Top choice for boosting I9 9900K performance
Top choice for boosting I9 9900K performance
I'm looking for advice on selecting the optimal water cooling setup for my new i9 9900k. I'm new to water cooling and have several questions, so I appreciate your help ahead of time.
I want to know if the Asus - ROG MAXIMUS XI CODE is the top motherboard choice for overclocking, or if there are better options.
What’s the most recommended 360mm AIO water cooler?
Should I invest in a 420mm AIO like the Alphacool Eisbaer 420?
What’s the ideal water cooling kit featuring copper heat sinks and a thick radiator?
If I skip buying a complete kit, what components should I assemble myself?
Which is the best and thickest 360mm radiator available?
Is sanding the case necessary for performance?
Do you have detailed instructions specifically for overclocking the i9 9900k?
My budget is roughly $200 to $250 for water cooling. That’s acceptable if I can stay within it, but I just need to be sure about these points so I can decide whether to compromise on any part. If you have any build recommendations (https://pcpartpicker.com/list/ywh3jy), my total budget is up to $3200 for the whole project—thank you very much!
Unless you obtain a miracle sample 9900K, they appear to have minimal headroom remaining...; most reviewers have reached 84C even with stock clocks or without power limits in BIOS, but when MCE is enabled and all cores run at 5 GHz, 95C seems to be the standard now. (With a 95 Watt TDP limit in place, I've observed one sample achieving 4.2 GHz across all cores, and another performing impressively at 4.6 GHz.) 5 GHz across all cores is roughly around 167 watts...
Time to consider new aftermarket low-cost external chilled fluid units...
Unless you're prepared to wait (it will take 3-4 hours due to sanding/removing solder traces, polishing, etc.), achieving a 5-7C reduction is likely. This would probably be the best way to realize the earlier hopes from a month ago about all-cores at 5.2 GHz being delayed...
Many queries here, and a lot of 'best' questions are really personal, varying from person to person.
Based on what I've tried, the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R RGB seems to be worth it according to your perspective. What makes it worth it is entirely up to you.
Subjective opinions dominate, so it's unlikely you'll find someone who has tested all options. I've tried a few, and brands like EKWB, Alphacool, Koolance, Swiftech, XSPC, Magicool offer strong choices. Most preferences depend on radiator thickness, pump selection, and whether you prefer the kit components or not.
pump, radiator, fittings, blocks, reservoir, tubing
Some kits exceed 85mm in thickness.
These discussions can usually be found by searching online. It looks like you have a lot of work ahead. I suggest checking the watercooling sticky thread linked in my signature.
There are numerous questions here, many of which are subjective and depend on personal preferences. Based on my testing, the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R RGB is currently the best option. Please define what 'worth it' means to you. What matters most to you? Many people have tested various brands like EKWB, Alphacool, Koolance, Swiftech, XSPC, Magicool, etc. The choice really depends on your requirements for radiator thickness, pump selection, and preference for the kit components.
I haven't used Alphacool Eisbaer products before, so I'm unfamiliar with them, but I expect they perform similarly to other high-quality AIOs.
I've spent more than 16 years on custom watercooling, though I'm not an expert in every detail. I highly suggest reviewing the watercooling guides and gaining a solid grasp of the necessary knowledge.
The main distinction between an AIO cooler and a full watercooling system (whether kit or custom) lies in the level of effort and intention required for setup. AIOs are designed to be straightforward, plug-and-play for most users. In contrast, most watercooling loops demand more planning, configuration, design considerations, and long-term maintenance understanding—especially when you need to build, fill, and keep them over time, unlike an AIO which doesn't require upkeep.
I need some guidance on selecting the optimal water cooling setup for my new i9 9900k. I'm new to water cooling and have a few questions so I appreciate any advice you can offer.
- Which motherboard is recommended for best overclocking performance with the Asus - ROG MAXIMUS XI CODE? If not, which one should I consider?
- What is the top-rated 360mm AIO water cooler available?
- Should I invest in a 420mm AIO (Alphacool Eisbaer 420)?
- What kind of water cooling kit includes copper heat sinks and a robust radiator?
- If I skip purchasing a complete kit, what components would I need to assemble a custom loop?
- Which is the thickest and best 360mm radiator option?
- Should I consider die sanding for better results?
- Is there a detailed tutorial specifically for overclocking the i9 9900k?
My budget is roughly between $200 and $250 for water cooling. If my answers exceed this range, I just need to know so I can decide whether to adjust any part of the build to stay within limits. Your suggestions (https://pcpartpicker.com/list/ywh3jy) would be helpful as well.
In a recent demo, the 9900k reached 6.7 on all 8 cores using liquid nitrogen on an ASUS Hero board. Would this code still be effective? If so, what would the optimal settings be?
Most AIO units perform comparably, though you may notice differences in paste usage and fan configurations. I’m unsure if a 360mm radiator is necessary for my setup.
Die sanding could improve performance but might void warranty on a costly CPU. It’s worth considering.
According to your budget, custom solutions seem out of reach. A GPU block costs $150-200, fittings $8-12 each, and additional parts add another $100-150. Rads are $50-100 each, plus pumps and filters. RGB options are rare; you’d likely need to spend around $300 for a basic build.
If leaks occur, it could be disastrous—especially with a $1500 GPU. You’ll want solid copper or nickel blocks to avoid corrosion.
Also, note that your 9900k is priced at $530, which is quite high. You’re already over budget by a significant margin. You might need to reconsider your expectations.
Lastly, your RAM specs are a concern. With only 16GB and a 400 MHz CPU, you’ll likely hit bottlenecks unless you upgrade to 32GB and ensure proper overclocking support. A 1080 Ti CPU paired with a 4K display would be ideal for performance.
Let me know if you’d like more specific component recommendations or build tips.
The question seems misleading because liquid delta-T differs significantly from coreTemp delta-T. Running below a 5°C delta-T would require more than just a single 360-degree setting; likely around three times that or even twice with powerful fans. Be mindful of the amount of stock included in his YouTube videos—there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes detail shared by people close to him, and much of the information is intended to attract clicks. Also, keep in mind—cheap watercooling hardware is available, including very inexpensive options. However, consider whether the cost you pay for it truly justifies the effort. If you invest thousands in quality parts like CPU, RAM, power supply, and motherboard, but opt for a low-cost cooling solution, you risk damaging your system if something fails. Brands such as Swiftech, EKWB, Alphacool, Koolance, etc., conduct extensive testing and R&D on their components. The $18 CPU block on Ebay, for example, might be based on an older 1998 Maze 4 design, assembled without proper thermal evaluation, heat distribution checks, or mounting tests. Just think about it—choosing low-cost water solutions often ends up costing more in the long run due to leaks or failures. I’m sure no reputable Ebay seller offering these blocks would offer any warranty on the hardware. I do know that reputable watercooling companies sometimes include clauses protecting against hardware loss from product failure.
rubix_1011 :
This is a deceptive question/answer as liquid delta-T is obviously different than coreTemp delta-T. You'd need more than a single 360 to run lower than a 5C delta-T on coolant temps, likely closer to 3x360s to manage this...maybe 2x360s with great fans.
What I meant was if your room has an average ambient temp of around 65F no matter how amazing your set up is unless your phase cooling you're not going to be able to go lower than 65F as the coolant comes out of your rad. That would be more or less optimal temps and my question was is 360 enough to do that? is it too much, just enough, or is it overkill?
Your theory is accurate, but a single 360 degree rotation won’t be sufficient to reach that goal. You’d likely need to reduce the thermal load entering the cooling system (by lowering clock speeds) or incorporate additional radiators. You might also boost the coolant flow rate and enhance airflow across the radiators, which would further assist.
I need some guidance on selecting the optimal water cooling solution for my new i9 9900k. I'm new to water cooling and have a few questions. Could you advise on the best motherboard for overclocking? Which AIO water cooler is top-notch? What about the 420mm model from Alphacool? Are there recommendations for kits that include copper heat sinks and thick radiators? If I skip a kit, what components should I assemble myself? What's the ideal radiator size and quality? Should I consider sanding the case? Is there a detailed guide for this specific model? My budget is around $200 to $250. If my answers exceed that, I just need to know so I can decide without cutting corners. Also, I came across a demo where they achieved 6.7 on all cores with liquid nitrogen on an ASUS Hero board. Is that code better? What about using a Z390 formula with built-in MMO water blocks? Most AIOs are similar, but differences in paste and setup matter. For a 360mm radiator, is it overkill for an overclocked CPU running at 5GHz all day? Should I go for the thickest option? Die sanding could help, but it might void warranty. Jaystwocents YouTube has a video on this topic—they used a copper block that improved performance by about 1°C. For fans, a single or dual set can work depending on your preference. A budget of $300 would cover a GPU block ($150-$200), fittings ($8-$12 each), pump/reservoir ($100-$150), and a reliable cooler ($100-$150). Rads cost $50-$100 and last 50-100 hours. If it leaks, you risk damaging your expensive card. Conductonaut warns that aluminum parts corrode easily—ensure your AIO has solid copper or nickel blocks. Your budget for the GPU is tight; aim for at least 3k including paste, premium parts, taxes, and shipping. For overclocking, consider a 32GB RAM setup with a 3600Hz capable CPU, as 16GB is insufficient. Your PSU should be upgraded to 1000W if you plan heavy overclocking. Lastly, check your monitor—4K at 60Hz or higher is essential for smooth gaming. If not, 80Hz is fine. Let me know if you need more clarification.