Is there any reason to purchase a water cooler?
Is there any reason to purchase a water cooler?
Hello! Let me check if purchasing a CLC water cooler makes sense for your setup. Your system includes a high-end Intel Core i7 processor, a mid-range tower with a decent air cooler, and a powerful graphics card. You're already able to overclock the CPU to 4.5GHz with stable performance but high temperatures. The current air cooler works reasonably well, though your tower isn't the best. Considering a water cooler could help lower temperatures more effectively, potentially allowing you to reach higher overclocks without exceeding safe limits. I’d like to know if this would be worthwhile for you, and what temperature improvements you can realistically expect compared to using air cooling. Thanks!
What tools are you using for load testing? Do you really need to overclock the system? I think you're probably gaming on this machine—are your temperatures already high during gameplay? As someone who switched from a closed loop water cooler to an air cooler after losing a rig, I'd prefer not to take that route. Leaks are uncommon, but it made me reconsider.
When overclocking, a watercooler is highly suggested. I can't give an exact temperature drop since it depends on your environment (air temperature, humidity, etc.), but it's significantly better than just using an air cooler.
87º C is already quite high, and it seems you might be harming your CPU.
There are many water coolers available, so it's definitely worth checking them out.
You won't harm your CPU at 87°C, though I wouldn't recommend keeping it there for extended periods. When overclocking, ensure you use the minimum voltage that guarantees full stability. Higher voltage increases heat production, which isn't ideal. A premium air cooler would perform better than a CLC in this setup, especially if space allows. The advantage is reduced concerns about water damage or pump failure. I'm using the same CPU as yours but running at 4.7G with maximum temperatures around 75°C, unless I run Prime95 (a newer version).
When you say 'watercooler' are you saying closed loop AIO cooler or a watercooling loop?
Closed loop coolers will essentially offer you the same cooling performance as good/great air cooling. Your only real benefit here is saying 'I liquid cool'.
Watercooling loops will provide you more cooling headroom when built correctly.
There is a very big difference in liquid cooling vs. GOOD liquid cooling.
Mr5oh :
What tools are you using for load testing? Do you really need to overclock?
I think you're probably gaming on this machine. Are your temperatures already that high while playing?
As someone who had a rig destroyed by a closed loop water cooler, I'd prefer not to take that route. Leaks are uncommon, but it made me reconsider using an air cooler.
Yes, I'm gaming too. It's still quite high, I know.
🙁
I was under the impression CLC was safe.
If you're trying to overclock, a watercooler is highly suggested. I can't give an exact temperature drop since it depends on your environment (air temperature, humidity, etc.), but it's significantly better than just using an air cooler. A temperature of 87º C is quite high and could damage your CPU. There are many water coolers available, and they're definitely worth considering. Thanks. Most people say 87º C is still high but not yet harmful, and these units don't run at such high temperatures for long. When you mention it's much better, do you mean CLC coolers or general water cooling? Because the feedback I've seen suggests that good CLC water coolers aren't much superior to excellent air coolers.
You won't harm your CPU at 87°C, but I wouldn't recommend keeping it there for extended periods. When overclocking, ensure you use the minimum voltage that guarantees full stability. Higher voltage increases heat, which isn't ideal. A high-quality air cooler would be better than a CLC if space allows. The advantage is no risk of water leakage or pump failure. I'm using the same CPU as yours but running at 4.7G with max temps around 75°C, unless I run Prime95 (a newer version). Thanks!
rubix_1011 :
When you say 'watercooler' are you saying closed loop AIO cooler or a watercooling loop?
Closed loop coolers will essentially offer you the same cooling performance as good/great air cooling. Your only real benefit here is saying 'I liquid cool'.
Watercooling loops will provide you more cooling headroom when built correctly.
There is a very big difference in liquid cooling vs. GOOD liquid cooling.
Closed loop. But what would be a better air cooler? Mine is already (at least by price) pretty high on the list. There are a few Noctua ones but are like 10$ more expensive. Would that really make any difference?