Is this spec a quiet PC?

[GijsbertStoet832]

Thanks, I appreciate that. Given the above specification, which liquid cooler would you recommend then?

What I do not understand is the wattage listed. For example, what is the difference between 120W and 250W?

Also, what is the point of RGB, that is just non-functional decoration, correct?

I listed the options below. I wonder of the one highlighted would be sufficient?

 

[TonyCarter]

Thanks, I appreciate that. Given the above specification, which liquid cooler would you recommend then?

What I do not understand is the wattage listed. For example, what is the difference between 120W and 250W?

Also, what is the point of RGB, that is just non-functional decoration, correct?

I listed the options below. I wonder of the one highlighted would be sufficient?

View attachment 42168

That's supposedly how powerful of a CPU these are able to cool.

However, that would entail them working flat out all the time to do so, as the fans would be really annoying...and an air cooler has less cooling area to dissipate the heat so will use all of its headroom up much quicker than a liquid cooler - even of the same TDP rating.

Then there's how big a pinch of salt you take with the manufacturer's claims for their coolers too - as there's no way the PCS Frostflow 360 (290W) will give better cooling performance than the Corsair H115i (270W) or H150i (280W).

In reality you'd over-spec it as you know the CPU will produce more than that when all-core boosting, as the TDP value given in CPU marketing material is a load of 'fertiliser'

I tend to double the advertised TDP of the processor (or look at their max boost power if it's shown) and get a cooler which will easily cover that.

So in the case of a 14900K with a TDP of 150W (max boost of c.260W) then you'd need a 300W cooler - which would mean a H170i 420mm (3x140mm) cooler. Whereas a 7800X3D with a TDP of 120W (which only has a max boost of 160w) could easily get by with a 250W cooler.

 

[FigmentOfYourImagination]

Given your usages, the recommendation would be what has already been recommended: The H115i. Given the high workload your CPU will be going through plus the nature of the case, you want a high quality known product (and Corsair coolers are known for their excellence)....this is versus a PCS branded product that, in reality, is just a generic cooler with PCS branding (and the company making it is unknown). Add in that PCS branded products have had reliability issues over recent times and most on here would not recommend them.

As to TDP, it's a theoretical calculation of how much heat a CPU will expel in terms of watts. however, in the real world, theoretical figures aren't always accurate. When we spec or advise things on here, we go with "what is the best product for the need" rather than "what is the cheapest we can do"

 

[SpyderTracks]

What I do not understand is the wattage listed. For example, what is the difference between 120W and 250W?

It's SUPPOSED to mean the TDP (Thermal Design Profile) of the CPU that it can effectively cool.

The problem is that firstly, stated TDP's on CPU's are garbage anyway, for instance the 7900 has a TDP of 65W but actually consumes up to around 100W. With Intel it's far worse, so the 14900k for instance has a TDP of 125W but actually uses up to 300w at full load

That's coupled with the fact that manufacturers can pretty much stick any TDP rating on their product with nothing to back it up, so that cooler may well say it can handle 120w, but in reality it would struggle just about manage a 65W part like the 7600 which has far lower boost clocks it needs to maintain

But the PCS units are also prone to failure so we don't recommend them except in extreme budget circumstances, they're also far noisier than a premium cooler.

As stated, for your requirements of the 7900 cpu plus the case it's in for reduced noise, and the fact you want reduced noise, the H115i is the best fit. To get a low noise configuration, that requires higher tier components, to lower noise floor takes far more design and engineering than otherwise, it comes at a premium and you have to expect to pay more for suitable components.

 

[Scott]

Thanks, I appreciate that. Given the above specification, which liquid cooler would you recommend then?

What I do not understand is the wattage listed. For example, what is the difference between 120W and 250W?

Also, what is the point of RGB, that is just non-functional decoration, correct?

I listed the options below. I wonder of the one highlighted would be sufficient?

View attachment 42168

The build was already recommended with the appropriate cooler suggested.

Are you not happy with that suggestion and want an alternative? It's hard to get on the same wavelength in honesty, I'm not sure why there's a gap in the conversation.

 

[GijsbertStoet832]

It's SUPPOSED to mean the TDP (Thermal Design Profile) of the CPU that it can effectively cool.

The problem is that firstly, stated TDP's on CPU's are garbage anyway, for instance the 7900 has a TDP of 65W but actually consumes up to around 100W. With Intel it's far worse, so the 14900k for instance has a TDP of 125W but actually uses up to 300w at full load

That's coupled with the fact that manufacturers can pretty much stick any TDP rating on their product with nothing to back it up, so that cooler may well say it can handle 120w, but in reality it would struggle just about manage a 65W part like the 7600 which has far lower boost clocks it needs to maintain

But the PCS units are also prone to failure so we don't recommend them except in extreme budget circumstances, they're also far noisier than a premium cooler.

As stated, for your requirements of the 7900 cpu plus the case it's in for reduced noise, and the fact you want reduced noise, the H115i is the best fit. To get a low noise configuration, that requires higher tier components, to lower noise floor takes far more design and engineering than otherwise, it comes at a premium and you have to expect to pay more for suitable components.

Thanks that is helpful.