Self contained water cpu coolers

[Collider]

I'm considering water cooling for my upcoming i7 rig. I dont have any previous experience with water cooling so a self contained cpu unit looks interesting, that and the price is also an issue. I'm not a big gamer these days so im concerned about cooling the cpu only. I'm considering i7 920 + asus p6t v2, with plans for a mid oc (3.6-3.8).

What are some off the worthy self contained cpu units around? What would you recommend? Or am I just better of getting a high end air cooler as the prices are somewhat similar?

 

[daw123]

I'm not sure what you are referring to by a 'self-contained CPU unit' - is this a reference to a WC set up?

Any way if you are going for a o/c of 3.6 to 3.8GHZ, then you can probably get away with an aftermarket high end HSF. May be a TRUE. Have a look at this thread for other people with I7s running on air.

Believe me if you are getting into liquid cooling, even for a CPU only loop, it is expensive (and addictive) compared to air cooling. Unless you are going for a ultra quiet set up or a very high o/c, then save some money and don't bother with liquid cooling.

For a decent CPU only single loop using new compoments, you are looking about the $300 mark. That's assuming your case is big enough to accommodate the WC components.

 

[PCTC2]

@daw123, a self-contained water cooler would be something like Coolit's products.

 

[daw123]

Thanks for that PCTC2. You learn something new every day.

For others like me who didn't know what a self-contained water cooler is, this is what one looks like.

 

[Collider]

Yeah I was actually just looking at Coolit's Domino A.L.C. Can anyone recommend? Are there any similar products out there?

 

[masteryoda34]

Originally posted by: daw123
Any way if you are going for a o/c of 3.6 to 3.8GHZ, then you can probably get away with an aftermarket high end HSF. May be a TRUE. Have a look at this thread for other people with I7s running on air.

Believe me if you are getting into liquid cooling, even for a CPU only loop, it is expensive (and addictive) compared to air cooling. Unless you are going for a ultra quiet set up or a very high o/c, then save some money and don't bother with liquid cooling.

For a decent CPU only single loop using new compoments, you are looking about the $300 mark. That's assuming your case is big enough to accommodate the WC components.

This.

If you want to go WC, buy a real setup. If you're not willing to spend the money on a real WC setup then just buy a high end air cooler like the TRUE. The All in one kits are going to give about the same performance of a TRUE.

 

[Tweakin]

Originally posted by: avp2306
Yeah I was actually just looking at Coolit's Domino A.L.C. Can anyone recommend? Are there any similar products out there?

I have one of those...it would keep up with my Q9650 at stock speeds, I think it would handle an i7 at stock speeds, but it's going to be almost as hot as a good air heat sink.

I'll even sell you mine...just returned from CoolIT, BNIB...

 

[Billb2]

Originally posted by: masteryoda34
The All in one kits are going to give about the same performance of a TRUE.

...less performance

When you have high end air cooling, and need even more cooling, the step into WCing, that will give you better performance than what you have, will cost 3-5x what you paid for your air cooler. And high end WCing can cost close to a grand. But...for that price you can get some excellent cooling if you need it.

 

[Collider]

Thanks for the responses guys. I was able to find tons of reviews for this thing and most compared it to high end air coolers just like you said. TRUE actually does beat the Domino cooler but only with a 2 fan setup. Benchmarks

 

[Tweakin]

Originally posted by: avp2306
Thanks for the responses guys. I was able to find tons of reviews for this thing and most compared it to high end air coolers just like you said. TRUE actually does beat the Domino cooler but only with a 2 fan setup. Benchmarks

Great...more benchmarks. I have one and have used it as I was testing my quad. It will handle stock loads, but don't throw any OC's at it...it just doesn't have the thermal capacity (in real life) to be a decent solution...and it will get loud.

A high-end air cooler will be quieter then the Domino when it is in performance mode...trust me...and like I said, if you want to go that way I really do have a brand new Domino with upgraded firmware straight from CoolIT that I will let go cheap.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: avp2306
Thanks for the responses guys. I was able to find tons of reviews for this thing and most compared it to high end air coolers just like you said. TRUE actually does beat the Domino cooler but only with a 2 fan setup. Benchmarks

There are a couple of minor benefits to these self-contained watercooling units. One is that there is very little weight hanging off the mobo. Two is that the hot air is directly expelled out the back. They do have a drawback which also affects typical high end air and water cooling, and that is the motherboard doesn't get air blowing down on it to cool the motherboard heatsinks.