Air vs Water Cooling CPU – Ultimate Beginner’s Guide

Are you having trouble deciding between an air or water cooling CPU?

Relax! You're not alone. Most people find it challenging to decide without some guidance. We have realized that one option is ideal for light PC users who perform simple tasks like word processing, while the other is better for heavy users who perform demanding tasks like gaming. 

Let's dig in and learn more.

TL;DR: Air vs Water Cooling CPU

What is an Air Cooling CPU? 

An air cooling CPU relies on air as its cooling or heat management mechanism. An air cooling system comprises two separate components; the fan and the heat sink. 

The heat sink is a sizeable thermal-conductive metal that lies directly on top of the CPU and transfers the produced heat to the large metal fins. Heat sinks are usually made of copper or aluminum. 

The fan helps in dissipating the heat from the case. It plugs into the motherboard and sits to the side of or atop the heat sink to push air cool air through and cool down the fins. 

The one significant advantage of using an air cooling CPU is that air coolers are cost-effective. 

What is a Water Cooling CPU? 

A water cooling CPU relies on water for heat management or cooling. Unlike the air cooling CPU that uses air drawn in from the atmosphere, the water cooling CPU relies on sealed liquid water to carry heat away from the CPU to the radiator. 

The water cooling system comprises four major interconnected parts, namely:

• The radiator
  
  
• The hoses or tubings
  
  
• The pump
  
  
• The fan

The water flows through the system via the tubing with the help of the pump. A fan comes in handy to ensure cool air circulation for cooling down the water in the radiator.

The main advantage of the water cooling CPU is that more heat is dissipated than the air cooler option. Water has better thermal conductivity than air and thus draws more heat from the CPU. More heat spreads out because the radiator's surface area is larger than that of the heat sink. 

Although water cooling CPUs are an excellent option for overclocking or performing more demanding tasks, the most significant risk is water leakage. If the water leaks out of the system, it can quickly destroy the surrounding electric components or the entire motherboard altogether. 

How Does a CPU Cooler Work?

Both air and water CPU coolers operate on the same principle. They both draw heat from the hot CPU and dissipate it away from the hardware. 

The generated heat is distributed to the CPU’s metal lid (the Integrated Heat Spreader - IHS) and then shifted to the CPU cooler’s baseplate. The heat is then to a fan or radiator via a heat pipe or by the water. The fan blows it away from the cooler and PC. 

In the air cooling CPU, the heat transferred to the IHS through the thermal paste into the thermal conductive baseplate flows into the attached heat pipes. The heat pipes conduct it away to the heat sink and into the thin metal fins. 

The fins optimize the surface area for the exposure of the heat to cooler air. The attached fan blows the now-warm air out of the heat sink and eventually out of the PC.

The CPU baseplate setup and the IHS are the same in the water cooling CPU as with the air cooling CPU. In this case, the baseplate's metal surface forms part of the water block filled with the water. 

As the water flows through the water block, it draws heat from the base plate and into the radiator. In the radiator, the water is exposed to cool air blown by the fan, which also blows the heat out of the cooler and eventually the PC. 

The now cool water flows back into the water block, and the cycle begins once again. 

Types of CPU Coolers

There are different kinds of CPU coolers, as discussed below.

All-In-One Liquid Cooling

To ensure a more hassle-free CPU cooling solution for you, an all-in-one (shortened as AIO) liquid cooler comprises the water block, tubes, fittings, pump, radiator, and fans into one sleek package. 

Custom Loop Liquid Cooling

As the name suggests, a custom loop liquid cooling system is one that you build or assemble yourself by sourcing for the different components and connecting them to form a complete cooler.

The working mechanism is the same as with the all-in-one coolers, but you have to be careful enough to ensure there are no coolant leakages as it may ruin the CPU or other device components if it leaks. 

You also have to source for all the constituent parts, including the reservoir, which can be stressful and time-consuming. However, there is no limit to a custom or open-loop system since you have various material and color options. 

Air Cooling

As we have seen earlier, air coolers rely on atmospheric air to cool down the CPU using the heatsink and the fans. Most PCs have air coolers as the stock cooling system, but they are not always reliable, especially if you overclock your CPU.

Water Cooling

Water cooling CPU coolers use water to manage the heat the CPU produces. They are a better option than air coolers since water is more thermally conductive, and the radiator offers a larger surface area for the cooling of the warm water. 

Relevant Characteristics Between Air and Water Cooling CPUs

Similarities and Differences

Now that we have a fundamental understanding of what air cooling and water cooling CPUs are and how they function, let's discuss the differences and similarities between the two models. 

Air and Water Cooling CPU Differences 

Air cooling and water cooling CPU systems differ in some aspects, as discussed below.

Size

The fan’s size shows the size of the air cooling system for a CPU. Fan sizes in this case range between 92mm and 140mm. 

It is worth noting that the air cooling system’s size is flexible, and it may involve using multiple fans of different sizes depending on what tasks you use the PC for or if you have overclocked it. 

The size of the water cooling mechanisms for CPUs is determined by the radiator’s size, ranging between 120mm and 360mm for the low to medium options and up to 420mm for the high-end models. 

Maintenance

Air cooling CPUs are easier to maintain since you only have to dust the fan blades or replace worn-out fans. 

Maintaining water cooling CPUs is trickier and more demanding. Besides dusting the fan blades or replacing faulty fans, you have to repair or replace the CPU or other damaged PC parts if the water happens to leak. 

You also have to refill or change the water every six to 12 months because it usually evaporates through the tubes. 

Cost

Air cooling systems cost less. High-end air CPU coolers cost up to $200, while low-end models cost as low as $25. 

On the other hand, water cooling CPU systems are more expensive and cost between $60 for the low-end models and up to $360 for the high-power PCs. 

An air cooling system comprises both intake and exhaust fans, all of which can be noisy, especially when the CPU is excessively heated up. 

Air and Water Cooling CPU Similarities

Despite the above differences, air and water cooling CPUs share some similarities, as outlined below. 

Operating Mechanism

The operating mechanism for both air and water cooling systems for CPUs is the same. They both rely on heat transfer through convection to cool down the CPU since both water and air are fluids. 

Both water and air cooling systems manage the CPU's heat output by drawing the heat away from it and redistributing it to other parts like the fans, which then blow it out of the PC.

Reliance on Other Internal and External Factors

On their own, both water and air CPU cooling systems may not adequately manage the CPU’s heat output. Both are affected by many internal and external factors, like the temperature of the surrounding components and the atmosphere. 

PCs used in hot areas will perform better if they use water cooling rather than air cooling systems. In such warm climates or conditions, the air cooling system fans only absorb air with almost the same temperature as that within the PC. 

Customizability

You can customize both water and air CPU coolers. However, water coolers are more customizable, especially in the open or custom loop model, because there are various materials and colors for the components. Varying colors add pomp and aesthetics to the custom model. 

With the air cooler system, users can customize it for more productivity by changing the size or number of fans.

Note here that you should first check to ascertain that your device will accommodate the fan changes. If it can allow for a fan with a higher capacity of revolutions per minute, go for it. 

Advantages of an Air Cooling CPU

Air cooling CPUs have several advantages that you can count on if you opt to use them. Such advantages include the following:

Lower Costs

An air cooling CPU will cost you just a few dollars for a low-end model. A high-power model for an overclocked CPU will cost you about $200, which is still considerably affordable. 

The lower cost of air cooling CPUs is attributable to their simplicity since they usually comprise two main parts - the heatsink and the fan. 

Since they have a lower cost, air cooling CPUs have a higher performance to price ratio in that you get more cooling for every dollar you spend. (It's worth noting that water cooling CPUs generally achieve the same or slightly better cooling results, but at a higher cost.)

Ease of Installation

Whether you are installing yourself or enlisting a computer shop’s services, installing an air cooling CPU is easy, and this saves you time. The whole system consists of just a few parts, with only one or two cables that plug in. 

It is also easy to maintain or replace the fan if it fails. You just have to use four screws to attach the fan. 

Some of the other advantages of using air cooling CPUs include:

• Suitability for use in small custom desktops and computers
  
  
• Availability of aftermarket air coolers that you can use to replace the less effective stock coolers

On the whole, an air cooling CPU will be the best pick for you if you are on a limited budget and don't want to incur regular maintenance or repair costs. It will also come in handy if you are a beginner in the computer world and don't want to struggle with complex installations. 

Advantages of a Water Cooling CPU 

The advantages of a water cooling CPU are more compared to those of an air cooling CPU. Let's consider some of these significant advantages below.

Better Efficiency

Water cooling CPUs are much more efficient than air cooling CPUs. Because of its high heat capacity and thermal conductivity, water transfers heat more effectively. 

Water cooling thus allows your computer to operate constantly at cool temperatures all the time, unlike the air cooling model, whose fan only kicks into gear when the device overheats. 

When you consider the large sizes and bulkiness of traditional air cooling systems, water cooling systems take the trophy because they consume less space. 

For high-powered PCs, you will need more fans to customize the cooling system. Water coolers take up less space because only one or two small fans are used, and the interconnected tubes are thin. 

Other key advantages of water cooling CPUs include:

• Suitability for warmer climates since the water cooler system relies only to a small extent on air circulation
  
  
• Water cooling systems for CPUs are less noisy due to the use of fewer fans

At large, a water cooling CPU will be the best for you if you live in a warmer climate where the air heats up faster, and ambient temperatures remain high.

If you are a Do-it-Yourself (DIY) enthusiast, you choose the custom or open-loop water cooling model as it will allow you to customize your cooler to your liking on color and material. The customization will allow for a more aesthetically appealing cooler. 

Bottom Line

Whether you are a beginner or an expert in the computing world, you have to ensure that your devices operate optimally and manage heating issues using the proper CPU cooling systems. The CPU is the computer's brain, and all functionalities will halt if it heats up excessively.

The decision to use either the water or air cooling system for your CPU depends on your personal preference and your system's needs.