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MightyBobo · 01-05-2012, 10:48 AM

Also, a mini-review of sorts, on my new Corsair H80 cooler.

So I kept building systems that seemed to have issues in one way, shape, or form. Perfect example: when I spec-ed out my system a couple years ago (i7 920), I specifically got that processor because of how much bang-to-buck ratio there was after overclocking. Most of the other i7's of its generation were the same core, just a higher stock clock speed, so for its time, the 920 was equal to the i7 2600K of now. So I went out of my way to get a nicer case from Thermaltake w/ liquid cooling built in, and I figured all would be well.

Wrong.

The stock Thermaltake cooling system was TERRIBLE for some reason. To this day, I still dont know what was so bad about it. When I yanked it out, it honestly looked like the same cooling radiator as my H80. I can only assume that for some reason, my pump wasnt working properly, or the block wasnt sitting on the processor correctly. However, all my cores were around the same temperature, so I can only assume that wasnt quite the case...

Anyway, so I had to compromise and instead of having my proc running at 4.0+ like it should have been, I was crawling along w/ a slow 2.66 quad core. Sure, with 460 GTX's SLi-ed, its still more than enough for most any game, but it still felt like I was compromising like usual instead of fixing the problem. So I finally said "screw it", and bought the new H80.

Wow, talk about a great setup. Instead of idling at 50-55C at the STOCK clock of 2.66, I was idling at ~30-35C OVERCLOCKED at 4.0. Full load, Im peaking around mid-60's or so. No instability at all - the extra money I spent on good RAM years ago paid off, and the system is rock-solid, and I feel like I breathed a lot of new life into my system for a cool $90.

Nay-sayers will whine about how its a dedicated CPU-cooler and you cant expand the liquid cooling to any other components. I am not going for a system like GTLAW's. Nothing against him, great build and all, but as everyone knows the dollar/performance ratio is EXTREMELY low for a system like that. I prefer to stick to the higher-than-mainstream, but not bat-****-crazy-expensive setups. Something that air-cooling alone could really handle, but liquid cooling to the CPU gives that extra peace of mind.

So in closing, the Corsair setup is a really nice product. I dont think I'd recommend the H100, as the cooling block for that requires some serious case real estate. The H80 will use a standard 120MM fan slot (although I did have to bend a support bracket in my case due to the power supply being immediately above it), and was super-simple to put in. If you are ok w/ just your CPU being liquid cooled? Dont even hesitate.

01-05-2012, 10:48 AM	#93 (permalink)
MightyBobo A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 8,465 Drives: No cars; only bikes Rep Power: 52	Also, a mini-review of sorts, on my new Corsair H80 cooler. So I kept building systems that seemed to have issues in one way, shape, or form. Perfect example: when I spec-ed out my system a couple years ago (i7 920), I specifically got that processor because of how much bang-to-buck ratio there was after overclocking. Most of the other i7's of its generation were the same core, just a higher stock clock speed, so for its time, the 920 was equal to the i7 2600K of now. So I went out of my way to get a nicer case from Thermaltake w/ liquid cooling built in, and I figured all would be well. Wrong. The stock Thermaltake cooling system was TERRIBLE for some reason. To this day, I still dont know what was so bad about it. When I yanked it out, it honestly looked like the same cooling radiator as my H80. I can only assume that for some reason, my pump wasnt working properly, or the block wasnt sitting on the processor correctly. However, all my cores were around the same temperature, so I can only assume that wasnt quite the case... Anyway, so I had to compromise and instead of having my proc running at 4.0+ like it should have been, I was crawling along w/ a slow 2.66 quad core. Sure, with 460 GTX's SLi-ed, its still more than enough for most any game, but it still felt like I was compromising like usual instead of fixing the problem. So I finally said "screw it", and bought the new H80. Wow, talk about a great setup. Instead of idling at 50-55C at the STOCK clock of 2.66, I was idling at ~30-35C OVERCLOCKED at 4.0. Full load, Im peaking around mid-60's or so. No instability at all - the extra money I spent on good RAM years ago paid off, and the system is rock-solid, and I feel like I breathed a lot of new life into my system for a cool $90. Nay-sayers will whine about how its a dedicated CPU-cooler and you cant expand the liquid cooling to any other components. I am not going for a system like GTLAW's. Nothing against him, great build and all, but as everyone knows the dollar/performance ratio is EXTREMELY low for a system like that. I prefer to stick to the higher-than-mainstream, but not bat-****-crazy-expensive setups. Something that air-cooling alone could really handle, but liquid cooling to the CPU gives that extra peace of mind. So in closing, the Corsair setup is a really nice product. I dont think I'd recommend the H100, as the cooling block for that requires some serious case real estate. The H80 will use a standard 120MM fan slot (although I did have to bend a support bracket in my case due to the power supply being immediately above it), and was super-simple to put in. If you are ok w/ just your CPU being liquid cooled? Dont even hesitate. __________________ I don't own a car anymore.