Water / Liquid Cooling

When you are building a computer system, it’s important to purchase a PC cooler. Although a computer will run without one, it is crucial to prevent your PC from overheating.

This guide will teach you about the four features you should consider when purchasing your PC’s cooling system.

Features To Consider

Types of Coolers

Two types of PC coolers are available on the market, air coolers and liquid coolers.

Air coolers use fans to move the hot air away from the CPU and out of the computer. They are the cheaper of the two options. However, they require more space and are often louder, especially when the computer is running heavy programs.

Liquid coolers use liquid to absorb heat from the CPU and move it toward the outside of the computer. They are more expensive however, they are more effective at maintaining a consistent temperature within the computer. They also require less space than a traditional air cooling system.

TDP Rating

The TDP rating is the number that tells you how much heat your cooling system can move away from the CPU. If this number is not high enough, your computer will not be able to cool down adequately and you run the risk of damaging your computer.

To learn more about TDP ratings and other factors to consider when purchasing a PC cooler, click here.

CPU Socket

A PC cooler works by fitting over the CPU socket and pulling heat away from the chip. To make sure that it is working properly, the cooler needs to be fitted directly against the socket.

Before purchasing a cooling unit, make sure that it is compatible with your motherboard’s CPU socket.

Cooler Footprint

The cooler footprint is the cooler's overall size. Every PC has a different amount of space between the motherboard and other components.

Make sure that the PC cooler you’ve chosen will fit into the space between your motherboard and the rest of the computer.

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