AIO 240 or 280

fightingfi

fightingfi

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so plan on going amd 5900x soon , is there much difference besides the size of the fans besides the 120 vs 140 and do i need a push pull config or just the 2 fans included? If i go 280 i can use my noctua 140's i assume instead of the stock ones would that be better? Also its in a cooler master H500 case with the rad in place at top of the case would the fans hit my ram or block it from being installed?
 
240mm radiator has 288 sq cm heat transfer area and about 28mm thick
280mm radiator has 392sq cm heat transfer area and about 28mm thick.
280mm rad is about 36% bigger.
Which one do you think will cool better?
 
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Honestly not sure cooler master seems ok its about 54 bucks for the 240 aio im using an enermax 120 never had issues maybe one of there 240's? im Open to suggestions and good reviews would like it under 100 bucks which wont be possible with a 280 i know
 
I know AMD supposedly recommends a 280 for a lot of the 9 series but i am running a 3950x with a liquid freezer 240 (version 1) and my temps are usually mid 60's with all core load. Granted it is a thick radiator, but I feel you could probably run a 5800x 5900x/5960x just fine with an average 240 as long as you are running stock clocks.
 
heres what i have and its specs,

Enermax LIQMAX II 120mm High Performance Intel/AMD Liquid CPU Cooler, ELC-LMR120S-BS​


BrandEnermax
Cooling TypeWater
Compatible DevicesIntel, AMD
Noise Level 30 dB
MaterialAluminum; rubber; copper
Maximum Rotational Speed 2000 RPM

About this item​

  • Compatible Socket: Intel LGA 775/1150/1151/1155/1156/1366/2011/2066, AMD AM2/AM2+/AM3/AM3+/AM4/FM1/FM2/FM2+. Air flow - 96 CFM. Noise level - 30.0 decibels
  • ‧User-friendly remote control for easy lighting adjustment
  • 200W+ TDP cooling capacity and ‧Compact side flow air cooler for superb RAM compatibility
  • VGF (Vortex Generator Flow) increases air convection in-between the fins and HDT (Heat-pipe Direct Touch) improves thermal conductivity
 
280. Get Arctic Freezer 2 if you don’t want RGB
Otherwise get EK AIO.
If both are not available buy Corsair.
 
So if saving some money is your primary goal here I would personally give the cooler you have a try. The rated TDP sounds fine and i can't imagine its any worse than say the wraith prism that comes with a 3900x.
This article compares a 360 AIO to the Wraith Prism on a 3900x and gives you a good idea of the temperature differences and boost behavior you will see along with how much performance gains ( a 4 heatpipe air cooler should be fairly similar to a good 120 AIO). Yes you will have to extrapolate a bit for 5900x, but the thermal load should be similar: https://www.techspot.com/review/1875-ryzen-3900x-wraith-prism-rgb-vs-liquid-cooler/

My biggest concern running the cooler you have is what kind of fan RPM would you need to stay mid 80's 2000RPM would bother me but ymmv.
 
I like the 280mm option - biggest knock against it for me would be future case compatibility. I was looking at switching to a new case and was surprised at how many cases do not support a 280mm radiator in the top (front mount had a lot of support, mind you). 240mm compatibility was much more common.
 
I have a 5950x on a 240mm AIO and it keeps it at 60C under a load with PBO disabled with 142W PPT in Ryzen Master. With PBO enabled it was at 72-75C depending on the load. This was in a mITX case (NR200). I was toying with the idea of moving to a 280mm, but I don't really need it.
 
280's better if it fits. 240 will be fine if fitting a 280 gives you a headache. Sometimes a 360 is easier to top mount than a 280. 140mm wide AIOs are more likely to crash into the mainboard or power connectors. A 360 isn't any wider than a 120 or 240, but it's longer so it tends to not work with an optical drive in the usual spot at the top of the case. Even a 120mm AIO should be enough at stock, but bigger is better.
 
360 you have to check figment if you’re a tubes down stickler.
280 tends to be easier to install however you like.

240 hands down easiest install in the largest cross section of cases.
I’d be focusing on a tubes up or top mount running 8c+ & planning on dumping it at the end of 3 years.
Fan noise might be a bit much.

Anything super deep like a fractal R4/5/6 or phanteks enthoo front intake install can be a stretch.
 
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