When it comes to custom gaming PCs , there are two basic options for safely mitigating the heat generated by the CPU: air cooling and liquid cooling. Both options have their advantages, although the choice of method will depend on the needs of your PC.

Why do computers need cooling?

PCs, and generally any machine with a processor that reaches high temperatures, have a custom PC cooling system to ensure good performance of the equipment, an effective increase in its useful life and for safety reasons to avoid breakdowns that, in the worst case, can even lead to fires.

Manufacturers such as Intel warn that if we don’t have a system that dissipates the heat from the processor, the most common thing that usually happens is that it reaches very high temperatures, and typically at 100º Celsius the PC will shut down for safety, so we won’t even be able to use our computer.

The CPU or processor is, broadly speaking, the brain of the computer, and one of the components that supports the most workload. The more resources the task in question requires, such as running games at high resolutions or with maximum graphics, or rendering and editing 3D models in great detail, the more heat will be generated. And this heat can hinder the overall performance of the equipment by accumulating in the small space of the PC case or tower.

This is where custom PC cooling systems come in as essential components that, as we say, are not “exclusive” to the PC since many video game consoles also incorporate them. The different types of cooling, whether air or liquid, perform the fundamental function of expelling heat from the device in such a way as to ensure decent operation of the computer.

What is air cooling and how does it work?

Air cooling is a very simple method of dissipating heat, and can be highly effective and very easy to install. Air cooling works like this:

1. The processor is connected to a heatsink with a fan pointing directly at it. Thermal paste is often used as a conductive material to ensure the heat transfer between the processor and the heatsink is as high as possible.
2. The fan is constantly running to cool the heatsink and expel its heat away from the processor and preferably outside the PC case or tower, bringing a  cooling solution for the PC case.

Advantages

• Cost: Air cooling is cheaper than custom PC water cooling, due to the simplicity of its operation. If budget is a concern, it’s worth opting for air cooling and using the money you’ve saved to buy more storage or faster DRAM.
• Installation: Air cooling systems are easier to install than liquid cooling, making them a better choice for those new to PC building. And you won’t have to worry about liquid leaking from your system.
• Maintenance: With air cooling, maintenance needs are much lower, as after you’ve built your system, all you’ll need to do is dust off your PC every few months.

Drawbacks

• Noise: Air cooling fans are generally louder than those on a liquid cooling system, which can be quite distracting during gaming.
• Performance: Air cooling isn’t as efficient as liquid cooling, but it’s still a good option for cooling your PC.
• Aesthetics: The heatsink on a custom PC air cooler is quite bulky, which can ruin the aesthetics of the computer. Also, there is no option to change the visual appearance of an air cooler.

What is Liquid Cooling and How Does It Work?

Liquid, or water, cooling is one of the best methods for cooling a PC, due to the high thermal conductivity of water.

A liquid cooling system for a custom PC consists of water blocks, a pump, a radiator, tubes, and optionally a reservoir. The pump moves liquid coolant to and from a radiator through the water block, which is attached to the CPU. Heat is then transferred from the component to the cooling liquid, which continuously circulates through the system.

When it comes to liquid cooling, there are two main options: AIO (All-in-One) and custom loop. AIO coolers come as an integral unit, so you don’t have to put the custom PC water cooling parts together. With a custom loop rig, you can customize every aspect of your system for optimal performance and aesthetic appeal. AIO and custom loop systems have different advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to know the difference between the two.

Advantages:

• Noise: Liquid cooling runs quieter; your system’s fans tend to spin slower and quieter than those on an air-cooled system.
• Performance: PC users who plan to game at max settings should consider liquid cooling. Pushing your PC to its limits requires more power, which can potentially overheat your system to dangerous levels. Water cooling lowers temperatures faster and more efficiently than air cooling.
• Aesthetics: Liquid cooling systems can be very aesthetically pleasing, as RGB elements can be incorporated to enhance their visual appearance. Custom PC loop cooling can achieve spectacular effects, so mix and match parts to build a totally unique system.

Drawbacks

• Cost: A custom liquid cooling system can cost a lot more than a standard air cooling system. You’ll be paying for a more complex operation and, of course, the best performance. However, AIO systems are closer in price to air cooling.
• Installation: Custom liquid cooling can be laborious to install, especially for beginners. An AIO (all-in-one) liquid cooler is easier to install, it shouldn’t take you more than 30 minutes. However, having water running through your system can be a bit of a nuisance either way.
• Maintenance: Custom liquid systems require more maintenance than air cooling systems, as you need to maintain proper fluid levels and make sure components are clean and in good working order. Plus, a failure of any part of your custom system could be catastrophic to your computer.

AIO systems require less maintenance as everything comes assembled from the factory, which also reduces the risk of system leaks.

Is air cooling or liquid cooling better for PCs?

As to whether one or the other is better, we’ll have to carefully study the type of use we want to give our computer and our own knowledge on the subject. As we mentioned above, air cooling is generally cheaper, easier to install and less prone to problems, so if we do not plan to perform tasks that involve a huge workload for the processor, and therefore will not reach very high temperatures on a recurring basis, we should opt for air cooling by installing a good fan.

However, if we still want to avoid complications and don’t want to use liquid cooling, it’s perfectly possible to use configurations of more than one fan, depending on the size and specifications of components such as the tower or the motherboard itself, to obtain temperatures similar to those that a single liquid cooling system could achieve.

Now, if we want to build a tower with the intention of working on issues that require intensive use of the processor or playing the latest video games at maximum graphics, the ideal option is a custom PC liquid cooling kit, since this will help us to dissipate as much as possible the enormous heat that the CPU will generate. Of course, we must take into account that liquid cooling requires recurring maintenance and that the slightest defect can have disastrous consequences for other components of the PC.

Problems such as rust or breaks in the pipes can cause the coolant to leak and damage other elements of our computer. We must also take into account that the coolant itself must be refilled from time to time since it is not 100% recycled; A certain amount is gradually evaporated by the high temperatures until eventually there is nothing left and the liquid cooling system stops doing its job.

This in turn raises an additional problem: depending on the manufacturer, opening the cooling system to replenish the coolant may void the product warranty, which is why we insist that this type of heat dissipation system should only be used for very intensive tasks and by experts who know how to handle it properly and without causing major problems.