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AIO vs Custom Loop Liquid Cooling, Which Is The Best Method To Keep The PC Cool?

3 weeks ago
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AIO vs custom loop liquid cooling
Appearently, gaming PCs are machines certainly with high temperatures. Especially when housed with powerful hardware, they have to deal with hot air continuously generating heat within every compartment of the tower, resulting in serious damage if not fixed properly. To cope with this, there are three main methods of cooling the PC, we are going to discuss them here. And then ultimately, trying to answer “AIO vs custom loop liquid cooling, which one is the best method to keep the PC cool?” and which water cooling method is noiseless for your gaming PC?

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AIO vs custom loop liquid cooling, which is the best PC cooling system?

Difference between air cooling, All-in-one, and custom loop liquid cooling for a PC

Air cooling, all-in-one (AIO), and custom loop liquid cooling are three common methods for cooling a PC. Here are the key differences between them:

Air Cooling: Air cooling is the most common and simplest method for cooling a PC. It involves using one or more fans mounted on the case or directly on the components, such as the CPU and GPU, to circulate cool air and exhaust hot air. Air cooling is usually affordable and easy to install, but it may not be sufficient for high-performance systems or overclocking.
AIO Liquid Cooling: AIO liquid cooling systems are pre-built and sealed units that combine a water block, pump, radiator, and tubing into a single package. They are generally easier to install than custom loop liquid cooling systems and can offer better cooling performance than air cooling. AIOs are usually more expensive than air cooling but less expensive than custom loop liquid cooling.
Custom Loop Liquid Cooling: Custom loop liquid cooling involves assembling a system with a water block, pump, radiator, tubing, and coolant. Custom loops can offer the best cooling performance and allow for customization and flexibility in terms of component selection and aesthetics. However, custom loop liquid cooling can be expensive, time-consuming to build and maintain, and may require more skill and knowledge to set up properly.

There is a fourth method, equally popular but is now not very trending among the gamers because of its inability to dissipate heat in large amounts, and that is passive cooling. This method involves using heat sinks and other passive components to dissipate heat without using fans or other active cooling methods.

In summary, air cooling is simple and affordable, AIO liquid cooling offers good cooling performance without the complexity of custom loops, custom loop liquid cooling provides the best cooling performance and customization options but requires more effort and expense and lastly, the passive cooling method is unlike to minimize heat in powerful gaming PCs that’s why are not an ideal way. The choice of cooling solution will depend on the specific needs and budget of the user.

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All-in-one or custom loop liquid cooling, which is a noiseless method of cooling the PC?

Neither all-in-one (AIO) nor custom loop liquid cooling can be considered entirely noiseless methods of cooling a PC, as both involve the use of pumps and fans to move liquid coolant and circulate air. However, the noise level of a liquid cooling system can be managed by selecting components with low noise levels and optimizing the fan and pump speeds.

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In general, AIO liquid cooling systems tend to be quieter than custom loop liquid cooling systems, as they are designed to be plug-and-play and require less configuration. AIOs also tend to have a lower noise level due to the use of larger radiators and slower-spinning fans.
We suggest you buy an AIO liquid cooling closed loop like CoolerMaster MasterLiquid PL360 with a 360mm radiator if you are having a tight budget.

Whereas, in case you are fine with your spending and do not allow your budget to influence your investment, then go for Corsair iCUE H170i Elite LCD display AIO liquid cooler.

Custom loop liquid cooling systems can be designed to be quiet by selecting low-noise components such as high-quality pumps, low-speed fans, and larger radiators. However, building a quiet custom loop requires more research, planning, and customization than an AIO liquid cooling system.

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If you still admire custom loop liquid cooling and want to spend effort and time to make your own cooling system to satiate your need, try out the Corsair Hydro X Series RGB Pro custom cooling kit. It is the easiest and most reliable cooling kit, user-friendly, and takes minimum effort to set up with an easy-going manual, anyone can follow.

In short non of these methods are fully noiseless, but both can be optimized to minimize noise levels instead. AIOs tend to be easier to set up and have a lower noise level, while custom loops offer more flexibility and customization but require more effort to set up quietly.

Subsequently, the quality of the parts you pick for AIO or custom loop determines the noise level at the end. Ultimately, the choice of cooling method will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the user.

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Conclusion

As for a gaming computer, the cooling system is vital for progressiveness. More commonly said, if you want your PC’s health to last, and want its hardware to work properly, then installing a good cooling system is all you need. Whereas, in AIO & custom loop liquid cooling debate, pick the one that is suitable for not only your budget but also convenient enough to deter any lifespan threats to the components due to excessive heat.

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