One does not need to be an expert in personal computers to know that PCs, much like any other electronic gadget, generate heat during use. Although a little bit of heat wouldn’t make your workhorse spontaneously combust, having the right CPU cooler for your computer will go a long way in keeping it running smoothly, especially if you’re living in a tropical country like the Philippines.
This begs the question: which CPU cooler is the right one? Should you go for an air cooler? Or is it better to go hydropower? Let’s delve deeper into each of these thermal dissipation solutions to help you decide which one is a more fitting choice for your setup.
The lowdown
-ron-bulaong.jpg?sfvrsn=a46c700c_2)
Noctua NH-D15. Photo by Ron Bulaong
Air cooling is the traditional method of dissipating heat from a PC's components through air conduction and convection. A typical air cooling setup comprises an aluminum or copper heatsink, one or two fans, and a conductive goop often referred to as a thermal paste. These cooling components work together to draw cool air from the surroundings and blow it across the heat-emitting components, such as the CPU and GPU, effectively transferring heat into the air to keep the temperature of the processor in check.
From Arctic Official Website
Water cooling, on the other hand, offers a more advanced and efficient cooling solution. In this method, a closed-loop system or custom-built system is constructed, where the liquid coolant is circulated through various components to facilitate heat dissipation. Water blocks, which act as an alternative to heat sinks, are mounted directly on the components that require cooling to absorb the heat. The heated water is then transferred to a radiator, equipped with fans, where it dissipates the heat and ultimately cools down. Additionally, a pump is employed to ensure constant water circulation, making water cooling an active cooling solution.
Factors to consider
Now that we can easily tell one from the other, let's dive into the pros and cons of each cooling method:
In terms of cooling efficiency, aesthetics, and space requirements, going for a liquid cooler is hands down the better option compared to an air cooler. Liquid cooling systems excel in dissipating heat and take up significantly less space inside of your PC, giving you more room to fit in and move around other components.
We can also make a case for noise levels as another plus for water coolers. However, I decided not to because this can be very subjective. If the PC is far enough, or if you typically use a headphone with ANC, the amount of noise generated by an air cooler, even in the hottest of weather, is barely noticeable.
If there is something that a CPU, or other PC components for that matter, hates more than heat, it’s water. The absence of water on air coolers means that it requires less maintenance, and makes it a more reliable choice for dissipating heat from your PC.
In terms of cost, air coolers are generally more cost-effective compared to liquid coolers, both in retail price and maintenance. This is primarily because air coolers have fewer components in order to work, and all you need at most is canned air to clean it.
The goal of this post is not to give you a definitive answer as to which cooling solution is better, but rather to lay out all the cards on the table so you can make a more informed decision. If you’re the type who wants a hassle-free cooling method, then an air cooler is the way to go. However, if you’re the type of person who prefers a more hands-on approach, then you can never go wrong with a liquid cooler.
Whichever option you go for, it’s best to pair your fancy desktop PC with a fiber-fast Internet connection from PLDT Fiber Plus Plan. Subscribe today and find out why Ookla recognizes PLDT as the fastest Internet in the Philippines for five years straight.