Lets Settle This - Air Coolers vs AIOs

Summary

In this detailed comparison of air coolers vs. all-in-one (AIO) liquid coolers, the video evaluates cooling performance across AMD and Intel systems in both gaming and high-load workloads. It explores the price-to-performance ratio, revealing that while high-end AIOs excel in extreme cooling scenarios, budget-friendly air coolers can perform almost equally well in gaming. Despite the slight performance edge of AIOs in multi-core tasks, air coolers are simpler, more reliable, and often more affordable. The video concludes that for gaming, air coolers offer excellent value, while AIOs are better suited for users with high-performance needs.

Takeaways

• 😀 Air coolers and AIOs can provide similar performance in gaming and moderate workloads, with minimal temperature differences.
• 😀 The Noctua NH-D15 is one of the best air coolers, often outperforming AIOs in certain tests, despite being pricier.
• 😀 For Intel systems, AIOs tend to outperform air coolers, especially in high-power workloads (e.g., 253W).
• 😀 The price-to-performance ratio of air coolers is exceptional, with models like the Thermalright Peerless Assassin offering great value.
• 😀 On AMD systems, the temperature difference between air coolers and AIOs is typically within 3°C, making either option viable.
• 😀 AIOs are ideal for extreme workloads and high-end Intel chips, where they can maintain lower temperatures compared to air coolers.
• 😀 Despite the cooling superiority of AIOs under heavy loads, air coolers are simpler, more reliable, and easier to maintain.
• 😀 In gaming scenarios, CPU temperature is not as critical to performance, so any cooling solution (air or AIO) can work effectively.
• 😀 AIOs can be more expensive and prone to issues like pump failure or leaks, making air coolers a safer long-term option.
• 😀 The choice between air coolers and AIOs depends on specific needs: air coolers for ease of use and value, AIOs for superior cooling in high-performance situations.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video?

The video compares the performance of the best air coolers and 240mm AIO liquid coolers to help viewers decide which cooling solution is better for their system, focusing on both AMD and Intel platforms.

Why were only 240mm AIO coolers selected for the comparison?

240mm AIOs were selected because their pricing is comparable to the best air coolers, making them a relevant choice for this comparison despite being smaller than larger AIO models.

How were the test systems set up for the comparison?

Two separate systems were used for testing: one for Intel and one for AMD, both equipped with Intel Core i9-13900K CPUs to ensure accurate and comparable results across different coolers.

What role does the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) play in the performance comparison for AMD CPUs?

The IHS on AMD CPUs acts as a thermal bottleneck, limiting the ability of both air and AIO coolers to significantly outperform each other, which results in very similar performance between the two types of coolers.

Did the temperature differences between the coolers significantly affect gaming performance?

No, the temperature differences between the best air coolers and AIOs were minimal in gaming, and all coolers delivered nearly identical frame rates within a margin of error.

What was the performance gap between air coolers and AIOs when testing with the 7600X and 7950X CPUs?

With the 7600X, all coolers performed similarly with only small temperature differences. Even with the 7950X, which is a hotter processor, the performance gap was just a few degrees, showing that both air coolers and AIOs were effective.

How do air coolers perform under high-power workloads (e.g., 250W CPU loads) compared to AIOs?

Air coolers struggle to maintain temperatures below 90°C at high-power workloads, while AIOs are more effective at keeping temperatures lower, allowing CPUs to run at peak performance without throttling.

What is the main advantage of air coolers over AIOs?

Air coolers offer simplicity, reliability, and easier maintenance, with fewer potential points of failure compared to AIOs, which can have issues like pump failure or leaking over time.

Why do AIOs sometimes outperform air coolers, especially with Intel CPUs?

AIOs outperform air coolers in scenarios involving high power usage (like Intel's 250W workloads) because they can dissipate heat more effectively with larger radiators and better cooling capacity.

What should be considered when choosing between air coolers and AIOs?

When deciding between air coolers and AIOs, consider factors like budget, CPU usage (gaming vs. heavy workloads), ease of maintenance, and long-term reliability. For gaming, air coolers are often sufficient, while AIOs are better for high-performance, power-hungry applications.