At stock CPU speeds the Corsair H90 was averaging about 800-900 RPMs between idle and load, in a similar fashion to the NZXT Kraken X40, consequently the acoustic performance was identical. The Asetek pump unit was almost entirely silent. The only time you will ever hear it is on system start up when it has to “warm-up”.
With overclocking we could definitely tell that the fan Corsair provided was quieter than the NZXT Kraken X40’s fan. This is probably due to the PWM range being 800 to 1500 not 800 to 2000 RPM like on the NZXT Kraken X40. Consequently the fan speeds will be lower as PWM speeds are done on percentages. So if both coolers have identical cooling performance, 60 degrees for example, and both fans get set to 50% PWM speed at that temperature, then the Corsair H90 will spin at about 1000 RPM while the NZXT Kraken X40 will spin at about 1100RPM. This is just a crude example but it explains in basic terms why the Corsair H90 was quieter than the NZXT Kraken X40.
I actually have the Asus P8Z77-V LK and a Cooler Master Storm Scout case. It says the top fan is 140mm so I was wondering if anyone knows if it would fit. I’d hate to buy this cooler and have it not fit.
Unfortunately I do not think it will. It supports a 140mm fan but there isn’t enough clearance for a rad as well. You’d be better off getting a H60 (rev2) or H80i and sticking it on the rear 120mm fan mount. Hope this advice helps, if you need any more assistance just ask here or you can email me at rmartin(at)eteknix(dot)com if you prefer.
Thanks for your speedy reply! I’m looking for some solid cooling without having to have some gigantic air cooler ( a la Noctua). Would the H80i perform a lot better then the H60? Do you think I’d have enough room to use a push/pull config with the H80i?
You can use the H80i in the CM Storm Scout case as push-pull in the rear 120mm fan mount. You will need to have a 120mm (or no fan) installed in the top fan mount for this to work, if you have a 140mm it will have to be taken out. The same applies for the H60. You can see compatibility here: (http://www.overclock.net/t/1144409/h80-h80i-h90-h100-h100i-h110-case-compatibility-thread-page-1-for-full-listings/110) With regards to performance you will get a fair amount more cooling using the H80i rather than the H60, this is because the H80i uses dual 120mm fans and a double thickness rad (54mm) compared to the H60 that uses a single 120mm fan a single thickness rad (27mm). Performance can be seen here: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Corsair-H80i-CPU-Cooler-Review/1709/7
Wow thank you for all your help. I’ll keep on the look out for H80i deals. So if I remove the top 140mm fand and take the 120mm fan I have in rear and put it in the top, the H80i will still fit you think?
Yes that is your best option that way you still have a top fan and the H80i comes with push pull so that will still give you good cooling performance. I am almost certain it will fit so I definitely think the H80i is worth the investment. The worst case scenario is that you can’t have a top fan (say for example you get some touching of the fan and H80i) but you won’t need the top fan because you will have more than enough cooling performance from the H80i and this shouldn’t happen because I haven’t seen anyone struggle to put a H80i in a CM Storm Scout!
Amazing, thank you!
anyone know how long the tubes are on this? thanks