Question Disappointing results with my first water loop ?

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Jun 13, 2021
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Just recently completed my first loop and I'm kind of disappointed in my results unless I have an error somewhere in which someone might know of me missing something. My AIO previous Silverstone Icemyst vs my Phanteks ez fit 360mm loop run neck and neck when doing timespy benchmarks on my 14700k. Either system hits around 78-81C at the final results, which is acceptable I guess, I just had expectations I would drop 10C or so swapping to a custom loop. Idle temp is around 33-36C.

I've tried using the Asus AI cooling software, and the results are about the same as setting my own fan curves. Pump is operating at 4800rpm, and I can see it moving water as it should. Radiator fans are set to my CPU-Fan opt and seem to run around 800rpm and kind of ramp up underload, I need to watch another benchmark before being fully sure.

Image of build View: https://imgur.com/a/75FirLh


PC Specs
MBD: Asus Z790E Gaming WiFi 2 (Bios 1801)
CPU: 14700k
GPU: Aorus Master 5090 (PCIe 5.0)
RAM: Corsair Titanium 7400mhz CL36
Corsair Hx1200i
Samsung 4TB 990 Pro SSD
2 x Samsung 2TB 980 Pro SSDs
Antec C8 Curved case, x3 120mm D30 intakes x3 140mm D30 intake fans, x4 140mm D30 exhaust fans, MX-6 Thermal paste used on both coolers.

Ambient Room temp 75F

Any other ideas to get this thing right? I'm truly baffled by this, considering my old rig a z690/13700k/ddr5 6000 and an MSI meg700R I could run at at 65C all day using the same benchmark.
 
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My AIO previous Silverstone Icemyst vs my Phanteks ez fit 360mm loop run neck and neck when doing timespy benchmarks on my 14700k.
Which of these kits did you pick up?

MBD: Asus Z790E Gaming WiFi 2 (with latest bios version)
For the sake of relevance, please include the BIOS version for your motherboard.

Antec C8 Curved case, x3 120mm D30 intakes x3 140mm D30 intake fans, x4 140mm D30 exhaust fans, MX-6
You might want to include images of your loop. Host said images on a site akin to Imgur and then pass on a link for us to see.

I just had expectations I would drop 10C or so swapping to a custom loop
What is your ambient room air temps?
 
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MBD: Asus Z790E Gaming WiFi 2 (with latest bios version)
For the sake of relevance, please include the BIOS version for your motherboard.

Antec C8 Curved case, x3 120mm D30 intakes x3 140mm D30 intake fans, x4 140mm D30 exhaust fans, MX-6
You might want to include images of your loop. Host said images on a site akin to Imgur and then pass on a link for us to see.

I just had expectations I would drop 10C or so swapping to a custom loop
What is your ambient room air temps?
Fixed, My apologies.
 
Can you take a picture of your innards/build with better lighting? From what I can make out all your fans are set to exhaust unless you have reverse blade fans. Please elaborate on that.
Can't update pics atm due to being at work, however Top fans and Rear fan are exhaust, Bottom fans and Side fans are intake Reverse blade intake.
 
14700k does have 4 more e-cores to power, so I wouldn't expect a drop in power output between the two systems.

It really comes down to the CPU block and how well it can transfer heat. 360mm radiator won't change a whole lot between AIO and custom. Actually possible it got worse if you changed fin density, the fans would also make a difference if you switched those out.

Do you have the specs for the CPU block?
 
14700k does have 4 more e-cores to power, so I wouldn't expect a drop in power output between the two systems.

It really comes down to the CPU block and how well it can transfer heat. 360mm radiator won't change a whole lot between AIO and custom. Actually possible it got worse if you changed fin density, the fans would also make a difference if you switched those out.

Do you have the specs for the CPU block?
https://phanteks.com/product/ez-fit-450-cpu-block-black/

I guess maybe my expectations are too high and its operating as it should. I've just always seen most Water loops run considerably cooler than mine.
 
Can't find any good pictures of the cold plate itself. I suspect it might not be that much different from an AIO in construction, which would mean a relatively thin copper cold plate. The main difference between this kit and an AIO is likely a switch to a copper radiator and the ability to expand the loop to include more radiators and/or a GPU.
 
Can't find any good pictures of the cold plate itself. I suspect it might not be that much different from an AIO in construction, which would mean a relatively thin copper cold plate. The main difference between this kit and an AIO is likely a switch to a copper radiator and the ability to expand the loop to include more radiators and/or a GPU.
Only other thing I got left to try and change is swapping all my components to PWM mode, currently they're on AUTO, not sure if that would have any substantial difference in cooling. I do have minor pump concerns as too my initial start-up the pump ran dry for about 10 seconds with me not knowing I had to tilt the machine to get it to take water. The pump is slightly noisy (coil whine like) if you put your ear up to it but can't hear it over the fans on the opposite side of the case.