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Liquid Cooling Vs. Air Cooling... A PC Question
9 years ago
Now that I've cleaned out my wallet with another six-month payment for my tuition, I'm looking at saving towards putting toward a new computer. Given that it doesn't make sense to not meet or even better, exceed specifications for the new VR systems being introduced, I'm getting nudges that I should be looking at having my upcoming PC liquid cooled as opposed to traditional air cooling. Knowing almost nothing about liquid cooling, I appeal to you, my more knowledgeable watchers for some assistance in learning about the advantages and disadvantages of having my system water cooled.
1. Is it necessary to have my upcoming and much faster Core I-7 liquid cooled? Will air cooling suffice?
2. I've heard that liquid cooling increases the noise quotient, yet my new PC probably will be most likely without 5.25" drives for sound deadening. Is this even an issue? I do prefer quieter PCs.
3. What are the advantages of liquid cooling over air cooling?
I have a pretty long time before I assemble everything, but I figured I'd get started on the couple things I'm a little fuzzy on right now. Your help would be a tremendous boon. Thank you. :3
EDIT: I suppose it might help if I listed the current setup I'm looking at. I was perusing some websites to see about making sure I had the correct specifications to handle the Oculus Rift or other VR systems, and I came across this one: http://www.octopusrift.com/building.....imate-rift-pc/
Half of the components, especially the motherboard and video card are newer versions of ones that I currently have. I thought that was a good sign. It was the liquid cooled components that threw me for a curve. Hence, this journal.
1. Is it necessary to have my upcoming and much faster Core I-7 liquid cooled? Will air cooling suffice?
2. I've heard that liquid cooling increases the noise quotient, yet my new PC probably will be most likely without 5.25" drives for sound deadening. Is this even an issue? I do prefer quieter PCs.
3. What are the advantages of liquid cooling over air cooling?
I have a pretty long time before I assemble everything, but I figured I'd get started on the couple things I'm a little fuzzy on right now. Your help would be a tremendous boon. Thank you. :3
EDIT: I suppose it might help if I listed the current setup I'm looking at. I was perusing some websites to see about making sure I had the correct specifications to handle the Oculus Rift or other VR systems, and I came across this one: http://www.octopusrift.com/building.....imate-rift-pc/
Half of the components, especially the motherboard and video card are newer versions of ones that I currently have. I thought that was a good sign. It was the liquid cooled components that threw me for a curve. Hence, this journal.
2. The noise can be adjusted with adapters, which if you have large radiators you can have slower fans that move lots of air at low speeds, and then have it set to speed up under load.
3. Superior cooling performance, greater consistency, and life extension of parts (for every 10 degrees cooler).
However it is not without its flaws, though it really depends on your application and what you personally wish to have.
On air cooling that can be a huge problem since each card is next to the other (if you are using 3 or 4 way SLi/Crossfire) and can heat soak or be starved of air. Liquid cooling can solve this problem and leave a generally aesthetic result if done properly.
My personal recommendation, get the Corsair Hydro H55 - http://amzn.com/B009VV56TY The pump in it is almost 100% silent, the only thing that is a bit of a fuss is the initial installation, but otherwise it's amazing.
The problem with liquid cooling is how you want to apply it. A fully water cooled system would require a lot of time and effort, whilst a closed loop CPU cooler will only work for the CPU. Still, at the end of the day, it is not the end of the world. A decent aftermarket Air cooler for the CPU can be enough, but nothing beats a closed loop cooler which pretty much is far more silent.
For liquid cooling, it varies depending on the type of rig but generally requires more regular cycles of inspection and potentially maintenance and part replacement. The level of care required has been dropping steadily over time as pumps and valves get better and more long-wearing, but will still require more work than an equivalent air-cooled rig.
So, my advice is that unless you plan to be doing A) overclocking or B) long periods of max-intensity CPU/GPU work on your computer (A/V rendering and processing for example, or running data programs like Folding@home while you play Fallout 4 on max settings ;) ), Air cooling is going to be plenty and will be cheaper.
Oh, one other case where liquid cooling is preferable: C) your computer setup is such that you cannot guarantee good ventilation/airflow (tucked in a corner against two walls for example). That said, I do recommend aftermarket CPU heatsinks and proper case selection for air cooling, if you're going to be doing much gaming or other relatively high-load activities. It's not -strictly- necessary, but it works nicely without adding too much to cost.
2. Liquid cooled rigs are generally quieter cause they use different fans, and at lower speeds. But a plain air cooled system can be dead quiet too, just do research into fans, particularly static pressure vs. air flow fans. The former being for putting against any sort of cooling fins. And the latter being for places that don't have to push air through cooling fin. So generally vent fans.
3. If done correctly, the difference can be negligible. Most people do it just for fun and looks now, that's what I'm doing it for. And again, the maintanence on a air cooled is a LOT less demanding than water cooled, which is why most people don't do it. Also keep in mind, putting water blocks on most things voids the warranty.
Do your own research, read reviews, watch videos. It's more a matter of presence. And what works for you.
Air cooling will definitely suffice. Get something like a Noctua NH-U14S or a Cryorig H5 or a Hyper 212 Evo and you'll have plenty of quiet cooling for your CPU.
2. I've heard that liquid cooling increases the noise quotient, yet my new PC probably will be most likely without 5.25" drives for sound deadening. Is this even an issue? I do prefer quieter PCs.
Liquid cooling can definitely be quieter, but only if you go all in and also watercool the GPU in a custom made loop, because I dunno if you've heard a GPU go full blast, but it'll be louder than even the noisiest CPU fans, and if you plan to do VR and ultra quality new games, your GPU will spend an awful amount of time on or near full blast, as you will need almost twice the render power for the VR.
3. What are the advantages of liquid cooling over air cooling?
It's quieter, when done right. It runs cool, when done right. It looks cool, when done right.
Most of the time, though, it's absolutely not necessary.