Question Semi-custom loop?

[Grimnir]

I'm cooling my CPU with a Corsair H150i Pro with Noctua A12x25 fans. It's been working out quite well so far, but there are some things I'd like to improve on.

The temperatures are fine but I would like some more cooling performance to perhaps get a higher overclock. I'm running an i7 8086K at 5Ghz/1,33V. Could maybe do 5,1Ghz at 1,35-1,36V (5,1Ghz is almost stable at 1,33V with AVX offset -1), but that's a bit too hot for the cooler (or at least too hot for my taste - I don't want to run the CPU north of 90c and preferably keep it below 80c).

Don't know if it's just modern CPU's but the temperature is moving around a lot, with lots of spikes.

The pump is the most annoying thing. There's a big difference running it in quiet mode (around 1000rpm) and balanced mode (around 2000rpm). Cooling gets much better with the higher flow - no surprise really - but the noise it's making is driving me nuts. I get this typical "ticking" sound, which is quiet but a little annoying. Then it produces a constant, high pitched, overtone that's driving me mad.

Anyhow, so I was thinking... maybe I could replace the pump for something better? I know for example that Alphacool has some pump blocks, same ones as for their closed loop systems, that you can buy separately. I have no idea if they are any good though. Perhaps there are others worth considering? I've thought about a separate pump/reservoir and water block, but that seems to get pretty expensive.

Another idea is to expand the cooling with another 360mm radiator. I have a Fractal Design Kelvin S36 that's just collecting dust. Would it make any sense to use that as well, or is it just wasted effort unless going full custom with a GPU waterblock as well?

What are your thoughts on this matter?

 

[chrisjames61]

I've thought about a separate pump/reservoir and water block, but that seems to get pretty expensive.

This is the way to go. For one thing you won't be throwing good money after bad. You can get 280 mm and 360 mm all copper radiators cheap on eBay. You can get pump/res combos for cheap too if you are vigilant. Swiftech, EK, Thermaltake, Byski etc... for a cpu block. Then all you need is algeacide and some soft tubing and some fittings. Plus it is easy as pie to put it all together.

 

[Grimnir]

This is the way to go. For one thing you won't be throwing good money after bad. You can get 280 mm and 360 mm all copper radiators cheap on eBay. You can get pump/res combos for cheap too if you are vigilant. Swiftech, EK, Thermaltake, Byski etc... for a cpu block. Then all you need is algeacide and some soft tubing and some fittings. Plus it is easy as pie to put it all together.

That's at least 300 $ when really a better pump should work wonders. It's just not worth the money.

 

[chrisjames61]

That's at least 300 $ when really a better pump should work wonders. It's just not worth the money.

How is it $300 when I have done it for a considerably less than that? Including a D5 pump? AIO's are just bottom of the barrel parts. Tiny rads, cheap pumps and crappy fans. You get what you pay for. There is no way to add a 360 degree radiator to a loop of an AIO. The pump wouldn't be nearly up to snuff.

 

[Grimnir]

How is it $300 when I have done it for a considerably less than that? Including a D5 pump? AIO's are just bottom of the barrel parts. Tiny rads, cheap pumps and crappy fans. You get what you pay for. There is no way to add a 360 degree radiator to a loop of an AIO. The pump wouldn't be nearly up to snuff.

Well, you tell me.

Listen, I'm first looking for a pump/block-combo that's quiet and gives higher flow than the current one. Alphacool has some such for 90 $ around here. I don't know if they are any good or if there are other alternatives. I might consider a separate reservoir/pump and block, but I won't go much above 100 $. A new radiator is out of the question when I have 360mm full copper radiator in the Fractal Design Kelvin.

Buying parts off of ebay is problematic because shipping tends to get expensive.