Question Water or Air CPU Cooling for this build?

[Tatoline]

Hello Everyone,

My cousin is planning to build a computer, and we've prepared a list of components. However, we have some doubts about CPU cooling. We're looking for your recommendations and guidance.

Component List:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i7-13700K 3.4 GHz 16-Core Processor ($399.94 @ Amazon)

Motherboard: Asus ProArt B760-CREATOR WIFI ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($229.99 @ B&H)

Memory: Corsair Vengeance 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-5600 CL36 Memory ($94.99 @ Amazon)

Storage: Samsung 970 Evo Plus 250 GB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($23.98 @ B&H)

Storage: Samsung 980 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($129.99 @ Adorama)

Video Card: MSI VENTUS 3X OC GeForce RTX 4070 12 GB Video Card ($599.99 @ B&H)

Case: Asus TUF Gaming GT301 ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Amazon)

Power Supply: Asus ROG-STRIX-850G 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($201.84 @ Amazon)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11 Home OEM - DVD 64-bit ($117.98 @ Other World Computing)

Monitor: Samsung Odyssey G52A 27.0" 2560 x 1440 165 Hz Monitor ($429.99 @ Best Buy)

Total: $2318.68
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-09-07 09:48 EDT-0400


Now, here are our questions regarding CPU cooling:

My cousin is considering a liquid cooling solution, but a friend of his suggests that an air cooler would suffice and mentions that liquid cooling requires maintenance. Which do you think is the better option? What CPU cooler models do you recommend?

Additionally, when you review our component list, do you have any suggestions or changes to make? What would you recommend to optimize both performance and the overall cost?

Thank you in advance for your participation and recommendations!

EDIT: This build will be used for gaming and cyber security.

 

[Tatoline]

Liquid Cooling all the way lol................................"Water Cooling" takes forever to build lol plus I've never built a water colling build in my career lol

Both "Liquid Cooling" and "Water Cooling" terms were used. Here is the URL from Newegg: https://www.newegg.com/Water-Liquid-Cooling/SubCategory/ID-575
They're using "Water / Liquid Cooling" as a category. I'm also using liquid cooling, it was really easy to build. So I didn't get your point tbh.

 

[Phaaze88]

mentions that liquid cooling requires maintenance...

What? No. AIOs are the quick n dirty version of custom loops.
-maintenance free, sans the occasional dusting, the latter of which everyone should be doing regardless of the type of cooler.
-very little thought or research required in advance.
-usually more affordable.
For that convenience, AIOs are not as powerful as what they're imitating.

Which do you think is the better option?

There isn't a better; your cousin has to weigh their pros and cons, then make their own judgement.

Additionally, when you review our component list, do you have any suggestions or changes to make? What would you recommend to optimize both performance and the overall cost?

It's probably obvious, but for the sake of rules, the build purpose should be stated.

 

[Lucky_SLS]

Some of the components you have chosen is overpriced.

A big air cooler would be sufficient.

Something like this?

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i7-13700 2.1 GHz 16-Core Processor ($366.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 White ARGB 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($44.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI MAG B760 TOMAHAWK WIFI DDR4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Timetec PINNACLE Konduit 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory ($56.99 @ Newegg Sellers)
Storage: Crucial P5 Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($97.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: ASRock Steel Legend OC Radeon RX 7800 XT 16 GB Video Card ($519.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master MasterBox 520 Mesh ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower GF1 Snow - TT Premium 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($108.86 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11 Home OEM - DVD 64-bit ($117.98 @ Other World Computing)
Monitor: Dell G3223D 31.5" 2560 x 1440 165 Hz Monitor ($299.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1848.67
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-09-08 02:47 EDT-0400

 

[Tatoline]

What? No. AIOs are the quick n dirty version of custom loops.
-maintenance free, sans the occasional dusting, the latter of which everyone should be doing regardless of the type of cooler.
-very little thought or research required in advance.
-usually more affordable.
For that convenience, AIOs are not as powerful as what they're imitating.

So your advice is that he should go for AIO liquid cooler instead air cooler?

It's probably obvious, but for the sake of rules, the build purpose should be stated.

Yes you're right, I forgot sorry. I edited to post. He will usually play games, but also he will do some cyber security stuffs.

 

[Tatoline]

Some of the components you have chosen are overpriced.

His budget is enough for it. So why he should buy DDR4 motherboard instead of DDR5?

A big air cooler would be sufficient.

You're saying that "of course liquid cooler can be better, but since an air cooler will be sufficient, no need to pay extra for a liquid cooler". Is that right?

Also I checked the performance tests of AMD RX 7800 XT and NVIDIA RTX 4070, surprisingly AMD is better. You can call me old-fashioned if you want, but for some reason, I just can't warm up to AMD. If it were up to me, I think I'd still go with NVIDIA. Of course, I've passed on your advice to my cousin; the final decision will be his. Thank you for taking the time.

 

[Lucky_SLS]

Big air coolers like the peerless assassin often performs better than most 240mm AIO. with a locked 13700, i see no reason to go AIO.

have a look at these charts:

Thermalright Frost Commander 140 Review: Strong Performance, Incredible Value

A whole lot of cooling for $50. But fan noise will be an issue for some.

www.tomshardware.com

 

[Phaaze88]

So your advice is that he should go for AIO liquid cooler instead air cooler?

No. They should look at the good and bad points of both coolers then make their choice. There is no best.
If I can point out what I think are the largest drawbacks of both, your cousin may have a better idea where to go from there.
Air coolers
-Case compatibility in smaller form factor cases. All the capable ones are at least 150mm tall. Below that is better off with an AIO.
-Subjective: aesthetics. It gets brought up often enough, that I figure it should go here.
-If the case comes with a couple, or no fans, and there's no spare case fans on hand, dual and triple fan AIOs can fill that space, as AIO fans fill the roles of both cpu and case fans.

-Fan curves: a balance should be met between the cooler's fans and the case fans for low noise operation. An AIO can kinda brute force that by itself.
[Some will argue about the weight of the larger coolers, but I find it a strange argument when their mounting support is superior to air cooled gpus. Plus, they're lighter; many gpu coolers are easily ~2000g or more, but few air coolers even push 1500g...]

AIOs
-They have finite lifespans(loop clogging/corrosion, fluid runs too low, or pump fails). You replace an air cooler when you get tired of looking at it, or it doesn't fit in the new case.

-Pump fails with next to no warning. Air coolers can have a rare defect where a heatpipe bursts, but that shows up on the first use.
-They are leak resistant, not leak proof. That's not a problem these days, unless one manhandles it in a fit of rage...
-If they fit in the case, some air coolers are competitive with the smaller AIOs(120/240mm).
[IMO, 280mm is the sweet spot, but they're not popular at all...]

 

[Tatoline]

Thank you so much guys for the detailed explanations and insights! Your input has been incredibly helpful in understanding the pros and cons of both air and liquid cooling solutions. It's clear that there's no one-size-fits-all answer, and your breakdown of the key drawbacks for each option is greatly appreciated.

Your expertise and willingness to share your knowledge have made our decision-making process much more informed. We're now better equipped to make the right choice for our specific needs.

Once again, thank you guys for taking the time to provide such valuable information!