Would this build benefit significantly from watercooling?

[Tomination22]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VTNrnQ
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VTNrnQ/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core OEM/Tray Processor ($318.95 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Thermal Compound: Masscool G751 Shin-Etsu 0.5g Thermal Paste ($3.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: EVGA Z97 FTW ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($143.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($71.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB Superclocked Video Card ($549.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($117.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: XFX XTR 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($66.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VX238H 23.0" Monitor ($139.99 @ Micro Center)
Keyboard: ROCCAT ISKU Wired Gaming Keyboard ($59.99 @ Micro Center)
Other: EVGA GTX 980 Backplate ($19.99)
Total: $1786.78
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-20 23:56 EST-0500

Should I replace the Noctua with watercooling with a liquid system of the same general price? If so, which would you recommend?

 

[tiny voices]

No. the D15 beats all the systems under $120 so you would actually LOSE performance by switching to water.

 

[mas7873]

Do you mean custom watercooling or a closed liquid cooling system (H100i, Krakex X61 etc). Honestly, depending high of an overclock you are wanting to achieve. The NH-D15 is a great air cooler, and will allow for nice overclocks.

 

[tiny voices]

He said "Should I replace the Noctua with watercooling with a liquid system of the same general price". That is not custom water cooling price. Not even HALF of custom watercooling price. $100 is H100i territory and the D15 beats it in every single way.

 

[r3v3ng3]

get a nepton 240m, $10 more. Looks nicer and very good cooling.

 

[tiny voices]

Nope. I would not recommend it. It will be SIGNIFICANTLY louder than the D15 and not cool as well/ possible cool the same. The d15 is a better deal in every way.

 

[r3v3ng3]

Actually its identical, there is only 1C temp difference between the two in favour of the D15, otherwise noise levels are the same based on an i7 3770k @ 4.6 1.3v review on both coolers from guru3d. So the only real differences to consider are the aesthetic and financial differences, given there is only $10 difference for a much nicer looking cooler I would personally go with the 240m.

Also I noticed you're spending $570 on your GPU+backplate, considering the gigabyte g1 980 is $580, I feel this is a better buy. The G1 has the best cooler on the market allowing for better overclocks and temps in general, even at stock. As well I noticed you've got an EVGA motherboard (I'm presuming you are an EVGA fan?) I don't know how well their motherboards fair, but I'd recommend Asrock, gigabyte or ASUS. My recommendation based on your current motherboards price would be the Asrock z97 Extreme6.

Finally, as cheap as it is, you won't need to buy aftermarket thermal compound. You will be getting high quality compounds with any good cooler.

 

[tiny voices]

I still recommend the D15. Less to go wrong, not worth the $20 more for no gains, but to each their own.

The Z97 Extreme 6 is a great board. I would also throw MSI in the ring. Their Gaming series boards are VERY good.