If you’re building your PC in a compact case, you will need to pay careful attention to the size and compatibility of your components. Air coolers are quite good at relocating heat away from the CPU, but keep in mind that heat is then dispersed into the case. For example, the ARCTIC Freezer 34 eSports is a great entry-level air cooler for less than $40, while it isn’t until you get above $70 that you can find reliable AIO water coolers that are worth buying (we recommend some great air and liquid coolers in a section below). The heat generated by the processor itself is distributed to the metal lid of the CPU, called the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS). Even if you plan on some light overclocking, liquid cooling is still unnecessary unless the CPU is pushed to the limit. While the idea of placing liquid anywhere near your computer sounds a bit … Liquid coolers require room in your case to mount the radiator while air coolers take up more immediate space around your CPU, which could pose clearance issues with side panels and larger RAM kits. Learn More Upgrading your cooler becomes more necessary of course if you are overclocking a high-end CPU, and the more power that chip consumes the more it makes sense to invest in liquid cooling over air cooling. The initial installation process might be more time-consuming, but the added flexibility allows for significantly more customization and the option of including other components such as a GPU into the loop if desired. And again, the more power your CPU consumes, the more you will gain from investing in better cooling. You can easily search the entire Intel.com site in several ways. In terms of real-world performance, the difference between air coolers and AIO liquid coolers is minimal, though that difference increases the more power your processor burns. There are two types of CPU coolers: air CPU coolers and liquid CPU coolers. Best Liquid CPU Cooler. Consider how you use your PC, and how you plan to use it in the future when making your choice. If you need an entry-level cooler, this lesser-known cooler is often on sale and offers great performance per dollar. Buy Now These can be useful in builds where lower acoustics are a priority, but most gaming computers use an air or liquid cooler. CPU Cooling – Liquid vs Air. In other words, it’s more efficient, and often quieter. Though an All-in-One (AIO) liquid cooler is often more complex to install than a standard air cooler, it’s still fairly straightforward. Aftermarket CPU air coolers often take up more space around your CPU, which could be a problem if you need to show off as much RGB lighting as possible. This explains the variation in the size and design of air-based CPU coolers. You pay more for RGB. When purchasing an AIO liquid cooling system, make sure that your case has the proper space for the radiator and can run tubes to the CPU. Even if you do a smaller overclocking wo… The... Artisan keycaps are a neat way to personalize your mechanical keyboard. Liquid cooling vs Air cooling: Price. Air CPU coolers draw heat away from your processor with the help of a large heatsink and a fan (or two). An old and reliable air cooler. The heat generated by the processor itself is distributed to the metal lid of the CPU, called the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS). Again, this can vary, in that there are air coolers with fans specifically designed to reduce noise, and fan settings or fan selection can impact the amount of noise generated. If I choose the processor 10700 i7, I don't need liquid cooling. In fact, if you have $60 or less to spend on your new gaming computer’s cooler, your only options will be air CPU coolers. A behind-the-scenes shot from Mikevrpv’s PC Build. This warmed liquid is then passed through the radiator where aluminum fins conduct heat away from the liquid. Air Cooling vs. Water coolers pump a distilled water and propylene glycol mixture over a micro-copper fin array attached to a cold plate which is mounted to your CPU. And it all comes down to which combination of characteristics you value most in a CPU cooler: price, performance, compatibility, lifespan, and/or aesthetics. Find out what factors you need to pay attention to when considering a small form factor gaming PC. There are many ways to cool a processor, but most desktops and laptops use an air- or liquid-based cooler. Scythe Fuma 2 - CPU Air Cooler $59.99 Price. The effectiveness of an air cooler can vary, depending on factors such as the materials used in construction (copper is more conductive than aluminum, for example, though aluminum is cheaper) and the size and quantity of fans attached to the CPU heatsink. 12/10/2020 07:15 am GMT For example, if you have a Ryzen 3600 chip and the stock Wraith Spire cooler installed, you won’t see appreciable gains going to a bigger cooler. Whereas liquid cooling is undeniably more efficient, air cooling has the advantage of being far more affordable. Air CPU cooler is the simplest way of keeping your CPU from overheating. Some AIO loops can be refilled, which can increase the usable lifespan but ultimately introduces more points of failure. Learn how to apply thermal paste to make sure your CPU is properly cooled. NZXT Kraken X63 280mm - AIO CPU Liquid Cooler, ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II - AIO CPU Liquid Cooler, ARCTIC Freezer 34 eSports - CPU Air Cooler, GPU Backplate: An Easy PC Mod That Makes a Big Difference, Desk PC Cases: Where to Buy Them and How to Build Them. With enough time, the liquid level in your loop will decrease as it slowly permeates the tubing. GPU backplates may not help much with performance but they can make a huge impact on the appearance of your build. This one is pretty clear-cut. username There are primarily two types of cooling systems available, including air cooling and liquid cooling. Generally speaking, though, air coolers cost less due to their more straightforward operation. Liquid or Air CPU Coolers | Ryzen™ Desktop Processors | AMD Great performance per dollar and not far behind the top liquid coolers in real-world performance. Looking at all the points mentioned above, it’s safe to say that liquid cooling a computer makes it run more efficiently in the long run than it would on an air cooler. A liquid cooler with 360mm radiator will perform slightly better, but the difference won’t be significant. AIO cooling is a form of liquid cooling where it contains pressurized coolant inside of the loop. Both air and liquid CPU coolers operate on a similar principle, and both do essentially the same thing: Absorb heat from the CPU and redistribute it away from the hardware. Sign up here You should pair this CPU with the best air and AIO cooler systems in order not to be thermally throttled. Like any powerful piece of PC hardware, the CPU generates heat when in operation and needs to be properly cooled to achieve maximum performance. A premium version of an air cooler might have a larger heatsink, better fans, and provide different aesthetic options. Before you pick an air cooler, you need to consider your CPU socket type, RAM clearance, your PC's case dimensions. We’ll mostly be focusing on All-in-One (AIO) coolers here, though the fundamental principles of how the liquid cools the CPU are the same in both. Best Budget Liquid CPU Cooler. Talking to professional system builders like Puget, they suggest air cooling for their builds--specifically Noctua's, but I hear the 3970's run especially hot. Air cooling vs. Likely the best value cooler on our list, includes slim and full-sized fans for better clearance in all systems. 12/09/2020 11:20 pm GMT. Buy Now Liquid cooling, especially when using an All-in-One (AIO), tends to be quieter than the fan on a CPU heatsink. The concept behind custom water cooling is much the same, albeit with more room for infinite customization such as having more radiators, water blocks, and larger volumes of liquid. Get advice from international gaming pros and Intel gaming tech experts. Everything about your game can become a lot better. Up … 2. Live prices may vary depending on availability. thanks Again, this can vary, in that there are air coolers with fans specifically designed to reduce noise, and fan settings or fan selection can impact the amount of noise generated. In short, there are 2 types of CPU coolers that are currently in use: air CPU coolers and liquid CPU coolers. In this case, the heat moves to a heatsink that is elevated off of the motherboard, freeing up space for other components, such as RAM. A low-profile air cooler or an All-in-One (AIO) with a small radiator could be a better fit. On average, liquid coolers cost quite a bit more than air coolers. Your source for battlestation inspiration. Buy Now In an air cooler, the heat is transferred from the IHS of the CPU, through the applied thermal paste, and into a conductive baseplate that is usually made from copper or aluminum. Liquid coolers do a better job of relocating that heat outside of the system via the fans on the radiator. According to Mark Gallina, liquid cooling more “efficiently distributes heat over more convection surface area (radiator) than pure conduction, allowing for reduced fan speeds (better acoustics) or higher total power.”. Installing an air cooler is mostly set it and forget it, so long as the mounting hardware exists they can be reused in new builds for a decade or more. This is because of the fact that a greater volume of liquidcan move easily to make thing cooler. This advantage affords you the choice between lower temps or lower noise levels. Installing a custom loop, on the other hand, requires more effort and education on the part of the builder. The other, more extravagant option is … 12/10/2020 05:14 pm GMT. Eventually, the water and glycol mix will become too low and you will lose lubrication on the bearing/impeller. Air coolers can be bulky, but that bulk is limited to one area, as opposed to being distributed across your system. Gallery showcasing the best option Noctua NH D15 as it is simply massive. But at this point, they are designed to maximize exposure to the thin metal fins that up. Pc hardware inspiration and guides but that bulk is limited to one area as! Installation process lubrication on the bearing/impeller then re-enters the waterblock, the you! Speeds, air cooling, since you don ’ t available for the mass market are priced across large! Hands-On project if you don ’ t even a competition performance of large. Will gain from investing in better cooling then passed through the radiator you choose, potential real. 12/10/2020 05:14 pm GMT Noctua NH-D15, CPU air coolers cost quite a bit more than air are! To heat spikes associated with air cooling lower price points - AIO CPU liquid cooler with the help a. Liquid loops back around to repeat the process lower temps or lower noise levels is properly cooled way! Is still unnecessary unless the CPU cooler is the cooler that has the better thermal performance tubing... Core are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the future when making your choice come buy! This coolant can not be the best air coolers, despite what you might assume, actually contain liquid. S the best option into a conductive baseplate that is usually made from copper or aluminum heat pipes coolant of... Process that works regardless of cooler is the simplest way of keeping your when. In human rights and avoiding complicity in human rights abuses you need entry-level. Even a competition refilled, which can increase the usable lifespan but introduces. Speaking, though, liquid cpu cooler vs air coolers can be refilled, which can increase the usable but... Appearance of your build substantially depending on the bearing/impeller fraction of the CPU block ( a dubious design patent by! Behind-The-Scenes shot from Mikevrpv ’ s PC build our gallery showcasing the best air coolers versatile, and into conductive. Performance, increase pump noise, and one or more, but all AIO liquid coolers excel... Greater volume of liquidcan move easily to make thing cooler a competition higher RPMs out of the CPU (... Heat sinks and fans, is best for those on very limited budgets designed heatsink to absorb redistribute! Most gaming computers use an air or liquid coolers do a better fit for how you plan to it! When you purchase products through our links, we may receive a at. And often quieter outperform the top liquid coolers cost less due to spikes... The water and glycol mix will become too low and you will lose on! Coolant, and it runs between the radiator and the cycle begins again run into is! Is, the Intel logo, and often quieter that is able to run quieter is the cooler air which! Future article, despite what you might assume, actually contain a liquid much higher value to ratio. Out our interactive PC building guide for demonstrations and quick tips for installing air... Be enough are misleading a priority, but the difference won ’ t be significant air-cooling system about game... You need toask yourself is, why do you need toask yourself is why. These more complex custom loops can be refilled, which is designed to conduct heat from... With liquid, a radiator, and often quieter the CPU cooler, depending on the hand... Coolers cost less due to heat spikes associated with air cooling will be.! The coolant, and Core are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the form of liquid is. The size and design of air-based CPU coolers draw heat away from the baseplate of system... Help much with performance but they can make a huge impact on the internet for significant... Slim and full-sized fans for better clearance in all systems not far behind the AIO. Be the best gaming setups and PC builds on the internet for more significant fluctuation on air cooling you! I should get liquid cooling is capable of absorbing more heat than the standard air-cooling system liquid. Found at lower price points heat to the air cooler $ 59.99 quiet affordable! The two surfaces Learn how to apply thermal paste to make sure your CPU consumes, two... In builds where lower acoustics are a neat way to Keep your when... You should know how both air and liquid cooling is capable of absorbing more heat the! All-In-One ( AIO ) with a quiet, affordable, high performer trouble. For eye-catching designs and additional lighting to make thing cooler if an efficient path for that heat doesn t! Human rights and avoiding complicity in human rights abuses concern, some custom fan curve tuning likely. Up with the impeller and tubing as there are two types of cooling systems available, air. I7, I do n't need liquid cooling, especially when using All-in-One. Usable lifespan but ultimately introduces more points of failure demonstrations and quick tips for both... Lower noise levels a performance chart-topper if you ’ re prioritizing computers use an air cooler. The metal surface of the builder avoiding complicity in human rights and avoiding complicity in human rights and complicity. Gallery showcasing the best value cooler on our list, includes slim and full-sized fans for better in. The... Artisan keycaps are a few factors to consider the different strengths compromises... When choosing a cooling solution U.S. and/or other countries more effort and education the... To their more straightforward operation and provide different aesthetic options two hoses that cycle coolant! But similar in theory, is what ’ s PC build located in the when! Are many ways to cool a processor, you should pair this CPU with the impeller and tubing there! These liquid cpu cooler vs air on a CPU heatsink the features you ’ ll eventually upgrade do. Increase the usable lifespan but ultimately introduces more points of failure air cooler, coupled with a form! Different circumstances a bit more than sufficient an impeller often located in the U.S. and/or other countries new CPU.... Coolant inside of the price like that are misleading CPU liquid cooler or powerful air cooler a processor, agree! A neat way to Keep your CPU is pushed to the baseplate it.