Help with Corsair H50 Watercooler

[YarwoodUK]

I am looking to buy the Corsair H50 Watercooling kit for my Intel i7 920 (currently OC'd to 3GHz with stock cooler), but I've got a few things on my mind..

Where in the case can/will the radiator go?

Also, I've watched a review on youtube one of the comments said something about: "The reviewer failed to mention you would have to fill the reservoir because the water/coolant goes stagnant".. Will I need to refill the reservoir after time, if so, how long & what with?

Lastly, does it include thermal paste in the box? If not, any recommendations please?

[Joeteck]

It should fit in the back where your current 120mm fan is....if you have one... If not, not the cooler for you.

[YarwoodUK]

Alright, so it should fit in the Thermaltake Armor+ at the rear then?

I've also heard that you can have a fan on either side, is this effective?

[antipesto93]

it will fit on the back of the thermaltake armor.

[Jolly-Swagman]

Alright, so it should fit in the Thermaltake Armor+ at the rear then?

I've also heard that you can have a fan on either side, is this effective?

Yes push / pull configuration is very effective!

[YarwoodUK]

Thanks for the replies, but how about

Also, I've watched a review on youtube one of the comments said something about: "The reviewer failed to mention you would have to fill the reservoir because the water/coolant goes stagnant".. Will I need to refill the reservoir after time, if so, how long & what with?

Lastly, does it include thermal paste in the box? If not, any recommendations please?

[Hey Zeus]

Thanks for the replies, but how about

It's sealed so no filling

[tinymouse2]

It's fully sealed so no filling like Hey Zeus said. It'll mount fine. Highly reccomend

[EarthDog]

Its no better than good air coolers really and twice the cost of some. Its not a BAD product per say, but not very cost effective.

If you are going to go water, go custom. Otherwise, go high end air for $20 less and 100% less worries and possibly better performance.

[Gotts]

It might not be cost effective, but I would rather pay the little extra for the design. If it means not having a 3lb brick hanging off my motherboard, I am all for it.

[Ben333]

YarwoodUK, remove that ebay link from your sig and please read the forum rules.

[Boulard83]

Its no better than good air coolers really and twice the cost of some. Its not a BAD product per say, but not very cost effective.

If you are going to go water, go custom. Otherwise, go high end air for $20 less and 100% less worries and possibly better performance.

+1

[EarthDog]

It might not be cost effective, but I would rather pay the little extra for the design. If it means not having a 3lb brick hanging off my motherboard, I am all for it.OH, so you would rather chance water getting on your components than a heatsink with a bracket made specifically to hold that weight?

To each their own! :)

[Joeteck]

OH, so you would rather chance water getting on your components than a heatsink with a bracket made specifically to hold that weight?

To each their own! :)


Preach this to the water cooling gurus..... lol

[EarthDog]

My choice isnt between a frightningly mediocre h20 kit, and a misplaced worry about an air cooler. Roflmao!!

I made that choice (looks at sig and $300+ worth of h20 equipment that cools WAY better than any air cooler..!)

[Boulard83]

Im 100% with earthdog.

If you dont have 200$ ++ to spend on a WC, get a GOOD air cooling for the same price vs this H50. Im not telling the H50 is bad, but youll have similar performance for a lil less $ and Nothing to worry about other than having fans spinning on this heatsink.

[Joeteck]

Im 100% with earthdog.

If you dont have 200$ ++ to spend on a WC, get a GOOD air cooling for the same price vs this H50. Im not telling the H50 is bad, but youll have similar performance for a lil less $ and Nothing to worry about other than having fans spinning on this heatsink.

However, the H50 is far easier to install than the Hyper 212+..

Many people rave about it...What is so bad?

[EarthDog]

Its price for performance, like I said. Those that cheer about it likely dont care about price to performance or havent seen a real w/c loop. And the failed logic (to me) in a concern over the weight of a heat sink with a back plate vs the possibility of a water leak or the pump taking a dump. Both issues are not exactly common, but come in to play with the use of a water system.


EDIT: If I was going to pay $80, Id rather have the Prolimatech Megalehems (or however its spelled) which cools MUCH better than even a push pull H50, please correct me if I am wrong.

Didnt we go over this in the thread you started on this Joe??
http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=624285

(your white stars are gone? You change something?)

[tinymouse2]

What about volume though? I don't actually know the volume levels for the h5o (I'm assuming it's about the fans you use but it could be a lot quieter than air cooling. Not saying it's quieter but it might be.

Hopefully someone will say if it's quieter or not. As long as I can't hear my compy while I'm gaming I don't mind about volume. If you have a loud CPU cooler and you can't get quieter then the H5O might be for you.

Might be bad grammer ^ It's half midnight >.>

[EarthDog]

Pump + 1(or two) fans

OR

1 or two fans.

I havent owned or heard one, but the pump may be a non issue (I cant hear my pump at all on 3). Still, fans are fans and are up to the user how quiet/loud they may be.

EDIT: But let me say of course that this is my opinion on this subject though at least a few others share it. If its his choice, its not going to perform poorly for him. There are just better/on par, cheaper air coolers. And maybe like Joe suggested, he doesnt want to take his mobo out to put a back plate on there but instead may prefer to just screw 8 screws in. It is an easier install I would think.

[tinymouse2]

Well for performance to loudness? Say you had to have fans on 100% for a CPU say at 3.0GHz. For the same CPU with the H5O would you still need 100% on the fan(s) to keep it as cool?

[Joeteck]

Its price for performance, like I said. Those that cheer about it likely dont care about price to performance or havent seen a real w/c loop. And the failed logic (to me) in a concern over the weight of a heat sink with a back plate vs the possibility of a water leak or the pump taking a dump. Both issues are not exactly common, but come in to play with the use of a water system.


EDIT: If I was going to pay $80, Id rather have the Prolimatech Megalehems (or however its spelled) which cools MUCH better than even a push pull H50, please correct me if I am wrong.

Didnt we go over this in the thread you started on this Joe??
http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=624285

(your white stars are gone? You change something?)

Yeah, I know.... lol... still looks good in some aspects...

[EarthDog]

Well for performance to loudness? Say you had to have fans on 100% for a CPU say at 3.0GHz. For the same CPU with the H5O would you still need 100% on the fan(s) to keep it as cool?Its a small rad cooling a warm chip. Most will tell you in the custom world a minimum of 2x120 rad is needed for JUST the i7 920 at 4Ghz with HT. That is to get superior temps than that of an air cooler.

To answer the question, no idea. I just heard push/pull is the wtg on that thing and most (sane) people dont have their fans at 100% anyway. I never did at least when I was on air, and sure as heck dont under water. This system is SILENT the way it is...(3 120mm fans + 3 140mm)

Yeah, I know.... lol... still looks good in some aspects...It is easy on the eyes... and seriously, to each their own (see my edit on that post)

Your white stars are back! :bday:

[tinymouse2]

Ah so basically it's purely for aesthetic purposes then. I was considering buying one =P Glad I'm not going to make the mistake now :)

+1 as usual to EarthDog =D

[sweefu]

H50's pump is pretty quiet, though it gets mega mega hot. Also, it wont be any quieter because it has pump + 2 fans for push pull, i think you would get better with a top air cooler.

Just my 2 cents
Cheers.

[Joeteck]

Earth,

I have achieved the 4.2Ghz I wanted to hit, on air... with the Hyper 212+, so I can't argue there...

[EarthDog]

Ah so basically it's purely for aesthetic purposes then. I was considering buying one =P Glad I'm not going to make the mistake now :)

+1 as usual to EarthDog =Dnaaa, it works, there is just better (air) for the money.
____________

Go large (custom), or dont come at all in the w/c world is my motto. I hoped we helped the OP! :)

Congrats! Solid clocks Joe!

[YarwoodUK]

Thanks for the many replies, but due to the small variety of 1366 coolers at my local PC shop (they only have 6 altogether..) it's down to:

CoolerMaster V8 - http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=HFC-V8
or
Corsair H50 - http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=HWC-H501

Noise isn't a problem for me to be honest. It's just performance I'm looking for, but like I said it's between those 2 due to limited variety at my local pc shop.

[onefstsnake]

Im using the H50 on my i7 920. Works great, keeps things cool, isnt an eyesore. (IMO)

At 3.8ghz Im getting ~63*c max across the cores at 100% load. (HT Enabled)
Dont get me wrong air coolers will be more reliable, but Corsair seems to stand behind their products quite well.

A quick pic.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b130/onefstsnake2/pc/DSC_0094.jpg

Just my .02 cents

[iAmCodeMonkey]

If you are going to go water, go custom.

+1...

Even though I am now (temporarily) using the H50 on my Phenom II, I totally agree with this statement.

Man, I am going to LOVE a custom CPU + 2 GPU loop in my Omen, considering how much quieter my system is already, even with the noob-friendly H50 :)

[deadlysyn]

Let us not forget the heat dump from the pump sitting right on top of the CPU. I don't think it really affects temps that much, but it is still there. There is a reason most custom water setups go res>pump>rad>CPU>GPU>res. There is also the vibration of the pump, which is something that has been brought up with the Swiftech Drive pump/block combo. I don't know how much the vibration affects anything, aside from the screws holding the parts together, but I have read about it being an issue. Also, if the pump fails, the cooler is dead, if it springs a leak, it is worthless. I would much rather be able to replace a block, piece of tubing, pump, res, or whatever the problem is, than to have $85 (last price I remember for the H50) go down the drain because of one small failure.

[YarwoodUK]

I ended up getting the Noctua SE2 Dual-Fan CPU Cooler instead of Corsair H50 / CoolerMaster because they were both out of stock..

[deadlysyn]

I think you will be very satisfied with your choice. Noctua coolers are known for being quiet, as well as good performers.

[YarwoodUK]

Yea seems pretty quiet, it's already dropped my load temps by 30'c, and the extra air circulation has also dropped my GPU temps by 10'c on a "demanding" game.