CPU cooler
CPU cooler
Hello! I tried switching to a liquid cooler but wasn’t sure which one would work best. I noticed the next Kraken Z53 and Corsair H100i models. What advice would you give? You can check this link for more details: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/GwJkLs
Avoid spending extra on a CPU upgrade. A locked 8700 won’t rise much unless thermal throttling occurs.
If you're not pushing beyond normal speeds, a liquid cooler won't help much. Save some money on a CPU upgrade instead, and if you're serious about boosting performance, create a custom loop that keeps the CPU under 60°C at higher voltages like 1.5V. Otherwise, unless you build an extremely aggressive cooling system capable of handling near-room or cold temperatures, CPUs are already so powerful that real gains become unlikely.
There are two key points to consider. Liquid isn't simply superior to air; water conducts heat better than air does, but you still need a way to release that energy. In this case, your setup doesn’t seem to help much. If you manage to fit an AIO as an exhaust, it might work, but the available space at the top appears insufficient from the images. Mounting it front-wise would just block the existing airflow and could push more heat back into the system, possibly raising temperatures further. An air cooler offers the advantage of circulating air inside the case, which suits a design focused on exhaust. Secondly, even with an AIO, you need to utilize the extra cooling capacity meaningfully; otherwise, it adds no benefit unless you're already experiencing thermal throttling. Unless you're under pressure, the CPU is already operating efficiently, so extra cooling provides little gain.