Cerberus X / Cooling help with a 9900k (OC)

Boatyface

Minimal Tinkerer
Original poster
New User
Apr 26, 2020
3
0
Hey guys! Been lurking for ages but thought I'd set up an account :)

I've got a Cerberus X / MSI Z390M Gaming Edge / 240 Kraken (bottom of case) / 2 Noctua intakes (front + side) / 2 Noctua exhausts (top and rear)

I'm just not getting the temps I want at 4.8 - 5.0ghz with various voltages.

Wondering if anyone has a similar build and can offer insight?

Would I be better with a 280 rad at the bottom and stick with my mATX Mobo with potentially shit VRMs?

Stick with the 240 rad but swap out to an ATX Mobo with better power management?

Change to air cooling? Pretty sure thats not a good idea if I want to OC.

Spend time / money figuring out a custom loop? (Never done it before)

Hit it with a hammer.

Thanks for any advise you can give!
 

Revenant

Christopher Moine - Senior Editor SFF.N
Revenant Tech
SFFn Staff
Apr 21, 2017
1,670
2,698
Late reply, but 9900Ks are difficult to overclock as Intel was prepping the KS models from day 1. The temps skyrocket on most setups when you go above the stock 4.7 all core.

I have a 9900K and use a front mount Kraken X62 (tubes at bottom) with Noctua fans. My temps are 70 to 80C under Prime 95 max heat. This pulls 210 watts of power at 4.7 GHZ. Gaming is in the 50s to 60s.

The bottom mount for an AIO is not advisable. It can actually cause damage to your AIO over time, and limit your cooling ability.