What is PC water cooling and how does it work?

Whether you’re a seasoned tech enthusiast or a newcomer to the realm of PC building, understanding the dynamics of cooling systems is crucial to getting the best performance and ensuring the long life of your computer components. Cooling is important for any gaming PC and should be monitored regularly to identify if (or when) it’s time to upgrade. When deciding how to cool your system, you want to understand the differences between air- and water-cooling options. Let’s explore the advantages, disadvantages and intricacies of each type of cooling system.

Water cooling is also known as liquid cooling. It’s a method of keeping computer components cool by circulating liquid (usually a water-based coolant) through a system of tubes that run through the inside of your computer case. Just like coolant in a car is made to cool its engine, liquid inside the computer absorbs heat from computer parts (CPU, GPU, memory, storage, etc.) and carries it away to a radiator, which dissipates the heat. Because water is an excellent heat conductor that can move quickly, water cooling is a great alternative to air cooling methods. Many believe it offers more efficient temperature management, which can be especially helpful for high-performance computers that generate a lot of heat.

Water cooling for computers started gaining popularity in the early 2000s, primarily among enthusiasts and overclockers looking for more effective ways to cool high-performance components. This was after the growth of DIYers in the late ’90s makeshifting their own liquid cooling systems. Over time, advancements in technology and increased accessibility of water-cooling components led to a broader adoption of this cooling method. Today, water cooling is commonly used in gaming PCs, workstations, and other high-performance computing setups where advanced cooling is crucial.

Water cooling works through a closed-loop system (or open-loop system) that effectively dissipates heat from a computer’s components. Water blocks are placed on hot parts of the computer like the CPU or GPU. Then a water pump is used to direct water through tubing to the hot components. The water absorbs the heat and carries it away to the radiator. When the water reaches the radiator, fans cool down the water, transferring the heat to the air outside the PC case. To restart the process, the cooled water returns to a reservoir to be pumped back into water blocks.

Water cooling can be a great way to customize your PC build, but it can also be quite complex. If a water-cooling system seems too much to take on yourself, you can always invest in an AIO water cooler that makes installation easier. An AIO water cooler is an affordable “all-in-one” kit that’s simplified for less-experienced PC builders who want water cooling without complications. These kits include everything you need to upgrade your computer to a water-cooling system.

• Water block: Makes direct contact with hot computer components to allow efficient heat transfer from the computer part to the circulating coolant
• Water pump: Circulates the cooling liquid through the tubing and PC components
• Radiator: Receives hot water from the components and uses fans to dissipate the heat into the surrounding air, cooling the water so it can be recirculated through the system
• Tubing: Attached to the block, pump, radiator and components to transport the liquid
• Coolant: Circulates through the system to dissipate heat and specifically formulated to cool, inhibit corrosion, prevent microbial growth, and improve thermal conductivity
• Water dyes: Adds color to your coolant and beautify your PC build
• Tube fittings: Connects the tubes to the various computer components
• Bending kit: Aids builders to manipulate long, straight tubes as needed to fit within your pc case and connect with your components

1. Efficient heat dissipation
   Water is much better at conducting heat than air, allowing the system to transfer heat more effectively which results in lower temperatures.
2. Quiet operation
   Water-cooling systems are often quieter than air cooling setups, as they don’t rely on noisy fans running at high speeds.
3. Overclocking potential
   Water cooling is better at handling increased heat generated by overlocking, allowing for higher performance without overheating. Overclockers tout it as the best choice to combat the high temps associated with faster clock speeds.
4. Customization
   Liquid cooling systems are much easier to customize and provide more opportunity to personalize your setup. From an aesthetic perspective, water cooling sounds and looks cool.

1. Lots of moving parts
   A water-cooling system has many parts, which means plenty of room for error from inexperienced PC builders. From fluid leaks to grime build-up, issues can easily arise inside your PC case if not properly installed or maintained. Trouble shooting will involve draining the liquid, which can be tiresome and time consuming. If the worse happens, the coolant can damage or destroy your components.
2. Maintenance
   Water-cooling systems are high maintenance, need periodic maintenance, including leak checks, coolant refills, and component cleaning. Even builders with the best of intentions sometimes neglect maintenance, which can lead to leaks, mold, or other malfunctions.
3. Hard to transport
   This won’t be an issue if you don’t plan on relocating your setup any time soon, but moving your water-cooled PC is a delicate process. If you’re moving your setup, it may be worth draining it first.

Air cooling is a method of cooling computer components, like the CPU or GPU, using air as the cooling medium. It typically involves heatsinks and fans. This process helps regulate temperatures and prevent components from overheating during operation.

A heatsink or heat spreader, is a passive cooling device used to dissipate heat from computer components. Typically made of metal, it’s designed to absorb and then radiate heat away from the hot component. The design often includes fins or ridges to increase surface area, enhancing the efficiency of heat dissipation.

Heatsinks are already attached to some internal SSDs, like the Crucial T705, T700 and T500 NVMe SSDs, as well as CPUs and GPUs. The aluminum and nickel-plated copper heatsinks on Crucial SSDs were custom designed to help you maximize performance during everything from gaming to 3D rendering while minimizing throttle — without the noise or failure risk of integrated fans or liquid cooling. Heatsinks are generally a must with Gen4 SSDs, which can get insanely hot.

For air cooling, a metal heatsink is designed with fins to conduct heat and spread it away from the component. Thermal paste can be used between the hot component and the heatsink to improve thermal conductivity and ensure better contact and heat transfer. A computer fan is also mounted on or near the heatsink to blow air over the fins to expel the heat into the surrounding environment. The movement of air helps cool the heatsink and consequently, the hot component. The combination of the heatsinks and the fans allows for effective cooling without the need for liquid coolant. The efficiency of air cooling depends on the design of the heatsinks, quality of the fans, and the overall airflow within the computer case or tower.

1. Easy installation
   Air cooling has fewer moving parts than liquid cooling, making it easier to set up. It’s also much easier to troubleshoot if something goes wrong.
2. Reliability
   Air cooling systems have fewer components and are less prone to failure, making them a reliable and durable cooling solution. This also means less maintenance needed to refill the liquid, check for leaks, or change the coolant like you would with water cooling.
3. Cost effective
   Air cooling is the most cost-effective option for cooling your PC. On average, a mid-range air cooler with enhanced features or larger heatsinks will cost between $50 and $100, making air cooling an attractive option for budget-conscious users.

1. Limited cooling capacity
   Air cooling may have limitations in handling extreme heat loads, especially for those who are heavily involved in overclocking or with latest-gen components that generate exceptionally high temperatures. If you are pushing your computer to the limit, liquid cooling may be the better option.
2. Bulkier design
   High-performance air coolers can be large and bulky, potentially causing compatibility issues with smaller computer cases or obstructing other components on the motherboard.
3. Uneven cooling
   Air cooling may result in uneven cooling across components, especially in systems with intricate layouts or multiple heat sources. Keep this in mind when setting up your system.
4. Heat soak
   Heat soak refers to the phenomenon where a component or system retains and continues to emit heat even after the load or activity that generated the heat has decreased or stopped. In the context of computer cooling, heat soak can occur especially after a period of heavy gaming or demanding tasks. Make sure you are monitoring your temperatures when idle, in use, and at full capacity to see the effectiveness of your cooling system.
   

If you are just starting to build your PC and are trying to save money, air cooling might be the right fit for you. It involves fewer moving parts and is more beginner friendly for installing without breaking the bank. After installing an air-cooling system, you can always assess the effectiveness of your system and decide if it makes sense to upgrade to a liquid cooling system in the future.

Let’s face it. A PC with liquid cooling looks sick. With LEDs, dyeing the coolant, and the movement of the water through the tubes, your build can look like a work of art. Additionally, PC builders can do custom loop configurations with spirals, right angles, twists, and turns to create a visually striking system that goes beyond the standard air-cooled setups.

If you are going to be pushing your computer beyond its limits with overclocking, PC water cooling might be the right choice for you. Liquid cooling can often lower temperatures faster than air cooling, which is essential for overclocking. However, not every liquid cooling option is cooler than every air cooling option. Make sure you compare the specs of different brands and products to see which can reduce heat the best.

Liquid cooling systems are often quieter than air cooling systems, but this largely depends on the size and number of fans you have in your system. Typically, the hotter a computer is, the louder it gets. Keep this in mind when you are deciding which one is for you. Also, it’s important to note that your cooling system might not be the only reason your computer is loud.

Both water-cooling and air-cooling systems offer distinct advantages that cater to different computer cooling preferences. Air cooling stands out for its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and reliability, making it an excellent choice for users seeking efficient cooling without the complexities of liquid systems.

On the other hand, water cooling your PC not only provides superior heat dissipation — especially in demanding scenarios like overclocking — but also introduces a level of customization that’s pleasing to the eye and appeals to enthusiasts. The sleek look for transparent tubing, the allure of RGB lighting, and the ability to craft intricate cooling loops make water cooling a compelling option for those who value both performance and style.

Ultimately, the choice between water and air cooling depends on your needs, preferences, and demands of your computer system. Whether opting for the simplicity of air cooling or the visual flair of water cooling, users can find a solution that best suits their needs to achieve optimal temperatures.