[SOLVED] Overall cooling setup?

Aug 20, 2020
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Cpu: 3970x
Mobo: aorus trx40 prowifi
Cooler: kraken x73
Mem: 8x32gb corsair veng lpx 3000mhz
GPU: GeForce gtx1660
Fans: 2x noctua NF-A14pwm 140mm
Case: fractogel meshify C

Just trying to get some advice on my setup. I'm running some sims that are really taxing on my system and I would love to get my CPU temp under load to be sub 80C. As of right now they they bounce around from mid 70s to low 90s. I have placed my radiator in the front with 3x120mm attached and pulling air in to the case. I have the two NF-A14 fans up top for exhaust. I also have one stock fan on the rear for exhaust. I feel as if this case is pretty small. If you look at the attached pic specifically the radiator fans half of the 2nd and all of the bottom fan are below the GPU so its seems like the air flow might be in question. I have a Lian LI 011 XL case on standby. Its a much bigger case. I'm really thinking about trying that. I also have a castle 360ex on standy which has a square contact plate vs the circular contact of the x73. Given the large surface area of the 3970x maybe switching out the coolers would work. This CPU has a TDP of 280W so I know it's not an easy task. But I'm dying to get this thing under 80C. If anyone has any advice I would be ever so grateful. Thank you

https://imageshack.com/user/cpstar
 
Solution
Going to argue about the exhaust fans.

If you're running a front mounted aio as an intake then you can have as many top and rear exhausts as you like.

There's no issue with any crossflow, that only occurs when you fill all the top mounts with exhaust fans and you're using an air cooler.

Your issue is with the x73 alone, be it bad mounting, poor paste application or the fact the heatsink base misses about 20% of the cpu die.

Watch that video from gamers nexus above, heed his advice regarding paste application with a smaller heatsink base.

Personally I think the castle will do a better job.
If doing as Alceryes suggests doesn't help the results and don't have any high expectations for your current case I would go with the Lian with the x73 or the other cooler up top as exhausting with the 2x 140's front.
Running the back exhaust fan @ a lower rpm.

Cudo's on the Noctua's
I have 2 corsair H110i 280mm and a H100iv2 240mm All with Noctua IPPC's 3000rpm versions, they are expensive but Love them for their high static pressure to push air through a rad.
 
One thing to check is if your cpu cooler is mounted well.
What is your temperature at idle?
It should be in the range of 10-15c. over ambient.
If it is significantly higher, the pump might not be level, or, as you suggest, a pump that covers more of the cpu block might be in order.

Size of a case is not as important as airflow.
You have 3 120mm intake fans on the radiator.
You could consider replacing those fans with higher rpm/airflow capable units.

I would not use more exhaust fan capability than what your radiator intake capability is.
Whatever cooling air that comes in the front should exit the case, taking heat with it.
Exhaust fans are there mostly to direct airflow out of the case.
 
Aug 20, 2020
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Your rear case fan and top case fans are fighting for the same air, creating a vortex above the CPU/VRM area. Vortices are bad for cooling. Unplug both top fans and perform some testing. Do you have a dust filter on the front rad intake?

On the front I have a shroud that snaps on and is supposed to be on there. A little dust has accumulated on there so I know it's pulling in effectively. But yes I think your exactly right. This case has a little removable (magnetic screen)dust filter on top and a hard plastic one that slides along the bottom of the case. Do you think I should just remove all 3 exhaust fans(2 from top and 1 from rear) and put one good one in the back? I can only fit one on the back of the case?
 

Phaaze88

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One thing to check is if your cpu cooler is mounted well.
What is your temperature at idle?
It should be in the range of 10-15c. over ambient.
If it is significantly higher, the pump might not be level, or, as you suggest, a pump that covers more of the cpu block might be in order.

Size of a case is not as important as airflow.
You have 3 120mm intake fans on the radiator.
You could consider replacing those fans with higher rpm/airflow capable units.

I would not use more exhaust fan capability than what your radiator intake capability is.
Whatever cooling air that comes in the front should exit the case, taking heat with it.
Exhaust fans are there mostly to direct airflow out of the case.

My Temp at idle bounces around between 40C-low 50sC. I'm going to start with just removing the top 2 exhaust and try the one good noctua fan out back. As of now I do think there is an airflow prob because I don't really feel anything out back.
 
On the front I have a shroud that snaps on and is supposed to be on there. A little dust has accumulated on there so I know it's pulling in effectively. But yes I think your exactly right. This case has a little removable (magnetic screen)dust filter on top and a hard plastic one that slides along the bottom of the case. Do you think I should just remove all 3 exhaust fans(2 from top and 1 from rear) and put one good one in the back? I can only fit one on the back of the case?
I suggest (for testing) removing the dust filter from the intake to get the maximum pressure/flow through the radiator. I would also completely unplug the top case fans, keeping only the rear fan running (again, for testing).
 
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Going to argue about the exhaust fans.

If you're running a front mounted aio as an intake then you can have as many top and rear exhausts as you like.

There's no issue with any crossflow, that only occurs when you fill all the top mounts with exhaust fans and you're using an air cooler.

Your issue is with the x73 alone, be it bad mounting, poor paste application or the fact the heatsink base misses about 20% of the cpu die.

Watch that video from gamers nexus above, heed his advice regarding paste application with a smaller heatsink base.

Personally I think the castle will do a better job.
 
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Solution
Reading more about threadripper cooling, it is not only the coverage of the surfaace area that matters, but also the arrangement of the particular cooling areas.
Here is andinteresting review of several cooling solutions.
Surprisingly, it is the noctua NH-U14s-tr4sp3 version that shows up well.
The cooler is 165mm tall and will mount in the meshify C case which allows 172mm.
 
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Aug 20, 2020
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Going to argue about the exhaust fans.

If you're running a front mounted aio as an intake then you can have as many top and rear exhausts as you like.

There's no issue with any crossflow, that only occurs when you fill all the top mounts with exhaust fans and you're using an air cooler.

Your issue is with the x73 alone, be it bad mounting, poor paste application or the fact the heatsink base misses about 20% of the cpu die.

Watch that video from gamers nexus above, heed his advice regarding paste application with a smaller heatsink base.

Personally I think the castle will do a better job.

Yea i think your right. I should also say that I just used the preapplied paste. Thats prob a bad idea given the large IHS of the 3970x. Who knows maybe I didn't tighten down the cooler enough. I'm going to try the castle and use a better paste application to cover the 4 dies. I watched the video where he compares all the different paste applications. Good stuff. Going to try all this today
Thank you
 
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Paste pattern looks good, but for a 1151/ryzen cpu.
I really think you should use a cooler specifically designed for your processor.

Tight is not really necessary. Level is.
When you tighten down the screws, do so a bit at a time and in a criss-cross pattern to get the cooler to seat level.
 
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Paste pattern looks good, but for a 1151/ryzen cpu.
I really think you should use a cooler specifically designed for your processor.

Tight is not really necessary. Level is.
When you tighten down the screws, do so a bit at a time and in a criss-cross pattern to get the cooler to seat level.
Nnamdi no bbb job NBA NBA

Yes just purchased the NH-U14S-TR4SP3. Designed for use with TR. I watched the videos above and read reviews on Amazon. I saw a lot of positives especially with the 3970x