Question Do air coolers cause higher temperatures inside the case than AIOs? Or is it negligible?

[NewbieOverclocker]

If I understand correctly, top-of-the-range air CPU coolers like the Noctua U14S or U12A can be quieter and can cool a CPU as well if not better (ie slightly lower temperatures) than most AIO liquid cooling - at least when using low-power CPUs like the 65ish W AMD Ryzens.

However, there seem to be very different opinions on the effect air coolers vs AIOs have on temperature and ventilation inside the case:

• some say that AIOs are better because they expel hot air out of the case, while air coolers cool the CPU but circulate hot air inside the case;
• some say it doesn't really matter as long as the case has decent ventilation, because any hot air moved by the air cooler will just be expelled by the rear exhaust fan of the case

What are your views?

The background is that I am trying to understand if I need to replace my old PC build, and doing some research into potential replacements. I'd probably get a Ryzen 5 7600 CPU (65W) to be used for a combination of office stuff and Lightroom/video encoding,

 

[rgd1101]

get a case fan for the back of the case

 

[Paperdoc]

The difference is very small, AND depends on how you install the AIO system. Remember that, no matter which type of system you use, the actual heat to be removed from the CPU chip is still the same.

MANY people using AIO systems prefer to place the rad on the front with the fans drawing outside air through the rad and into the case, because that outside air is cooler. In this arrangement, ALL the air through the rad goes inside the case to be exhausted by other fans. So that has the SAME effect as using an air cooler on the CPU. Other people mount the rads at the top with fans blowing inside air to the outside, thus contributing to warm air removal. However, that means that the air being used to cool the rad is slightly pre-warmed by all the other elements inside the case. This factor is minimal, and merely means that the fans may have to run just a fraction faster to remove the same amount of heat.

So I'd say the choice of air vs AIO cooler systems depends little on their impact on internal case temperature. The factors that ARE important are what the actual heat removal capacity of the cooler system is, and on how high the overall air flow through the case is. That last factor is vital in overall system cooling. The first factor - cooling system heat removal capacity - is an important consideration most often for very high-performance CPU chips that generate a lot of heat.

 

[hotaru.hino]

My view is it doesn't matter if there's adequate ventilation in the case. The whole point of case fans is to replace the warm air in the case with the hopefully cooler air outside of the case.

AIO's have the advantage that the actual heat exchanging part can be placed directly in front of the intake, so it'll always get the coldest air. But even then, you could always jury rig a vent for an air cooler, which many system builders do. For example, you can see such in this old Dell Dimension tower:

 

[NewbieOverclocker]

I see, thank you. if we think of quiet cases like the Fractal Design Define 7 range https://www.fractal-design.com/products/cases/define/define-7-xl/Black TG Dark Tint/ - would you say a bigger case (eg the XL version vs the normal one) is better to the extent having more space allows better airflow?? Or not necessarily?

 

[Deleted member 2838871]

My view is it doesn't matter if there's adequate ventilation in the case.

I agree. Doesn't matter. I used AIOs for years with my recent Intel builds (4790k/7700k/10900k) and went air cooler (Noctua NH-D15) with my recent AMD build because an AIO isn't necessary for the x3D processors.

In all builds I've had the same setup... intake at the front... exit at the top and the rear.

I see, thank you. if we think of quiet cases like the Fractal Design Define 7 range https://www.fractal-design.com/products/cases/define/define-7-xl/Black TG Dark Tint/ - would you say a bigger case (eg the XL version vs the normal one) is better to the extent having more space allows better airflow?? Or not necessarily?

You're fine with the non-XL version... unless you just want a bigger case. Cooling differences will be minimal.

 

[NewbieOverclocker]

Thank you, all. So, if hotter temperatures in the case are not really a factor, I think it comes down to balancing:

• cost
• noise levels
• risk of failure (if an AIO leaks it can damage the system, if a fan breaks down it won't damage anything else)
• transportation (transporting a system with an AIO is easier)
• bulk and ease of access to the inside of the case

 

[Deleted member 2838871]

Thank you, all. So, if hotter temperatures in the case are not really a factor, I think it comes down to balancing:

• cost
• noise levels
• risk of failure (if an AIO leaks it can damage the system, if a fan breaks down it won't damage anything else)

Those are the 3 reasons I went with an air cooler. Don't get me wrong... I never had an issue with AIOs but as said they aren't necessary for my processor so skipping the AIO saved money and I don't have to worry about pump failure/leaks.

Noise isn't really a factor... both setups are quiet and I wouldn't say one is better than the other.

 

[NewbieOverclocker]

In my specific case, another factor is who sells what. I have neither the time nor the inclination to assemble a new PC build myself, so I'll buy it from the usual places (not sure if it would be appropriate to post links) which assemble a build for you based on the specs you choose. No online shop sells all the gear I would ideally like, so it becomes a balancing act - do I prioritise my favourite case or cooler or motherboard etc.

 

[docboy]

Thank you, all. So, if hotter temperatures in the case are not really a factor, I think it comes down to balancing:

• cost
• noise levels
• risk of failure (if an AIO leaks it can damage the system, if a fan breaks down it won't damage anything else)
• transportation (transporting a system with an AIO is easier)
• bulk and ease of access to the inside of the case

Good insight. I've been grappling with this very same question past few weeks, as I've been wanting a 13900k, but then got concerned with excess heat and thermal throttling, and then couldn't decide between the i7 and i5 as I was worried about heat.

After exhaustive research and trying to look at numbers and tests objectively, and getting past overzealous Cinebench tests, I've concluded even the most popular AIOs cannot prevent the hottest Intel and AMD cpu's from thermal throttling (at least from what the articles I've encountered).

I'm leaning towards air cooler for same reasons you listed, esp the risk of AIO failing. Deep Cool Assassin IV and Cooler Master MA824 are coming out any day now, and they look absolutely INSANE along with insane specs.