CPU cooler - Corsair H115i Pro vs H150i Pro

[tarras]

For a data crunching workstation (i9 9900X, RTX 2080Ti, 128GB RAM) in a Fractal Design R6 black case .. I am trying to choose between the Corsair H115i Pro and the H150i Pro coolers.

In theory the bigger one with larger overall radius H150i should be quieter and have better cooling.

However - several of the online reviews have suggested that the cooling is not significantly better (1-2 degrees), if at all, and worse.. that the H150i is noise both in terms of fan noise and also the water pump noise. Several reviews including youtube reviews have expressed disappointment with the H150i and recommended the H115i.

Do readers here have these coolers? What are their experiences?

My priority is first minimising noise, and the reliability. I keep hearing that water coolers break more than air coolers.
My second priority is then to keep the computer running as cool as possible to avoid throttling and maximise lifetime of components.
In this price range the costs is not that huge a factor between these two.

 

[SpyderTracks]

I think a closed loop is a good idea for your uses. Whilst there are failures with Corsair coolers, in my experience it’s actually quite rare these days with the now third gen versions. Usually it will be the pump that fails, not a leak or something. Corsairs support (if it was out of PCS warranty is superb, they usually just send a new one straight out without asking questions.

I’ve had my H100i for a couple of years now. PC is always on (acts as a media server), and I’ve never had a problem. I put on custom noctua fans rather than stock which are a bit loud. With the noctuid it sounds like a subtle breeze. A friend had the pump fail on an h100i and it was swapped out by Corsair free of charge.

As I understand it, the H115 has an improved waterblock which helps with flow rate and acoustics.

I think for your uses the H115i would be ample, but definitely get the quiet fans.

 

[tarras]

so the quiet fans are the "H115i Pro Cooler w/ PCS Ultra Quiet Fans" ?

or do yo mean I should configure the H115i Pro and then after market buy Noctua fans and put them on instead?

I googled "PCS Ultra Quiet Fans" and couldn't find any such brand.

Also - I'm surprised the H115i has a better water block than the more expensive H150 .. and I guess it is what some online reviewers must have found too.

 

[SpyderTracks]

so the quiet fans are the "H115i Pro Cooler w/ PCS Ultra Quiet Fans" ?

or do yo mean I should configure the H115i Pro and then after market buy Noctua fans and put them on instead?

I googled "PCS Ultra Quiet Fans" and couldn't find any such brand.

Also - I'm surprised the H115i has a better water block than the more expensive H150 .. and I guess it is what some online reviewers must have found too.

Yes, the quiet fans that PCS give as an option are supposed to be excellent. I’m certain a couple of our regulars have the H115i with quiet fans on their builds and they’ve sung their praises both acoustically and performance.

I’m not hugely familiar with the H150, must admit. When I get back to my laptop, ill have a look into it more.

 

[Oussebon]

PCS is for PC Specialist, so they're OEM fans provided to PCS.

I think the fans they've used in the past are Akasa Apache Black fans. You could ask if that's still the case or what they are using nowadays

 

[SpyderTracks]

Interesting comparison here:

Corsair's H115i Pro and H150i Pro CPU coolers reviewed

Even after a company introduces a great and enduring product, the constantly-blowing winds of market demands eventually require a change in tack. When this demand isn’t carefully handled, a company...

techreport.com

Given the increased pump noise of the H150i, I can't see any particular benefit to it over the H115i, just larger, noisier and more expensive whilst giving about the same cooling potential which is the most important consideration.

 

[polycrac]

Yes, the quiet fans that PCS give as an option are supposed to be excellent. I’m certain a couple of our regulars have the H115i with quiet fans on their builds and they’ve sung their praises both acoustically and performance.

Yup, I have the pcs quiet fans on the h100 and they are whisper quiet.

 

[tarras]

thanks everyone for helping out !