Okay, I'm being a little cheeky, water cool if you like, it has its advantages.  But interesting results in the video. When we consider acoustics, the less than top of the range Noctua beat all the AIO coolers plus the 360 rad AIO.

I wonder how much further ahead the top of the range D15 would have been?

NH-D15 = No leaks, no tube permeation, no pump noise, no pump failure, no worrying about air accumulation in the pump due to orientation.

Of course, manufacturers still continue to push the AIO's they are invested in.

Custom loops are a whole different ball game of course and certainly get my seal of approval. If you don't mind the cost and occasional maintainance. 

Interesting point in the video that air coolers arent really "air" coolers, they are heat pipe coolers. So the argument about water being better at absorbing and transferring heat than air isn't exactly applicable to a heat pipe cooler.

Been using AIO for almost 7 years. One system still in daily use has the same AIO for almost 6 years. 

Seems like someone was having a slow youtube news day when they made this video.

Gamers Nexus, who I'd trust more than Linus, say otherwise. Bottom line is that a good AIO matched against a good air cooler will result in AIO performing a bit better in terms of temps and noise. Difference isn't huge though so each to their own I guess. 

 

Just now, Tektolnes said:

Gamers Nexus, who I'd trust more than Linus, say otherwise. Bottom line is that a good AIO matched against a good air cooler will result in AIO performing a bit better in terms of temps and noise. Difference isn't huge though so each to their own I guess. 

 

Gamers Nexus is WAY more reliable and much less SENSATIONAL than Linus. 

I have always used air cooling and I will likely continue to do so. 

been using an aio for 10 years.  Been flawless for me and I've really enjoyed not having the massive footprint of a air cooler

4 hours ago, Tektolnes said:

 Bottom line is that a good AIO matched against a good air cooler will result in AIO performing a bit better in terms of temps and noise. Difference isn't huge though so each to their own I guess. 

 

 

In terms of the BEST AIO against the best air cooler. That has always been my opinion based on reviews. The very best, top of the range, AIO will SLIGHTLY outperform in terms of noise and cooling. As you say, it isn't by very much though, just a few degrees. So the question we need to ask ourselves is if its worth the SMALL risk of leaks, pump noise, pump failure etc. And of course cost, as a top notch AIO capable of defeating the D15 is more expensive.

It's down to personnel preference. If you don't like the aesthetics of a large air cooler, maybe haven't the room in your case, or have super tall RAM, then AIO is a reasonable choice. On the other hand if you cant justify the additional cost, don't want to take ANY risk with leaks, even if small these days, don't want any chance of pump failure, and want a cooler that's VERY close in performance to the best AIO, then a top notch air cooler is a reasonable choice. 

AIO is not a bad choice and neither is air. They both have their places.

What was interesting from the video above though, is how the 360 AIO performed worse than the 240. So we should do our research if opting for an AIO and not assume because its a bigger rad that it will be a better cooler. 

 

 

4 hours ago, yurei said:

Been using AIO for almost 7 years. One system still in daily use has the same AIO for almost 6 years. 

Seems like someone was having a slow youtube news day when they made this video.

 

No not really. The results are close to other reviews. It depends how the tests are performed, they certainly aren't scientific, so there will be variability. In general the best AIO betas something like the D15 by a small margin when noise is matched. Some reviews have them matched. Too many variables to be too definitive.

There are certainly AIO's around that have lasted 6 years plus. There are also plenty around that have failed earlier. There are also some that have had catastrophic failures and leaked. Its not as common now, but it still does happen. Air coolers never fail of course. 

 

2 hours ago, micstatic said:

been using an aio for 10 years.  Been flawless for me and I've really enjoyed not having the massive footprint of a air cooler

 

I'm curious. What don't you like about the large footprint? Do you mean aesthetically? 

Like Linus, this thread was created to generate attention and clicks. You have mine. Bye.

31 minutes ago, martin-w said:

AIO is not a bad choice and neither is air. They both have their places.

Yep I'd agree. Good AIOs are super reliable these days so personally I don't have any concerns using one for my normal work/gaming PC. But if I was building an always on PC I'd probably go with a good air cooler just for that extra safety edge. 

A good AIO doesn't need to cost a huge amount. The Arctic Liquid Freezer II that GN reviewed and scored as about the best AIO out there only costs £10 more the DH-15. 

1 hour ago, martin-w said:

 

I'm curious. What don't you like about the large footprint? Do you mean aesthetically? 

Yes mostly. I’m not one of those people obsessed over how my case looks. But I care a little. 

4 hours ago, yurei said:

Like Linus, this thread was created to generate attention and clicks. You have mine. Bye.

 

But ZERO counter arguments offered. 

And NO! I didn't create this thread for clicks. I object to that accusation! I gain nothing from clicks. We discuss hardware here. That's what we are doing. Cooling interests me. If it doesn't you, your departure is the right move. 

Edited December 31, 20205 yr by martin-w

40 minutes ago, Tektolnes said:

The Arctic Liquid Freezer II that GN reviewed and scored as about the best AIO out there only costs £10 more the DH-15. 

 

I must admit, I had no idea it was that cheap. I think there's about 20 quid difference on Amazon.