120.1 Custom Loop vs Corsair H70

[PriceMatch]

I mentioned this in another thread in the "New Builds" category, but I think I'll get a better response here...

How do you think a custom 120.1 loop would compare to the Corsair H70? I would imagine there would be performance increases, but to what extent? (CPU Only Loop)

Loop Build:

CPU Block: EK Supreme HF
NCIX.com - Buy Ek Water Block EK-SUPREME Hf Acetal LGA1366/LGA1156/AM3 CPU Water Block G1/4 - 3830046990198 In Canada.

Radiator: TA120.1 Thermochill Radiator
NCIX.com - Buy Thermochill TA120.1 Single 120MM Fan High Performance Water Cooling RADIATOR-15MM Spacing *No Barbs* - TA120.1 In Canada.

Reservoir: XSPC Bay Reservoir Pump
XSPC - Performance PC Cooling

Tubing: Primochill PrimoFlex
NCIX.com - Buy Primochill Primoflex Pro LRT UV Blue 1/2IN ID 3/4IN OD Tubing (10 Feet) - PFLEXP10-34-B In Canada.

Fans: ??? The best fans out there, price is not an issue. Two for push/pull configuration.

So, the total is going to be $250+. That's more than $150 on top of the H70's price tag. I know that bang for the buck the H70 is a better choice. Nonetheless, I'd rather pay a premium for a custom wc loop if there is a reasonable amount of performance gains...

Thoughts?

[Jackquelegs]

That loop would eat the H70 alive

[matsta31]

There will be prerformance gain. But why are you limiting yourself to a 120.1 ? And that thermochill is sooo expensive.

Think about his :
Slim Single 120mm Radiator XSPC RS120 Slim Single 120mm Radiator XSPC RS120 [RS120] - $39.99 : DazMode, Canadian PC Water Cooling and Modding Store

Yes there will be a decrease in cooling capacity, but fior 60 $ less, I would go with it.

also, the advantage of the custom loop is an easier time when you want to modify/upgade it.

Finally for the how much, depends on where you push your OC. But most fo the time the limit with be voltage with custom watercooling.

[sswilson]

I'm guessing that space is at a premium, hence the 120.1? If space is at a premium, and you can't fit a 120.2, would you be able to fit 2X 120.1?

I suspect you'll see better performance with the custom, and also have the benefit of being able to upgrade to a larger rad for a substantial boost in cooling performance.

[lowfat]

Originally Posted by sswilson

I suspect you'll see better performance with the custom, and also have the benefit of being able to upgrade to a larger rad for a substantial boost in cooling performance.

This is the reason I would go w/ separate components over the H70.

[matsta31]

I also wanted to add, you can drop the price of your loop by being patient and buying used parts on this forum. If you ever do decide to go custom, PM me, I got stuff I wanted to put on the FS thread, but never actually to the time to to do it.

[AmuseMe]

How about a pump? A custom loop will be so much better, and more fun to make But it's definitly going to get more expensive.

[matsta31]

The pump is integrated in the radiator he linked. But I do agree., I would go with a separate pump, more options that way.

[AmuseMe]

He linked a ThermoChill TA series I didn't know that XSPC had a bay res with a small pump like that - neato.

[PriceMatch]

Originally Posted by matsta31

There will be prerformance gain. But why are you limiting yourself to a 120.1 ? And that thermochill is sooo expensive.

Think about his :
Slim Single 120mm Radiator XSPC RS120 Slim Single 120mm Radiator XSPC RS120 [RS120] - $39.99 : DazMode, Canadian PC Water Cooling and Modding Store

Yes there will be a decrease in cooling capacity, but fior 60 $ less, I would go with it.

also, the advantage of the custom loop is an easier time when you want to modify/upgade it.

Finally for the how much, depends on where you push your OC. But most fo the time the limit with be voltage with custom watercooling.

You are absolutely correct. Technically I have room for a 240 radiator, but realistically I only have room for a 120.1.

I plan to build a rig like this: (FT02)


As you can see, there's room for a 240 (even a 360) but it would definitely affect the temperature of the dual sli GTX580 if I mount a rad down at the bottom above the 180mm fans. BTW I don't want to be mounting anything externally...