I’m not looking at building some extreme machine just a mild gaming computer with either a I7-13700k or i9-13900k to upgrade my old one. Old is a i7-4790k with a 970 GTX.

I want dependable and reliable cooling for many years. Air coolers have just grown ridiculously large - more so than my old Hyper 212.

Computer case size and air flow are not issues - Lancool III

Mild overclocking is likely if absolutely stable but I don’t aim to try to set any records.

I was considering a EK 360 Basic AIO cooler.

Anyone feel the pumps, fluid loss and overall dependability are at acceptable levels now?

I don’t plan to use this motherboard or graphics card, but this is a very similar build to what I have planned.
https://youtu.be/BOWTTzBkaBE

I've got a NZXT Kraken Z-Series [Z53] AIO cooling a Core i9-10850K in a Lancool II Case. Technically it's a Razer Tomahawk Case, but it's the exact same chassis. Anyway, it's been running like a top since April 2022, when I was FINALLY able to get a Video Card [EVGA RTX 3080 Ti FTW3 Ultra Gaming] and complete the build. Frustratingly, I waited OVER a Year to get that Graphics Card, while the rest of the build sat idle!

The PC is a 100% Gaming Rig and the AIO has had ZERO issues cooling the processor! The Processor is NOT overclocked, but XMP is enabled on the MB [ASUS Maximus XII Hero Z490] running the Memory Clock at 3600 Mhz. The Graphics Card is NOT overclocked either but all other settings are configured for MAX Performance. The PC has three inlet fans on the front (2x 140mm & 1x 120mm) and three exhaust fans (2x 120mm on the roof mounted AIO & 1x 120mm top rear). The Power Supply is a Seasonic 850W Prime PX-850 Platinum w/ fan control set to Normal, so NOT hybrid/quiet mode. Overall, the PC runs cool & quiet IMO and exceeds all expectations!

Like I said, it runs like a top...ZERO cooling issues and I don't expect any! The backlit LCD display on the Z-series AIO was initially set to display CPU & GPU temps, but in short order it was clear that ALL temps were VERY well controlled. The CAM software in now configured to display a GIF on the AIO display, which is pretty damn cool, pun intended!

I'm definitely not concerned about leakage and down the road, should it exhibit any issues due to evaporative fluid loss, I'd just replace it. I'd definitely put an AIO in any future build.

Y’all just making up words and numbers now…half that ain’t even English.

In general aio coolers are pretty reliable. Like anything mechanical there are lemons.

360mm is pretty much max size and recommended for a 13900.

Much quieter than traditional air cooling.

I'm running a Corsair Hydro Series H100i on a i9-10850KA currently. I have been using liquid CPU coolers since 2011 and have never had a leak or any issues with them. I know nothing about EK. You are probably already using this but if not put your build together at https://pcpartpicker.com/. This might alert you to some compatibility issues. It's saved me quite a few times.

I used AIO Coolers (Corsair and NZXT) on my computers for at least eight years. I had two failures (leaking) but these failures were three to four years in.

The latest computer build (Threadripper) I decided to use a large Air Cooler. I did not want to take the chance of any leakage damaging the motherboard and/or CPU.

The big Air Cooler has been every bit as effective as the Water Cooler with no concerns of failure.

I put a Corsair H110i Elite Capellix on my desktop last year. I have a Ryzan 5 3600 in it, and the CPU would get rather toasty. So an AIO was installed. Now the CPU stays cool, but since the case the radiator goes on the intake on the airflow the overall temp inside the case is a bit higher. I don't overclock, but this system is two now, and the goal is to get another 3-4 years out of it before I need to look at the next build.

Yes, I have incorporated AIO coolers into computers - even jut standard use computers.
The issue is generally a case fitment one.
If the case is new and have the physical accommodations then is is a breeze.
I used Cooler Master, Corsair, NZXT and others.
Never have done any custom coolers but may try one if a client needs it, they can get pricey.
The bigger the radiator the better.
They are quiet.
As for longevity - I have had one (Cooler Master) on in my main desktop for approx 4 years - works great and I occasionally check temps to validate.

I’ve got a Corsair h150 that has been running 24/7 for several years now and it is still working acceptably. If fluid loss has reduced its efficiency, then it hasn’t reduced it enough to matter for my heat load yet.

If I were building the PC again, would I get another water cooler? No, probably not. Why? It has all the failure modes of my air coolers, plus several others, it cost a fair bit more, and I didn’t really end up needing the extra cooling capacity. I only had one system with a workload that really thrashed the CPU, and it turns out my actual power usage would have been perfectly fine with a traditional air cooler. If I had a video editing rig with an overclocked CPU putting out 200w+ constantly, maybe I’d go water again, but anything less I’ll stick with air. I don’t dislike AIOs, I just tried one and the performance advantage was pretty much unnecessary which made it nothing more than extra failure modes for no real advantage. In my opinion, if a big heat pipe cooler will handle your heat load and fit in your case, go with one. Don’t bother with an AIO unless your power draw in a realistic load is too high for even a massive air cooler or your case won’t let you fit a big enough air cooler but will allow an AIO. That’s just my opinion though.

Also, once you stick the fans on an AIO, it takes up every bit as much space as a massive dual-tower air cooler, it’s just a different shape and mounted in a different area!

- Bret

I've used Corsair AIO's in two builds without issue. The first AIO lasted through two builds (2012 to 2020) and was still functional when I upgraded.

I used to. Ran a Corsair h100i something or other for about six years. It was ok, but swapped it out for a Noctua nh-u12a air cooler once I upgraded the CPU to the much hotter 11700k. If I bought another aio water cooler I'd probably be looking at the nzxt Kraken line.

Not AIO, but I used a Thermaltake in my last PC. It lasted years, but when it went, it was a bitch to diagnose and it nearly took the CPU with it. It wasn't leaking, it just stopped cooling, and I couldn't tell you why. I went back to fans after that. They'd loud, but when they get quiet, I know I have a problem.

In my opinion, only the larger 360 AIO water coolers are worth it for any kind of overclocking. The 280's and below are worthless in that regard. Extra large air coolers like the Noctua D15 are not quite as good as the better 360 units in terms of max overclocking, however neither hold a candle to custom water loops, but custom water loops are in a far different price category.

Large air coolers are still far better for daily use with a little OC or stock speeds because they are quieter and more far more reliable without ever having to worry about it. Better 360 AIO's will generally allow a tiny bit better OC than air coolers because they have better fast heat soaking capabilities, but it's not worth the hassle. In fact, seriously overclocking current Top end CPU's isn't really worth the hassle in itself. It aint like in the past where an OC would give you an actual "felt" operating speed difference. Nowadays, it just gives you bigger numbers in unrealistic app benchmarks.

The main drawbacks of water AIO's or custom water loops has always been the two additional failure points over air coolers. Pump failures and leakage/blockage failures, both of which are hard stops on operation. Other drawbacks are usually noisier at low CPU usage (constant pump noise), harder to fit/install, more expensive. Fan failures are applicable to either, but a big air cooler can still work pretty well passively radiating even with fan failures, obviously not as well, but well enough to get by and not destroy anything. AIO radiators are worthless passively without forced air flow from fans. While AIO radiator fans are not louder than air cooler fans by themselves at any given speed, the fact that radiators and their fans are mounted on the edge of the case vs deeper inside the case like air coolers, so the air blow-through is generally more auditory apparent.

Main benefit of AIO water coolers over air is they look nicer with colored lights and such.

quote:

Originally posted by Xer0:
Main benefit of AIO water coolers over air is they look nicer with colored lights and such.

I agree with pretty much everything you said, but I will point out that the smaller AIO's can be very useful in small form factor builds. Many of the sub-10L cases won't fit a large enough air cooler to deal with the heat load of even some of the non-overclocked CPU's available these days, but the separation of the radiator from the CPU socket area means they can usually squeeze a 120mm or 240mm AIO in. That said, I freely admit super-small builds are a niche that is pretty much only relevant to fairly hardcore enthusiasts who like building PC's as much as actually using them for anything.

I definitely agree that 360's are the size where you really can't find a tower cooler that will handle that same amount of heat. Well, you can, but it's going to be meant for a server and have fans loud enough to cause hearing damage on it!

- Bret

I've been using a Corsair AIO on my I9-9900 just under 4 years now.



https://smile.amazon.com/gp/pr..._title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Looks like this is the new version? $182

https://smile.amazon.com/CORSA...rd_i=B0829S536D&th=1

I do some hardcore video editing, at times, some decent gaming, and VR. I'm not overclocked, but I've never had high temps, and the pump has been working flawlessly with fans for like I said, 4 years now. I've had to replace a few of the other case fans in that time, but this thing keeps ticking. I'm very pleased, and as I'm upgrading the GPU and power supply here soon, I expect another 2-3 years.

Been using an AIO since 2018 on a smaller case build, do some overclocking and gaming, very seldom go over 98 degrees. Also have 4 additional fans running. No leaks no problems.

Some videos from reviewers who know way more about these than others:







P.S. Overclocking is dead. Virtually not worth overclocking CPU's from the last few generations, compared to 6 years back and beyond.

This goes way beyond your question, but checkout Green Revolution Cooling, liquid immersion cooling. I know a place where they are installed, did all the preliminary testing, scientific papers, etc. on the subject and they are no joke. Anyone building data centers the old school way is crazy.

I also have a Corsair for my Ryzen 5900 box, but I do not overclock.

PC Builder on YouTube has some great videos on builds and equipment, including a great one on choosing a cooler for your processor.

quote:

Originally posted by sadlerbw:

quote:

Originally posted by Xer0:
Main benefit of AIO water coolers over air is they look nicer with colored lights and such.

I agree with pretty much everything you said, but I will point out that the smaller AIO's can be very useful in small form factor builds. Many of the sub-10L cases won't fit a large enough air cooler to deal with the heat load of even some of the non-overclocked CPU's available these days, but the separation of the radiator from the CPU socket area means they can usually squeeze a 120mm or 240mm AIO in. That said, I freely admit super-small builds are a niche that is pretty much only relevant to fairly hardcore enthusiasts who like building PC's as much as actually using them for anything.

I definitely agree that 360's are the size where you really can't find a tower cooler that will handle that same amount of heat. Well, you can, but it's going to be meant for a server and have fans loud enough to cause hearing damage on it!

- Bret

Yes, for some of the small form factors, I could see a smaller AIO being useful. I simply got away from building smaller form factors like ITX and smaller stuff, because the cost for shrinkage stopped being worth the price and compromises squeeze! I just recommend NUC's and such for size constrained computing anymore.