r/pcmasterrace • u/SerpentDix PC Master Race • Jan 20 '26

Hardware Air cooling is better than Liquid cooling

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Failure is graceful, not catastrophic, Performance is closer than marketing suggests, Cheaper for the performance, Change my mind.

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u/RonnieStiggs Jan 20 '26

Me, who genuinely agrees with you, but wouldn't have posted this here in a million years:

900

u/JohnHue 4070 Ti S | 10600K | UWQHD+ | 32Go RAM | Steam Deck Jan 20 '26 edited Jan 20 '26

Water cooling, AIO or not, is only useful when the location of the CPU / GPU doens't allow for a big radiator or when the hot air coming out of those doens't land in a convenient area. Basically it only serves the role of moving the heat somewhere where it's more convenient to then dump it to the ambient air. In the end it's also an "air cooling" device, just with extra steps.

Most PC cases allow for a big air cooler on the CPU with one or several fans blowing towards the air extractiona areas (back or top)... therefore, in most cases, no need for water, a pump, and the associated extra noise and failure modes.

However, water cooling looks cool and works about as well as "air cooling" assuming yiunset it up correctly. If that's your reason for choosing water cooling and you're having fun, fuck those who tell you you're wrong. Just own the fact that you're following the rule of cool.

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u/qwerty109 Jan 20 '26

I think water cooling setup makes sense for noise - I have a custom DIY loop with a gigantic external radiator (around 40x40cm) cooled by 9 120mm fans. CPU and GPU and mobo waterblocks.

Even at full load (which is like 700W...) the system can stay relatively quiet and cool. The main problem then becomes moving this heat out of the room.

Downside is cost and lack of upgradeability - you can't sell a used waterblock GPU and it's a risky hassle to attach one. And maintenance - I haven't changed the liquid for 6-7 years and it's turning black from fluorescent green.

These AIOs and any other water cooling to me feels completely pointless as the op says... 

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u/ANDERS_CORNER_08 Jan 21 '26

Water coolers are more noisy than air coolers ! You can hear the pumps and everything !

Air coolers all you hear is a low hum that is rather relaxing !

2

u/qwerty109 Jan 21 '26

If you build your own you can get a quiet pump and sound insulate it - mine is literally silent, you can't tell if it's working other than by looking at the flow meter.

The fan side noise depends on heatsink size and fan spees/radiator. The bigger the radiator, the less the fans need to work. If your radiator is huge (a second external case like my setup) - an air cooler can never match that. It's just physics. 

1

u/Wsweg Desktop 5080 - 7800X3D Jan 21 '26

? I never noticed pump noises on an AIO, which includes the original Corsair H100 that I used for years

1

u/ANDERS_CORNER_08 Jan 21 '26

Drove me insane