CPU Cooler: Liquid Cooling Vs Air Cooling

Product Description

Like any powerful piece of PC hardware, the CPU generates heat when in operation and needs to be properly cooled to achieve maximum performance.
As Mark Gallina, System Thermal & Mechanical Architect at Intel explains, "During normal operation, the transistors inside a CPU convert electrical energy into thermal energy (heat). This heat increases the temperature of the CPU. If an efficient path for that heat doesn't exist, then the CPU will exceed its safe operating temperature."
But what's the best way to keep your CPU operating at the ideal temperature? There are many ways to cool a processor, but most desktops and laptops use an air- or liquid-based cooler.
We're going to talk about liquid cooling vs air cooling: how they work, the pros and cons of each, and which might be right for your setup.

As with air coolers, there's a wide selection of available options, but most fall into two categories: All-in-One (AIO) coolers, or custom cooling loops. 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.
Similar to air cooling, the process starts with a baseplate that is connected to the IHS of the CPU with a layer of thermal paste. This allows for better heat transfer between the two surfaces. The metal surface of the baseplate is part of the waterblock, which is designed to be filled with coolant.
The coolant absorbs heat from the baseplate as it moves through the waterblock. It then continues to move through the system and upward through one of two tubes to a radiator. The radiator exposes the liquid to air, which helps it cool, and fans attached to the radiator then move the heat away from the cooler. The coolant then re-enters the waterblock, and the cycle begins again.

Make Your Choice

So, back to the original debate: Liquid cooling vs air cooling. Which is better?
The answer depends on how you use your computer and the performance and workloads you expect to encounter.
If you want almost silent operation, the most efficient cooling, and don't mind a potentially higher price tag, liquid cooling will fit the bill.
If you're looking for a solution with more entry-level pricing and simple installation at the potential expense of peak performance or acoustics, air cooling is an easy recommendation.
Consider how you use your PC, and how you plan to use it in the future when making your choice. Though both are excellent solutions, they are designed for slightly different use cases. It's up to you to decide which is a better fit for how you use your computer.