Is a liquid cooled PC worth it?

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A liquid cooling system can be one of the key components of a custom gaming PC, but is it really worth it? After all, they are usually much more expensive than traditional air coolers. AIO (all-in-one) liquid cooling systems often look flashy and can sometimes be difficult to install, but there’s a reason they’re all the rage with high-end PC builders.

Let’s take a look at how liquid coolers work, the main differences between them and traditional heatsink designs, and when it makes sense to opt for an AIO system over a tried-and-true air cooler.

At their core, liquid and air coolers perform the same function: they remove heat from a PC’s processor. Where they differ is in the methods used to transfer heat. Air coolers use a heat sink and pipes to regulate the temperature of a processor, while liquid systems use coolant. Air coolers are generally simpler in composition than AIO models, consisting only of a cold plate, pipes, a fan and a heat sink. Liquid coolers are a little more complicated, as they consist of a plate, a pump, a tube, a coolant, a separate radiator, and accompanying fans.

Liquid coolers generally cater to a different market than their air alternatives. AIO systems are suitable for high-end gaming PCs where 4K output at higher than console frame rates is the priority. Aiming for gameplay at 120 FPS in Ultra HD is very processor intensive. To prevent overheating and thermal throttling, a liquid cooler with a large radiator dissipates heat more efficiently than an air cooler. On the other hand, while air coolers aren’t as suitable for high-end gaming CPUs, they are ideal for budget or mid-range PCs where the CPU is less likely to be under constant, high load.

A liquid cooler regulates the heat of a processor by removing heat from the processor through a water block, a cooling pump, and a radiator. When you first install a CPU, you apply thermal paste to the top of the chip to help the cooler transfer heat more efficiently. After the paste has absorbed the heat, it is passed onto the copper plate of the water block, where the heat is transferred into the liquid.

After this step, the cooler pump directs this liquid to the radiator, which is most often installed above a PC’s motherboard. Once the liquid reaches the radiator, the heat from the coolant is dissipated by its fans, and the newly cooled liquid is then returned to the water block in a cycle that constantly repeats every time your PC runs.

Custom loop cooling systems work a little differently. Unlike an AIO unit where all the components come in the box, custom loops allow you to choose each part of the cooler (including the water block, radiator, tubes, fans, and reservoir. The reservoir is what stores the system’s coolant while also powering the pump. If you want, you can also configure custom loops to cool more than just the CPU. With the right adjustments, you can integrate a GPU water block into a custom loop system to help to regulate the temperature of your graphics card.

If you have one of the best gaming processors, like the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, you should definitely go for a liquid cooler. I’ve been using the aforementioned CPU for a few years and I’m glad I decided to pair it with the NZXT Kraken 360. This high-end 360mm AIO cooler offers full customization via the NZXT CAM app, allowing me to set precise performance goals while offering an abundance of RGB lighting options.

The extra thermal headroom that a liquid cooler gives my custom-built PC allows me to run the best and most demanding PC titles at 4K/120FPS without ever having to worry about overheating. High-end liquid coolers like the Kraken 360 can also run at very quiet levels, and they seem much sharper than the fan-assisted alternative. It’s worth noting that cheaper liquid coolers can get a little noisy. In general, models with larger 280mm and 360mm radiators can dissipate significantly more heat than air coolers, making them the ideal choice for cutting-edge PC builds.

Of course, there are downsides to opting for a liquid cooler, although none of them should be considered deal-breakers. High-end models can cost over $200, which is far more expensive than even the best air coolers. AIO models are also trickier to install, because it’s not just the pump; you also need to secure the radiator inside your case. Maintenance is another issue. While air coolers require very little DIY after installation, a liquid cooler’s pump will wear out over time. There is also a (fairly small) risk of a leak, which could damage other components inside your PC if it happens.

Moving on to air coolers, they are the best choice for all but the most hardcore PC gamers. Unless you’re running a rig with an Intel Core i9-14900K and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 (our test), you probably don’t need a liquid cooler. If you’re a casual Steam user with a mid-range system housing a relatively modest processor, an air cooler will do the job just fine. Because they’re cheaper, easier to install, and generally have a longer lifespan than AIO models, they’re the ideal CPU cooling solution for people who aren’t obsessed with aesthetics. As long as you don’t mind looking at a big heatsink if you have a case with a transparent window, air coolers are the most sensible option for the majority of PC gamers.