Question Switching From Liquid Cooling to Heatsink and Case Fan Switch

[Andrew_C1]

A couple of weeks ago my computer started running at about 5 fps max, and after exiting the game to restart my computer, it would not shut off. I ended up having to turn the PSU switch off just to get it shut it down and when it restarted it said that the problem was my CPU overheating. It was reaching 100 degrees Celsius but after taking it in for an inspection, there is no CPU damage, fortunately. They inspected my liquid CPU cooler and somehow it just up and died, and they say the reason it probably died within a year of me building this PC is because I have the radiator mounted vertically to the front of my PC instead of on the top blowing down, so it's working against gravity, however, I built a computer around 7 years ago with the same setup for the radiator and it didn't die in over 2 and a half years so I doubt that's really the culprit.
Just to be safe and not deal with this again, though, I was trying to figure out what I can do with the mount. The only reason I didn't put it on the top to begin with is because my RAM was too bulky for it to fit, and I think my ASUS motherboard had some clunky parts that blocked it as well. After talking to my friend and her boyfriend who both built their PC's, they asked me why I didn't just do a heatsink instead in the first place. They said they've never used liquid cooling and have never had their CPU's overheat. I'm not sure where to start with this, though, according to them even the most high-end heatsinks usually costs less than an average liquid CPU cooler so money isn't an issue, I just want what's gonna cool my CPU the best.
I'll have to measure to make sure it fits, but assuming it would, is there any issue just switching from liquid cooling to heatsink? I'd also have to look at my fan situation then, I assume, since I'd have nothing on the front. I have two 120mm (i believe) case fans on the top and one 120mm on the back, so could I just mount my two 140mm case fans on the front blowing in and then keep my 2 on top and 1 in back blowing out?

 

[Lafong]

is there any issue just switching from liquid cooling to heatsink?......................... I'd also have to look at my fan situation then, I assume, since I'd have nothing on the front. I have two 120mm (i believe) case fans on the top and one 120mm on the back, so could I just mount my two 140mm case fans on the front blowing in and then keep my 2 on top and 1 in back blowing out?

No issues that I know of going from liquid to air, assuming the chosen air cooler performs well enough.

Normal minimum fan setup would be one intake on the front blowing in and one exhaust on the back sucking out.

Your sensitivity to fan noise might matter?

Is it a big deal to you if temps are 58 rather than 53? It is for some people.

You have more than 2 fans available, so you could experiment a bit. I'd probably start with 2 intakes in front and the single exhaust. Leaving the top fans out to begin with. Maybe add one or two of them at the top later if temps are higher than you'd like.

What CPU do you have?

What case do you have?

If your case is fairly narrow, you may not be able to fit in certain air coolers. The cooler height limit should be mentioned in your case specifications. Ideally, it would be 160 mm or more, but you can do OK with less if your cooling requirements are not extreme.

 

[KyaraM]

Only issue I see is tou describing your RAM as bulky. You will have to check vendor pages or google to find out how high your RAM can be. For example, the Noctua NH-D15 has some issues with high RAM kits, while the Be Quiet Dark Rock 4 Pro is a bit more lenient due to different fan design. Also, make sure the cooler dits into your case. Else, I see no issues as long as you take a cooler that is big enough.

 

[Andrew_C1]

No issues that I know of going from liquid to air, assuming the chosen air cooler performs well enough.

Normal minimum fan setup would be one intake on the front blowing in and one exhaust on the back sucking out.

Your sensitivity to fan noise might matter?

Is it a big deal to you if temps are 58 rather than 53? It is for some people.

You have more than 2 fans available, so you could experiment a bit. I'd probably start with 2 intakes in front and the single exhaust. Leaving the top fans out to begin with. Maybe add one or two of them at the top later if temps are higher than you'd like.

What CPU do you have?

What case do you have?

If your case is fairly narrow, you may not be able to fit in certain air coolers. The cooler height limit should be mentioned in your case specifications. Ideally, it would be 160 mm or more, but you can do OK with less if your cooling requirements are not extreme.

I don't want a jet engine, but I don't mind an average amount of noise. I just want what's best for my CPU now that I won't have liquid cooling.
My CPU is an Intel Core i7-10700K
My case is a Phanteks Eclipse P360a which according to Newegg has 160mm cooler height limit.
Do you have any recommendations with this information? I don't mind going up to like $100-$120 as that's still less than my liquid cooler, I just want what's best for CPU and what will last the longest, also ease of install would be nice too since that's my biggest stressor right now.

 

[Lafong]

Standard advice would be Noctua.

Ease of install excellent for all models.

Look at DH-15, a heavy dual tower. I think there are a couple of models. One of them may have clearance problems with certain RAM, but the other should be OK with any RAM.

Or the U14S, a single tower model. Considerably lighter; somewhat cheaper. Same mounting mechanism. As far as I know, has no clearance problems with any RAM.

U14S might run 5 degrees or so warmer than the DH-15 if that is a big deal to you.

Noctua reviews all over the net and Youtube.

Noctua website excellent. Root around for compatibility lists for various motherboards and RAM.

They have height stats for all models, so you can eliminate any over 160. Few if any are taller than that.

The included fans are very quiet at under say 1000 rpm and probably average quiet when at high speed. They are PWM fans, so you should have considerable control over fan speed in your PC BIOS.

Others manufacturer possibilities: Scythe and Be Quiet. I don't have familiarity with them, but some models are well regarded.

 

[Andrew_C1]

Standard advice would be Noctua.

Ease of install excellent for all models.

Look at DH-15, a heavy dual tower. I think there are a couple of models. One of them may have clearance problems with certain RAM, but the other should be OK with any RAM.

Or the U14S, a single tower model. Considerably lighter; somewhat cheaper. Same mounting mechanism. As far as I know, has no clearance problems with any RAM.

U14S might run 5 degrees or so warmer than the DH-15 if that is a big deal to you.

Noctua reviews all over the net and Youtube.

Noctua website excellent. Root around for compatibility lists for various motherboards and RAM.

They have height stats for all models, so you can eliminate any over 160. Few if any are taller than that.

The included fans are very quiet at under say 1000 rpm and probably average quiet when at high speed. They are PWM fans, so you should have considerable control over fan speed in your PC BIOS.

Others manufacturer possibilities: Scythe and Be Quiet. I don't have familiarity with them, but some models are well regarded.

Thank you for all of your help! I heard Noctua would probably be the best choice, I think I'll go with the U14S to be safe, does the 5 degree difference shorten the lifespan that much? If not it doesn't really bother me as long as it's not a dramatic difference. Thanks again.