Ha, ha, yes indeed! A full series of videos featuring the SG13 (low-profile coolers, H60 cooler, full assembly video, PF120 cooler, fan shootout, and fan optimization). Yup, half a dozen videos all featuring the SG13, so "collect them all"! Alas, I've completed the series, so I'm moving on to other ITX projects!
Sadly PF120 isn’t the best for me because the height of the water block won’t fit in my ITX case. The H60 delivered performance on par with a lower profile water block so I declare it the winner. 😂 great review thanks.
Good catch, hadn't thought of that. The PF120's waterblock measures 50mm tall. Do you know the height of the H60's waterblock off hand? I have it buried here underneath a bunch of other cooler boxes, I could always get it to check that, but I'm feeling a bit lazy at the moment. ;) Luckily for you, the two radiator/pump combos deliver nearly identical performance. They only differ in the fan performance, so upgrade that H60 with a reasonable fan and you'll be all set! My recommendations: (1) SilverStone AB120R: amzn.to/2T4vEhC (2) Arctic P12 PWM: amzn.to/3lTfzb3 (3) Noctua NF-A12x25: amzn.to/3j5yyxx #ad
Yup, their Arctic P12 is a great fan upgrade if you need it, although in the case of the PF120, the included fan is quite good! I actually considered including the Arctic Liquid Freezer II 120 in this review as a 3-way shootout, but the hose design sadly makes it impossible to use in most ITX cases, including the SG13.
Hi great review! I have a question tho. Which one would you think would win? L12S/L12 with A12x25 or 120mm AIO with A12x25 in terms of noise and temps? Both in idle and load :)
I know it's not optimal, but could I use the PF120 with an ATX PSU? I just downsized from the 19L Fractal Core 500 and realized that mounting my ATX PSU wouldn't work with a wraith spire. So I either need a better cooler or better PSU, and SFX PSUs are EXPENSIVE and I wanna keep 600W minimum. So if I could get just this cooler and keep that PSU for now, that would be extremely epic
It will work, assuming the PSU is 150mm deep or less. Otherwise you're asking for the worst build experience ever. As it is you'll be spending a lot of time trying to bend the coolant hoses to get the PSU in. But in the Fractal case, long PSUs are also a problem, specifically for the GPU, so hopefully you made a good choice the first time around! Remember your GPU must be 10.6" or shorter.
I’m looking at CM MasterLiquid Lite 120 with one or two Arctic P12 fans vs this. The local price is 50€ for CM vs 70€ for PF120. +additional fans. I wonder if the price difference is worth it for use in SG13 and i5-8400
I have tested CM liquid coolers in the past and found them quite loud, and with relatively low performance. I think you're better off just getting the PF120 for 70€.
Is the be quiet shadow rock LP as easy to install as the noctua NH-L12S? I'm having trouble finding the noctua cooler for MSRP in Canada at the moment, but the be quiet is available
Indeed, always a compromise when it comes to size vs. cooling/noise. As for the 10600K, it's actually identical in every way to an 8700K, so you can look up benchmarks of that CPU in the SG13 if you're interested. I know it has a higher TDP, but that's just a fiction. I'll be posting a new video on Wednesday discussing the new Comet Lake line, including its power use, so catch that if you can!
@The Tech Buyer's Guru Thx for video. Going to build it using Noctua NH-12S (and Noctua NF-P12 PWM for front case), and just curious - is the temp will be lower for i5-10600 (not K) than 70C for just gaming?
Do you mean you're using an air cooler? I have a video on that: th-cam.com/video/vPDBENpbzJ4/w-d-xo.html Also, I don't recommend the NF-F12 for a case fan. See this video for recommendations: th-cam.com/video/WBoLyC0tSDQ/w-d-xo.html
@@TheTechBuyersGuru I'm a noob with that. Is benchmark is loading the system more than games? PS: NH-12S looks pretty OK during CPU stress test, 76 is kind of OK for me.
I don't think it will cause any issues for the GPU, but if your GPU doesn't have a backplate, then be careful as you push against the solder points. As for your ATX PSU, well, I don't recommend them at all in this case, and it would be far worse with a liquid cooler inside. I can't give you any more advice on how that is going to work!
@@TheTechBuyersGuru My friend who is a graphic engine designer for games suggested my setup :) I guess he doesn't know about hardware and airflow so much :) he syas if gpu and cpu are under 85 you don't have to worry at all. thanks all for your help anyway
Sorry, that would not be possible. You can do one or the other. I've tested both, and you definitely want the AIO on the CPU. When I tried using a GPU with an AIO, the CPU simply overheated even with a good low-profile air cooler on it.
Just built my new pc using this cpu, case and cooler but the problem is I see in the video you’re getting 30ish cpu temps in idle with silverstone pf120 and I get 45-55 in idle my psu fan facing up also my cpu silverstone cooler fan is facing same as in the video. I either mounted the cooler wrong or because of the cable management my cpu is overheating I can’t seem to find the problem I don’t really get why my cpu gets that hot. In addition my bios is up to date and I’m in a relatively small but not that hot room
That's a definite possibility. Note that the LFII 120 doesn't fit in ITX cases due to its hose design, though, so the test would have to be in an ATX case.
@@TheTechBuyersGuru yes no plastic, thermal paste applied and pump and fan working. I don't know what is the problem. Mainboard is asrock b450gaming itx and I think chasis is SG13B-Q which is closed front panel.
@@TheTechBuyersGuru tried it changed like 3-4 degrees (82 on stress). I thought if air bubbles stuck inside water pump and turned the chasis upwards but didn't work.
Hi dude. i love your channel, came across it looking for sg13 cooling solutions. I'm currently running a ryzen 3600 cpu with a H60 cooler and a corsair SF450 PSU. I am not hitting those temps at idle at all! When i run CPU-Z stress test i am getting around 77-78 degrees , which is 10 degrees hotter than your test and your idle temps are lower than mine. Also, my fans are running at 3800rpm in "smart fan 5 auto - performance" profile, i have no idea how you even get yours to run at such low rpm and get those temps. Do you have any advice to give? sorry, so much i have asked there. it could be that my SF450 psu fan does not spin at all unless under heavy load, so there is no proper exhaust for the heat?
I have one piece of advice: replace the stock Corsair fan with the Arctic P12 PWM: amzn.to/3nuN59s The performance/noise levels of the Corsair fan are very bad. Note that 3800RPM is the speed of the pump, not the fans.
@@TheTechBuyersGuru hi man. Thanks so much for your response. Yes Ive figured out in smart fan control software that the pump is 4000rpm and has no affect on fan. Lol. It's the other fan I can adjust. I copied your benchmarks and rpm settings exactly for stock Corsair fan and was still 15 degrees higher. Yeah I think il replace it with that fan or more than likely the noctua fan you recommended. Is your SFX psu fan constantly running? My Corsair one doesn't run at all to expel hot air. Thanks again
Yes, the fan is running, but I have it pointed up, so it has no effect on the CPU! Maybe your ambients are higher (mine are 21C), and maybe your CPU voltage is higher, that makes a huge difference.
@@TheTechBuyersGuru yeah my fab is pointed up too. Very strange! Anyway my temps are fine under load. I've ran different bench marks and my CPU doesn't go above 75 degrees under load. I think il go for the noctua fan you recommended. Thanks so much for your help!
Yeah, don't worry about idle temps, it's the load that matters. A lot affects idle that makes it hard to compare, like background apps. The Noctua NF-A12x25 isn't cheap, but it is THE best 120mm radiator fan on the market. Here's the link: amzn.to/36IM3AK
Well i have 2 choice and i need your help. I have sg13 case, ryzen 5 1600AF, 2x8 3000mhz ram, single fan 1050 ti gpu Note : my Motherboard has 8 pin cpu power (asrock a320m itx) 1- ATX psu +silverstone pf120 liquid cooler (bonus i will have full 8 pin cpu power socket, but do i need that extra 4 pin? ) 2-SFX psu + stock cooler + case fan (front) silverstone fw121 ( disadvantage(?) i will have only 4 pin cpu power because of sfx psu, do i need that extra 4 pin?) Thanks! :) Followed + liked + subscribed
Welcome, Kaan! Most SFX power supplies will have 8-pin power. In fact, I've never tested one without it, so I don't see the trade-off there, you should definitely go with SFX for the PSU. Just note you need the SilverStone PP08 adapter to mount it in the case. Also, for the Ryzen 5 1600AF, the stock cooler is fine, I've tested the PF120 on the Ryzen 5 3600 simply to run benchmarks, but it's not required on a six-core CPU, especially if you're trying to save money. So my recommendation to you is SFX PSU + stock cooler + case fan, and one of the best case fans is the Arctic P12 PWM (amzn.to/2Z3asv3), which you may find is cheaper than the FW121, and is also much quieter. The only problem is that it's now selling out due to its popularity.
@@TheTechBuyersGuru thanks! The sfx psu that i looked, has atx - sfx adapter inside the box. I hope i dont need that silverstone adapter :/ BTW thank you for case fan suggestion. : D
I see, but be careful about buying a power supply that isn't of sufficient quality. The Silverstone adapter also offsets the PSU for better airflow, most other adapters just center the PSU, which is not a good approach.
Yes, it will. It has mounts for AMD AM4 as well as Intel 1150/1151/1200. Amazon has them in stock: amzn.to/2WRpbbW Also available at Newegg: click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=WAzU8cLhuCU&mid=44583&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2Fsilverstone-pf120-argb-liquid-cooling-system%2Fp%2FN82E16835220152%3FDescription%3Dpf120%2520silverstone%26cm_re%3Dpf120_silverstone-_-35-220-152-_-Product%26quicklink%3Dtrue
Use your motherboard software to control it. Your motherboard has to have a 3-pin/5V ARGB header. If not, you need to use the controller box included with the cooler.
@@TheTechBuyersGuru nope. the radiator was higher than cpu, the air did not reach the pump... as i said, maybe i got a bad one. still i don't get what can be wrong in it since a. the unit gets very hot (ergo the heat transfer from cpu to the cooler is ok) b. one tube is hot, other is cold - ergo the liquid is circulating... might be the speed of the liquid not enough but the ai suite (asus mb soft) is reporting it to go to max speed. btw, cpu ryzen5 3600, mb asus x570 plus, no OC, 80 degree doing nothing, over 100 with a browser in cca 10 sec... about 30 degrees less with stock cooler. and secondly - on the "wrong installing" matter, it was not so ever any bad or right installing method on the product description, manual, nowhere. this matter is also approached by this guy here: th-cam.com/video/BbGomv195sk/w-d-xo.html
Those temps definitely don't seem right. Unless you want to try reinstalling to find any problems with the install, just return it or get warranty support.
This channel is addictive for SG13 owners!
Ha, ha, yes indeed! A full series of videos featuring the SG13 (low-profile coolers, H60 cooler, full assembly video, PF120 cooler, fan shootout, and fan optimization). Yup, half a dozen videos all featuring the SG13, so "collect them all"! Alas, I've completed the series, so I'm moving on to other ITX projects!
I just got one of these and holy crap you weren't kidding about piping being really hard to bend and awkwardly long.
Hi , Nice Video, I just bought the silverstone pf 120 liquid cooler and the noctua ! can't wait for it to come!
Great! Are you going to use the Noctua fan on the PF120 or as a case fan for a larger case?
@@TheTechBuyersGuru Noctua fan on the pf120 with the silverstone sg 13 case.
You will have great performance then!
Sadly PF120 isn’t the best for me because the height of the water block won’t fit in my ITX case. The H60 delivered performance on par with a lower profile water block so I declare it the winner. 😂 great review thanks.
Good catch, hadn't thought of that. The PF120's waterblock measures 50mm tall. Do you know the height of the H60's waterblock off hand? I have it buried here underneath a bunch of other cooler boxes, I could always get it to check that, but I'm feeling a bit lazy at the moment. ;)
Luckily for you, the two radiator/pump combos deliver nearly identical performance. They only differ in the fan performance, so upgrade that H60 with a reasonable fan and you'll be all set! My recommendations:
(1) SilverStone AB120R: amzn.to/2T4vEhC
(2) Arctic P12 PWM: amzn.to/3lTfzb3
(3) Noctua NF-A12x25: amzn.to/3j5yyxx #ad
It would be really cool if you made a 120mm AIO cooler roundup and review!
Hey, i want to ask. Is it will work with atx psu? the water block seems have more height than the h60
*ARCTIC* is and has affordable products for cooling :)
Yup, their Arctic P12 is a great fan upgrade if you need it, although in the case of the PF120, the included fan is quite good! I actually considered including the Arctic Liquid Freezer II 120 in this review as a 3-way shootout, but the hose design sadly makes it impossible to use in most ITX cases, including the SG13.
Hi great review! I have a question tho. Which one would you think would win? L12S/L12 with A12x25 or 120mm AIO with A12x25 in terms of noise and temps? Both in idle and load :)
I know it's not optimal, but could I use the PF120 with an ATX PSU?
I just downsized from the 19L Fractal Core 500 and realized that mounting my ATX PSU wouldn't work with a wraith spire.
So I either need a better cooler or better PSU, and SFX PSUs are EXPENSIVE and I wanna keep 600W minimum.
So if I could get just this cooler and keep that PSU for now, that would be extremely epic
It will work, assuming the PSU is 150mm deep or less. Otherwise you're asking for the worst build experience ever. As it is you'll be spending a lot of time trying to bend the coolant hoses to get the PSU in. But in the Fractal case, long PSUs are also a problem, specifically for the GPU, so hopefully you made a good choice the first time around! Remember your GPU must be 10.6" or shorter.
I’m looking at CM MasterLiquid Lite 120 with one or two Arctic P12 fans vs this.
The local price is 50€ for CM vs 70€ for PF120.
+additional fans.
I wonder if the price difference is worth it for use in SG13 and i5-8400
I have tested CM liquid coolers in the past and found them quite loud, and with relatively low performance. I think you're better off just getting the PF120 for 70€.
Is the be quiet shadow rock LP as easy to install as the noctua NH-L12S? I'm having trouble finding the noctua cooler for MSRP in Canada at the moment, but the be quiet is available
Take a look at this video and you'll have your answer: th-cam.com/video/nx3axNgZs8U/w-d-xo.html
Can you add the Cooler Master MasterLiquid 120 to the mixt? Thanks for your very detailed videos about the SG13!
Glad you liked the series! I believe the ML 120 should work fine, don't have one to test.
Hi, great video! does the PF120 come with thermal paste at all? Tube or pre-installed? I am doing this exact same case!
Comes with a tube of thermal paste. Back in stock at Amazon after selling out earlier this week: amzn.to/2WOqVDr
Cooling in a small case comes at a price I have the sg13. I'd love to see you test out the thermals on new 10600 when they are available.
Indeed, always a compromise when it comes to size vs. cooling/noise. As for the 10600K, it's actually identical in every way to an 8700K, so you can look up benchmarks of that CPU in the SG13 if you're interested. I know it has a higher TDP, but that's just a fiction. I'll be posting a new video on Wednesday discussing the new Comet Lake line, including its power use, so catch that if you can!
Did you plug the Noctua directly into the SPF120? Just troubleshooting how to connect the two as in building this same system in the same case. Thanks
No. It goes into the motherboard cpu fan header.
@@TheTechBuyersGuru thanks! Built in the SG13 with your recommendations appreciate all the work & videos you’ve done.
Glad to hear it!
@The Tech Buyer's Guru Thx for video. Going to build it using Noctua NH-12S (and Noctua NF-P12 PWM for front case), and just curious - is the temp will be lower for i5-10600 (not K) than 70C for just gaming?
Do you mean you're using an air cooler? I have a video on that: th-cam.com/video/vPDBENpbzJ4/w-d-xo.html
Also, I don't recommend the NF-F12 for a case fan. See this video for recommendations: th-cam.com/video/WBoLyC0tSDQ/w-d-xo.html
@@TheTechBuyersGuru I'm a noob with that. Is benchmark is loading the system more than games?
PS: NH-12S looks pretty OK during CPU stress test, 76 is kind of OK for me.
is there any video to explain how to remove intel clips to amd clips?
The Intel clip just slides off the cooling block. It's a c-shape, with one end open. Take a close look and you will figure out how to slide it off.
@@TheTechBuyersGuru but mine is really hard to slide, is this normal? Do i need to force it? Or any other special tools?
I wonder if bending gpu with the hoses might cause any harm to the gpu in the long term? (I have an ATX power supply bending is more emphasized)
I don't think it will cause any issues for the GPU, but if your GPU doesn't have a backplate, then be careful as you push against the solder points.
As for your ATX PSU, well, I don't recommend them at all in this case, and it would be far worse with a liquid cooler inside. I can't give you any more advice on how that is going to work!
@@TheTechBuyersGuru My friend who is a graphic engine designer for games suggested my setup :) I guess he doesn't know about hardware and airflow so much :) he syas if gpu and cpu are under 85 you don't have to worry at all. thanks all for your help anyway
I'm looking to cool my gpu with an aio, along with the cpu. Would I be able to fit two separate radiators in this case?
Sorry, that would not be possible. You can do one or the other. I've tested both, and you definitely want the AIO on the CPU. When I tried using a GPU with an AIO, the CPU simply overheated even with a good low-profile air cooler on it.
@@TheTechBuyersGuru dang, okay thanks. I was definitely planning on a cpu aio regardless. As I'm going with one of the ryzen 5's
Thank you again. You are the best.
Just built my new pc using this cpu, case and cooler but the problem is I see in the video you’re getting 30ish cpu temps in idle with silverstone pf120 and I get 45-55 in idle my psu fan facing up also my cpu silverstone cooler fan is facing same as in the video. I either mounted the cooler wrong or because of the cable management my cpu is overheating I can’t seem to find the problem I don’t really get why my cpu gets that hot. In addition my bios is up to date and I’m in a relatively small but not that hot room
Just run the load benchmarks I showed in the video. Idle temps are not the right way to compare cooler performance.
We need a comparison with pf120 and liquid freezer 120.
That's a definite possibility. Note that the LFII 120 doesn't fit in ITX cases due to its hose design, though, so the test would have to be in an ATX case.
I have the exact same stup but hwmonitor shows around 60 degrees idle and 90 degrees in cpuz stress (Package Node 0). Is something wrong?
That's not good. Did you remove plastic from cooling block? Apply thermal paste? Tighten down properly? Plug in connector for fans and pump?
@@TheTechBuyersGuru yes no plastic, thermal paste applied and pump and fan working. I don't know what is the problem. Mainboard is asrock b450gaming itx and I think chasis is SG13B-Q which is closed front panel.
The closed front panel could cause some problems. Try running your system with the front panel detached and see if temps drop a lot.
@@TheTechBuyersGuru tried it changed like 3-4 degrees (82 on stress). I thought if air bubbles stuck inside water pump and turned the chasis upwards but didn't work.
See this video for all my SG13 thermal tweaking options: th-cam.com/video/MVLPLRd6pXk/w-d-xo.html
will the ROG strix LC 120 fit?
Hi dude. i love your channel, came across it looking for sg13 cooling solutions. I'm currently running a ryzen 3600 cpu with a H60 cooler and a corsair SF450 PSU. I am not hitting those temps at idle at all!
When i run CPU-Z stress test i am getting around 77-78 degrees , which is 10 degrees hotter than your test and your idle temps are lower than mine.
Also, my fans are running at 3800rpm in "smart fan 5 auto - performance" profile, i have no idea how you even get yours to run at such low rpm and get those temps.
Do you have any advice to give? sorry, so much i have asked there. it could be that my SF450 psu fan does not spin at all unless under heavy load, so there is no proper exhaust for the heat?
I have one piece of advice: replace the stock Corsair fan with the Arctic P12 PWM: amzn.to/3nuN59s
The performance/noise levels of the Corsair fan are very bad.
Note that 3800RPM is the speed of the pump, not the fans.
@@TheTechBuyersGuru hi man. Thanks so much for your response.
Yes Ive figured out in smart fan control software that the pump is 4000rpm and has no affect on fan. Lol. It's the other fan I can adjust.
I copied your benchmarks and rpm settings exactly for stock Corsair fan and was still 15 degrees higher.
Yeah I think il replace it with that fan or more than likely the noctua fan you recommended.
Is your SFX psu fan constantly running? My Corsair one doesn't run at all to expel hot air.
Thanks again
Yes, the fan is running, but I have it pointed up, so it has no effect on the CPU! Maybe your ambients are higher (mine are 21C), and maybe your CPU voltage is higher, that makes a huge difference.
@@TheTechBuyersGuru yeah my fab is pointed up too. Very strange! Anyway my temps are fine under load. I've ran different bench marks and my CPU doesn't go above 75 degrees under load.
I think il go for the noctua fan you recommended. Thanks so much for your help!
Yeah, don't worry about idle temps, it's the load that matters. A lot affects idle that makes it hard to compare, like background apps. The Noctua NF-A12x25 isn't cheap, but it is THE best 120mm radiator fan on the market. Here's the link: amzn.to/36IM3AK
What's thermal paste brand did you use for this test?
The liquid coolers used Noctua NT-H2. The air coolers used the paste they came with.
Well i have 2 choice and i need your help. I have sg13 case, ryzen 5 1600AF, 2x8 3000mhz ram, single fan 1050 ti gpu
Note : my Motherboard has 8 pin cpu power (asrock a320m itx)
1- ATX psu +silverstone pf120 liquid cooler (bonus i will have full 8 pin cpu power socket, but do i need that extra 4 pin? )
2-SFX psu + stock cooler + case fan (front) silverstone fw121 ( disadvantage(?) i will have only 4 pin cpu power because of sfx psu, do i need that extra 4 pin?)
Thanks! :)
Followed + liked + subscribed
Welcome, Kaan! Most SFX power supplies will have 8-pin power. In fact, I've never tested one without it, so I don't see the trade-off there, you should definitely go with SFX for the PSU. Just note you need the SilverStone PP08 adapter to mount it in the case. Also, for the Ryzen 5 1600AF, the stock cooler is fine, I've tested the PF120 on the Ryzen 5 3600 simply to run benchmarks, but it's not required on a six-core CPU, especially if you're trying to save money. So my recommendation to you is SFX PSU + stock cooler + case fan, and one of the best case fans is the Arctic P12 PWM (amzn.to/2Z3asv3), which you may find is cheaper than the FW121, and is also much quieter. The only problem is that it's now selling out due to its popularity.
@@TheTechBuyersGuru thanks! The sfx psu that i looked, has atx - sfx adapter inside the box. I hope i dont need that silverstone adapter :/ BTW thank you for case fan suggestion. : D
I see, but be careful about buying a power supply that isn't of sufficient quality. The Silverstone adapter also offsets the PSU for better airflow, most other adapters just center the PSU, which is not a good approach.
This does not work for 1151 right ?
Yes, it will. It has mounts for AMD AM4 as well as Intel 1150/1151/1200.
Amazon has them in stock: amzn.to/2WRpbbW
Also available at Newegg: click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=WAzU8cLhuCU&mid=44583&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2Fsilverstone-pf120-argb-liquid-cooling-system%2Fp%2FN82E16835220152%3FDescription%3Dpf120%2520silverstone%26cm_re%3Dpf120_silverstone-_-35-220-152-_-Product%26quicklink%3Dtrue
is their a software to change the colours because i got the cooler but i dont know how to change the colours
Use your motherboard software to control it. Your motherboard has to have a 3-pin/5V ARGB header. If not, you need to use the controller box included with the cooler.
Good 👍👍
the 120 either i got a bad one or is worse than amd ryzen5 3600 stock cooler.
If you're saying it performs worse than the stock AMD Wraith Stealth cooler, then you probably installed it incorrectly.
@@TheTechBuyersGuru nope. the radiator was higher than cpu, the air did not reach the pump... as i said, maybe i got a bad one.
still i don't get what can be wrong in it since
a. the unit gets very hot (ergo the heat transfer from cpu to the cooler is ok)
b. one tube is hot, other is cold - ergo the liquid is circulating...
might be the speed of the liquid not enough but the ai suite (asus mb soft) is reporting it to go to max speed.
btw, cpu ryzen5 3600, mb asus x570 plus, no OC, 80 degree doing nothing, over 100 with a browser in cca 10 sec... about 30 degrees less with stock cooler.
and secondly - on the "wrong installing" matter, it was not so ever any bad or right installing method on the product description, manual, nowhere. this matter is also approached by this guy here: th-cam.com/video/BbGomv195sk/w-d-xo.html
Those temps definitely don't seem right. Unless you want to try reinstalling to find any problems with the install, just return it or get warranty support.