Four Major Cooling Misconceptions You Must Know

Many gamers focus on CPU and GPU performance. While GPUs come with their own cooling solutions, CPUs that are frequently under high load require more attention. A good cooling environment is crucial for the entire system, especially for gamers.

Although boxed processors come with a cooler, those who buy bare CPUs or seek high performance often opt for better coolers, leading to many trend-following and misleading promotions.

Moreover, some vendors engage in one-sided marketing to boost profits, causing many players to fall into misconceptions about choice and use, which can affect system performance and potentially lead to frequent shutdowns or hardware damage.

Here, we summarize some common misconceptions in choosing and using coolers that performance seekers should not miss.

Although this issue is frequently mentioned, many players still believe that liquid cooling is superior to air cooling. On one hand, this is due to vendor advertising, and on the other hand, it's an assumption by players. Liquid coolers are positioned above air coolers but do not necessarily mean they are better.

Liquid coolers use water with a higher specific heat capacity to efficiently transfer heat to larger heatsinks. They often involve more materials and better sealing designs, leading to a significant price difference. Many consumers equate higher price with better performance.

In reality, for the same price range, there is generally not much difference in cooling performance between air and liquid coolers. At lower price points, liquid coolers may not perform significantly better, while high-end air coolers can provide more effective cooling with superior design and materials. Therefore, high-priced air coolers can match or exceed the performance of similarly priced liquid coolers.

For players whose cooling requirements are not particularly high, there is no need to go for liquid cooling. The saved budget can be invested in other hardware, and you won’t have to worry about potential issues like leaks. If you do prefer liquid cooling and have the budget, choose a reputable brand.

When selecting air coolers, the connection between the heat pipes and fins is important. Most coolers use a "press fin" method, where the heat pipe passes through the fins. Some high-end models use a soldered connection.

Many might assume that soldered connections are superior due to their stability and better heat conduction. However, "press fin" connections can be less secure and may shift or break if impacted, affecting cooling performance. Soldered connections vary in thermal conductivity, and cost-saving measures can lead to less effective soldering, which also impacts cooling performance.

Overall, the choice between soldered and press fin connections mainly affects manufacturing processes rather than cooling performance. Players should choose based on preference without overpaying for a specific method.

High-end platforms often use tower-style air coolers, and many flashy high-end products feature this design, leading many to believe tower coolers are superior.

From a cooling performance standpoint, tower coolers often have larger sizes and surface areas, with front-to-back airflow for better heat dissipation. However, large tower coolers can take up significant space and may affect smaller cases. Some tower coolers with fewer heat pipes may perform worse than down-flow coolers with more heat pipes.

For CPUs with lower power requirements, a down-flow cooler can suffice. Using a tower cooler might be overkill, as CPUs are not always running at full load, and excessive cooling may be unnecessary. Additionally, not just the CPU needs cooling; motherboards and other components also need heat dissipation.

Down-flow coolers also offer an advantage by directing airflow from the center outward, providing additional cooling for surrounding components. This is beneficial for long-term use.

For noise-conscious users, the fan type is crucial as it is a primary noise source. Different fan bearings affect performance and noise levels.

Generally, fans with ball bearings have longer lifespans, reaching tens of thousands of hours, which is often highlighted by vendors. However, these fans can be noisier, affecting user experience over time. Fluid-bearing fans are quieter but have a shorter lifespan, though their lifespan is adequate for most users.

In essence, both bearing types have their working mechanisms but do not differ significantly in performance. Users should choose based on their needs and not overly focus on one type.

When selecting and matching cooling products, choose based on the actual cooling environment. High-end CPUs should be paired with stronger coolers, considering aesthetics and lighting as secondary. Focusing solely on appearance might compromise performance.