Deciding on the Corsair H50

[PCJake]

I'm going to go ahead and order the following parts from Newegg sometime this weekend:

ASUS P6X58D-E
Core i7-930
CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3

I'll be reusing everything else in my current system (in signature). All I need to pick now is a CPU cooler. I will definitely be overclocking, and I hope to get at least 4.0GHz. I like everything about the Corsair H50 from what I've read so far, does anyone here have any problems with it?

 

[MagickMan]

Nope, it's exceeded my expectations.

 

[PCJake]

Nope, it's exceeded my expectations.

It seems like a good solution for someone like me who wants enough cooling to do some overclocking but doesn't want to mess with a full custom water cooling setup just yet.

 

[manimal]

The crux of it is without HT a h50 can dissipate enough heat to survive moderate voltages. With HT it cannot handle the thermal load. I used one on my I7 and it loaded mid 80s at 4.0.

 

[PCJake]

The crux of it is without HT a h50 can dissipate enough heat to survive moderate voltages. With HT it cannot handle the thermal load. I used one on my I7 and it loaded mid 80s at 4.0.

I very much doubt that I would leave HT on. My primary use for my system is gaming.

 

[cbn]

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/corsair-h50.html

Have you read this review yet?

 

[S.K.A]

I wouldn't get the H50. In my opinion, it's kind of expensive for the performance it gives.
I would rather invest in a very good air cooler. They generally perform better.

Try out the Prolimatech Megahalems, Thermalright Venomous X, Noctua NH-D14, Noctua NH-U12P SE2 and the Scythe YASYA.

The Noctuas gets my preferance, because it comes with a good fan that's surely a lot better than the stock Corsair one.

 

[PCJake]

I wouldn't get the H50. In my opinion, it's kind of expensive for the performance it gives.
I would rather invest in a very good air cooler. They generally perform better.

Try out the Prolimatech Megahalems, Thermalright Venomous X, Noctua NH-D14, Noctua NH-U12P SE2 and the Scythe YASYA.

The Noctuas gets my preferance, because it comes with a good fan that's surely a lot better than the stock Corsair one.

OK, I'll check all of these out, thanks.

 

[PCJake]

Alright guys, I like the Noctua NH-U12P SE2 (or the Noctua NH-D14), but I'd be worried that it wouldn't fit on the P6X58D-E board when using Corsair Dominator ram. Would the heat fins on the ram stick up too high?

 

[skinnee]

If you're going to spend $70+ on either of the Noctua's... pay the couple bucks more and experiment with the H50. I was quite happy with the usability and performance of the H50 through testing (review coming very soon).

 

[S.K.A]

If I remember well, you can adjust the height of the fans on the Noctua NH-U12P SE2 and on the NH-D14.

You just have to put the metal retention clips a little higher on the cooler.

Like that, you can easily avoid contact with your memory heatsinks

 

[nitromullet]

I'd personally either go Megahelams + Scythe Gentle Typhoons or get a real water cooling setup.

 

[Mopar63]

I was really skeptical when I got my H50, I mean all the etsting shows a good air cooler can almost match it. However after using it I will not go back to air coolers for my personal builds.

The cooling first and formost is outstanding. My 1090T at 3.8 Ghz nevber goes about 40C no matter what I am doing or how long I am doing it. The fan is virtually silent, I cannot hear anything at all added to the noise level of my PC.

On a second note it is SMALL. I hate trying to squeeze hands around the monster tower heatsinks to get screws in or try to put RAM into slots the heatsinks over. Forget mounting them in case trying to work around them. The case area is wide open...

Interesting side note, I would have thought the various components around the motherboard would have heated up without the CPU fan churning air around them. The reality is very different my heatsink on the Crosshair is actually 3C LOWER using the H50 than using a Xigmatek 1283. Seems the more open area around the motherboard helps with the cooling.

I tested putting the fan for the H50 to intake air and exhaust and I set to exhaust dispite what Corsair said. An enthusiest level case has enough air intake to keep a good supply of cool air flowing. On a Spedo case the difference in temp I saw was around 1C.

 

[PCJake]

Hmm, more votes for the H50. I have to admit, I like the size of it. I'm going to search for some more reviews on it. If anyone else can comment on it, let me know.

 

[nitromullet]

Hmm, more votes for the H50. I have to admit, I like the size of it. I'm going to search for some more reviews on it. If anyone else can comment on it, let me know.

Don't compare thermal characteristics from a 1090T to an i7 at 4.0+ GHz. AT 4+ GHz an i7 generally hits upper 80s to 90s degrees C with an H50 at full load.

IMO, it has to do with the singe 120mm rad. My first water cooling loop was built with an XSPC 120 rad (better than the H50 rad), Enzotech cpu block, and a Swiftech MCP655 pump; and I didn't get very good temps either. After that, I upgraded to a much larger rad and my temps dropped by ~20C.

The H50 is probably great for overclocks in the 3.5-3.8GHz range, but I wouldn't consider it for 4+ GHz. Most i7's require a little but more voltage past 4.0GHz. ...mine does 4.0 @ 1.25v, but needs at least 1.3v for 4.2. Most people running 4+ GHz are somewhere in the 1.2-1.4v range, and I would NOT run a 4+ GHz i7 @ 1.4v on an H50!

 

[PCJake]

Don't compare thermal characteristics from a 1090T to an i7 at 4.0+ GHz. AT 4+ GHz an i7 generally hits upper 80s to 90s degrees C with an H50 at full load.

IMO, it has to do with the singe 120mm rad. My first water cooling loop was built with an XSPC 120 rad (better than the H50 rad), Enzotech cpu block, and a Swiftech MCP655 pump; and I didn't get very good temps either. After that, I upgraded to a much larger rad and my temps dropped by ~20C.

The H50 is probably great for overclocks in the 3.5-3.8GHz range, but I wouldn't consider it for 4+ GHz. Most i7's require a little but more voltage past 4.0GHz. ...mine does 4.0 @ 1.25v, but needs at least 1.3v for 4.2. Most people running 4+ GHz are somewhere in the 1.2-1.4v range, and I would NOT run a 4+ GHz i7 @ 1.4v on an H50!

So what would you recommend? A full water cooling setup? How much would it cost to build one that outperforms the H50?

 

[deimos3428]

The cooling first and formost is outstanding. My 1090T at 3.8 Ghz nevber goes about 40C no matter what I am doing or how long I am doing it. The fan is virtually silent, I cannot hear anything at all added to the noise level of my PC.

I agree with you on the performance, etc., but you must have received a different fan than I did! At stock speeds, the included Corsair fan is quite loud and while the pump is quiet, it emits a buzzing sound at a very annoying frequency. (I lowered the RPM on both and raised the speed of some of the soothing case fans to cover up the pump's buzz.)

 

[nitromullet]

So what would you recommend? A full water cooling setup? How much would it cost to build one that outperforms the H50?

Any real water cooling setup with at least a 120x2 radiator.

Here are some component ideas for a lower cost water cooling setup:

Watercool HEATKILLER® CPU Rev3.0 1366 LT $59.95

Enzotech SCW-REV.A CPU Waterblock $35

Swiftech MCRES Micro Revision 2 reservoir $22.95

Swiftech MCP655-B Pump $66.95

XSPC RX240 - Dual 120mm high performance radiator $73.95

Swiftech MCR220-QP Liquid Cooler Radiator $45

...factor in around $30-50 for tubing, fittings, and miscellaneous accessories...

These are just different ideas, so don't take them as set in stone recommendations. You can also skip the reservoir if you want, but it will take a lot more time to bleed your loop. ...like 10 hours vs. 30 mins (seriously), so it is recommended.

You could also just pick up the components in a kit:

Swiftech H20-22-Ultima-XT Liquid Cooling Kit $239.95

or a rad/pump/res combo (just add tubing and a cpu block):

Swiftech MCR220-DRIVE - Pump Included
$171.95.

you have a lot of options.

...just understand that water cooling is not a value proposition from either a money or time perspective. You have to want to do it. That's why I recommend either a top end air cooler or a real water cooling system. Something like an H50 just introduces water into a system that still only performs as well as a top end air cooler, so I personally don't see the benefit.

 

[aigomorla]

to be honest i dont really consider the H5O a true water setup because its a preboxed and sealed unit.

I would go with an air sink unless your willing to play with the H5O a bit.
And if your willing to play with the H5O your better off spending that on a custom water setup.

A lot of people will say its a good unit, others will say its OK.
But if ur getting the unit to learn h2o.. its not going to help since once again.. its a completely sealed unit, and doesnt offer any upgrade options minus rad upgrade.

But looking at ruby's results with an ice bucket and water... its not the rad thats limited.. its the drive block.

 

[Skott]

For my SFF case the H50 works and runs beautifully. I love it. Would I use it in a large case? Sure but its dependent on what I wanted to do with it. If I wanted to get the most out of overclocking I'd probably get a hsf that can best the H50. They do exist. The H50 is about on par with the V8 supposedly but a slightly bit better.

 

[nitromullet]

But looking at ruby's results with an ice bucket and water... its not the rad thats limited.. its the drive block.

How do you figure? She made the rad more effective, and the temps dropped significantly? Do you think you could run a different block/pump off of that dinky rad and see a ~20C improvement like she did by submerging the rad in ice water?

 

[Schmide]

Credit sexybastard.

i7 920 4.2ghz 1.328v H50 mod with a dual rad. Temps went from 74-79c to 64c-71c. So the block is hardly a limiting factor.

http://www.overclock.net/water-cooling/629298-mod-corsair-h50-240mm-radiator-3.html

(before)

(after)

 

[PCJake]

Any real water cooling setup with at least a 120x2 radiator.

Here are some component ideas for a lower cost water cooling setup:

Watercool HEATKILLER® CPU Rev3.0 1366 LT $59.95

Enzotech SCW-REV.A CPU Waterblock $35

Swiftech MCRES Micro Revision 2 reservoir $22.95

Swiftech MCP655-B Pump $66.95

XSPC RX240 - Dual 120mm high performance radiator $73.95

Swiftech MCR220-QP Liquid Cooler Radiator $45

...factor in around $30-50 for tubing, fittings, and miscellaneous accessories...

These are just different ideas, so don't take them as set in stone recommendations. You can also skip the reservoir if you want, but it will take a lot more time to bleed your loop. ...like 10 hours vs. 30 mins (seriously), so it is recommended.

You could also just pick up the components in a kit:

Swiftech H20-22-Ultima-XT Liquid Cooling Kit $239.95

or a rad/pump/res combo (just add tubing and a cpu block):

Swiftech MCR220-DRIVE - Pump Included
$171.95.

you have a lot of options.

...just understand that water cooling is not a value proposition from either a money or time perspective. You have to want to do it. That's why I recommend either a top end air cooler or a real water cooling system. Something like an H50 just introduces water into a system that still only performs as well as a top end air cooler, so I personally don't see the benefit.

Well, I have to thank you, you have helped me decide not to go with water cooling. I'm just not ready for it.

BUT: I still have to decide on which cooler to get. You said the following:

Something like an H50 just introduces water into a system that still only performs as well as a top end air cooler, so I personally don't see the benefit.

I understand where you're coming from on this, but wouldn't the fact that it's quite a bit smaller than the high-end air coolers be a benefit? There are a couple of HSFs that I really like, but many of them seem so big that I'd worry about them coming in contact with the fins on the Corsair Dominator RAM when placed on the P6X58D-E board.

 

[CitanUzuki]

get the thermalright venemous X if you are worried about ram space. Not only is it one of the best coolers on the market, it is not super wide like some coolers and won't block any ram slots. Check [H] review of the H50, its not recommended and does not cool as well as similarly priced air cooler especially when over-clocking. Maybe if you use a push-pull configuration you can get the performance of a decent air cooler.

 

[cbn]

If you're going to spend $70+ on either of the Noctua's... pay the couple bucks more and experiment with the H50. I was quite happy with the usability and performance of the H50 through testing (review coming very soon).

Thanks for all the experiments you do to keep us informed.