A lot of debate has been going on around the topic of air CPU coolers vs. liquid CPU coolers. Liquid CPU coolers have a quieter operation and promise the lowest possible temperatures for your PC. This means a longer life for your PC components and, consequently, a longer life for your computer. But, if a liquid CPU cooler offers better performance, this improvement comes at a certain price. You have to decide when does this cost exceed its benefits? Let’s try and find out.
Do You Really Need a Liquid CPU Cooler?
It depends! Let me explain in detail.
You may not need a liquid CPU cooler if you only use your computer for watching movies or occasional gaming. However, it is a different story if you are a professional gamer who uses the computer to play RAM-consuming games at length. See, the temperature of a normal PC can get up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius). While on the other hand, a gaming PC may encounter higher heat levels. The normal operating temperature of a gaming PC is 158 to 175 degrees Fahrenheit (70-80 degrees Celsius). This extra heat needs to be removed, or it can hurt the critical components of your PC. The extreme temperature will cause your PC to crash suddenly. Heat shortens the life of components such as processors, graphic cards, and hard drives, even if the PC doesn't crash.
The second most important consideration is the area you live in and the surrounding of your PC. Some regions have a high average temperature. For example, in many states of the US, the mercury pops a 100 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the summers. In such regions, gaming machines will heat up more often. Similarly, if you’ve kept your PC in a place with bad ventilation, the issue of heating up might come up. To cut a long story short, you are the judge. You know your circumstances best. If air coolers are not doing your job, then think about shifting to a liquid CPU cooler. Otherwise, let it be.
Are Liquid CPU Coolers Expensive to Buy?
Not particularly. But if you compare their price with the air coolers of the same specifications, you would find liquid coolers are relatively expensive. It is mainly due to the sophisticated components that form a liquid cooler. It consists of tubes, fans, a heat sink, a pump, and a radiator. In contrast, air coolers consist of fins and fans only. So, they are generally cheaper to buy.
What Should You Do?
To sum up, choosing between air and liquid CPU coolers depends on your needs. You must consider investing in a liquid CPU cooler if your PC gets hot very often. However, it may be an unnecessary expense if you are not into professional gaming. We recommend that you use this money to upgrade other hardware components of your CPU. Such as the processor, RAM, or power supply unit.