When buying a brand-new gaming PC, you might know what CPU and graphics card you’d like, how much RAM to get… but have you considered the type of cooling you prefer? The liquid cooling vs air cooling debate is still strong in the gaming community, but we aim to explain the main differences between the two so you can make an informed decision. Let’s get started!
Why Does Your Gaming PC Need A Cooling System?
To learn more about cooling systems and how they increase performance, you must first understand how CPUs work.
The CPU (Central Processing Unit), also called 'the brain of the PC', is a small but essential component of your gaming build. The processor's job is to handle all the instructions and commands of your PC. When in operation, the CPU (like most components) will generate a lot of excess heat. If the CPU exceeds its safe operating temperature, this can lead to performance issues and even permanent damage to your hardware.
That’s where cooling systems come into play. Just like the name suggests, the role of a cooling system is to cool down the CPU, reducing heat buildup and minimising the risks of overheating.
Both types of cooling - air and liquid coolers - provide efficient heat dissipation, and you will find pre-built gaming PCs with either option. Still, there are a few key differences to consider before buying your PC - let’s explore them below:
What Is Air Cooling?
The first type of cooling we'll talk about is air cooling. Air cooling is a very simple heat-dissipating system consisting of two parts:
- Heat sink
- Fan
The way it works is quite straightforward. The fan sits either on top or to the side of the heat sink and has the purpose of dissipating CPU heat into the PC case.
Pros Of Air Cooling
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Cost
Air cooling is considered the more affordable option simply due to its simple design, which does not require lots of materials or require an overly complex installation. If you’re looking to buy a budget gaming PC, a low-profile air cooler will do the trick just fine.
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Maintenance
If you choose an air-cooled PC, you’ll be happy to hear there’s virtually no maintenance you need to take care of in the long run. At most, you can clean the dust out of your PC once every few months, but other than that, your cooling system is good to go.
Cons Of Air Cooling
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Noise
While they don’t cause a lot of noise, air cooler systems are generally louder than liquid cooling systems. This can be distracting at times, especially during focus-heavy games.
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Performance
The general consensus is that air cooling is not as efficient as liquid cooling. However, it is still a perfectly good option, especially if you are on a budget.
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Visuals
Air cooler designs are fairly standard, meaning there is little to no chance of customising your PC after purchase. Those who are interested in an aesthetic build with transparent cases and RGB lights might not be satisfied with how bulky air coolers tend to be.
What Is Liquid Cooling
Liquid cooling, or water cooling, is another method of dissipating heat from the CPU. A liquid cooling system is a bit more complex, consisting of:
- Water blocks (attached to the CPU)
- Pump
- Radiator
- Pipes
- Reservoir (optional)
So, how does liquid cooling work? The role of the pump is to push liquid coolant (most commonly water, either purified or deionized) to and from the radiator through the water block. Water has high thermal conductivity, which allows the liquid pumps to take on heat from the CPU and pump it away through the system.
Because of this, liquid cooling tends to have a better cooling capacity, as it dissipates heat over a larger surface area. If there is a sudden burst of heat inside your PC case, liquid cooling can take care of it more easily.
Do I Have To Refill My Liquid Cooler?
A concern we see often is whether or not liquid coolers need to be refilled. The good news is - unless you are building your own custom liquid cooling system, you won’t need to worry about any long-term maintenance. Liquid CPU coolers are most often closed systems, meaning you won’t need to (or even be able to) tinker with them or replace the cooling liquid yourself.
Pros Of Liquid Cooling
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Noise levels
Liquid coolers are quieter than air coolers due to the fans rotating more slowly.
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Performance
Liquid cooling is ideal for those looking to push their gaming rig to its limits. For example, if you play games at maximum settings, this can overheat your system. The technology of liquid coolers is better equipped to cool down the CPU fast and avoid any potential damage.
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Visuals
Most pre-built gaming PCs come equipped with All-in-One (AIO) coolers, which might be seen as more visually appealing than your average air cooler especially when combined with extra RGB elements.
However, the real aesthetic potential lies in custom cooling loops, which can turn your cooling system into an impressive arrangement of pipes and pumps. This does, however, require some PC building knowledge. Custom loops are most often not worth the time and effort - they don’t improve performance and are simply an aesthetic choice.
Cons Of Liquid Cooling
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Cost
AIO cooling tends to be on the higher end of the scale compared to air coolers, due to increased performance and a more complex setup.
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Maintenance
Air coolers are fairly simple to clean and maintain, as all you need to do is dust off the fans once in a while. Liquid cooling systems contain a lot more parts which increases the risk of something going wrong. However, if you are simply buying a liquid cooling pre-built PC for gaming, you will likely not need to worry too much about long-term cleaning and maintenance.
How To Choose Between Water Cooling vs Air Cooling
When buying a gaming desktop, the choice between an air-cooled or a liquid-cooled rig depends on a few different factors.
For example, ask yourself what your goals are in terms of using your brand-new PC. Are you planning to use it for casual gaming, or are you looking to play the latest-gen titles at maximum settings? Are you planning to multitask by playing video games and streaming them online at the same time?
Consider factors such as:
Price
Air coolers are cheaper, on average, than their liquid counterparts, making them ideal for entry-level gaming. However, you can find both cost-friendly and premium versions of both, so if you want the performance of liquid cooling on a budget, you'll definitely have options available.
Thermal Performance
Liquid coolers dissipate heat over a larger surface area than air coolers, allowing them to absorb huge amounts of sudden heat a lot quicker.
Temperature Regulation
Air cooling systems help cool down the CPU by dispersing heat into the system, which can raise the overall ambient temperature around all other components. On the other hand, liquid coolers disperse the heat outside the case, helping keep your system at a lower ambient temperature.
Liquid cooling does have a fair bit of advantages over air cooling, which will reflect on the price tag of your rig. Ultimately, the choice between air cooling vs liquid cooling simply depends on your own needs, as both types provide effective cooling and help improve your PC performance when gaming.
At Alex Davis PCs, we stock pre-built gaming PCs equipped with air coolers and liquid coolers, fit for a wide variety of gaming needs. Browse our collection of gaming PCs today or get in touch to discuss customization options.
