Corsair H100 Alternatives?

[Jakg]

Short version:
I've got a Corsair H100. It's dead. I need to get a replacement. From what I've seen on the internet, I'm not the first person to have a H100 fail, so I'd like to try something different. Suggestions?

Long version:
I've got a 3770k running at 4.8 GHz at 1.28v-ish, it makes quite a bit of heat. I bought an H100 and fitted some push / pull fans (4x 120mm Zalman ZM-F3 fans) with shrouds and lapped it, which kept it cool enough whilst still being relatively quiet
Unfortunately, the H100 has died - the lights on the unit don't work, the fan controller is only running one fan and the pump doesn't appear to be working. I'll be swapping back to the stock cooler later today but I somehow doubt I'll be able to keep at 4.8 GHz with the stock cooler!

I need to get a replacement. From Googling my problem it seems i'm not the only one with problems with an H100, so I'd like to avoid it again if possible. But I need something that cools at least as well as it does now (and of course ideally, better).

I've had a look around and so far I've found a refurbished H100 (it's only £46, so cheap but I'm scared it'll break again), H100i (could try to pick one up on eBay, doesn't appear to cool much better but a different pump gives me more confidence) or the Swiftech H220 (which looks to be the best but is expensive).

Case is a Coolermaster ATCS 840 which is absolutely massive so (hopefully) space isn't such a problem - it can have up two 3 120mm fans in the top or a radiator mounted in place (terrible pictures but you get the idea).

Don't want to spend *too* much but it depends what's out there. Suspect with the cooling requirements it'll have to be watercooling, but I really want to stick with a sealed system for cost and lack of maintenance.

Full pc specs.

Suggestions?

 

[WiseUp216]

I don't have any firsthand experience with it, but the CM Seidon 240M is only $69.99 on Newegg right now. Great value considering the AT chart below.

If you're looking for a UK vendor, sorry, I'm not familiar with your options.

 

[lehtv]

You're not going to RMA the H100? Should be still within its 5 year warranty. If you don't wan to use the replacement you can sell it for £60 or so

The H100 performs similarly to some high end air coolers, you could get one of those. Cheaper than water cooling but bulkier. E.g. Phanteks TC14PE (it fits in your case, madshrimps.be used it in a review)

 

[Jakg]

I'll try an RMA, but it's old, I have no receipt, and it might go missing on the way too / from UK->NL->UK. Plus - I don't really want another H100. So I'd like to try something else if I could.


CM 240m looks good, though

 

[Z15CAM]

I believe all CPU AIO units use the Astek pump so it don't matter which brand you buy. I run the Corsair H110 with the 280x30x140mm rad (If you have the room) and it works great on my i7 2700k. The NZXT Kraken X60 also would work nicely but I don't care paying extra for unnecessary USB crap. Siedon, Tremaltake ...etc, there're all the same because they use the same Astek Pump.

The Swiftech H220 is not available in North America because of the Astek patent. The Swiftech has the stronger pump and can adapted to include a reservoir, another rad, and GPU WB's; in which case' I would just as soon build my own loops.

 

[lehtv]

The ATCS 840 can only fit 240 rads though. So if you want water cooling, get H100i or Seidon 240M, but you will get equal performance for cheaper by going with Phanteks TC14PE. Noctua D14 would be very good too but not quite as good.

 

[ctk1981]

For anyone interested in the swiftech h220 you can order one from Ncix.ca site. (~20 for ups to USA.) Gets to be a little pricey with shipping but it seems to be the best built unit and offers the possibility of expanding down the road.

 

[fleshconsumed]

I believe all CPU AIO units use the Astek pump so it don't matter which brand you buy.

Most of them do. H100/H100i/H80i use CoolIT pumps though. Personally I find CoolIt pumps much quieter than Asetek pumps, however CoolIT pumps are much harder to mount on a GPU (which is what I use it for).

 

[Jakg]

An update to this.

I bought the Coolermaster 240M and fitted it. It was ok. Quieter than my H100, but didn't cool as well - in fact it got a bit too hot for my liking, but I put up with it.

I posted my H100 back, but it'd been lapped, I bought it second hand, had no receipt and I had no fans. I didn't expect to get anything, but for the sake of postage (which was £12 to NL!) I thought I'd try.

...the other day a brand new H100i (!) turned up. Very impressed. Fitted it, cools brilliantly and looks cool, too. Slightly noisier, but better performance. Can't fault Corsair here at all!

 

[BonzaiDuck]

An update to this.

I bought the Coolermaster 240M and fitted it. It was ok. Quieter than my H100, but didn't cool as well - in fact it got a bit too hot for my liking, but I put up with it.

I posted my H100 back, but it'd been lapped, I bought it second hand, had no receipt and I had no fans. I didn't expect to get anything, but for the sake of postage (which was £12 to NL!) I thought I'd try.

...the other day a brand new H100i (!) turned up. Very impressed. Fitted it, cools brilliantly and looks cool, too. Slightly noisier, but better performance. Can't fault Corsair here at all!

You mean the CM 240L Glacier? Thought I saw a review of that in recent days.

CLC coolers are the thing. I just keep thinking if I switch to "any kind of H2O," it should have a loop for the graphics card(s). Once you invest in a CLC cooler, I don't think there's much you can do to mod or enhance it.

Just a thought . . .