Asetek LCLC or Corsair H50 for i7 860...

[Sandro_Bit]

Wondering if it would be worth it to get either the Corsair H50 or the Asetek LCLC liquid coolers for my new i7 860 build versus getting a high priced heat sink?

NCIX.com - Buy Corsair Cooling Hydro Series H50 CWCH50 High Performance CPU Cooler System LGA775 LGA1366 120MM - CWCH50 In Canada.

NCIX.com - Buy Asetek LCLC PRE-FILLED Liquid Cooling System CPU Block Pump 240MM Radiator No Mounting Hardware - 35-101-1012200 In Canada.

is it even worth getting one of these liquid coolers or should i just opt for an air cooling solution? thanks!

[martin_metal_88]

Seriously, I own them both and it was a great waste of money:) for the price get a Prolimatech MegaHalems and two great Gelid noctua or scythe fan setting in push pull and you are in what we call business. The only real great point I have found using them is that they give me alot of place for playing around my CPU. Nothing more.

NCIX.com - Buy Prolimatech Megahalems Heatpipe Cooler LGA775 LGA1366 Heatsink *Fan Not Included - MEGAHALEMS In Canada.

Ask for more.

[Dazmode]

Vote no for both.

[Eldonko]

I vote no for both as well. Either get a proper H20 setup or just grab a decent air cooler.

[Sandro_Bit]

lol thanks for the input guys i was unsure on what to go for :)

[lsquare]

Would you guys say that the Corsair H50 is still not worth getting and that I should get something like the Thermalright True 120?

[gingerbee]

if your going to go water the only way is to build it your self these are crap just get a good air cooler. martin metal said it best if you like more room over cooling ha ha

[Deviant]

Where does one get Megahalems in Canada? NCIX doesn't seem to carry it any further.

[AkG]

A good air cooler like the Prolima Mega (IIRC Tigerdirect has em in stock), Noctua D14, Titan Fenrir, TRUE, Zalman Flex or damn near any of the other big boys will eat the H50's lunch.

Hell, If I was going to blow big bucks on a cooler...I'd either get a D14 and three Yate Loons (or CM Blademasters), or a Zalman Flex and two yate loon's (and pocket the change from the dif in price between the flex and D14).

YMMV

[zc1]

I had a Corsair H50 and swapped it for a Noctua NH-D14. Here are my results (prime 95 testing), cross-posted from another forum:

*FAIL = at least 1 core temp reached 71C so test was stopped
*Max performance of H50 stock indicated in RED
*Max performance of D14 stock indicated in BLUE
*The included thermal compound was used in both cases (pre-applied cpd for H50 and Noctua cpd for D14)

3.4 GHz (378*9)
1. H50, Stock Corsair Fan, Push-Push ==> Idle 44C; Peak 69C
2. H50, Stock Corsair Fan, Push-Pull ==> Idle 38C; Peak 66C
3. H50, 110CFM Scythe Fan, Push-Pull ==> Idle 37C; Peak 62C; LOUD
4. Noctua NH-D14, Stock (Push-Pull) ==> Idle 38C; Peak 60C
*At this clock, stock D14 cooled significantly better than did stock H50 (temp difference of 9C)

3.5 GHz (389*9)
1. H50, Stock Corsair Fan, Push-Push ==> NOT TESTED
2. H50, Stock Corsair Fan, Push-Pull ==> FAIL
3. H50, 110CFM Scythe Fan, Push-Pull ==> Idle 39C; Peak 68C; LOUD
4. Noctua NH-D14, Stock (Push-Pull) ==> Idle 38C; Peak 63C

3.57 GHz (397*9)
1. H50, Stock Corsair Fan, Push-Push ==> NOT TESTED
2. H50, Stock Corsair Fan, Push-Pull ==> NOT TESTED (nb: failed at 3.5 GHz)
3. H50, 110CFM Scythe Fan, Push-Pull ==> FAIL
4. Noctua NH-D14, Stock (Push-Pull) ==> Idle 40C; Peak 68C
5. Noctua NH-D14, 2x CM R4 Fans (Push-Pull) ==> Idle 40C; Peak 66C
6. Noctua NH-D14, 3x CM R4 Fans (Push-Pull) ==> Idle 42C; Peak 65C

3.58 GHz (398*9)
4. Noctua NH-D14, Stock (Push-Pull) ==> FAIL
6. Noctua NH-D14, 3x CM R4 Fans (Push-Pull) ==> Idle 43C; Peak 66C

3.60 GHz (400*9)
6. Noctua NH-D14, 3x CM R4 Fans (Push-Pull) ==> Idle 43C; Peak 67C


In my system, the D14 outperformed the H50 stock vs stock as well as stock D14 vs H50 w/ upgraded fan. The Noctua performed well and was QUIET. The only speed at which the two systems could be compared in stock form was 3.4 GHz, where the D14 outperformed the H50 by 9C.

Max Vcore was 1.47V. My goals were to keep vcore below 1.5V and core temps below 71C.

The price difference between the stock D14 and stock H50 was $10. The one extra fan for the H50 cost $9 and the three CM fans for the D14 cost a total of $15. Given the performance in *my* system, I would go with the Noctua right off the bat if I had the chance to do it all over again. It's not as good-looking, but it works very well and provides that performance quietly.