I don’t really care for looks I just want something that has good performance and not trash.
Currently running 14900k using Lian Li Galahad II 360 LCD. Keeps it cool but it’s definitely not a budget AIO.
The Thermalright Frozen Notte 240 and 360mm represent some of the best values in AIO’s out there, otherwise the Thermalright Frost Spirit is a monster for $40:
https://www.amazon.com/Thermalright-Spirit-Cooler-Technology-1500RPM/dp/B0C6CP3FDKI had 2 pump failures in less than 3 months with the frozen Notte 360s. The 2nd failure was the replacement for the first one. I didn’t take a 3rd.
Interesting, I’ve installed at least a half dozen of the 240’s and not one issue so far. Where did you source them from?
Best budget AIO ? Air cooling.
I am using a Noctua NH-U12A with a 14700K. After changing to stock Intel power limits and a mild 0.075 adaptive underclock I get idle temps of 30-33C, gaming temps of 40-45C, and work temps of up to max 66C depending on the application I am using. I expect the results will be very similar with a 13700K. It is a very efficient air cooler. Of course if I was aggressively overlocking I would have to use a decent AIO.
I agree here even though I personally wouldn’t get an air cooler for a 13700k. Nothing wrong with one but just not for me.
14700k @ 265w load in cinebench r23 never breaks 90c and never throttles. this is with a phantom spirit and a contact frame. harder to cool than a 13700k too because of the extra e-cores.
Peerless assassin SE works well for me. Temps never get higher than 85. PL 255 with slight downvolt
EK cr360 on sale for $110
I hate questions like these. Will you plan on running with or without power limits? Just get a decent air cooler if you don’t want the best performance
Arctic Freezer 360 / 420 non RGB
Arctic liquid freezer ii 280/360/420
Deepcool AIO’s are priced pretty great. Along with their air-coolers as well.
Bro get noctua NH d15
Im currently using a deepcool LT520 on a 14600k at 5.8ghz, peaking at 200w in cinebench and this cooler is able to keep it bellow 90C.
The only cons that i see is the fan noise at full speed 3000rpm but you can get a silent AIO like Arctic Liquid Freezer II that performs equally if not better
that’s not fan speed, that’s pump speed. just put a system together with the lt720 yesterday. unless you have a bad mobo or miswired the fans, your AIO fans can be controlled separately from the pump and should run at typical 120mm noise levels. usually you’ll have significant headroom to turn down the fan curve when you’re not all core rendering.
question though - does your lt520 pump produce a quite loud high pitched whine whenever it’s active? mine does, it’s by far the loudest thing in my case when my case fans aren’t on full blast (which is almost never) and it seems like a defect. probably gonna return to amazon and reorder
B-stock/reconditioned Arctic LF II 280/360 from their eBay store. I got one for like 60% of the MSRP price and the unit that I got was pretty much brand new
I’m using a corsair h150 on a 14700k with kryonaut paste and Max temps I’ve seen is 82 degrees. It’s a budget aio
Thermalright Frost Spirit 140
Was in the same boat a few months ago. Ended up going with a Deepcool LT720 AIO because it was the cheapest 360 AIO that was also a really good performer, no rgb and looks pretty clean. Was able to cool around 220W at stock but I decided to get a contact frame, thermalgrizzly paste and some noctua AF12 to replace the stock fans fans. Pulling close to 300W at about 77°C. I’ve heard good things about Artic liquid freezer ii (thicker radiator but quieter vs LT720) and Lian li Galahad 2 Trinity which I think is the best performing AIO atm.
i’m assuming your pump isn’t making an obnoxious loud whine sound whenever it’s active? mine is, i’m considering returning it and rebuying since most of my radiator screws don’t go in properly either
Oh it does at 100%, but usually i’d be playing games, can’t hear the pump over the noise of the game. I adjusted the fan pump curve to only run at about 50% minimum, then ramp up as needed vs cpu temps. No annoying pump whine when doing anything not intensive with at 50%.
As others have said apart from the LianLi option. Arctic Liquid Freezers are your best bet. The radiators themselves are thicker than the others which means they cool better.
Plus the main pump has a little fan on it to keep the VRM’s cooler which in turn extends the life of your motherboard.
Been using them for years.
Although in saying that. I am currently doing an upgrade to a 13600K and MSI Tomahawk motherboard.
But on eBay last week I saw a Cougar Helo 360 which was $209.00 but with my eBay Plus membership only cost me $160.00 and I got free two day delivery. So I thought I might give this a go after reading the reviews on it. Plus you can easily refill the coolant and it actually comes with a bottle of coolant included.
Plus I bought some Cougar Vortex fans to replace the ones that come with it.