H115i Fan upgrade + Push/Pull results

[TahoeDust]

I recently upgraded my first gen Corsair H100 to a new H115i. Originally unhappy with the noise level of my H100 I replaced them with 4 Gentle Typhoon AP-15s. This was a killer quite setup. I moved into a new case and had room for a 280mm so I decided to see how the H115i did. In stock form, with the two Corsair SP140L PWM fans, the H115i was MUCH louder than my H100 with the GT AP-15s. Howver, it did almost match the performance of the upgraded push/pull H100. After an hour running my 2700k @ 4.9GHz in Prime95 "small fft" it held it to 84* max temp. The H100 holds it to 83*. Wanting to quite the H115i I ordered 4 Noiseblocker eLoop B14-PS PWM fans. They are 29mm thick compared to the usual 25mm. This ment I needed longer mounting crews, that were kind of a pain to find in black. With the new fans mounted on the H115i, it was much quiter. I don't think it it quite as quiet as the FT AP-15s on the H100, but close. However, it did perform 5* better. It held my CPU to 78*. The ability to control the system by software is also a nice upgrade. Overall, I'm very happy.

Plus it just looks pretty beastly...

 

[doyll]

Looks nice!
I have to ask, why did you go with H115i and added cost of new fans when you could have used something like the H280 X2 or X2 Prestige at lower cost, better cooler and low noise levels out of the box? No offense indended, just trying to understand the use of factory sealed CLC with aluminum radiator rather than a component system with copper radiator, better pump, fittings and hoses that can be cut to length and pump that can be replaced if it every wears out.

Also interested in your thoughts about Evolv ATX. I really like mine.

 

[TahoeDust]

Looks nice!
I have to ask, why did you go with H115i and added cost of new fans when you could have used something like the H280 X2 or X2 Prestige at lower cost, better cooler and low noise levels out of the box? No offense indended, just trying to understand the use of factory sealed CLC with aluminum radiator rather than a component system with copper radiator, better pump, fittings and hoses that can be cut to length and pump that can be replaced if it every wears out.

Also interested in your thoughts about Evolv ATX. I really like mine.

I looked at the H280 X2 Prestige, but honestly some of the reviews I read scared me. I saw too many instances of leaks. My H100 was simple and rock solid for 5 years, so I figured i would stay with what I know. Maybe I will pick one up in the future to play with. Have you ever used one?

I love the Evolve ATX so far. Super high quality. Only case that even comes close is my Corsair 650D.

 

[doyll]

I looked at the H280 X2 Prestige, but honestly some of the reviews I read scared me. I saw too many instances of leaks. My H100 was simple and rock solid for 5 years, so I figured i would stay with what I know. Maybe I will pick one up in the future to play with. Have you ever used one?

I love the Evolve ATX so far. Super high quality. Only case that even comes close is my Corsair 650D.

I haven't used one myself, but know a few who have and love them. There were a few leaks in the first release, but not many in later ones that I know of. Only H2O I'm using is be quiet! Silent Loop 280mm and I love it. I also have 4 other systems on air here and have tested / used a fair few CLCs and lots of air coolers. Silent Loop is the only AIO / CLC I used longer than it took to test it, but I have not tested / used H110i.

Must be the first Phanteks case you've used. ;p I have 3 Phanteks in use and have built several more. I have a few complaints, but they are nit-picking at things .. like not being able to interchange side panels, needing to move case to access PSU filter, not tall enough feet to give good airflow to bottom intakes. I can nit-pick any product. Evolv ATX front venting is fine, but the top is rather restricted. Easily solved by removing the sticky-mounted grills on top cover vents and the plastic end 'grill' bits .. which is what I did to mine.

 

[SightUp]

Hey TahoeDust. We have a very similar rig. Can you add me on Steam? I'd like to talk to you about your push/pull.

 

[greyboxer]

Whoa, thats gorgeous. I plan on converting to H115i soon as well, but I am not sure if I have the clearance in my Fractal R5 case to mount push pull 140s. Have you tested the difference between the pushpull setup being mounted in front (intake) or on top (exhaust)? And its effects on GPU temperature, for example.