Xeon cooling: NH-U12S vs h80

[TheThirdMan]

Hey guys,

I'm looking at cooling a dual xeon (115w tdp) setup. I'm currently looking at using either two NH-U12S (120mm slim radiator) or two corsair h80s (i already have one spare).

Cost wise, the two NH-U12S will cost £100, whilst the one additional h80 I need would cost £45. My main concerns for the noctuas is the weight that two of them would put on the board. My main concern for the h80s are the noise (I have one on an overlocked i7-e and it gets noisy). Would replacing the stock fans on the h80 with some "high static pressure fans" help with the noise? How much weight is safe to hang off the CPU sockets?

I imagine both solutions will cool the CPUs well- it'll be at 100% usage for months at a time so needs to stay cool, though from the reviews, the noctuas will have a better noise to cooling ratio?

thanks guys!

 

[dma0991]

Placing two NH-U12S shouldn't be a problem and if its Socket 2011, the load is spread far enough to not put any undue stress on the PCB. Replacing the stock fans will reduce its noise but decrease its performance as stock fans typically run in the north of 2kRPM.

What you should really consider is whether it will be foolproof under the worst case scenario (dead pump, dead fan). While I would recommend getting the Corsair H80, it has two points of failure, pump and fan. Whereas a normal air cooler can still passively cool itself at a higher temp if the fan ever dies.

I would recommend getting a pair CM Hyper212 Evo instead. You could get two for the price of one Noctua NH-U12S. The difference in improvement that the Noctua NH-U12 brings doesn't justify the 1C lower load temps over the CM Hyper212 Evo.

 

[TheThirdMan]

Placing two NH-U12S shouldn't be a problem and if its Socket 2011, the load is spread far enough to not put any undue stress on the PCB. Replacing the stock fans will reduce its noise but decrease its performance as stock fans typically run in the north of 2kRPM.

What you should really consider is whether it will be foolproof under the worst case scenario (dead pump, dead fan). While I would recommend getting the Corsair H80, it has two points of failure, pump and fan. Whereas a normal air cooler can still passively cool itself at a higher temp if the fan ever dies.

I would recommend getting a pair CM Hyper212 Evo instead. You could get two for the price of one Noctua NH-U12S. The difference in improvement that the Noctua NH-U12 brings doesn't justify the 1C lower load temps over the CM Hyper212 Evo.

That's a pretty great suggestion! I've seen great things about the 212 but hadn't thought of using it for this setup. Looking online at UK stores, it doesn't seem to come with a 2011 mounting bracket? It seems some people have ordered these seperately, but Cooler Master don't list 2011 as compatible with the cooler?

Also the points of failure for the AIO h80 are a massive point of concern for me. I'm using one on my current workstation and it's great, but I'd rather be safer with this new build.

 

[dma0991]

Newegg US and Amazon US does list it as Socket 2011 compatible. In fact, some Cooler Master official websites do as well. The mounting of CM Hyper212 Evo on Socket 2011 is nothing more than extra studs that go on the socket itself. Its best to double check with your retailer if they are offering ones that come with the stud.

 

[TheThirdMan]

Newegg US and Amazon US does list it as Socket 2011 compatible. In fact, some Cooler Master official websites do as well. The mounting of CM Hyper212 Evo on Socket 2011 is nothing more than extra studs that go on the socket itself. Its best to double check with your retailer if they are offering ones that come with the stud.

Thanks for the links! I think this cooler will replace the noctuas on my shortlist

Do you know if it's possible to mount a second fan on the 212 evo or would i need the 212+? The motherboard hsa both xeons lined up along the length, so having 2 fans on each would help a lot with the temps of the second CPU i imagine.

 

[dma0991]

I'm uncertain about the CM Hyper212 Evo but IIRC from my past experience installing the CM Hyper212+, it did come with a second set of fan brackets. I see no reason for CM to exclude that optional accessory on the CM Hyper212 Evo as it isn't sold separately.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I'm uncertain about the CM Hyper212 Evo but IIRC from my past experience installing the CM Hyper212+, it did come with a second set of fan brackets. I see no reason for CM to exclude that optional accessory on the CM Hyper212 Evo as it isn't sold separately.

It may be that the Hyper 212+ or EVO could be the ideal choice for several reasons, but not for ranked performance. But the ranked performance is a matter of some 2C over even the NH-C14. And the H80 also bests some air coolers by a sliver.

The other considerations -- pump and other failure -- had led me to avoid the CLC coolers, and if you wanted better performance, you could get a traditional water-cooling kit. In that latter case, you would customize to include two processors. But then there's the expense . . .

I suppose if it were me -- I'd be here asking the same question. All you can do is determine the factors for any "best" decision and -- act accordingly.

 

[TheThirdMan]

It may be that the Hyper 212+ or EVO could be the ideal choice for several reasons, but not for ranked performance. But the ranked performance is a matter of some 2C over even the NH-C14. And the H80 also bests some air coolers by a sliver.

The other considerations -- pump and other failure -- had led me to avoid the CLC coolers, and if you wanted better performance, you could get a traditional water-cooling kit. In that latter case, you would customize to include two processors. But then there's the expense . . .

I suppose if it were me -- I'd be here asking the same question. All you can do is determine the factors for any "best" decision and -- act accordingly.

Right. I'm not that bothered about getting the absolute best cooler, just one that will keep the CPUs cool when they're at 100% for two months, and the 212 looks like a great choice. I chose the noctuas because of their great rep and that they're specifically slim coolers which would be great for the dual cpu board. I was thinking of the h80s to take the weight off the board as the two coolers combined will weigh about 1kg.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Right. I'm not that bothered about getting the absolute best cooler, just one that will keep the CPUs cool when they're at 100% for two months, and the 212 looks like a great choice. I chose the noctuas because of their great rep and that they're specifically slim coolers which would be great for the dual cpu board. I was thinking of the h80s to take the weight off the board as the two coolers combined will weigh about 1kg.

Oh. On that weight factor . .

Intel had spec'd their own motherboards for something between 400 and 500gm of weight. Of course, this is an indirect measure for either the spec or the stress on the board, because the weight -- hanging at an accumulated distance as it does, is "torque." And after Zalman released their 1-Kg+ flower-shaped copper models, it became evident that the spec was almost so conservative as to seem irrelevant.

I have an NH-D14 which had born the weight of two Noctua fans for 30 months so far. Each fan weighed 6 oz, so a total of 3/4 lb in fan weight.

There are a lot of ways to take the weight off the coolers, especially if you can get the airflow without hanging the fans directly on the cooler. Or you could duct the cooler to mate up with the case exhaust fan. But you have two processors and two coolers, so the tedium would be at least double.

But either two U14S or 212+/EVO coolers and fans would distribute the weight (torque) over a larger area of your motherboard than my D14 does with two fans, so . . . . . I might think your concern over this factor is exaggerated. Not as much as my elderly mom who keeps her gate locked for fear of the Boogey-man at high-noon. Worth looking into; just as easy to dismiss.

 

[TheThirdMan]

But either two U14S or 212+/EVO coolers and fans would distribute the weight (torque) over a larger area of your motherboard than my D14 does with two fans, so . . . . . I might think your concern over this factor is exaggerated. Not as much as my elderly mom who keeps her gate locked for fear of the Boogey-man at high-noon. Worth looking into; just as easy to dismiss.

Haha! Ok great, thanks. Thought it would probably be safe with a couple of lighter models anyway. I was initially looking at some larger ones which were 700/800g each, but I think 1kg combined would probably be ok.

 

[Micrornd]

How 'bout an alternative?
I run 2 - e5-2687w V1's with a Corsair H110 AIO cooler on each.
No matter what the benchmark or app they have yet to exceed 60c, even after 8hrs of benchmarking.

And I'm not using the noisy (to me anyway) stock fans, but rather one 12" pusher and one 12" puller with the rads sides by side.
The 12"ers are simple 125 cfm @ a constant 600rpm

The 12" push-pulls blow down into the case and exhaust is provided by a couple of low speed 120mm variable speed fans.
This ensures adequate airflow being drawn over the VRMs at all times.

And, no, regardless of the myths, the rads don't get any dirtier this way than blowing out, they probably stay cleaner since the air going through them is from higher above the floor.

Just an alternative and it is almost silent, and doesn't stress the MB with the weight of a huge HS/fan combo.

 

[TheThirdMan]

How 'bout an alternative?
I run 2 - e5-2687w V1's with a Corsair H110 AIO cooler on each.
No matter what the benchmark or app they have yet to exceed 60c, even after 8hrs of benchmarking.

And I'm not using the noisy (to me anyway) stock fans, but rather one 12" pusher and one 12" puller with the rads sides by side.
The 12"ers are simple 125 cfm @ a constant 600rpm

The 12" push-pulls blow down into the case and exhaust is provided by a couple of low speed 120mm variable speed fans.
This ensures adequate airflow being drawn over the VRMs at all times.

And, no, regardless of the myths, the rads don't get any dirtier this way than blowing out, they probably stay cleaner since the air going through them is from higher above the floor.

Just an alternative and it is almost silent, and doesn't stress the MB with the weight of a huge HS/fan combo.

Thanks for the alternative!

What case have you got that fits two double rads?

I currently have an h80 set up similarly on my 3930k rig. Intake from the top of the case and blow out using the back case fan. A double h80 setup is still on my shortlist..

 

[Micrornd]

I bought the case used off Ebay in 2006, and haven't a clue who made it

However I did find it's brother here -
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/SonofFrankenMac/son_of_frankenmac.html

That's a 18 drive case and mine is a 14, so it is identical, but 2 drives shorter in height. On casters and it is also rackmountable and fits perfectly as I had it in a rack for several years.

Wish I could find several more like it :biggrin:

 

[TheThirdMan]

I bought the case used off Ebay in 2006, and haven't a clue who made it

However I did find it's brother here -
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/SonofFrankenMac/son_of_frankenmac.html

That's a 18 drive case and mine is a 14, so it is identical, but 2 drives shorter in height. On casters and it is also rackmountable and fits perfectly as I had it in a rack for several years.

Wish I could find several more like it :biggrin:

What a beast!! I was looking at something a little smaller...:$

 

[BonzaiDuck]

What a beast!! I was looking at something a little smaller...:$

Funny. Some number of years ago, I tried choosing components for "maximum expansion." I'd heard of people running 10 HDDs, but at most I've used five for a RAID5. But now, I see into the future about what I'd ever need, and we have SSDs and large capacity HDDs. The only relevant consideration is backup. Now I have to wonder if midtower cases are too large, what with ITX and the "mini" cases, like the CM HAF 915.

Even so, I'd guess that water-cooling in a midtower without external rads or reservoirs requires more careful "planning."

 

[aigomorla]

Seeing how u require a pair I assume this is a dual socket xeon?

If u r just looking to quiet it down I +1 the hyper 212 as u won't be able to overclock..

However take care in the airflow of the board as most enterprise setups are built on the assumptions that u have strong static fans blowing across the ecc ram and board chipsets which tower coolers or aio fail to do efficiently.

Ecc ram should be actively cooled especially if they have heat spreaders. Or have the exhaust of a good fan near them.