pcguideuser745
04-06-2006, 02:12 AM
Hey everyone. I'm a friend of the original user of this account, who gave me permission to use his account to ask you guys questions.
Basically, I, too, am purchasing a brand new computer system. However, I cannot decide whether I should go with water cooling or air cooling. My system is very similar to pcguideuser745's system. I am using the same video card, a GeForce 7900 GT. I too want to get a low noise computer system. I am debating whether I should go with my friend's Zalman Reserator 1 Plus, or Zalman's CNPS9500 CPU cooler.
I'm not exactly sure how decibels work, or just how loud 50dB is...or how loud something would be if there were two components each making 40dB, for example. I don't want to make a mistake and buy a computer system with too many fans and end up with a noisy computer.
I've read the specifications and some reviews on Zalman's CNPS9500 CPU cooler, and apparently it emits between 50-55 decibels, depending on what mode you set the fan to. This, being a CNPS model, I'm guessing that 50 decibels is not very loud. Am I correct to assume this?
I have also taken a look at Zalman's Reserator 1 Plus water cooling system. Apparently it cools better than the CNPS9500 air CPU cooler in similar testing situations. However, it does have the external "Reserator" unit,which I'm not sure I would be able to put up with. Sure I can see the good thing is that my video card and CPU won't be making any noise. But wouldn't it be somewhat of a hassle to move? Also, I checked out the website and apparently the "cycling period" of the coolant is 1 year. So the water cooling unit would require an annual flush? Also, it has come to my attention from reading the manual that the Zalman Reserator 1 Plus water cooling unit does NOT turn itself on when you power on the PC. You have to turn on the water cooling system before turning on your PC. Hmm, I wonder what would happen if I were to forget just once? Or perhaps an unsuspecting guest who simply wanted to use my computer came along and only turned on the computer, and not the water cooling unit?
Also, I have to keep in mind that if I go with the air cooling for the CPU, my GeForce 7900 GT card will also be using the stock air cooler. From what I've heard this doesn't emit "too much noise". That's good news for me, but I need something a little more solid than just a description "it doesn't make too much noise"
So in the end, even though it seems like I have talked myself into buying the air cooling unit already, I have not. I would greatly appreciate some of your opinions on this.
So in the end it comes down to this. I'm seeking a very silent computer and these are my two options:
Option 1 - Air Cooling:
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS9500
Video card will also be using the stock air cooler, thus generating noise.
Other Thoughts: Doesn't cool as great as water cooling, but it seems to be less hassle. No annual flushing of the system needed, no need to worry about turning on the "water cooling" before turning the PC on, and no external cooling unit to make transportation difficult. (No I will not be carrying the computer to very many places, but it would still be nice to have the flexibility to do so.)
Option 2 - Water Cooling:
The CPU and video card will both be watercooled, so neither will generate noise.
Other Thoughts: Cools better than air cooling, but is quieter than air cooling.
Essentially, if option 1 will still be a low-noise solution, I will opt for that. But if option 2 (the water cooling) is quieter by even a moderate amount, I'll go with the water cooling.
Basically, I, too, am purchasing a brand new computer system. However, I cannot decide whether I should go with water cooling or air cooling. My system is very similar to pcguideuser745's system. I am using the same video card, a GeForce 7900 GT. I too want to get a low noise computer system. I am debating whether I should go with my friend's Zalman Reserator 1 Plus, or Zalman's CNPS9500 CPU cooler.
I'm not exactly sure how decibels work, or just how loud 50dB is...or how loud something would be if there were two components each making 40dB, for example. I don't want to make a mistake and buy a computer system with too many fans and end up with a noisy computer.
I've read the specifications and some reviews on Zalman's CNPS9500 CPU cooler, and apparently it emits between 50-55 decibels, depending on what mode you set the fan to. This, being a CNPS model, I'm guessing that 50 decibels is not very loud. Am I correct to assume this?
I have also taken a look at Zalman's Reserator 1 Plus water cooling system. Apparently it cools better than the CNPS9500 air CPU cooler in similar testing situations. However, it does have the external "Reserator" unit,which I'm not sure I would be able to put up with. Sure I can see the good thing is that my video card and CPU won't be making any noise. But wouldn't it be somewhat of a hassle to move? Also, I checked out the website and apparently the "cycling period" of the coolant is 1 year. So the water cooling unit would require an annual flush? Also, it has come to my attention from reading the manual that the Zalman Reserator 1 Plus water cooling unit does NOT turn itself on when you power on the PC. You have to turn on the water cooling system before turning on your PC. Hmm, I wonder what would happen if I were to forget just once? Or perhaps an unsuspecting guest who simply wanted to use my computer came along and only turned on the computer, and not the water cooling unit?
Also, I have to keep in mind that if I go with the air cooling for the CPU, my GeForce 7900 GT card will also be using the stock air cooler. From what I've heard this doesn't emit "too much noise". That's good news for me, but I need something a little more solid than just a description "it doesn't make too much noise"
So in the end, even though it seems like I have talked myself into buying the air cooling unit already, I have not. I would greatly appreciate some of your opinions on this.
So in the end it comes down to this. I'm seeking a very silent computer and these are my two options:
Option 1 - Air Cooling:
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS9500
Video card will also be using the stock air cooler, thus generating noise.
Other Thoughts: Doesn't cool as great as water cooling, but it seems to be less hassle. No annual flushing of the system needed, no need to worry about turning on the "water cooling" before turning the PC on, and no external cooling unit to make transportation difficult. (No I will not be carrying the computer to very many places, but it would still be nice to have the flexibility to do so.)
Option 2 - Water Cooling:
The CPU and video card will both be watercooled, so neither will generate noise.
Other Thoughts: Cools better than air cooling, but is quieter than air cooling.
Essentially, if option 1 will still be a low-noise solution, I will opt for that. But if option 2 (the water cooling) is quieter by even a moderate amount, I'll go with the water cooling.