If you’re all hot and bothered– er, literally; because your computer’s CPU is figuratively breathing fire just to give you a performance edge, then it might be time for a more efficient cooling solution than good old-fashioned air. This is where the best liquid coolers come in.
Do keep in mind that this list is more targeted toward those of you who have high-end CPUs. Anything that has an i7, i9, Ryzen 7, or Ryzen 9 in its name typically needs more than air especially if they run at overclocked speeds.
But that doesn’t really stop anyone from opting for a liquid cooler. Because some of you just want the style points for your gaming PC and liquid coolers do look cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing.
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Considerations Before Buying Liquid Coolers
As always with CPU coolers, you can’t just buy one blindly and then expect it to work out of the box. There are specifications for your CPU, case, and other components that you need to consider. CPU liquid coolers, after all, are not “one-size-fits-all” affairs. So check these factors and cross-reference them with the liquid cooler’s requirements to see if your setup will accommodate them:
- Case clearance/allowance – A lot of cases only have a set allowance for cooler sizes. Some can only accommodate up to 280mm or 240mm while others can go big with 360mm radiators.
- Socket type – CPU socket types across different generations are usually different. Some liquid coolers are made only for certain generations of CPU sockets.
- CPU TDP – This is your CPU’s wattage. Higher wattages mean liquid coolers might be more necessary for manageable thermals. Consequently, low-wattage (below 100W) CPUs don’t need liquid coolers at all unless you’re after style and don’t mind paying a premium for aesthetics.
All things considered, it’s time to present the best liquid coolers for your PC.
NZXT Kraken Z63 RGB
PROS
- Customizable LCD display
- Rotating pump for easier installation
- Compatibility with lots of RGB software and hardware
- Good socket compatibility
- Pre-applied thermal paste
CONS
- Expensive
- Socket compatibility: LGA 1700 & below, AM5 & below
- Radiator & Fan Size: 280mm (2x140mm fans)
- Noise: 22 – 33 dBA
The NZXT Kraken Z63 RGB likely has the crown as the best liquid cooler available right now. It has everything from style, performance, and even features. This particular model comes with a customizable LCD screen so you can make it function like a mini-monitor.
Most people, however, just turn it into an on-screen temperature display so they can check their CPU temperature without any software.
There is a 360mm version with three 120mm fans but that’s significantly wider and might require a bigger case or more specific allowances; plus, that’s more expensive compared to the two 140mm fan version.
As for colors, it comes in black or white with addressable RGB for all your aesthetic needs.
NZXT Kraken Z63 RGB
Gigabyte Aorus Waterforce X 360 AIO
PROS
- A bit less expensive than NZXT
- LCD display with micro SD slot
- Great cooling performance
- Rotating pump for easier installation
- Good socket compatibility
CONS
- Fans can run a bit noisy
- Some versions don't come with pre-applied thermal paste
- Still a bit expensive
- Socket compatibility: LGA 1700, LGA 2066 & below, AM5 & below
- Radiator & Fan Size: 360mm (3x120mm fans)
- Noise: 7.9~37.6 dBA
If you want something bigger, has an LCD display, and also cools commendably, but is also cheaper than NZXT’s premium offering, then the Gigabyte Aorus Waterfoce X 360 AIO is a competitive option.
It’s so affordable, that the 360mm version is still cheaper than NZXT’s two-140mm fan Kraken Z model. Sure enough, three fans cool better than two (assuming the airflow level is comparable for all the fans).
The default LCD look is a bit too gamer-y and aggressive but you can thankfully change it using Gigabyte’s software. The downside is that it doesn’t seem to come in white colors so it’s not as stylish as NZXT’s flagship CPU cooler. But the price more than makes up for that shortcoming.
Gigabyte Aorus Waterforce X 360 AIO
Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280 A-RGB
PROS
- Quiet pump operation
- Non-generic pump design
- Compatibility with lots of RGB software and hardware
- Less power consumption compared to other CPU liquid coolers
- Good socket compatibility
CONS
- Thermal paste isn't pre-applied
- Pump has too much gamer aesthetics
- Socket compatibility: LGA 1700, LGA 2066 & below, AM5 & below
- Radiator & Fan Size: 280mm (2x140mm fans)
- Noise: 10.64 dB/0.3 Sone
Liquid cooler pumps can often get audible due to the volume of heat they need to dissipate. If noise is your primary concern when it comes to cooling solutions, then Arctic has an answer to your woes in the form of the Arctic Liquid Freeze II 280 A-RGB.
That’s a mouthful, but this popular brand has always had some stellar coolers both for air and liquid categories.
Arctic did promise that their Liquid Freezer II cooler line has a quiet operation with only 0.3 Sone or 10.64 dB. Their pump design also isn’t generic and is proprietary, leading to some innovative cooling and noise solutions not present in most CPU liquid coolers.
The best part is that their liquid coolers are affordable compared to the competition.
Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280 A-RGB
DeepCool Gammaxx L240 V2
PROS
- Good cooling performance
- RGB fans
- Good socket compatibility
- Proprietary Anti-Leak Tech
- Sleeved tubes at this price point
CONS
- Fans can be loud under load
- Some versions don't readily come with LGA 1700 brackets (you have to ask for them)
- Thermal paste isn't pre-applied
- Socket compatibility: LGA 1700, LGA 2066 & below, AM5 & below
- Radiator & Fan Size: 240mm (2x120mm fans)
- Noise: ≤30 dB(A)
CPU liquid cooling on a budget tends to be risky but with brands like DeepCool lately proving their reliability and performance, you can rest assured that this budget option won’t destroy your system with leaks or anything. DeepCool is proud of its anti-leak technology.
In terms of cooling, you can expect it to handle just about any consumer-grade or mainstream CPUs. Anything with more than 16 cores, however, might run a little too hot for this budget option. But those with i9 or Ryzen 9 CPUs need not worry.
The RGB is also basic and there’s a more expensive option, but since this is the budget choice, we wanted to keep the price as low as possible.
DeepCool Gammaxx L240 V2
Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML120L RGB V2
PROS
- Small and compact
- Stylish pump design
- Good cooling performance
- Good socket compatibility
- Sleeved tubes at this price point
CONS
- Thermal paste isn't pre-applied
- Some versions don't readily come with LGA 1700 brackets (you have to ask for them)
- Socket compatibility: LGA 1700, LGA 2066 & below, AM4 & below
- Radiator & Fan Size: 120mm (single 120mm fan)
- Noise: 15 dB
For smaller cases or CPUs weaker than an i9 or Ryzen 9, then you can always opt for a single-fan radiator. They’re small and they typically work the same or better than a similarly-priced air cooler. They’re great if you want something quieter or won’t introduce too much dust into your PC.
The Cooler Master Masterliquid ML is one of the best options you have. It has enough cooling power to adequately handle anything up to an i7 CPU with stock frequency or some mild overclocks. Past that, it might struggle.
This budget option also comes with a nice pump design and some fan RGB which can be rare for big brands at this price point.
Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML120L RGB V2
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Are CPU liquid coolers better than air coolers?
For cooling, yes. They dissipate heat faster since liquid is a better heat conductor. For safety, no. If they fail, they do so badly as leaks can damage other components. But such occurrences are rare. -
Why are liquid coolers called all-in-one?
Because the fans can also act as case fans and provide cooling (exhaust or intake) for the whole case.