Are you constructing a new computer and unsure of the CPU cooler you ought to purchase? In this article, we cover the advantages and disadvantages of both liquid coolers and air coolers in detail. You’ve made the decision to build a new gaming PC (or improve your current setup), and now it’s time to pick a CPU cooler. Which type of cooler would be best for you should be the first thing you compare: liquid cooling vs. air cooling.
The bad news is that choosing between liquid cooling and air cooling is not an easy task. The good news is that we’ll cover all you need to know about choosing between an air CPU cooler and a liquid CPU cooler in this post.
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Clearance
The ability of a particular cooler—liquid or air—to fit within the case of your computer is another factor that could influence your decision. Finding a case-cooler combo that works will be simpler if you haven’t yet decided on the case you want to use to build your new gaming PC in.
However, your case will dictate the type of cooler you can get if you’ve already selected a case for your build (or you’re updating your current system). There are more cooler options available whether the case is a mid tower or complete tower. You’ll have a fewer option to choose from whether it’s a mini-ITX or micro-ATX case.
Additionally, the fewer case options there are, the bigger the AIO cooler radiator you wish to buy must be. You cannot buy a 360mm AIO liquid cooler if your case only supports 280mm AIOs. (At least not without a few changes.) For CPU air coolers, the same holds true. The primary restriction for air coolers is the cooler’s height. You cannot purchase an air cooler that is taller than 5 inches if your case only accommodates coolers up to that height (again, at least not without some modification.)
The fact that aftermarket air coolers occasionally interfere with the RAM’s heatsinks is another issue. The result is that because the air cooler is so large, it protrudes beyond the RAM slots. Additionally, you might not even be able to install RAM with tall heatsinks on it if they don’t fit beneath the air cooler. Therefore, before selecting any cooler, make sure it will fit with the system’s components.
AIO Liquid Coolers vs Custom Liquid Cooling
If you do choose to overclock your processor significantly, the next choice is whether to create a custom liquid cooling system from scratch or use an AIO cooler. It will cost more money and take much longer to assemble a specialized liquid cooling system. But if you do it right, you may overclock your processor more than with any other CPU cooling method.
On the other hand, AIO coolers are less expensive and ready to use right out of the box. High-end AIO coolers can also help you achieve high overclocks, although not quite to the same extent as a genuine custom loop cooling arrangement.
Air Cooling vs Liquid Cooling – Which One is Better?
In the end, there are a ton of various things to take into account. The question of whether CPU cooler design—liquid vs. air—is superior has no conclusive resolution. And that’s because the needs of various users vary.
Choose a liquid cooler if you have a sizable budget, need extreme cooling, or just like the way they look. Get an air cooler if your money is limited, aesthetics aren’t important to you, or you just like the way they look. As long as the air or liquid cooler you choose is a reputable and high-quality equipment, there is virtually no wrong decision.