How much money is WORTH putting into a custom loop?

[klinkklink]

I've been considering investing in a custom liquid cooling loop, but I'm not sure about how far I should go with it and how much I should spend. All I really want is more performance and less noise just like anyone else. Precisely how much I want depends on how much can be reasonably gained for all the money and effort. I'm currently running the stock cooler, so just about anything can be better than this.

For the extra overclock performance, for the quiet, for the general aesthetic, for the extra maintenance, for everything else, how much money do you think one should spend on a custom loop to be worth what they get in the end? How much is too expensive? How much is so cheap that you might as well stick with air or closed-loop? What's actually practical?

Naturally, your answer will depend on what's to be included in the loop, what you're aiming for and what you get can out of it, so keep that in mind. Try to think about how much you spent on your own loop and what you got for it. Were you satisfied?

Thanks in advance. If I can clarify anything, please say so.

 

[getochkn]

http://www.ocaholic.ch/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=1409&page=1

That's give your CPU a 500mhz overclock. A decent obtainable one. You can see some games benefit and some don't. Also if you get 90fps oc'd, and 83 on stock, does that extra 7fps matter for the extra power and heat and cost of the OC to you if you are gaming on a 60fps screen?

Its up to you to decide if it's worth it. Some people a factory stereo in a car is good. Others have to swap it out the second they buy a car.

No right answer.

 

[rubix_1011]

There is a misnomer that watercooling is quiet or silent - not necessarily so - it depends on what fans are used and why. It CAN be very quiet, but this might be at the expense of a better cooling delta by using slower/quieter fans vs. more powerful ones. It all depends on the setup.

I have overclocked in the past on watercooling, and that was my primary goal, but now I want a system that looks good, stays cool and more than anything, I enjoy the hobby...that's why I primarily do it these days. For my next build I will likely go at least a mild to moderate overclock, but I will almost always watercool if I have the chance.

getochkn nailed this on the head - only YOU really can determine what is worth it. It's your money, your hardware and your goals.

 

[4Ryan6]

I've been considering investing in a custom liquid cooling loop, but I'm not sure about how far I should go with it and how much I should spend. All I really want is more performance and less noise just like anyone else. Precisely how much I want depends on how much can be reasonably gained for all the money and effort. I'm currently running the stock cooler, so just about anything can be better than this.

For the extra overclock performance, for the quiet, for the general aesthetic, for the extra maintenance, for everything else, how much money do you think one should spend on a custom loop to be worth what they get in the end? How much is too expensive? How much is so cheap that you might as well stick with air or closed-loop? What's actually practical?

Naturally, your answer will depend on what's to be included in the loop, what you're aiming for and what you get can out of it, so keep that in mind. Try to think about how much you spent on your own loop and what you got for it. Were you satisfied?

Thanks in advance. If I can clarify anything, please say so.

First off you need to compare what's possible for you going from a stock air cooler to a higher performance air cooler, which can either be a step up from stock cooling or a leap up from stock cooling, however this is totally dependent on just how far you would like to overclock your CPU.

With any overclocking you increase load heat but unless you want to reach for the range close to 5ghz you really do not need to go with custom water cooling air cooling will be just fine.

A high quality, (The Best of the Best), air cooler is going to run close to 100 bucks, the competitive performance AIO cooler will cost close to twice with shipping cost and an AIO that can beat the high end air coolers are a minimum of 2 1/2 times that.

OK from here lets sum up, depending on how far you want to overclock your CPU, all you may need is one step up in air cooling like the so popular Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO that should get you somewhere in the 4.5ghz range of overclock.

If you want to overclock past 4.5ghz you'll need a high end air cooler like the proven performance of the Noctua NH-D15, which may possibly get you to 4.7ghz if you are CPU lucky, as there are no guarantees when it comes to CPU overclocking.

If you want to be guaranteed an overclock of 4.7ghz and beyond with your CPU that's not going to come cheap relating to water cooling, you are looking at around 500 bucks, and even then you may not get there, CPU overclock is basically the luck of the draw as to whether you have one in your possession that can be overclocked high.

An AIO water cooling solution that will beat the Noctuas air cooling performance is probably in the 250 dollar range like the EK Predator 360 which isn't even US available yet.

Water cooling custom kits usually have a weakness somewhere and I suggest a build purposely selecting each part of the loop, which requires you to study up on water cooling to learn what you need to know.

A custom loop can cost from 400 ~ 1,000 dollars, and it is determined by the DeltaT desired regarding your overclocking intentions, many kits slide in under 400, but will end up being a total waste of money.

I hope this has helped you. Ryan