Key Points
- Air coolers are inexpensive and easy to maintain and install, while AIO coolers provide better cooling, take up less space, and have aesthetic value.
- The main difference between air and AIO coolers is the cooling technology, with air coolers using a heatsink and fan system and AIO coolers using a liquid cooling system.
- AIO coolers are more efficient at dissipating heat and removing hot air from the case, while air coolers are easier to install and have a longer lifespan.
- The choice between air and AIO coolers depends on your needs, with air coolers being more affordable and suitable for undemanding tasks, while AIO coolers are better for gaming and high-performance computers.
CPU overheating can lead to a variety of problems, from stutters and reduced performance to irreparable damage and possible loss of data. Installing a proper cooling system is crucial to prevent these issues.
There are various cooler types out there, but the air and all-in-one (AIO) coolers are the most popular. The former is inexpensive and easy to maintain and install. The latter provides better cooling, takes up less space inside the case, and brings aesthetic value. However, each type of cooler comes with its own pros and cons.
This in-depth comparison explores the differences between air and AIO coolers so that you can decide which type is the best for you. Let’s get into it!
Air vs. AIO Coolers: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Air Coolers | AIO Coolers | |
|---|---|---|
| Cooling Technology | Cold air | Cold liquid |
| Hot Air Exhaustion | Inside the case | Outside of the case |
| Noise Level | Quieter | Louder |
| Size | Larger | Smaller |
| Installation Ease | Easy to install | More difficult to install |
| RGB Customization? | Yes | Yes |
| Maintenance | More frequent | Less frequent |
| Starting Price | Around $30 | Around $60 |
- MF120 Halo Fan
- Dual loop ARGB
- Aluminum top cover
- 4 copper heat pipes
- 154mm (H)
- For AMD Ryzen AM5/AM4, Intel LGA1700/1200
- 32 dynamic RGB LEDs
- AirGuide Technology
- For Intel LGA 1700, 1200, 115X, 2066, AMD AM5/AM4 sockets
- Black
Air vs. AIO Coolers: What’s the Difference?
As computers process data, they transform some of the current flowing through the processor into thermal energy. This heat can leak from the CPU to the motherboard or other components, potentially damaging them.
To reduce these risks, all computer brands equip their PCs with coolers. However, a stock CPU cooler might not suffice. Replacing it with a powerful air or AIO cooler might be necessary if you’re using the PC for demanding tasks. Gaming and high-performance computers used for designing or photo and video editing might all need a stock cooler replacement.
This in-depth comparison will help you pick the right cooler type for your system, so stick around as we break down what you need to know.
Cooling Technology
The main difference between air and AIO coolers is the cooling technology. In air-cooled systems, the processor’s integrated heat spreader (IHS) transfers the heat to the cooler’s aluminum or copper cold plate.
The heat passes through the cold plate into a heatsink. In the heatsink, the water contained in a system of pipes evaporates as it absorbs the heat from the processor. These vapors then travel up to a set of fins that distribute the heat throughout the heatsink.
A fan placed over the heatsink blows the hot air away from the fins. The sudden drop in temperature condenses the vapors, the liquid turning to the bottom of the heatsink through capillary action. The process resumes as needed, as air fans turn themselves on and off based on the CPU’s temperature.
AIO coolers also transfer the heat generated by the IHS to the cooler’s base plate. However, in these systems, tiny holes or fins increase the contact surface between the base plate and the IHS.
A liquid (distilled water or water-glycol) circulates through the base plate and absorbs the heat from the IHS. Then, a pump transfers the hot liquid to a radiator through a pipe. One or more fans blow cool air on the radiator and expel the residual heat from the case. Then, the liquid takes a U-turn and goes back to the base plate through another tube.
Unlike air coolers, AIO coolers repeat this cycle continuously until you turn off the computer.
Design and Size
Air and AIO coolers use different technologies to prevent CPU overheating, so it’s unsurprising that their designs and sizes are also different. Air coolers consist of a base plate and heatsink that go right on top of the processor.
The heatsink is a bulky component that takes up a lot of space in the case. By comparison, AIO coolers use pumps to move hot water from the base plate to the radiator. Both the pump and the radiator are a lot smaller than a heatsink.
Due to the reduced dimension of these components, AIO coolers can use up to three fans to blow cool air on the radiator. Air coolers have only one fan due to the large size of the heatsink (except for dual-heatsink air coolers, which typically use two fans).
AIO coolers are not only smaller and more suitable for small to mid-size cases, but they are also more attractive from a visual standpoint. Most AIO coolers have customizable RGB lights and are ideal for transparent cases and gaming PCs. Some air coolers also have RGB lights, but this feature is less common.
©stockphoto-graf/Shutterstock.com
Cooling Efficiency
One of the main advantages of AIO coolers is their efficiency compared to air coolers. These closed-loop systems carry heat and can withstand prolonged heat loads better than air coolers.
In PCs used for demanding tasks or overclocking, a multiple-fan AIO cooler does a better job of dissipating the heat from the processor. Moreover, these systems remove the hot air from the case, whereas air coolers do not.
Installation Ease
While AIO coolers are more efficient, air coolers are easier to install. To set an air cooler in place, you must spread some thermal paste on the processor, align the heatsink with the pre-drilled holes on the motherboard, press the latches against the motherboard, and rotate the cooler to lock it in place.
A click sound lets you know when the heatsink is locked, and then you can connect the fan to the nearest fan header on the motherboard. Some air coolers use a retention backplate instead of latches but the installation process is similar.
Installing an AIO cooler is a more complex process that starts with mounting the correct retention bracket on the pump (these coolers usually come with several bracket models for various Intel and AMD setups). The mounting technique varies by model, so you’ll have to follow the instructions for your specific product.
Once you installed the bracket and applied the thermal paste to the IHS, you must position the pump on the processor and secure it with thumbscrews. Keeping the pump perfectly level and applying even pressure during this step is crucial or the thermal paste might not spread correctly.
The next step involves mounting the radiator and fans. You can install them anywhere in the case, as long as the fan is close enough to the radiator to blow cold air on it. The actual process depends on the type of cooler you have and where you’re mounting it inside the case. Lastly, you must connect the pump to the radiator and the entire system to the motherboard.
Maintenance and Durability
Another advantage of air coolers is their maintenance ease and durability. To clean these coolers, you can simply blow some compressed air on the fan and heatsink to remove accumulated dust. The AIO cooler radiators have lots of nooks and crannies and are more complicated to clean.
The process involves taking apart the radiator and fans. Then, you must use a combination of compressed air, cotton swabs, and anti-static microfiber cloths to remove the dust and gunk. Wiping the components with an anti-static cloth before reinstalling the cooler is crucial, as accidentally static charging the cooler can create numerous issues — such as a surge of current that can damage the processor or nearby components.
AIO coolers are also less durable. Their lifespan rarely exceeds five years, and damage to the pump or radiator can lead to leaks that could affect other components. Air coolers don’t leak and have an average lifespan of 10 years.
Price
A decisive factor when choosing an air and AIO cooler could be the price. Air coolers win this round with affordable prices starting at around $30. AIO coolers have more moving parts and are more expensive to manufacture. They can cost twice as much as air coolers, and you’ll have to replace them faster.
That said, AIO coolers do a better job and can increase a PC’s aesthetic value. If you need a cooler for a gaming or high-performance computer, they are more than worth it.
Air vs. AIO Coolers: 5 Must-Know Facts
- Air coolers use a heatsink and a fan to cool down the processor, but the hot air is expelled inside the case.
- AIO coolers use a pump and radiator to dissipate the heat from the processor. The hot air is usually expelled outside the case.
- Air coolers are easier to install and maintain, but AIO coolers are more efficient in preventing CPU overheating.
- Customizable RGB lights and reduced size make AIO coolers a better choice for naked computer setups and transparent cases.
- Air coolers are more affordable than AIO coolers and have a longer lifespan, so they are a better choice if you don’t want to spend too much.
- MF120 Halo Fan
- Dual loop ARGB
- Aluminum top cover
- 4 copper heat pipes
- 154mm (H)
- For AMD Ryzen AM5/AM4, Intel LGA1700/1200
- 32 dynamic RGB LEDs
- AirGuide Technology
- For Intel LGA 1700, 1200, 115X, 2066, AMD AM5/AM4 sockets
- Black
Air vs. AIO Coolers: Which One Should You Use?
Choosing between air and AIO coolers comes down to your needs. If you need a cooler for a high-performance or gaming computer, an AIO model is your best bet. These coolers can effectively dissipate high heat, keeping the CPU cool even when you’re running demanding apps. AIO coolers are also a better choice for small to mid-sized cases due to their smaller size.
However, if you mostly use the PC for undemanding tasks and need an affordable cooler, an air model won’t disappoint. While air coolers are larger and less efficient than their AIO counterparts, they are easy to install, last longer, and cost a fraction of the price.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Janis Abolins/Shutterstock.com.
