NZXT Phantom: Getting the best cooling

[Labze]

Hello

So i've recently begun the process of getting the most out of my build, i am on the edge of how far i can push it with current temperatures, so i thought i would try and upgrade the cooling possibilites of my Phantom, currently everything is as stock.

I am currently using a Scythe Mugen 2 as CPU Cooler, i'm very interested in going into the sealed watercooling solutions such as the Corsair H100, reason being it's much smaller and i hate the fact that my current cooler overlaps my RAM so i can't get to them without first removing the cooler. Is the Corsair H100 a good sealed system, or are there better? I value both performence but not the cost of relative silence.

As mentioned my NZXT is as stock, so i thought i would get some extra fans. First step is getting a front intake fan, i hear much good about the Silverstone Air penetrator but it only exists in a 120mm variant, would i have greater benefit of a 140mm, and if so any good suggestions?

I also thought gettings a 200mm side fan could help a great deal since i run crossfire (6950's), if i were to get the H100 i would also imagine it could greatly benefit the airflow of my case. Any suggestions for a 200mm, or is it a bad idea? some people say side fans fuck the airflow up.

Any suggestions and help are greatly appreciated, while i value great performence, i won't go totally out of the way of a relative quiet system.

My system looks like this:
Asus P7P55D-E Pro
I7-870 @3,8Ghz
Scythe Mugen 2
6950 crossfired
Corsair TX 850 V2
NZXT Phantom

 

[Ketchup]

Have you considered getting a water cooling setup for those 6950's instead? The heat generating up from those is most likely having a negative effect on the temperature the Scythe can push through it.

From what I have read, the H100 can be quite loud, but seems to do pretty well on the low setting.

 

[Labze]

Have you considered getting a water cooling setup for those 6950's instead? The heat generating up from those is most likely having a negative effect on the temperature the Scythe can push through it.

From what I have read, the H100 can be quite loud, but seems to do pretty well on the low setting.

Do the 6950 affect the scythe's performence that much, its the reference coolers that are installed so the hot air is pushed out of the back. Anyway, no i haven't considered watercooling the 6950's. Currently it's out of my budget and since i consider to upgrade my cards when the next gen series arrives i'll atleast hold that thought until then.

Yea looking through reviews it seems that the H100 goes pretty loud, doesn't seem like it performs that much better than the H80 but that might just be me. Is there other suggestions that are better performing? Reason for wanting a sealed water setup is because it gives me much more space inside the case. If i chose something like a NH-DH14 i wouldn't have space for a sidefan, neither would i have acces to my RAM slots.

 

[Ketchup]

Heat still builds up on the back of the cards. You can verify this on yours. One thing to try would be to take the heatsink off and re-apply the thermal material on the 6950s. It took temps down quite a bit when I did that on my card.

I think the Corsair is a nice setup overall. Like anything, I think they just got a little cheap with it. It looks like the H100 setup on low would be a nice balance of noise and performance though. And it would give you the space around the CPU you are looking for.

 

[Labze]

Heat still builds up on the back of the cards. You can verify this on yours. One thing to try would be to take the heatsink off and re-apply the thermal material on the 6950s. It took temps down quite a bit when I did that on my card.

I think the Corsair is a nice setup overall. Like anything, I think they just got a little cheap with it. It looks like the H100 setup on low would be a nice balance of noise and performance though. And it would give you the space around the CPU you are looking for.

Do you know if the actual noise from the cooler comes from the pump or the fans. If it were from the fans i suppose it would be a easy fix to just replace them. Sadly i haven't found any review where the Scythe Mugen 2 is compared in charts alongside the Corsair H100, anyone knows how much of a decrease in temperatures i can expect, if any?

I've heard many say that re-applying thermal paste could sometimes decrease the temperature by quite a bit, never removed a graphics cooler before though, but i guess it can't be much more difficult than doing it with a CPU, have some MX-2 lying around that won't get used so i guess i could try it.

Any comments regards installing a 200mm side fan, and a silverstone air penetrator as intake fan? Still don't know if a 140mm is a better alternative when considering noise/performence.

 

[Ketchup]

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5054/corsair-hydro-series-h60-h80-and-h100-reviewed

I get the impression it's the fans, but sites react different. Anandtech makes it sound slightly loud, HardOCP makes it sound like you are on the deck of an air craft carrier!

 

[Labze]

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5054/corsair-hydro-series-h60-h80-and-h100-reviewed

I get the impression it's the fans, but sites react different. Anandtech makes it sound slightly loud, HardOCP makes it sound like you are on the deck of an air craft carrier!

Oh thanks for that link, my search didn't show anandtech made a review of those Does seem like it's a great contender at low settings.

Is there anyway to make automate the fan speed, or is there only the 3 options to go from? To be honest, the sound from the high settings probrably wouldn't annoy me doing a gaming session, crossfired 6950 already makes its noise. But when browsing and being stuck on high would drive me insane, and i really wouldn't be bothered removing the side of the case everytime i decide to do game.

 

[Ketchup]

I found a couple user reviews that might help. In addition, you might want to peruse the rest of the reviews on Newegg.

Pros: Awsome cooling on my new I5-2500K rig. Running Prime95 and realtemp and OC'd @4.8 and only see temps hit a max of 53*C. Idles @ 20*C. I run a p/p config and great case airflow. Also running pump at max setting. Fans only running @ 750 rpm, so fairly quiet. A realy worthy upgrade so long as your case will take the dual radiator. Great way to take advantage of liquid cooling without the high cost and potential issues of going with a full bore water loop system. Not knocking water loops. There great if installed properly....but this gives a simple solution to wet the apetite of a LC loop.

Cons: The pump itself has a fast "tickticktick" that was obnoxious at first but quieted after a few weeks. All 4 fans(2stock & 2optional) are plugged into the Corsair Pump, so no real fan control to speak of. Would like to see a PWM 4 pin available in the future.

Other Thoughts: Like others have mentioned before...do your homework and make sure that your case will take or can be modded to accept the 240mm radiator. As long as it fits, its a very straight forward instalation.

My Rig:
HAF922 Modded
Asus Maximus Gene-Z
I5-2500K OC'd 4.8
Corsair H100 Liquid Cooler
MSI GTX560 TI 2GD5 OC
G.Skill 8Ghz

Pros: Good cooling performance for self-contained water cooling solution. Better performance in a push-pull configuration.

Cons: May not fit in your case. Do your research prior to buying. Stock fans are noticibly loud on high. Medium is not bad at all. You will need to open your case and push the fan speed button in order to change from low/medium/high.

Other Thoughts: This fit in the top of my Coolermaster Cosmos 1000 pure black with some minor modifications.

 

[Labze]

Thanks man, your help is greatly appreciated i'll be looking through the user reviews.

 

[Ketchup]

Absolutely, always like finding ways to help someone looking for better cooling.