fine then?
Previously, the most powerful AIO units boasted a distinct benefit that even the biggest air coolers couldn't match—maximum TDP handling. These systems could support 300 watts, whereas the larger air coolers typically reached around 250 watts. This difference was crucial for achieving maximum clock speeds on many processors. However, with the introduction of Skylake CPUs, that edge has largely disappeared since you'll soon encounter voltage limits before thermal ones, making the performance gap between big air and big liquid coolers essentially irrelevant.
The only notable factor affecting either cooler is the fan noise. Big air models often come with loud fans, while smaller air models tend to have noisy fans too. My Kraken X61 runs almost silently, even during intense gaming sessions, though it's hard to pinpoint exactly where the sound comes from—whether it's the intake fans, radiator fans, or GPU fans. I’ve enabled silent mode on my Kraken set, as I’m willing to sacrifice a few degrees of performance for quieter operation. This choice is especially useful on an NZXT cooler, where a similar Corsair model is significantly noisier due to lower-quality fans spinning at higher speeds.
Both cooling solutions have their pros and cons, with noise being the most common issue. Still, one thing stays constant: you can't overcool a CPU. When it comes to overclocking, go big or go home. Undercooling is simply a risk. If you aim for top performance, prioritize the best cooling available. Even if you can't reach your target frequency due to silicon limitations or a preference for lower GHz, you won’t regret it—you’ll be confident your CPU stays cool under pressure.