Aio Coolers - Potential Problems Corsair GTX 110i

[lieutenantfrost]

How likely is it that an aio cooler will leak or the pump will break down and fry my cpu before I even realize? I was checking out some vidoes on youtube that showed them leaking over internal components. I have been thinking of getting an air cooler instead since the performance is about the same for both.

 

[USAFRet]

"How likely..." ? Greater than 0%.

How likely is it that a large air cooler will bend or break your CPU/motherboard? Again, greater than 0%.

Both unlikely. There are "youtube videos" that will show a fail mode of anything more complex than a rock.

 

[synphul]

It's somewhat rare or unlikely for aio coolers to leak but they can and do. Anything manufactured can fail, it's up to you whether or not the risk is worth it even if it's a low risk. What damage occurs is also unpredictable, it could just fry one component or it could kill several. Aio's work ok, after awhile they will fail. Moving parts tend to give up and they don't use the highest quality of components in order to keep the price competitive and appealing. An aio costs around $100 while custom loops can cost $300-500+.

Usually aio's last a couple years, some longer some less. Air coolers have a fan that can stop working but otherwise no other moving parts or anything to leak. If using large air coolers, the weight can be a problem when moving them like shipping or transporting them with the cooler attached if it's allowed to bounce around and stress the motherboard and cpu. On a desk they're fine. Some people just don't like the looks and prefer the slight risk associated with aio's or water cooling for something more visually appealing. They often do perform similarly, aio's and large air coolers.