Question Digital Storm - Opinions on Vortex Liquid cooling

[goot66]

i am debating between the Aventum X and the Velox - i am reluctant to get the Aventum X as i am not convinced how reliable the H20: Stage 3: Digital Storm Vortex Liquid CPU Cooler is. I know that the AIR: Stage 2: Noctua NH-D15 is super reliable and can last 5 yrs+ . What is the reliability of the Vortex liquid cooler ? does it ever require any maintenance ? what's it's typical lifespan assuming 24/7 use ?

Anyone have experience with either machine ?

 

[aigomorla]

My recommendation is never buy a fully custom prebuilt liquid cooling system unless you know what your doing.

So unless your willing to take some time and learn the mechanics of a custom liquid cooling system, as they are a completely different level and ballgame from per say a All in One liquid cooling system thats sealed, you should not buy one as they do require servicing once in a while.

 

[DrMrLordX]

First off, you don't have to call an NHD-15 an "Air Stage: 2", it's just an HSF. It's widely benchmarked and is a great cooler. You can mod it with faster/more powerful fans if you like, assuming you can handle the noise. Only issue I have with the NH-D15 is the price. It's a name brand (Noctua) and they charge accordingly. There are some HSFs on the market that perform similarly-well at a lower price, and I'm sure some of the users around here could recommend cheaper alternatives. HSFs themselves can last a very long time since they have no moving parts outside of the fans which are generally easy to replace.

I'll defer to @aigomorla on the rest of it.

 

[aigomorla]

Well also not to mention if something breaks.... replacing a single fan is many many factors easier then replacing the pump, if you get unlucky with murphys law and that happens. Air heat sinks can last almost forever as long as you do not take a saw blade or snips to the heat pipes.

And if its hard piped, and premix coolant... then your probably looking at half the day minimum in servicing the liquid cooling system.
And thats if you know what your doing.