Download the Tom's Hardware App from the App Store
The reference for current tech news
Yes No
Tom's Hardware > Forum > Overclocking > Water Cooling > BIX III vs Magicool Extreme 360mm rads

BIX III vs Magicool Extreme 360mm rads

Forum Overclocking : Water Cooling BIX III vs Magicool Extreme 360mm rads

Word :    Username :           
 

I just have a bit of a general question. I'm slowly looking at costs/planning for adding a 3x120mm rad to cool my 5850s. I'm thinking I might as well get a nice thick rad instead of those slim ones, so it seems like the Black Ice Xtreme III and the Magicool Extreme are the two of choice.

Dimensions are very close, BIX III is 397x133x40mm, the Magicool is 396x120x46mm.

The total loop would be:
Swiftech Edge 220 res/rad/pump (MCP35x)
MCW82 on 5850
MCW82 on 5850
BIXIII or Magicool Extreme
Apogee XTL on i5 750

I'm also looking at getting an air box with either 3 Scythe Gentle Typhoon 1300rpm, or 3 Zalman Shark's Fin fans. The triple rad would be either rear or top mounted, external. Speaking of which, I have the Swiftech radbox that came with the Edge kit, but it hinders exhaust air from the case a lot. I saw an image of a metal one somewhere, but I can't seem to find a selection of rad boxes... any thoughts? I might just make my own brackets and drill some holes for top mounting above my 200mm exhaust fan.

Total price would be around $300 with shipping costs for everything I need... well, an extra $50-60 if I want to buy the full 5850 heat sink blocks but I'm ok for now on that end.


Message edited by wolfram23 on 01-25-2012 at 07:17:30 PM
Reply to wolfram23
Register or log in to remove.

I'd opt for the BIX III as it has a higher FPI count (20 vs 14) and as your going to use fans with high static pressure then I think its the best option.

The Koolance Radiator Mounting Bracket is what I'd go for, looks badass and has some cool features.

http://specialtech.co.uk/spshop/cu [...] 10037.html

------------------------------ Core i7 3930K @ 4.6Ghz - 8GB 1866Mhz 7-9-7-24-1T - Gigabyte X79-UD3 - 1000W XFX Pro Platinum - Modded ATCS 840 - Custom Water - Corsair Force 3 120GB
Reply to omgitzfatal

Wow that is an expensive rad mount! But yeah, that's pretty sweet.

Anyway, you don't think the higher FPI will make it noisier? I want a virtually silent system :)

Reply to wolfram23

I'd personally go with the Magicool Extreme- a bit more total volume and surface area, but this can be arguable vs. the higher FPI of BIX rads. Either way, it's too close to call and would work well.

 

Silence means different things to different people, so a very subjective topic. How silent is silent to you?


Message edited by rubix_1011 on 01-25-2012 at 07:54:33 PM
------------------------------ Watercooling Info:
Tom's Hardware Watercooling Sticky
Build Log | Project: Askew
Stuff 4 Sale

Reply to rubix_1011

Well, in terms of decibels I wouldn't have a clue. Currently my fans are all running 1300rpm, so basically you do hear a little air movement but that is all. I'm happy with it for now.

At one time though I had a filter directly on a side fan, and the sound of it sucking air was super loud unless I reduced the speed so much that it was useless. Without the filter though it was almost silent right up to like 1800rpm. So basically I'm a little worried the high FPI will act like that filter. But maybe the radiator shroud will negate that anyway?

EDIT: To expand on this, my pump is the loudest thing in my case when it spins up to 50% speed. Normally it's at 20% though so can't hear it then :)


Message edited by wolfram23 on 01-25-2012 at 08:06:59 PM
Reply to wolfram23

I have the Magicool Xtreme 360 with 38mm thick yates, I can turn the fans right down to 600RPM without much of an increase in temps, so if you want complete silence the Magicool is the way to go.

:)

------------------------------ Core i7 3930K @ 4.6Ghz - 8GB 1866Mhz 7-9-7-24-1T - Gigabyte X79-UD3 - 1000W XFX Pro Platinum - Modded ATCS 840 - Custom Water - Corsair Force 3 120GB
Reply to omgitzfatal

Higher FPI means more fins, meaning more air turbulence based on same fan speed for a lower FPI rad.

Also to consider, your current case fans might be quiet, but how about adding 3 more?

------------------------------ Watercooling Info:
Tom's Hardware Watercooling Sticky
Build Log | Project: Askew
Stuff 4 Sale

Reply to rubix_1011

Ok well the whole sound issue I'll have to think about.

So performance should be relatively similar, and lower FPI should be quieter, then the only other thing is the Magicool is also narrower by 13mm, which will help it fit into a case later on. Sounds like that's the one to get.

It won't be for a while, but that Cosmos II is damn sexy!

Reply to wolfram23

Agreed the Cosmos II looks damn tasty, My dream case is still the TJ11 though :P

Anyway please post pics in the watercooling worklog thread when the time comes

:)

------------------------------ Core i7 3930K @ 4.6Ghz - 8GB 1866Mhz 7-9-7-24-1T - Gigabyte X79-UD3 - 1000W XFX Pro Platinum - Modded ATCS 840 - Custom Water - Corsair Force 3 120GB
Reply to omgitzfatal

TJ11 is sick... $600!

I'm more interested in the TJ07 in white with a window haha :)

Reply to wolfram23

I'm more of a MountainMods kind of guy if I were to go that route...

------------------------------ Watercooling Info:
Tom's Hardware Watercooling Sticky
Build Log | Project: Askew
Stuff 4 Sale

Reply to rubix_1011

Hehe the borg cubes are alright. Useful, that's for sure. But I want aesthetics and I just don't think they have them. Cosmos II is one of the nicest looking cases I've ever seen.

Reply to wolfram23
Register or log in to remove.
Tom's Hardware > Forum > Overclocking > Water Cooling > BIX III vs Magicool Extreme 360mm rads
Go to:

There are 844 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

  • Ask the community now
  • Publish
Ad
Latest best answer
Keyboard Num Lock turns on/off during startup and shut down
By PhilFrisbie, 15 days ago:

I think you are just noticing the normal Windows behavior. . .

They won a badge
Join us in greeting them
Top experts