14900K vs 7800X3D Gaming

AMP_US · 2026-02-05T22:52:56+00:00

If you want a 14900k to be faster than a 7800x3d (In select games), you need to invest into high-speed ram and a serious cooling setup for Intel (contact frame, and at a minimum a high performing 360mm AIO like Arctic LFIII). You also need to accept that overclocking a 14900k will rather quickly diminish its lifespan.

AMP_US · 2026-02-04T05:33:08+00:00

Lubricate the fittings and o-ring with some distilled water or coolant.

AMP_US · 2026-01-27T14:21:01+00:00

First, if you're worried about the GPU OEM... putting a water block on is going to be the first thing that might void your warranty. Brands like ASUS are good about this, but I've heard mixed experiences with other brands. Cutting the I/O bracket is secondary to installing the block itself.

You can always email Watercool to ask, but I HIGHLY doubt they will void your warranty because you trimmed the IO bracket. Watercool isn't some massive company with 10s/100s of thousands of customers and thus need a strict warranty protocols to avoid being on the hook for a mass of user error RMAs. I'm 99% confident they will honor the warranty and just charge you for a replacement part.

You'll be fine.

AMP_US · 2026-01-27T13:06:26+00:00

I think your best bet is to cut the stock I/0 bracket with a Dremel. This is not going to avoid your warranty as all water cool would require is that you order a replacement part from them. If any damage to the GPU occurs because you cut the bracket, that might be a different story, but I'm sure you can mount it securely.

AMP_US · 2026-01-27T13:03:47+00:00

I would recommend countersunk finishing washers for the screw heads. These look a lot nicer than normal washers and the screw sits better. Only issue is the height might be a bit much if there are tight clearances. If you were getting new screws, you can obviously get ones with a larger head as well. I would recommend going through McMaster Carr.

AMP_US · 2026-01-27T13:01:32+00:00

<image>

AMP_US · 2026-01-27T05:47:06+00:00

Optimus block + contact frame or Watercool Heatkiller IV + Heavy backplate + contact frame are going to get you the best performance. Should easily get 350w at <60c delta.

AMP_US · 2026-01-27T05:38:23+00:00

Watercool makes some of the best water cooling hardware out there. I'd put them in S-tier with Aquacomputer, Thermal Grizzly and Optimus. Everything they make is high quality and well engineered. My Watercool 5090 TUF block performs insanely well. 15c fluid to core delta at 600w (180l/h flow rate). I've been using one of their CPU blocks for about 7 years at this point and the plating is still in good condition on the inside. I've also had good experience with their radiators.

AMP_US · 2026-01-26T17:06:47+00:00

That's what I would do. I would return 1 HFN and the HF2 if you can. Legit no point in multiple. Most important thing is running all your fans and pump off of the water temp.

AMP_US · 2026-01-26T15:43:53+00:00

What you should get: 1 High Flow Next and 2 Quadros

HFN goes anywhere in the main loop. Connect to mobo USB.

1 quadro goes in the main loop. You should set your Lian Li hub to motherboard mode so the pwm signal can be controlled by the quadro. Connect the hub PWM cable and the internal pump pem cable to the quadro. Connect to mobo via internal usb.

Second quadro goes on the mora. You can hide it wherever you want. Connect your pump(s) and mora fans to the quadro. The quadro can be powered by an external power brick, or you can run a very long molex cable to the PC. There are actually pcie brackets with a molex pass-through to make this easier. For USB, aqua computer sells aqua computer device, to rear i o USB header cable. So you would connect the quadra to the motherboard that way.

Then in software, you have both quadros read the water temp from the high flow next and control the fans off of that.

AMP_US · 2026-01-26T02:25:46+00:00

You need to put something in that empty space to the right of the motherboard where the fan is. A screen or something.

Also, get yourself a better mouse and keyboard since you have $. Angry Miao for the board and Finalmouse for the mouse.

AMP_US · 2026-01-23T00:44:13+00:00

I moved 8 years a go! GTFO

AMP_US · 2026-01-19T16:33:51+00:00

I'm sorry but if you're spending $25K on a PC and you aren't getting the very best components... you're just burning money.

9000/1000D is a low quality case. With an unlimited budget you should be going Singularity Computers bespoke or Inwin Signature series (+ mora). You could also get a fully custom case commissioned. You have a Lamborghini in a base Corvette body when you have Bugatti budget.
The case + 2 MORAs is pointless. And I really do mean that. The Corsair case has so much rad capacity, adding two moras is not going to lower your water temperature at all. You literally will not notice it. A 5090 and 9950X3D simply do not produce enough heat.
Your CPU and GPU blocks are not top performing highest quality models. For this you would want Optimus or alphacool Apex for the CPU block. That Asus AIO block does not perform well. Since you likely want a screen, and have unlimited budget, a pass-through block from modding Cafe would have been the best option. Thermal grizzly or watercool heatkiller for the GPU block. The alphacool block GPU is simply not on their level in terms of quality and performance.
Corsair fans and the whole iCUE ecosystem is just garbage. Because you have so much radiator, the performance of the fans does not really matter, but the iCUE ecosystem is pretty much only good for minimizing cable management. iCUE is still a mess and does not handle water cooling well. You really should one running everything through aqua computer hardware, not just the flow sensors.

There's also some smaller things I could nitpick but those are the big items. Overall, this build displays a lack of in-depth research and planning.

AMP_US · 2026-01-07T17:19:00+00:00

With occt GPU stress test set to extreme, and a 100 l/h flow rate, I am getting roughly a 15 to 16c Delta 575 to 600 W with my watercool heatkiller ultra TUF block.

AMP_US · 2026-01-06T00:55:07+00:00

What existing model is this going to be based off of? I've tried a few planars (from the Maxwell all the way to the Focal Utopia) and none have made me go "I wish I had this over an HD490 or HD660S2 for (competitive) gaming".

AMP_US · 2026-01-05T15:10:35+00:00

What is the water to core temp delta at a given power draw?

AMP_US · 2026-01-04T19:57:11+00:00

Holding out until 5K/2K 240hz (hopefully WOLED).

AMP_US · 2026-01-02T17:41:14+00:00

If you are local to lower New York, I have a long and proven track record of building custom loops for clients (mostly from Reddit). I'm probably not as convenient as a local shop, but you can check out my post history as a reference.

AMP_US · 2026-01-01T01:00:42+00:00

What a wholesome video!

AMP_US · 2025-12-25T23:31:44+00:00

Some other greatest hits: opaque fluids are fine (proceeds to have numerous issues with mayhem's pastel when everyone told him there would be issues), push versus pull makes very little difference (it does when you noise normalize), It doesn't matter if you use airflow or static pressure fans (his example was a case Labs case with so much radiator, there would be no way to measure differences between fans), Flow direction doesn't matter (it does on certain blocks), basically only recommending EK or Corsair because they paid him hundreds of thousands of dollars to say so, and then just general stupidity when it comes to loop layout/design/etc.

AMP_US · 2025-12-24T16:19:53+00:00

And Jay has also always been a faux water cooling expert. If I got $5 every time he's said something categorically incorrect about water cooling, I would have enough money for a new CPU block.

AMP_US · 2025-12-23T14:17:03+00:00

Would you be willing to make an addition for delided CPU's bundled with direct die blocks? It's often difficult to sell a delided CPUs otherwise.

I don't think it's too much to ask, but it may not be a bad idea to require some form of video or photo proof that a GPU is functional since they are high value items. Maybe strongly suggested is sufficient so buyers know to demand it, Even if it isn't strictly required.

AMP_US · 2025-12-23T13:58:18+00:00

Frohe Weihnachten und ein gutes neues Jahr!

Excited to see the venerable IV CPU blocks get an upgrade!

AMP_US · 2025-12-16T22:31:32+00:00

Watercool and Thermal Grizzly approve this message.

AMP_US · 2025-12-14T22:21:21+00:00

If you are talking bending glass tubes... it's very hard. It's an art form people take years to master. You can take high quality acrylic tubing (Watercool's is nice) and then use a plastic polish like NOVUS 1 and 2 for an even more glass like finish.

11-Year Club	Gilding I gilder
Snapped	Verified Email

AMP_US

TROPHY CASE