Opting for custom water cooling can be tempting as it sets your build apart from the crowd. Apart from the bling and its obvious “cool factor,” custom liquid-cooled systems are a testament to the builder’s personality. However, all of this comes at a steep price. You can easily spend hundreds of dollars on the CPU, which can be easily tamed by an inexpensive Noctua NH-D15. So, is opting for AIO liquid coolers enough? Let us try to answer this question.
What are the Pros and Cons of Custom Liquid Coolers?
Probably the biggest advantage custom liquid coolers have over AIO liquid coolers is their flexibility. You can completely customize the cooling solution for your GPU. You can choose multiple radiators to cool the hottest Core i9 12900KS chips in the market, and even cool your CPU and GPU using the same closed loop system. Multiple radiator systems are much more efficient and more powerful than the conventional 360mm AIO liquid cooler.
However, the cons of a custom liquid cooler might outweigh the pros for several builders. Firstly, installing custom liquid coolers might void the warranty of components like GPUs as they need to be cracked open. You only need the PCB of a GPU for custom cooling it. Secondly, custom liquid cooling solutions are much more costly and complex as compared to AIO liquid coolers. If you are planning for hardline builds, the cost and complexity get multiplied by a few more times.
What are the Pros and Cons of AIO Liquid Coolers?
AIO liquid coolers are much simpler as compared to custom liquid cooling solutions. You can imagine AIO coolers as custom liquid coolers, but the assemblage has already been done in a factory. In factories, manufacturing pipelines can be standardized, which reduces the cost. Companies also send out manuals and every required part for installation alongside AIO liquid coolers. Thus, installing them in your build is a breeze as well.
But, you lose out on the added efficiency and customization options that are otherwise available with custom LC systems. Most AIO liquid coolers top out at 360mm, with a handful of options that allow larger radiator options. With CPU power outputs on an upward trend, AIO liquid coolers could thus lead to higher CPU temperatures. Recent tests and reports already show several 360mm coolers struggle to keep the Core i9-12900K cool. Ryzen 7000 and Intel Raptor Lake CPUs are going to worsen the scenario if rumors are anything to believe.