9600KF Project Phase III: major case upgrade + another supplemental radiator

[storm-chaser]

Best look that's got me hooked right now are white ATX enclosures. So that's what I went with for Phase three of this project. The old coolermaster case is pretty much a moot point anyway since it was just an experiment to use the same case last built with my father and thermal testing with the six core 9600KF @ 5.0GHz. It was never intended to be practical.

I have a bit of a blank check on this one so I wanted to run it by you guys. But the major core pieces are staying such as the MSI MEG Z390 ACE motherboard, the six core chip and the HEATKILLER copper water block. Seeing as the case is a major upgrade what else do you think I should do here to spruce this build up? I will get pics soon, but right now it has an alphacool monsta 120mm x 80mm rad and one extra 360mm rad looped in from a Fractal designs S31 kit. I will be adding a third radiator as well so I'm pretty much all ears at this point if you have a recommendations on best cooling options.

Not sure at this point how much ceiling I have left with this chip but I do intend to push it harder once the upgrades arrive.

Old Case (The 360mm cooler just fits in the bottom of the case):



New Case for this build.... (alongside a smaller gamers storm case that I wanted to show with it because they match ):

 

[Toothless]

I think you should've gone with a case with more cooling capacity over looks. You're short a copper IHS and more radiator but at least if you upgrade you'll have enough cooling for anything.

I wonder how the Ryzen 5xxx would run since the new update allows for 5ghz easy on all that cooling.

 

[FireFox]

@storm-chaser
What's those tubing diameter?

 

[storm-chaser]

I think you should've gone with a case with more cooling capacity over looks. You're short a copper IHS and more radiator but at least if you upgrade you'll have enough cooling for anything.

I wonder how the Ryzen 5xxx would run since the new update allows for 5ghz easy on all that cooling.

Sounds interesting, but I have heard they don't work well with the 9th gen chips? Something like excessive pressure on the motherboard and die? Or do you have a source for 9th gen copper IHS? Seems like it might be overkill though a good recommendation nevertheless. I am just a little leery of delidding my chips.

 

[Toothless]

Sounds interesting, but I have heard they don't work well with the 9th gen chips? Something like excessive pressure on the motherboard and die? Or do you have a source for 9th gen copper IHS? Seems like it might be overkill though a good recommendation nevertheless. I am just a little leery of delidding my chips.

We're honestly past the line of overkill for an i5.

I've seen the IHS floating around ebay but can't confirm on how it works. Newest Intel I have is Haswell/DC and until they're replaced, no delidding for me.

 

[storm-chaser]

@storm-chaser
What's those tubing diameter?

PrimoFlex Advanced LRT 3/8in. ID x 1/2in. OD Tubing Bundle (10ft Pack) - Crystal Clear​

Amazon.com: PrimoFlex Advanced LRT 3/8in. ID x 1/2in. OD Tubing Bundle (10ft Pack) - Crystal Clear: Computers & Accessories

 

[storm-chaser]

We're honestly past the line of overkill for an i5.

How do you mean?

 

[storm-chaser]

I think you should've gone with a case with more cooling capacity over looks. You're short a copper IHS and more radiator but at least if you upgrade you'll have enough cooling for anything.

I wonder how the Ryzen 5xxx would run since the new update allows for 5ghz easy on all that cooling.

Also I am questioning the relevance with this comment, considering the case has provisions for a 360mm radiator AND a 240mm radiator below the drive bays cooling is incredible. Way "overcool" on the cooling capacity, I could probably run a 9900K at 5.5GHz in this case no problem with decent rads/ pump components.

In other words, there is no "mythical" trade off here between looks and performance. It's a package deal. Not sure where you are coming from with this far fetched notion that I'm trading looks for performance.

You might want to watch this review, should be pretty enlightening for you. Its a sick case, bottom line with an emphasis on performance. And just happened to look incredible as well.

(40) InWin 101C RGB PC Builders DREAM Case - YouTube

EDIT: from a thermal perspective this case does really well. In fact it performs on par with the $160 corsair 750D, which is a full size airflow beast with 140mm fans. This case holds the same temps with 120mm fans just FYI.

 

[Toothless]

Also I am questioning the relevance with this comment, considering the case has provisions for a 360mm radiator AND a 240mm radiator below the drive bays cooling is incredible. Way "overcool" on the cooling capacity, I could probably run a 9900K at 5.5GHz in this case no problem with decent rads/ pump components.

In other words, there is no "mythical" trade off here between looks and performance. It's a package deal. Not sure where you are coming from with this far fetched notion that I'm trading looks for performance.

You might want to watch this review, should be pretty enlightening for you. Its a sick case, bottom line with an emphasis on performance. And just happened to look incredible as well.

(40) InWin 101C RGB PC Builders DREAM Case - YouTube

EDIT: from a thermal perspective this case does really well. In fact it performs on par with the $160 corsair 750D, which is a full size airflow beast with 140mm fans. This case holds the same temps with 120mm fans just FYI.

Well, comments are comments..

I've seen some nifty cases with dual 360mm with room for a 240 and/or 120. Yes its "overcool" but I thought that was the goal for the chip was pushing as far as possible, which is why I also mentioned the copper IHS.

Now i never got into custom water for cooling and all that stuff so I'm certainly not an expert in it. Just figured if you wanted to go bigger on processor or add things to the loop that having an option for that later would be a plus.

I've also seen some cases where form over function was a thing, but then again I don't get time to check every review out there that's outside my filter list of requirements. I'll check out the video when I get a hot second.

 

[dgianstefani]

We're honestly past the line of overkill for an i5.

I've seen the IHS floating around ebay but can't confirm on how it works. Newest Intel I have is Haswell/DC and until they're replaced, no delidding for me.

I think you should've gone with a case with more cooling capacity over looks. You're short a copper IHS and more radiator but at least if you upgrade you'll have enough cooling for anything.

I wonder how the Ryzen 5xxx would run since the new update allows for 5ghz easy on all that cooling.

His builds have never been about logic or ideal, they're just pet projects for fun, don't bother.

 

[Toothless]

His builds have never been about logic or ideal, they're just pet projects for fun, don't bother.

Some of my builds are for fun. Isn't that what a hobby is? Something to do that you think is fun?

 

[dgianstefani]

They can be both fun and practical/best component choices for the budget. OP had another build a while back where he insisted on using a $100+ MSI plastic fake carbon air tower that performed worse than a hyper 212.

 

[dgianstefani]

Spending $hundreds, plus time, on custom watercooling a 6c/6t skylake is not the definition of logic, regardless of how fun it is. No judgement, just warning you to not try and convince him, it's a waste of time.

 

[Toothless]

They can be both fun and practical/best component choices for the budget. OP had another build a while back where he insisted on using a $100+ MSI plastic fake carbon air tower that performed worse than a hyper 212.

I remember that, but it's also his money. Not everyone here makes the smartest choices and there are some obvious examples on the forums.

 

[dgianstefani]

If you want to trap yourself in a self imposed box be my guest.

Look in the mirror. Peace out.

 

[storm-chaser]

They can be both fun and practical/best component choices for the budget. OP had another build a while back where he insisted on using a $100+ MSI plastic fake carbon air tower that performed worse than a hyper 212.

Yes just like some people insist on a hyper 212, I chose to do my own thing and put the haters down with a nice 5.0Ghz all core all day OC with the msi core frozer XL dual 120... Lol the irony here is it probably looks better in terms of aesthetics and performs better or on par with any air cooler you've owned. With all due respect you are living in pleasentville lol.

 

[dgianstefani]

All one of them?

 

[freeagent]

Pretty cool!

Its a hobby, just for fun. I stuck a full blown X58 with hexacore cooled by H100, 570s in sli with revodrive in an Antec Sonata. No logic there just fun, and it worked mostly lol..

Enjoy it man, do it for you

 

[bogmali]

BLUF (bottom line up front): it's the OPs money, let him spend it the way he wants it. No need to argue and troll because you don't like it

 

[Aquinus]

BLUF (bottom line up front): it's the OPs money, let him spend it the way he wants it. No need to argue and troll because you don't like it

Sure, but doesn't opening it up for critique invite these kinds of observations? They're not wrong and neither are you.

Maybe people (not you @bogmali) need a reminder that sometimes it's not what you say, it's how you say it.

 

[storm-chaser]

Unless of course, you don't see the HP z820 as "practical or logical" either, I'm guessing, and just for fun. buddy you gonna call my Dell PowerEdge C4130 a illogical and illegitimate choice for my GP/GPU cluster as well? Should have gone with the C4140, right

dSpending $hundreds, plus time, on custom watercooling a 6c/6t skylake is not the definition of logic, regardless of how fun it is. No judgement, just warning you to not try and convince him, it's a waste of time.

That's right. An overclocked 9600KF will easily hang with the flagship 9900K when it comes to gaming. Nearly identical performance, in fact. Try like 2 frames per second more from the 9900K with both in stock form. This is within the margin of error. They perform nearly identically for workstation and gaming tasks as well. Obviously multi core utilization will go to the 9900K but no thanks (not for my usage type). I could do the same thing and get the same performance results for hundreds less than the folks that went out hellbent on getting a 9900K because somebody told them the 9th gen i5-9600KF is already obsolete. This is marketing 101. There are is literally an army of online influencers that extend the marketing campaigns of these tech giants to computer forums around the globe imploring people to embrace the core count craze.

They can be both fun and practical/best component choices for the budget. OP had another build a while back where he insisted on using a $100+ MSI plastic fake carbon air tower that performed worse than a hyper 212.

The MSI Core Frozr XL was purchased for aesthetics over performance and I was very clear about that in the original build thread.

People are beginning to see through this carefully constructed, thin veil of a negative attitude that permeates from a select few members who refuse to let owners chose the parts they want in their personal build. Ludacris, isn't it? Because that's exactly what this guy is doing.

It's a legit high end air cooler that has killer looks and definitely performs better than a hyper 212 on overclocked chips. Remember it's only about 4 degrees off the leader of the pack in terms of air cooling!!! You are making a big stink over 4 degrees? Got to remember people, this guy was in the negative camp saying that my MSI Core Frozr XL wouldn't be enough to cool a 9600KF at 5.0GHz, last year, during phase 1 of this build. I proved them all wrong with a successful 5.0GHz all core daily overclock. A small but vocal group of enlightened members reflected this same sentiment and really bashed it hard, with apparently zero ability to comprehend the notion of purchasing it primarily for the aesthetics, which was a reason I clearly emphasized multiple times in the first build thread. In other words, it was obvious I purchased it for the looks, yet years later, case in point, you still have people failing to accept my reasons for selecting it. I also clearly pointed out I did it for numbers matching purposes (primarily rooted in MSI components) and for the red / black themed build. Your flawed logic would go like this: You purchased a Ryzen 9 3900X? Oh My God. What were you thinking? What an illogical decision. That's a total joke. If you want to be taken seriously by some of the elite members go return your 3900X and replace it with the #1 rated CPU in it's class, the Ryzen 9 5950 X. Wow, some people just make the worst hardware choices. And this is where I flip the script. The 9600KF is clearly the more desirable option for most consumer based builds, NOT the 9900K.

In other words, the 9600KF is the practical choice over a 9900KF. Heads will explode, you just watch. The 9600KF is essentially Intel's best bang for the buck relative to all other 9th Gen processors. Because you don't have to compromise. Nearly identical gaming performance and nearly identical everything else up to six cores and most users will never be able to capitalize on all the performance the 9900K leaves in purgatory.


Interesting review on this cooler can be found here. Interesting how I purchased it for the exact reasons listed below.
MSI Core Frozr XL RGB Air Cooler Review – Page 6 – KitGuru
So, overall, the MSI Core Frozr XL is definitely a good product. It doesn’t blow us away, but it does the job and will likely appeal strongly to those with other MSI products, or if you simply have a black and red color scheme and are looking for a complimentary cooler.

Very sick cooler and easy on the eyes.

 

[storm-chaser]

Sure, but doesn't opening it up for critique invite these kinds of observations? They're not wrong and neither are you.

Maybe people (not you @bogmali) need a reminder that sometimes it's not what you say, it's how you say it.

No, they are trolling, the mods already had to clean up the thread once. They refuse to accept the fact that I purchased the cooler for aesthetic purposes, TWO YEARS AFTER THE FACT!

 

[storm-chaser]

Everyone can play nice now. Lets leave the past in the past.
-The hardware is NOT changing, so whining about it only serves to muck up the waters
-The vision for this build is exclusively MY OWN!
-You dont get to chose the parts I want for my build
-Enjoy whats to follow in the next few days it's going to be a kick ass rig when said and done
-This upgrade will be the final iteration in the evolution of this build.
-Please post an example of one of your own personal builds so I can analyze your hardware choices (in a positive light)

 

[tabascosauz]

The case looks like a big step up for minimalism but airflow looks tough. On the topic of delid I just remembered this from a few months back:

Direct Die Kit - Intel 9th Gen - Complete – RockItCool (myshopify.com)
Copper UPGRADE Kit - Intel 9th Gen – RockItCool (myshopify.com)

They are soldered but I remember the 9th gen STIM being pretty shitty compared to 10th gen.

For all-out fun, why not? That said there's this big banner on the site right now about the Texas storm stopping shipping.

 

[storm-chaser]

The case looks like a big step up for minimalism but airflow looks tough. On the topic of delid I just remembered this from a few months back:

Direct Die Kit - Intel 9th Gen - Complete – RockItCool (myshopify.com)
Copper UPGRADE Kit - Intel 9th Gen – RockItCool (myshopify.com)

They are soldered but I remember the 9th gen STIM being pretty shitty compared to 10th gen.

For all-out fun, why not? That said there's this big banner on the site right now about the Texas storm stopping shipping.

Just doesn't appeal to me, that's the bottom line. De-lidding your CPU you risk damage to the core and not to mention it will totally kill the re-sale value of the chip. Also I collect CPUs and no doubt when I eventually retire this rig the 9600KF will go in said collection in stock, unmolested form.

FWIW, actually the 9th gen chips have an excellent STIM (and definitely not "shitty") making delidding a bad choice because there are no / minimal gains to be had. Besides, I already daily drive this thing at 5.342GHz and thermals are a non issue. Any other recommendations guys?

Current specs of the build:

Patriot Viper 16GB 4133 CL19 @ 4166 CL18

Loving that single core result