Top affordable water coolers under £70
Top affordable water coolers under £70
I have an i5 4690k and an MSI Z97 PC Mate. It's unlikely I'll overclock, but I'm looking for a watercooler kit that keeps my PC cool and quiet. I was thinking about the Corsair H60.
If you choose not to overclock, even the standard Intel cooler will suffice.
My perspective on Haswell cooling for overclocking has grown somewhat worn down.
The maximum overclock level largely depends on luck in the lottery.
I had high hopes from the Devil's canyon parts and their superior airflow.
It turned out that airflow isn't crucial unless you're aiming to be a serious overclocker.
Haswell performs quite well, but beyond around 1.25v you need excellent cooling to manage stress at about 85°C.
Most experts agree that voltages above 1.30v aren't ideal for continuous use.
I haven't found any official Intel guidance on this matter.
For quieter options, there isn't much better than a large air cooler such as the Noctua NH-D15:
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/4vzv...oler-nhd15
Yet if you prefer liquid cooling, based on what I've heard, one of the top and quietest choices at that price is the Arctic 240 (see review here: http://www.hardocp.com/article/2016/03/0...5twhvlpGUk)
But keep in mind, like all liquid coolers, the lifespan of those pumps is uncertain.
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/Dt8H...cfre00013a
timeconsumer :
For quieter options, a good big air cooler such as the Noctua NH-D15 is highly recommended:
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/4vzv...oler-nhd15
If you prefer liquid cooling, the Arctic 240 seems to be one of the best and quietest choices at that price point (review: http://www.hardocp.com/article/2016/03/0...5twhvlpGUk)
Keep in mind, like all liquid coolers, the lifespan of the pumps is uncertain.
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/Dt8H...cfre00013a
I forgot to mention it needs to be 120mm and the fan you suggested is too large.
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/KnYKBP
This is my PC
If you choose not to overclock, even the standard Intel cooler can handle the task.
I’ve grown somewhat skeptical about Haswell cooling for overclocking.
The maximum overclock level largely depends on your luck in the lottery.
I had high hopes from the Devil’s Canyon parts and their superior airflow.
It turned out that airflow isn’t crucial unless you’re aiming to be a serious overclocker.
Haswell cools quite well, except when the voltage climbs above 1.25v.
After reaching around 1.3v, you really need excellent cooling to manage stress levels under about 85°C.
Most people agree that voltages over 1.30 are not ideal for continuous use.
I haven’t found any official Intel guidance on a safe vcore limit.
Even if you can handle the heat, how much extra boost from 4.4 to 4.6 is necessary?
For a quieter setup, a $30 Cryorig H7 might be worth considering.
My take on liquid cooling: