Is Watercooling worth it?

[Enigma.xL]

I was looking at the prices on watercooling, and it seems to be pretty pricey, around 200 bucks or more as far as I've seen, and for what?? to get a few more MHZ out of your processor? I mean couldn't you just stick that 200 bucks into a better processor and use normal cooling?

[noxipoo]

You can get a setup for under $100 easy. There are more reasons to cool on water than a few MHz and I think you'd even more than that. Noise, geekness, and fun factor are all things I get.

[TheMightyBuck]

for some, it's not about speed, ,it's a hobby. it's like building model airplanes, or souping up your car, or painting.

also, for me, this is a real hobby. i spent 83 dollars on my water cooling setup, and have gained more than 83 dollars worth of speed.

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=294103

look at my post.

[ares350]

I went expensive. but as long as people modify civics to make them fast, i wont feel bad about 330$ to make my computer fast.

[Gulinborsti]

And it's also a matter of noise.

I'm quite sure that a watercooled system can perform with less noise than an air cooled system. At least if you are using latest CPUs and of course if you start overclocking your sys.

I've spent nearly € 500,- on my water cooling only to have a completely quiet PC ;)

[johan851]

I mean couldn't you just stick that 200 bucks into a better processor and use normal cooling?
Whoa there...this is the OVERCLOCKERS Forums. What's that crazy talk? :p

Watercooling may be more worth it to some than others. When you really think about it, why even get brand name memory when something generic will get the job done? You're not going to feel much of a difference. Most of us watercool because it's fun, and it's our hobby. Personally, I think it's worth it. Not because of the extra speed, but because of the fun I have tinkering with it. There's definitely a "cool" factor that goes with it as well.

[ares350]

also, if Im lucky(OCing is luck of the draw somewhat that you get good chips, and good block seating) I can see 4900+-5000+ speeds.

that "should" outperform any chip on the market today, including 64bit chips(atleast untill longhorn and other 64bit programs come along)

so though I dont know if I could have added 300$ to my system; if I had, it still wouldnt be as fast as what I hope to acheive.

[Korndog]

Originally posted by Enigma.xL
I mean couldn't you just stick that 200 bucks into a better processor and use normal cooling?

Well, that is true, but at the same time .. ITS NOT :D
water cooling is an INVESTMENT. yes, an investment. How so? Its quiet simple really. That 200 bucks u put into a processor drops to 20 bucks in 3 years. Yet, the water cooling system that i spend 200 bucks on about 2-3years ago is still worth about a 100 bucks and with 10 bucks for a new mounting gear, i could still use it on a new system. Besides that, my cpu cost me about 100 bucks when i brought it and it out preformed cpus that were 300-400 bucks easy with the extra overclocking. To top it off, it wasn't too expensive (20bucks) to expand my watercooling to my video card which gave me an extra 1000marks on 3dmark2k3. The best part of all, the noise. my hooked up my old cpu fan just for kicks a week ago, and DAMN was it loud compared to what i have now..

yep.. 's good..

[EPirate]

I made a switch and i really love that i did. Comp run at steady temps dont flux too much, even if it gets really hot in the room it still says nice and cool. And it not that expensive at all


Oh and its ALOT more quieter damn tornado fan

[rogerdugans]

On a pure price/performance basis, I would have to say that water cooling is not worth the money.

On a pure noise/performance basis, I would have to say that water cooling is not worth the money.

Adding in the fact that water cooling components hold their usefullness and value better than air cooling stuff....I would still have to say that its a close call at best.

Add all 3 together and water cooling has an edge, as long as you look at the long term: in two years you will still be able to use most of the H2O components in a water cooled system on the newest systems- not likely to be true for an air-cooled heatsink.


I haven't even talked about the pure hobby aspect yet either. :D
I have had many happy hours modding, messing with and being proud of my water cooled systems: what price joy?

[Voodoo Rufus]

To me, H2O is just what other's have said, a hobby. It can be useful (gotta love stable temps and quiet rigs), and can get very good performance for a lot less noise in terms of OCing potential. But it is by no means a cost effective solution depending on how hardcore you are. If you go cheap, you end up with a system that can match the best air cooling and have less noise but still costs 2X a Nado and big chunk of copper, with a lot more complications.

But I still do it for fun. :D

[dvandervelde]

For me - I would $1000 bucks to get rid of that stupid Tornado.

My system is not silent, but it is quite and OCed to by %50. (Mobile Barton 2500 at 2700mhz).