Selecting the right PC case and cooling system is essential for optimal performance.
Selecting the right PC case and cooling system is essential for optimal performance.
Hello once more, Toms community! I’m reaching out for some guidance on selecting a new PC case and liquid cooling setup.
My current build includes:
CPU: Ryzen 5 1600 (clocked around 3.8GHz)
Cooler: Stock
Motherboard: Asus Strix B-350 Gaming
RAM/DDR4: HyperX Fury 8GB at 2400MHz
VGA: MSI GTX 1060 6GB gaming
Power Supply: 700W Thermaltake TR2 Plus
Case: Thermaltake Oversee White Edition.
My case is four years old and I’ve outgrown it. I’m looking for something newer with improved dust protection and better performance features. The current model has a lot of large fans on top and rear, which are hard to find elsewhere. It feels outdated overall.
For cooling, I’ve heard that Arctic Liquid Cooler 120 and 240 models receive the best reviews worldwide, with minimal negative feedback and few consumer issues. They’re affordable, priced around 10-20 euros more than similar options in my country, and they offer a noticeable temperature difference. Do these models support AM4 brackets, or would I need to order them separately?
I’m also interested in a case with a large transparent window on the side for better visibility of the hardware. Dust protection on fan areas is important too. Another feature I’d like is the ability to use my VGA on the rear panel instead of the motherboard—this is something I’m curious about but not essential.
I can purchase from Amazon UK or the Greek shop engine skroutz.gr.
Thank you in advance for your advice—it really matters to me.
The AC coolers perform better than nearly all CLCs. However, it remains a CLC and every one experiences these typical issues.
-Inefficient aluminum radiator
-Using aluminum rad with copper blocks forms a galvanic corrosion cell
https://martinsliquidlab.wordpress.com/2...-explored/
-Lack of capacity to add or replace corrosion inhibitors once the service life ends (18-24 months)
-Weak 0.11 pump... below 1.0 not advised
-To compensate for the inefficient aluminum rad, extreme speed fans are necessary to match air coolers.
Here the Noctua NH-D15 outperforms the H100i, Kraken, and even the Thermaltake 2 x 120mm CLC (23:00)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYKdKVxbnp8&t=1450s
NH-D15 - 70C @ 33 dbA
H100i - 73C @ 68 dbA (12 times louder and still 3°C hotter)
Kraken X61 - 69C @ 56 dbA (2.5 times louder to achieve a 1°C advantage)
If you keep them below 40 dbA...(23:40)
NH-D15 - 70C @ 33 dbA
H100i - 76C @ 35 dbA (1.5 times louder and still 6°C hotter)
Kraken X61 - 71C @ 40 dbA (1.6 times louder for a 1°C benefit)
And naturally the d15 is significantly more affordable. But if you notice water flow issues, the graphs show that Swiftech, which doesn’t have any of the CLC flaws mentioned above, outperforms every other model in the test. So why spend around $165 on the Kraken X62 when the Swiftech set—ready-made loop components in an AIO—beats all others consistently? It’s also cheaper than the X62 by $15. Unlike any other CLC, its pump can manage more blocks and radiators, and adding a water block to your GPU or getting a graphics card with a pre-installed EB (like the MS Seahawk EK) gives you a similar setup without the hassle.**
As for the case, some designs are approaching these standards. Phanteks has won the Case of the Year award at Computex each year since 2013. Their cases focus exclusively on water cooling. What’s your budget? The Phanteks Ovolv Tempered Glass is often praised enough to be considered worthy of an art museum display, in addition to being highly regarded for its features and performance.
Thanks for the response, I haven't tried AIO liquid before. My top air cooler was a Noctua NH-D14 on an FX-8350, it worked great but I sold it because I upgraded to a new build, the one you mentioned. Does the NH-D15 do better than the D14? My budget is around 250 euros maximum, maybe a bit higher is okay. I spent about 800 euros on my current system and I don't feel like spending more. I'm thinking of selling my old case for 40-50 euros to cover some costs. But it's important to me to have a large window on the side and dust protection if possible, as well as good cable management since I don't have a modular PSU.
But to be truthful, I was really pleased with the noctua nh-d14, especially the great temperatures for a grill CPU like the fx-8350. I’ll watch the video tomorrow since it starts after midnight in Greece and I’m feeling sleepy :S.
I hope I can locate a stylish yet functional case that offers good airflow without breaking the bank.
I won't be getting swiftech under any circumstances, everyone experienced problems with leaks. You told me to check Amazon, but most of the reviews are bad—only one negative out of over fifty positive ones. It's really disappointing for ARCTIC Liquid cooling.
We all understand what expert users Amazon buyers are... I recommend using those written by experienced testers who use lab-grade equipment.
There was a problem with the original units (about three years ago) – all of them were replaced by Swiftech under warranty. Unlike CLCs, which cannot be bleed, the Swiftech bleed screw in acylic reservoirs was being over-tightened by users and caused the reservoir to crack. Everyone had those replaced by the corrected model, which has never leaked before. On the other hand... this situation arises when mixing aluminum and copper in any water loop... as mentioned in the link above. If that’s what you’re experiencing in your cooler, definitely get a CLC.
If you still have doubts about Swiftech... I’ll install a D15.
We’ve installed many of these units before – no problems ever. Even the original ones... we made sure not to over-tighten the bleed screws, which shows the skill of those who did it.
This effect can be slowed by corrosion inhibitors, but all such inhibitors last only 6 to 24 months and need replacement or reinforcement at that point. CLCs are “closed,” meaning you can’t change them once installed. As a result, this will definitely occur. It wouldn’t be too bad if they used copper or brass valves instead, but mixing with aluminum makes corrosion much worse.
I believe noctua air cooling is a good choice. Safer to be cautious.
Any suggestions for the setup? Thanks ahead of time.