!!help with the cpu cooler!!

[kiwicasper]

Hey people,
I'm building a mini ITX computer
the case is cooler Master elite 110 so limited for cooling i can use to 3" or 76mm height
this case can take one 120mm "all in one" water cooler,
what I don't know is do i go with water or a low-profile air cooler
Also would like it to be quite.

 

[Outlander_04]

In that case air coolers would not be high performance . An H80i or similar water cooler may be your best option

 

[Karadjgne]

Mini itx don't always have the best airflow, simply due to congestion. Lots of parts and wiring, little space. For these builds a CLC, closed loop cooler All In One, is usually the best choice as heat is vented directly out of the case. Usually something along the lines of a h55/h60 is good, but for best cooling and quietness I'd go with a h-80i. The thicker radiator has greater cooling potential, so the fans can be slowed down more than on the thinner rads.

What's important to remember, is that under liquid temps, anything under 70°C is all the same, doesn't matter if the cpu runs a constant 60°C or 40°C, heat is vented outside, so doesn't affect case temps. Air coolers are different. The hotter they run, the hotter case temps can get, the more important case airflow becomes.

With lower end Corsair clc's, there is one bone of contention, and it's one that involves pump and fan power. Corsair directions indicate that you install the pump on the cpu_fan header, so if the pump fails, bios shuts down the cpu automatically. This leaves the cpu_fan to be installed on any other header, which means zero speed control under cpu temps. I personally prefer the opposite. The cpu pump just needs a constant 12v supply, so any header will do just fine (cpu_aux is perfect) and the fan I connect to cpu_fan header. This gives control over the cpu_fan if it's a 4pin pwm fan (mine are). I prefer the flexibility of turning the fan down when under idle speeds and having it ramp up when under load.

 

[kiwicasper]

Thankyou for the help.