Fx-8350 Cooling Issues

[Seth Steenbergen]

So I built my PC a around New Years and am now running into some issues keeping it cool. I'll post the specs at the end but until yesterday it was starting to get pretty hot while just harmlessly playing Minecraft. The current CPU cooler I have was meant to be temporary but I didn't think I'd have to replace it so soon. I've read that the Corsair H100i is the best all in one water cooler for CPU but I would also like to keep my RAM, HD's (only a single 1TB atm but I will be adding more later) and my GPU (also getting a second card soon). I know I could build a custom machine but I'm just not too sure about it. Is it possible to upgrade an existing all-in-one system like the H100i? I feel like it's not but I'd rather ask.

Also, if I get the H100i, I plan to mount it inside on the top of the case. That said, should I also buy the optional 120mm fan to go in the other slot where there is room and if I do should I turn them around to pull air in from the top or do the fans on the H100i blow into the radiator and I should have the 2 case fans blow out of the case to get rid of the heat?

Also, should I maybe invest in a fan speed controller to mount in a 5.25" drive bay to help control fan speeds better. If so what would you guys recommend and if it means anything fan noise doesn't bother me.

PC SPECS:
Cooler Master HAF X
AMD FX-8350
ASUS Crosshair V Formula-Z
G Skill Sniper 1600 16GB (2x8)
EVGA GTX 760 Superclocked 4GB
Cooler Master Hyper N520
WD 1TB HD
Corsair HX750

 

[Alec Mowat]

It's a hot CPU, I have the H100 and I have it OC'd to 4.8
But it still runs hot.

I used 4 fans, push pull. 2 on the bottom, 2 on the top. Didn't make a huge difference, but it helped.

not sure about your other questions, your RAM and GPU are unrelated to the heatsink. It just screws onto the case and clips onto the stock heatsink mount for the AM3+ slot. No configuration required.

Fan controller is more or less useless. If they're plugged into the Motherboard, you can adjust the motherboard's fan speeds.
If it's plugged into the PSU, it'll run at 100%

H100 on the top of the case, pushing air out (hot air rises)

 

[DonQuixoteMC]

What temperatures are you getting? Have you over clocked? Is the heatsink properly installed? Did you apply the thermal paste correctly? What are your ambient temps? Your fan setup?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm just trying to figure out what might be going on.

 

[Seth Steenbergen]

What temperatures are you getting? Have you over clocked? Is the heatsink properly installed? Did you apply the thermal paste correctly? What are your ambient temps? Your fan setup?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm just trying to figure out what might be going on.

Haha it's fine. Here's a screen shot of it at idle. No over clock and I don't plan to, yes installed correctly and yes applied thermal paste correctly. Fan set up is just the stock case setup at the moment and they are all functioning properly. I'd get a screen cap of it when it's running full but I don't wanna get it back up there. I ASSUME 73-75C isn't THAT bad but I'd rather not risk it since I don't have the money at the moment to replace anything if I burn it up.

 

[DonQuixoteMC]

Wow, those are nice idle temps. It's a shame your load temps aren't nearly as nice. Yeah, 73-75 is the absolute TMAX for that processor. In other words, not healthy. How do you have your case fans set up?

 

[Seth Steenbergen]

Wow, those are nice idle temps. It's a shame your load temps aren't nearly as nice. Yeah, 73-75 is the absolute TMAX for that processor. In other words, not healthy. How do you have your case fans set up?

Right now in the stock set up. The HAF X comes with an option to get a 120mm fan and has a bracket to mount it by the GPU(s) and the top has room for a second 200mm fan which I have ordered both.

I can also say that running just a few smaller programs like Spotify and Chrome at the moment since I took that screen cap the temp is higher. Sitting idle at about 39-41C now.

I can at least say that I am pleased with the performance of the n520 since I looked elsewhere and it said it would idle at a MUCH higher temp with the 8350 and it has been about 8C lower than what I expected so I'm proud of what it's done so far.

Back to case fan set up it's whatever came in the box as it is. I left out all the extra stuff that I don't need to try and increase air flow such as the GPU bracket (since it doesn't have a fan yet) and the empty hard drive bays. There is the fan on the side of the case that blows over the GPU which is working great, the GPU under load was sitting at about 44C and right now its at 36C idle so not too worried about it. Theres the fan on the front of the case, the exhaust fan at the back, and the one on top.

 

[Seth Steenbergen]

Also, if I get the H100i should I get 2 additional fans so I can make it push pull and exhaust out the top of the case?
I've read some places that people with the HAF X put some Cooler Master Megaflow 200mm fans on the top. I have the money to do all that but what would be the best way to configure it? And how would I hook up the 2 additional fans on the radiator, I assume along with the 2 already on there via a splitter? I've never worked with water cooling before so I kinda have no idea what I am doing there.

 

[DonQuixoteMC]

I personally would get an NH-D14. Cheaper, quieter, safer, longer lasting, cools the area around it and almost works as well.

It's up to you though. If you do get the H100, I would set it up so that the airflow is something like this:

That way you can take advantage of convection and move the hot air away from your hot components.
The above image's airflow pattern isn't specific to the H100 either, you should always aim for a similar airflow setup.

 

[Alec Mowat]

Also, if I get the H100i should I get 2 additional fans so I can make it push pull and exhaust out the top of the case?
I've read some places that people with the HAF X put some Cooler Master Megaflow 200mm fans on the top. I have the money to do all that but what would be the best way to configure it? And how would I hook up the 2 additional fans on the radiator, I assume along with the 2 already on there via a splitter? I've never worked with water cooling before so I kinda have no idea what I am doing there.

It comes with 8 long screws and 8 short screws. I used the short screws for the top fans, and the long for the bottom, than screwed the fans into the top of the case.
2 fans on top push out to the grill of the case
2 fans under push into the rad.

Not sure about using a 200mm fan, but since it would overhang, I imagine it wouldn't be as efficient, since the sides would provide less resistance (although it might keep the tower itself colder).

You are better off buying 4 matching fans, instead of two different fans and using the stock two. The Corsair SP Performance (I believe) are one of the best performing fans, but they are noisy and expensive. $34 for a twin pack. Won't make a huge difference, but should reduce noise as well (since they would be spinning at different speeds)

It's not a real water cooler. It just bolts on like any air cooler. It's just an air cooler that pumps the heat into a rad in a different location, instead of being attached directly to the heatsink.

There's no difference in setup vs. any other heatsink really, except it attaches to the side of a case instead of jarring from the CPU. It has it's own fan connections and fan controller built it, and it does need a 4 pin molex for power.

vs. the Noctua, there is aa performance gain (although it is better), but it's much louder. It does keep the inside of the tower a little cleaner looking.
There is a risk of leaking.
You might hit 5.0 on the h100i, but you most likely will be 4.6 - 4.8 on the Noctua. This is based on experience, since I upgraded from the nh-d12 to the h100.

I could not keep the FX8350 cool on the Noctua heatsink. And I know the h100i will out perform my h100 by a fair amount.

 

[Seth Steenbergen]

Also, if I get the H100i should I get 2 additional fans so I can make it push pull and exhaust out the top of the case?
I've read some places that people with the HAF X put some Cooler Master Megaflow 200mm fans on the top. I have the money to do all that but what would be the best way to configure it? And how would I hook up the 2 additional fans on the radiator, I assume along with the 2 already on there via a splitter? I've never worked with water cooling before so I kinda have no idea what I am doing there.

It comes with 8 long screws and 8 short screws. I used the short screws for the top fans, and the long for the bottom, than screwed the fans into the top of the case.
2 fans on top push out to the grill of the case
2 fans under push into the rad.

Not sure about using a 200mm fan, but since it would overhang, I imagine it wouldn't be as efficient, since the sides would provide less resistance (although it might keep the tower itself colder).

You are better off buying 4 matching fans, instead of two different fans and using the stock two. The Corsair SP Performance (I believe) are one of the best performing fans, but they are noisy and expensive. $34 for a twin pack. Won't make a huge difference, but should reduce noise as well (since they would be spinning at different speeds)

It's not a real water cooler. It just bolts on like any air cooler. It's just an air cooler that pumps the heat into a rad in a different location, instead of being attached directly to the heatsink.

There's no difference in setup vs. any other heatsink really, except it attaches to the side of a case instead of jarring from the CPU. It has it's own fan connections and fan controller built it, and it does need a 4 pin molex for power.

vs. the Noctua, there is aa performance gain (although it is better), but it's much louder. It does keep the inside of the tower a little cleaner looking.
There is a risk of leaking.
You might hit 5.0 on the h100i, but you most likely will be 4.6 - 4.8 on the Noctua. This is based on experience, since I upgraded from the nh-d12 to the h100.

I could not keep the FX8350 cool on the Noctua heatsink. And I know the h100i will out perform my h100 by a fair amount.

I though about the Noctua since I've seen great things said about them, they are HUGE though. Also the 200mm fans would be a part of the case, the HAF X has one on top with space for an optional second so I for sure wanna get the optional one filled. Are the H100i as prone to leaking as you guys say though? If that's the case I might just get the Noctua then.

And as I said in my original post I am not overclocking nor do I plan to, at least till after a few years of use. I also don't have an issue with fan noise since I do have a boss speaker system that is used any time I am on it. That said is the Noctua a sure fire jump on it now solution?

 

[Alec Mowat]

Had mine for about 6 months, never leaked.

I know a few people with them, pumps die sometimes. Never leaked.

Just don't jerk the cables around roughly and it wont leak.


No point in putting the money on a massive Heatsink unless you are overclocking TBH, just go with the Noctua. It's a lot quieter. There will be no lifespan or performance gain from either unless you plan to overclock.

 

[Seth Steenbergen]

Well like I said I don't plan to overclock for a year or 2 so I'll get the noctua then. Thanks for all your help guys!