Best closed loop water cooler for Nxzt Lexa S

[masterofevil22]

Guys, I just got an FX 8350 and it's running really, really well at 4.4-4.6ghz. It runs below 60c maxed at 4.4, but I start to get heat that I don't like (up to 73c) when it's at 4.6 during the day in FL where ambient temps are like 90 F and I've had the GPU and CPU both running at MAX for over 24hrs doing Boinc #crunching.

So..I want a better cooler, but I hear the h100 won't fit in my case (Nxzt Lexa S) and I currently have the NHD-14 with some arctic silver 5 thermal compound.

The only other thing I'm considering doing and am probably going to do regardless, is to get some better case fans. Right now I've got 2x80mm on the GPU (6950, unlocked to 6970), 120mm and 140mm on the NHD-14, 3x120mm case fans, 2x140mm case fans...BUT the case fans are the ones that came with the case (except I added one pretty average 140mm...nbd) and they are pushing only 43CFM each. I want to install some noctua 93cfm's all around, which should really help...but I also want to know....with all these new closed loop water coolers...WHICH ONE IS THE BEST FOR THE LEXA S case????

Thanks


AMD FX-8350 (4.4Ghz @stock voltage - Auto OC from MB)
Noctua D-14 (120mm, 140mm)
Asus Sabertooth AM3+ 990FX
16Gb A.Data DDR3 1866Mhz
Vertex 3 240Gb SSD
4x WD Caviar Black 2TB Sata 6/Gbs
MSI Twin Frozer III 6950 unlocked to 6970 2Gb
Nzxt Hal 80 850w PSU 80 Plus Gold
Nzxt Lexa S Case (3x120mm, 2x140mm)

 

[Motopsychojdn]

Lexa S should handle a 240 rad without any issues, but the H100 isn't going to perform any better than the Noctua you already have, the only watercooling that will give you benefits tempswuise is real W/c, the allinones can't perform as you'd like
Moto

 

[amuffin]

You have the best cooler you can have right now. The CLC's aren't going to do any better.

 

[scopey86]

I beg to differ with you guys. An AIO can perform just as well as an open loop cooler (save for something extreme). I recently took apart my watercooled rig in favor of just having an h100i and stock gpu heatsink/fan. I got exactly the same temps on my CPU as before (3570k 4.6ghz idle around mid to low 30s, load around 46-50C ish.

 

[masterofevil22]

I'm going to be completely honest here. I've not used CLC or Custom liquid cooling to this point, BUT I have looked into it a Lot. What I (think) I've found is that the NHD-14 IS a spectacular cooler, but that liquid is able to get lower temps while at load for long periods of time. THat's what I need. I don't care if the idle the same or even a few degrees higer. I don't care if it's louder or uses more electricity. I simply want the best possible overclock with the most reasonable and maintainable temperature.

I know my case is not the most ideal for such ventures and I would like to keep the radiator inside if possible....is there maybe a relativly low cost way of custom water cooling that would fit inside the Lexa S case that would garantee me the best results? Or would and H80i fit and do a better job when my rig is crunching away for Boinc? (I chrunch 24/7)

Thanks

 

[masterofevil22]

Lexa S should handle a 240 rad without any issues, but the H100 isn't going to perform any better than the Noctua you already have, the only watercooling that will give you benefits tempswuise is real W/c, the allinones can't perform as you'd like
Moto

Seems like you're convinced of the supiriority of custom liquid cooling and I don't think anyone can argue against that. That being said, I have no idea how to make that happen inside my case. Is there a certain "starter kit" that I could fiddle with and try and make work? Could you give me any direction or advice in attempting to go that route?

Really appreciate it

 

[Motopsychojdn]

If you run through the W/c sticky it will help you get a good footing in W/c and decent kits start with Xspc's Rs240 kit for around $140,
check out the W/c gallery for some ideas on mounting rads, there may be a Lexa or two in there already
Moto

 

[scopey86]

The Lexa S fan spacing on top (2.120/140) won't work with the h100i from what I've read, but an h80i shouldn't be a problem if you choose to go the route of an AIO/CLC solution. You can still fit the h100i in if you use (apparently) 120 to 140mm adapters or you can drill the new mounts yourself.

 

[masterofevil22]

Best answer selected by masterofevil22.

 

[masterofevil22]

Thank you scopey and thank you Moto. I'll check out that Xspc's Rs240 and in case of any conflicts I'll keep that H80 in mind

 

[rubix_1011]

This topic has been closed by Rubix_1011