With an i5-6600K it's worth considering whether a water cooler or an air cooler would be more suitable.
With an i5-6600K it's worth considering whether a water cooler or an air cooler would be more suitable.
I want to purchase a cooler for my i5-6600K while building a gaming PC. People are suggesting air coolers are sufficient, but I also believe water coolers perform much better (since I'm new to this). What should I choose? An air cooler or a water cooler? After answering, I can give you some examples with prices under 60/65. Thanks!
Typically when people mention 'water coolers,' they refer to a sealed liquid cooler housed in a single, sleek box. It's quite surprising how little coolant these units actually hold—many 120mm models contain only a few tablespoons. Even the EK Predator 240 and Swiftech H220 X2 have around 300mL. There’s nothing under $130 in this category that I’d suggest. The best option would be the Swiftech H220 X2. The EK Predator is pricier, but entry-level kits range from s$150 to $200. I don’t recommend the other closed-loop coolers that look...
Air cooling tends to be more dependable compared to liquid cooling, which we usually refer to as water cooling unless you're a beginner since the coolant is a mixed solution. Liquid cooling can suffer from corrosion issues over time, might leak, and tends to be costly. These are the main concerns people have about liquid cooling. On the positive side, air cooling reduces the internal surface area (though it moves to the radiator), avoids interference with RAM, offers better performance at high-end levels, and looks more appealing.
The noise concern varies; it really depends on other factors. It's hard to say without more context. You might want to look it up yourself.
Aftermarket air coolers generally perform better in the long run because the heat sink can be reused (fans are easily replaceable), efficiently expels hot air, and has fewer failure points. They're also more affordable and quieter than some alternatives. Copper heatpipes move heat from the CPU to the heatsink, which is then pushed away by a fan—whether push or pull—depending on the setup. A larger heatsink provides more surface area for better air cooling, though this can be limited by space (like memory clearance) and noise levels. Efficiency in heat dissipation is also a factor.
If you're on a budget, consider spending around $90 to $100 on liquid cooling. A dual radiator usually outperforms single units. At entry-level, liquid cooling is decent but not the best—products like Bequiet Dark Rock 3, Noctua, and Cryorig H5 often surpass Corsair H60. It's wise to research and read reviews about each option before deciding.
Typically when people mention 'water coolers,' they refer to closed-loop liquid systems housed in a compact, shiny container. It's often surprising to learn how minimal the amount of coolant is in some models—many 120mm units hold only a few tablespoons. Even the EK Predator 240 and Swiftech H220 X2 contain around 300mL. There aren't any options under $130 in this category, though the Swiftech H220 X2 stands out as the best value. The EK Predator is pricier, but entry-level kits range from $150 to $200. I don’t suggest the various similar closed-loop coolers (Corsair, NZXT, Coolermaster, Thermaltake, etc.), as they often come from different manufacturers and use distinct pump designs and radiators—most rely on aluminum instead of copper or brass for better heat transfer.
Water cooling is generally reliable, but it's a frequent topic of discussion. If you think a cheap liquid cooler can match the performance of an air cooler for less money, you're compromising quality for cost. You're potentially sacrificing durability for lower upfront expense.
If your goal is to show others you use liquid cooling, this argument falls apart. I personally use a custom water loop with an i7 6700k and GTX 770, costing around $500. Running them on air versus a full water system clearly shows the difference in performance. The key takeaway is that cooling effectiveness depends on watts, not just appearance.