Liquid or air cooling – which will work better in your PC?

Liquid or air cooling? The answer depends on more than how powerful you want your PC to be. The CPU model, time spent under heavy load, case size, budget, expected noise level and the look of the build also matter.

A good air cooler can work effectively with a powerful CPU, while a small AIO will not always outperform a substantial tower cooler. Rather than looking for a single winner, it is better to compare how the two solutions work and check which suits your particular configuration.

In this article, you will learn:

• What are the main differences between liquid and air cooling?
• How does air cooling work?
• How does AIO liquid cooling work?
• Is AIO liquid cooling safe?
• What determines the choice between liquid and air cooling?
• What are the advantages and limitations of air cooling?
• How do the ENDORFY Spartan 5, Fera 5 and Fortis 5 air coolers differ?
• What are the advantages of an AIO, and where can you mount the radiator?
• How do you choose an AIO size from Navis F240, F280 and F360?
• What affects the performance of liquid and air cooling?
• Which cooling system can run more quietly?
• How do fan and pump curves affect noise and temperatures?
• When should you choose air cooling?
• When should you choose AIO liquid cooling?
• What should you check before buying a cooler?
• What conclusions help you choose cooling for a particular PC?

Liquid or air cooling – what should you know?

Both systems have the same goal: to draw heat away from the CPU and release it into the surrounding air. The main difference is how they transport it from the cooler's base to the component that dissipates it.

In air cooling, heat pipes and a heatsink usually handle this task. In an AIO, heat is carried by liquid circulating between the block and the radiator.

The table shows general differences between the categories. It does not replace a comparison of specific models, however, because an advanced air cooler may perform better than an entry-level AIO.

How does air cooling work?

An air cooler usually consists of a base in contact with the CPU, heat pipes and a metal heatsink. The heat pipes transfer heat from the base to the heatsink fins, where it is released into the air.

In most designs, one or two fans assist this process. Forced airflow allows heat to be removed from the heatsink surface more quickly. A fan is not strictly necessary in every design, however. Passive coolers also exist, using the natural movement of heated air, although their use is limited to suitably selected components and operating conditions.

Air coolers have a relatively simple design. They have no pump or liquid-filled tubes, so there are fewer components that can wear out.

How does AIO liquid cooling work?

In an AIO cooler, liquid circulates in a closed loop between the water block and the radiator. In most systems, the block is combined with a pump, forming a pump-block unit mounted on the CPU.

The liquid absorbs heat from the block and flows to the radiator. There, it transfers the heat to the radiator's metal components, which release it into the passing air. Fans increase airflow around the radiator, speeding up this process. The cooled liquid then returns to the block and the entire cycle repeats.

Modern AIO systems, meaning All-in-One, are assembled, filled and sealed at the factory. You do not have to select a reservoir, tubing or fittings yourself. This distinguishes them from custom loops, which you assemble from separate components – much like building blocks.

An AIO still needs to be installed correctly, and dust must be removed from the radiator and fans periodically. The term “maintenance-free” therefore does not mean that no maintenance is needed at all.

Is AIO liquid cooling safe?

AIO systems are filled, sealed and tested for leaks at the factory. This significantly reduces the risk of errors associated with assembling the loop yourself compared with custom loops.

However, this does not mean that the risk of a leak or failure can be completely ruled out. An AIO has a pump, tubes and connections that can wear over time. Correct installation also matters, particularly the positioning of the radiator and tubes.

In a typical AIO system, you should not open the loop or top up the liquid yourself unless the manufacturer has provided for this. Basic maintenance is usually limited to cleaning the radiator and fans and checking that the pump is working correctly.

Which cooling is better – liquid or air?

No single solution can be identified as better in every situation. The result depends on the class and design of the models being compared.

A substantial tower cooler may achieve lower temperatures or noise levels than some cheaper AIO systems. This also applies to certain 240 mm models, so neither radiator size alone nor the fact that a cooler is an AIO establishes an advantage over air cooling. On the other hand, a well-chosen liquid cooler with a large radiator may offer greater potential under sustained heavy CPU load.

Price also matters. Within the same budget, air cooling may sometimes provide better performance for the money than an entry-level AIO.

Appearance should not be overlooked either. A large heatsink may suit a restrained, technical-looking build, while an AIO lets you showcase the pump-block unit, tubes and lighting. Aesthetics are a valid selection criterion, provided they do not replace an assessment of compatibility and performance.

Advantages of air cooling

Air cooling is often chosen for its simplicity and affordability. The least expensive effective designs usually cost less than entry-level AIO systems, although advanced and more expensive air coolers are also available.

Its main advantages include:

• a simple design without a pump,
• easy installation and maintenance,
• a usually lower entry price,
• the option to replace just the fan,
• few components susceptible to wear.

Heatsink size can be a limitation. Tall coolers will not fit every case, and wide designs can interfere with RAM modules. Before buying, check the maximum CPU cooler height supported by the case and the clearance above the memory.

ENDORFY air coolers – from compact to more substantial designs

The differences between cooler classes are clearly illustrated by ENDORFY's range. Spartan 5 can be a starting point for anyone looking for a compact, simple design – it even comes with thermal paste pre-applied. Fera 5 is a more substantial option, while Fortis 5 was designed for configurations that need additional cooling headroom.

Your choice between these series should primarily reflect your CPU's requirements, the space available in the case and your budget. It is also worth checking variants with additional fans or ARGB lighting if both performance and the look of your PC matter to you.

Advantages of AIO liquid cooling

An AIO lets you move a large heat-dissipating surface away from the CPU area to the front, top, rear or side of the case. This leaves more space around the CPU socket.

The radiator is most commonly mounted:

• at the front of the case, where it can use cooler air drawn in from outside, helping to keep CPU temperatures lower. The downside is that air heated by the radiator then enters the case, which may cause the graphics card to run slightly warmer;
• at the top – the radiator uses air already inside the case and exhausts it outside. This mounting position may be more favourable for the graphics card, as it does not receive air additionally heated by the CPU radiator, but the CPU itself may run slightly warmer than with a front-mounted radiator;
• at the rear – usually for smaller radiators;
• on the side panel, if the case design provides space there – this most commonly applies to panoramic cases such as ENDORFY Fishtank 6000 or Aquarius 8000.

Each position affects airflow throughout the PC. A front-mounted radiator can improve operating conditions for the CPU while also bringing warmer air into the case. Top mounting may remove heat from the build more effectively, but the radiator then uses air heated by other components.

In larger, suitably selected systems, the radiator can dissipate heat effectively under sustained load. Several fans working across a large surface may achieve the required result at lower speeds than a smaller system, although this is not true of every model.

AIO advantages include:

• high cooling potential in suitably selected designs,
• more space around the CPU socket,
• flexibility in choosing the radiator mounting position,
• the appealing appearance of the pump-block unit and tubes,
• the availability of variants with lighting.

You need to account for the higher price, the presence of a pump and a more involved installation. A compatible case with enough space for the radiator and fans is also required.

Navis F240, F280 or F360 – which AIO size should you choose?

The ENDORFY Navis family includes systems with different radiator sizes. Navis F240 has a 240 mm radiator and two 120 mm fans, Navis F280 uses a 280 mm radiator and two 140 mm fans, while Navis F360 has a 360 mm radiator with three 120 mm fans.

A larger radiator is not automatically the best choice. Before buying, check:

• the radiator's length and thickness,
• the space occupied by the fans,
• the distance from the motherboard and RAM modules,
• potential interference with the graphics card,
• the available mounting points,
• the planned airflow direction.

Not every PC needs Navis F360, just as Navis F240 is not necessarily “too small”. The decision should be based on the CPU's needs and the case design.

Which performs better – liquid or air cooling?

Comparing liquid with air alone is not enough to assess the complete system. In both solutions, heat is ultimately released into the air: through the cooler's heatsink or the AIO system's radiator.

The liquid in an AIO loop can store and transfer a considerable amount of heat between the block and the radiator. A large radiator surface and several fans also make it possible to release that heat efficiently into the surroundings.

However, this does not mean that every liquid cooler will outperform every air cooler. The final result is affected by factors including:

• the size and design of the heatsink or radiator,
• the quality and speed of the fans,
• the pump's performance,
• the contact pressure between the base and the CPU,
• airflow inside the case,
• the CPU's power consumption and workload characteristics.

Performance should therefore be compared at the level of specific models, preferably under similar test conditions.

Which system runs more quietly?

When it comes to noise, you cannot assume that one type of cooling always runs more quietly either.

An air cooler usually has one or two fans and produces no pump noise. A well-chosen model can be very quiet under both light and heavier loads.

An AIO has fans and a pump, which is an additional source of noise. At the same time, a large radiator may allow the fans to run at lower speeds during sustained heavy CPU load.

A well-chosen AIO may therefore run more quietly than an air cooler forced to operate at maximum speed. However, this is not a universal rule. Advanced air cooling may be quieter than some AIO systems, especially if their pump or fans have less favourable operating characteristics.

The fan curve matters

Noise level depends on both the cooler's design and its configuration. BIOS settings or motherboard software usually let you define a fan curve, which describes the relationship between temperature and rotational speed.

A more aggressive curve helps maintain lower temperatures but increases noise. A gentler setting lets you reduce fan speeds at the cost of a higher CPU temperature. You can adjust an AIO pump in a similar way if the model and motherboard support changing its speed. ENDORFY Navis F series liquid coolers allow you to adjust the operating curves for both the fans and the pump.

A well-configured curve should avoid sudden speed changes during brief temperature spikes. Fans constantly speeding up and slowing down can be more irritating than a steady sound – particularly when psychoacoustically optimised Fluctus fans are involved.

When should you choose air cooling?

Consider air cooling if:

• you want good value for money,
• you want to reduce the cost of the whole build,
• you value a simple design and easy maintenance,
• the CPU does not need a particularly substantial cooling system,
• the case has no space for a suitable radiator,
• you want to limit the number of active components,
• you prefer the classic look of a heatsink.

The software or games you use do not, on their own, determine your choice of cooler. Air cooling can handle both demanding games and rendering, provided the cooler is suitably matched to the CPU and its power consumption.

In practice, Spartan 5 may be the first model to check for a compact build or one planned on a tight budget. For more demanding requirements, compare Fera 5 and Fortis 5, keeping heatsink dimensions and compatibility with the case and RAM in mind.

When should you choose AIO liquid cooling?

Consider an AIO if:

• the CPU has high power consumption,
• the PC often spends long periods under full load,
• you plan to raise power limits or overclock,
• you need more cooling headroom,
• you want clear space around the CPU socket,
• the case supports your chosen radiator size,
• the appearance of the pump-block unit, tubes and lighting is an important part of the build.

Long rendering jobs, video encoding, calculations or demanding gaming sessions can place a heavy load on the CPU, but this does not automatically mean that an AIO is necessary. The decision should be based on the specific CPU's parameters, power limits and the performance of the coolers being compared.

Among ENDORFY systems, your choice may start with Navis F240 if the case accommodates a 240 mm radiator. Navis F280 and F360 need more space but can be considered for configurations requiring a larger radiator surface.

What should you check before buying a cooler?

Regardless of the type of cooling you choose, check:

• CPU socket compatibility,
• the maximum cooler height supported by the case,
• clearance above the RAM modules,
• the supported radiator sizes,
• the combined thickness of the radiator and fans,
• potential interference with the motherboard or graphics card,
• the positioning of air intakes and exhausts,
• the speed adjustment range of the fans and pump,
• whether the tubes can be routed without excessive bending,
• the cooler's appearance in the finished build.

Even a very powerful cooler will not reach its full potential in a case with restricted airflow or if it is installed incorrectly.

Liquid or air cooling – summary

For many PCs, well-chosen air cooling will be the simplest and most cost-effective solution. It can also handle powerful CPUs effectively, provided its capabilities match their power consumption and workload characteristics.

An AIO is particularly suitable when more cooling headroom is needed for sustained operation, space around the CPU socket is limited, or you want to use a large radiator and showcase the build.

The most important step is comparing specific models. The terms “liquid” and “air” alone do not tell you which cooler will be more effective, quieter or better value in a particular PC.

Explore ENDORFY CPU coolers and compare models that suit your build.

See also our other articles:

• How to cool your PC?
• From CPU to radiator. How liquid cooling works in a PC?
• Psychoacoustics in PC cooling: a European patent for Fluctus technology