[SOLVED] h80i v2 vs Air Cooler (<158mm)

[xxscienceboyxx]

Hello,
The h80i v2 liquid cooler has a 120mm radiator. However, it's a extra thick 49mm thick radiator, and 2 fans in push and pull configuration. So it's probably better than a normal 120mm cooler.
How would that liquid cooler compare to a less than 158mm tall air cooler, like the Arctic 34 esports or the Noctua U12s?
I have that 158mm size constraint for air coolers because I have a RL06 case.

Thanks

 

[Phaaze88]

The H80i V2 rivals the performance of a 240mm model in a 120mm package.

 

[xxscienceboyxx]

The H80i V2 rivals the performance of a 240mm model in a 120mm package.

So is it worth it over a 158mm air cooler? Also, in my case I won't be able to put a liquid cooler at the top, and putting a one as exhaust will probably mean it gets hotter. Would putting it in the front intake of the case restrict airflow, or mean that hot air goes into the case?

 

[GarrettL]

What pc case is it?

 

[madmatt30]

What pc case is it?

Assuming a silverstone redline rl06?

Assuming I'm right the issue with an aio is

1. As a rear exhaust it may not fit, that depends on motherboard model.

2. As a front intake because the radiator is bigger than a staright 120mm fan you'll have to remove the middle one completely, fit the rad at the bottom or top and the other intake fan opposite.
You are going to lose some case cooling that way.

Rl06 supports 160mm coolers not 158mm, what country are you in? What's your component list in its entirety?

 

[Phaaze88]

So is it worth it over a 158mm air cooler?

Have you explored ALL of your 158mm air cooler options - or at least the ones you can afford?

Also, in my case I won't be able to put a liquid cooler at the top, and putting a one as exhaust will probably mean it gets hotter.

That's a really minor setback; it's not as serious as you're making it out to be.

Would putting it in the front intake of the case restrict airflow, or mean that hot air goes into the case?

Mount it as front intake.
Since the RL06 doesn't have top exhaust, the bulk of the gpu's heat - assuming you have an axial fan model - will go out the rear exhaust.

 

[geofelt]

What cpu are you trying to cool?

The H80I radiator at 49mm is comparable to the noctua NH-U12s which is 45mm.
I would expect that part to be equivalent.
Noctua is known for quiet and efficient fans, so I expect noctua to be quieter and equally efficient.
I doubt if there would be any benefit to installing a second fan or a stronger one.

You have a nice case, well suited to air cooling.
Unless you need aggressive cooling, the NH-U12s should do fine.

 

[xxscienceboyxx]

Rl06 supports 160mm coolers not 158mm, what country are you in? What's your component list in its entirety?

Oh, I didn't check that. I see that on the website, it says that the limitation is 160mm for normal and 162mm for Pro currently. But now I just checked my case manual and it says that the CPU cooler limitation is 158mm. I bought the RL06 case 2 years ago and I didn't make my PC with it yet. If you go to an older version of the website, with Wayback machine, it says that all RL06 cases have a CPU cooler limit of 158mm.
Hmm. Has there been a new version of the case created? Or did they just change what was written on the website?

 

[xxscienceboyxx]

Oh nevermind, on the comments of the page for the RL06 case someone asked if there was wiggle room for the cooler (when it listed 158mm) and silverstone replied by saying yes.

Anyway, then would a 160mm cooler be as good as the h80i v2, a fat 120mm liquid cooler?

 

[madmatt30]

Oh nevermind, on the comments of the page for the RL06 case someone asked if there was wiggle room for the cooler (when it listed 158mm) and silverstone replied by saying yes.

Anyway, then would a 160mm cooler be as good as the h80i v2, a fat 120mm liquid cooler?

In a case like the rl06 I'd strongly suggest a decent air cooler over an aio.

The whole case is designed around hard fast airflow, an aio (particularly a 120) has virtually no benefits apart from aesthetics anyway really - especially not in there.

 

[Phaaze88]

So again, have you explored all the air cooler options available to you that will fit in that chassis?

 

[geofelt]

Can you measure the room available, yourself?
If you want the best air cooler that fits 160mm, that is arguably the noctua NH-D15s.
It is a large twin tower cooler that cools about as well as a good 240mm aio and should be considerably quieter.
Looking at the specs, it looks to me that there may actually be a couple of 2mm wiggle room by mounting the fan a bit lower:
https://noctua.at/en/nh-d15s/specification

On the silverstone web site for the rl06 case, it says 160mm is ok, and of you have the PRO or GP versions of the case, there is 162mm,
https://silverstonetek.com/raven/product-rv.php?pid=726&area=en