Initial attempt at overclocking. Comparison of air versus liquid cooling.
Initial attempt at overclocking. Comparison of air versus liquid cooling.
I understand there are millions of discussions about the same subject, but I still don't grasp something: all the posts I've seen focus on h100i versus Noctua, and most recommend air cooling. Why do people still prefer liquid cooling?
I'm a new overclocker planning to buy an i5 6600k or i7 6700k. Right now I have a XFX TS450 PSU with a 750ti, and I plan to upgrade it later.
Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.
Also, please let me know what CPU you're using, your cooling choice, and why you made that decision.
I wouldn't choose closed loop coolers every day just because they're cheaper; those liquid coolers are the most affordable option when you want to show someone you have a good one. I prefer either high-quality liquid cooling or reliable air cooling instead of settling for the cheapest choice. The idea that 'any liquid is good' doesn't hold up when you consider the value and performance.
Since air cooling usually works well (most of the time), and because AIOs offer an affordable water cooling option compared to custom setups, and since many of us prioritize water cooling, they're excellent for high-end overclocking. If you can afford it, you'll achieve the best performance with them—especially if you have a 360mm or 280mm radiator installed.
I prefer a solid AIO water cooler. It operates more quietly, works better overall, and provides more space for future upgrades. The main drawbacks are the risk of leaks that could affect nearby components, and most warranties won’t protect against damage to other hardware.
Many choices are made without thorough analysis but based on appearance or potential impact. Using RAM as an example, the main purpose of those large, prominent heat sinks is simply to "look impressive." They don’t actually cool effectively, often clash with cooler arrangements, and it’s hard to see how their design benefits them—yet they remain highly popular.
Is air preferable to water? Yes
Spoiler
CLC style water coolers tend to be less efficient and noisier compared to similar-priced air coolers.
Is water better than air? Yes
Spoiler
Non-CLC water cooling setups with properly sized pumps and copper radiators surpass air coolers.
If your budget is under $120, an air cooler is a good pick.
If you’re spending over $140, consider an OLC-style water cooler or a custom loop.
Prices:
$25 – Hyper 212 or similar
$50 – Scythe offers several models
$65 – Phanteks PH-TC14PE
$90 – Noctua NH-D15 / Cryorig R1
$140 – Swiftech H220 X2 / H240 X2
$300 – Starting point for custom loop
We usually design around the Swiftech H320 X2 or H240 X2, which are popular. You can begin with CPU cooling and later upgrade to an MSI 10xx Seahawk EK X (which includes a built-in full-coverage water block). Although Swiftech units look similar to CLCs since both are all-in-one systems, they differ in performance.
CLCs use aluminum radiators (which hinder heat transfer) while OLCs use copper (better conductivity).
CLCs feature weak 0.1 gpm pumps, whereas OLCs offer 1.0+ gpm pumps.
CLCs can’t be expanded; OLCs can with a few additional fittings and extra tubing.
CLCs combine copper blocks and aluminum radiators—something to avoid in water cooling setups.
Recent builds we’ve worked on mostly used air coolers paired with the Phanteks model or Swiftech AIOs. Here, Noctua outperforms the 100i by 3C, while the H100i is significantly louder. The Swiftech AIOs can surpass the X61 by 5C but are half as quiet. At around 55% CPU usage, you’d prefer a cooler environment.
For the Air Cooled corner, here are the top picks: Be Quiet Dark Rock (pro) 3, Cyrorig Ultimate.
In the Liqiud Cooled corner, the strong contenders are Corsair h100i and above, along with Corsair H series, LEPA AquaChanger 120/240, Enermax Liqmax 120/240. Decide who wins!
I’d choose air cooling every day instead of those closed-loop coolers just because they’re cheaper. I don’t like the idea of buying these coolers based on the belief that ‘any liquid is good.’ It’s better to invest in quality liquid cooling or reliable air cooling. With liquid cooling, the saying ‘you get what you pay for’ really holds true.
Can't be bothered with any choice unless you're indifferent about the look inside your case or want to make it stand out.
You don't have to worry about making it look nice with neon lights or LED strips and an air-cooled CPU. You'd save space if you went for a liquid solution.
When it comes to performance, you'll hit a limit with air and liquid because of heat buildup or stability issues. So it's probably better to pick something you prefer more.