The function of a CPU cooler is to move heat from the cores of a CPU and transport it into the surrounding air environment. Here’s what you need to know when choosing between liquid cooling vs air cooling solutions, including how these two methods work and which one is right for you. For desktop and workstation processors, the power levels and cooling requirements can change from generation to generation or between product categories or segments or architectures.

“Active air-cooling” solutions are designed as a heatsink with an electric fan attached to it. They are designed to force air to flow directly through the heatsink and absorb heat from the fins and therefore have much higher cooling capacity than “passive” heatsinks which have no electric fan attached. “Liquid Cooling” solutions may have even higher heat absorption capability and are commonly used in higher performing CPU configurations, including overclocking usages. They come in two flavors: open loop and closed loop. Open loop liquid coolers are for customer liquid cooling setups usually implemented by experienced DIY computer builders looking to build a visually custom implementation or connect multiple devices, such as CPU + graphics card + reservoirs. Closed loop or All-In-One (AIO) liquid cooling solutions are the easiest to implement and are recommended for non-technical expert computer builders. The following is an example of a liquid cooling closed-loop or AIO solution.

Both cooling options are highly effective when properly implemented; but excel in different circumstances. Here are a few factors to consider when making your choice.

Though an All-in-One (AIO) liquid cooler is often more complex to install than a standard air cooler, it’s still fairly straightforward. Most consist of only a water block with water pump, two hoses that carry the coolant, and the radiator. The extra steps involve attaching the water block, which is a process similar to installing an air cooler, and then attaching the radiator and the fans in such a way that the excess heat can easily exit the PC. Since the coolant, pump, and radiator are self-contained in the apparatus (hence the name “All-in-One (AIO)”), it requires very little oversight or maintenance after installation.

Liquid cooling, especially when using an All-in-One (AIO), tends to be quieter than active air cooling. Again, this can vary, in that there are air coolers with fans specifically designed to reduce noise. Fan settings or fan selection can impact the amount of noise generated. Overall, though, liquid cooling tends to generate less sound, as the small pump is usually well insulated, and radiator fans tend to run at lower RPM (revolutions per minute) than those on an active air-cooled CPU heatsink.

If you’re serious about overclocking or plan on undertaking CPU-intensive tasks like rendering video or streaming, liquid cooling might be the best choice.

According to Mark Gallina, who is an Intel Sr. Thermal and Mechanical Architect, liquid cooling “more efficiently distributes heat over more convection surface area (radiator) than pure conduction, allowing for reduced fan speeds (better acoustics) or higher total power.”

In other words, it’s more efficient and often quieter. If you want the lowest possible temperatures, or if you’re interested in a quieter solution and don’t mind a slightly more complex installation process, liquid cooling is probably the best option.

Air coolers are quite good at transporting heat away from the CPU, but keep in mind that heat is then dispersed into the case. This can raise the ambient temperature of the system overall. Whereas liquid coolers do a better job of transporting that heat outside of the system via the fans on the radiator.

So, back to the original debate: Liquid cooling vs air cooling. Which is better?

The answer depends on how you use your computer and the performance and workloads you expect to encounter.

If you want almost silent operation, the most efficient cooling, and don’t mind a potentially higher price tag, liquid cooling will fit the bill.

If you’re looking for a solution with more entry-level pricing and simple installation at the potential expense of peak performance or acoustics, air cooling is a good recommendation.

Consider how you use your PC and how you plan to use it in the future when making your choice. Though both are excellent solutions, they are designed for slightly different use cases. It’s up to you to decide which is a better fit for how you use your computer.