Picture this: You are a gamer, and your current PC runs multiple games but starts to lag. Frustrating, right? Trying to locate the problem, you realize it’s been overheating and probably the cause for the other issues. What do you do?
Key Takeaways
- A water-cooled system will always be more efficient than a fan system.
- Fitting a water-cooled system is more expensive.
- A water-cooled system is quieter than a fan.
Intel recommends using a liquid cooling system with its high-end Core i7 processors. This is where many people start to wonder what liquid cooling is and how it helps. This post aims to cover the basics of liquid cooling, some pros, and cons, and give a brief outline of which CPUs are best suited for use with liquid cooling.
Here are the features to look for in a CPU cooler:
- LGA socket
- Clearance
- Noise level
- Heat sink
- Software support
- Aesthetics
Related: Optimal CPU and GPU Temperatures for Gaming
Table Of Contents
What Is a Liquid-cooled Processor?
A liquid-cooled processor is a processor that uses water as a coolant to dissipate heat. Liquid cooling is a method of cooling your processor by circulating a fluid under pressure around the processor. This method creates a more efficient system and can help keep your computer running smoothly even at higher loads.
Liquid-cooled processors are the best option for any computer that has a high-end processor. Intel recommends liquid cooling on their most powerful CPU, the Core i9-9900K.
Intel’s liquid cooling system is designed to keep your processor at a stable temperature by circulating a refrigerant through the processor and heat sink. It prevents overheating and can help protect against damage due to thermal fluctuations.
If you have a Core i9-9900K, you should use liquid cooling to keep it running at peak performance.
For Which Type of PC Is Liquid Cooling Often Used?
Intel recommends using liquid cooling systems with their most powerful processors, which produce a lot of heat. Liquid cooling is often used on high-end gaming PCs, and workstation PCs are overclocked to the max.
Liquid cooling is used for gaming PCs because of their intense heat while running demanding games like Fortnite or PUBG Mobile. When you’re playing Fortnite or PUBG Mobile, your computer will be working much harder than usual—and as a result, it will generate more heat than average. That heat will need somewhere to go; otherwise, it could damage your CPU and other computer parts.
Also, use a liquid cooling processor for;
- Desktops are more susceptible to overheating, dust build-up, and poor airflow, thus the need for liquid cooling.
- Servers are used in large data centers, companies’ offices, and businesses, making them more susceptible to overheating and the need for liquid cooling.
- Laptops are prone to overheating, dust build-up, and liquid spills and are more expensive for liquid cooling.
What Is the Best Liquid Cooling CPU?
The best liquid cooling CPU for your PC depends on your PC type. If you’re looking for a high-end gaming PC, you’ll want to use a liquid cooling system that can handle the heat produced by your GPU.
Suppose you’re looking for a workstation PC. In that case, we recommend using an air cooler instead to use all of your CPU cores at total capacity without worrying about overheating or causing damage to your processor.
We recommend sticking with air cooling if you don’t plan to overclock or maintain peak performance over time. It’s better to spend less money now and have peace of mind knowing that your system will continue working well as long as possible: rather than spending more money upfront and having to replace parts later on down the road when they fail under intense use!
Pros of Using a Liquid-cooled Processor:
- It is possible to lower your power consumption by up to 80 percent by using liquid cooling technology
- Improves the performance of your computer
- Reduces the noise from your computer
- Longer lifespan because the outside water dissipates the heat instead of being absorbed by the computer components.
Cons of Using a Liquid-cooled Processor:
- They are more expensive than standard processors
- Requires more power from your power supply than other options
- Liquid-cooled processors require more maintenance
- Best cooling processors for different CPUs
When Should I Use Liquid Cooling on My CPU?
The best time to use liquid cooling is when you have a processor with a TDP (thermal design power) rating of more than 80W, which means it has high heat output. Most modern processors fall into this category, but if you’re unsure if your processor qualifies, check out our guide on determining whether your CPU is liquid-cooled here.
Intel recommends using a liquid cooling system for its Core i9-9900K processor, but only if you’re running a deep learning workload.
The Core i9-9900K is the first consumer processor built around Intel’s new Coffee Lake architecture, specifically designed for high-performance hardware and optimized for deep learning applications. The chip packs 18 cores and 36 threads, which means it can handle deep learning workloads quickly and efficiently.
But if you don’t regularly use your computer to run deep learning programs, or if you don’t have the time or budget to invest in an expensive liquid cooling system, Intel recommends using a standard air cooler instead of a liquid one.
A standard air cooler doesn’t require any special equipment or tools—ensure that your computer has enough airflow inside to cool itself down before turning it on again after shutting it down for the night or during periods of low activity.
Related:
Best CPU for RTX 3080 – Top 6 Options in 2023
Best CPU for RTX 3060 Ti – 5 Best Options For Both AMD & Intel
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Which is the best cooler for the i7 12th gen?
The Noctua NH-D15 remains the best cooler for Intel core i7-12700K—it doubles as the best cooler overall. Intel 12 Gen processors are a hybrid of P-cores and E-Cores supporting simultaneous multi-functions faster than their predecessors. Therefore, a liquid cooler requires effective handling of heavy and light workloads for maximum performance.
What’s the best Intel 12th gen cooler bracket?
LGA 1700 is the current most compatible and stable socket size for the Intel 12th Gen CPU cooler. It features 500 additional pins presenting different dimensions from a square to a 45mm by 37.5mm rectangle compared to its predecessor. This perfectly fits the new back plate for the altered shape in Intel’s 12th Gen CPUs.
Final thoughts
The latest processors from Intel have the potential to improve your computing experience. But, most importantly, these processors are also much faster than their predecessors and require less power to run. However, it turns out that overclocking these CPUs requires liquid cooling systems.
