What type of cpu fan do i need

Both are equipped with a mm radiator with three mm fans mounted for excellent cooling performance. AIO coolers usually have a cpu water block with an inbuilt pump which is connected to the radiators using pipes. The radiators have fans which dissipate the heat quickly.

Aside from the looks, you get to experience liquid cooling with very little work required when installing the cooler. It is always bad for electronics to get in contact with water. If your AIO leaks in the future, then there will surely be a lot of problems like damaging other components of your system.

The price to performance ratio is not that good when you factor in the price. Opting for a decent air cooler would get you a better value for your money. If we are talking about the peak of CPU cooling, then it is definitely a custom water-cooling system.

Just like an AIO, custom water cooling is made of almost the same components but with an addition of a reservoir, fittings, water block and a custom tubing. Waterblock - this is the block that is attached directly to your processor that is actively cooled by the water from the inside. Fittings - these are attachments that connect your tubing line to the water block, reservoir, and radiator.

Tubing - water tubing is the custom loop that you use so that coolant can flow smoothly across your custom cooling system. You can opt for a hardline water tubing if you want a cleaner look, but you can also go for soft tubing which is easier to set up. Reservoir - the main reason why custom water cooling systems perform better compared to AIOs is the reservoir.

It allows you to store more water coolant to your system, thus increasing cooling performance. Pump - this helps the coolant on your system circulate from the water block all the way up to the radiator to dissipate the heat coming from your processor.

Radiator - radiator cools down the liquid from your custom cooling system with the help of fans. The radiator fins absorb the heat from the coolant and the fans attached to the radiator helps in dissipating the heat from the radiator fins. In terms of performance, custom water cooling solutions can handle all processors at stock frequencies. However, if you want to start overclocking, you should also take into consideration the size of the radiator and pump that you would use so that it can properly handle your overclock temperature.

Your cooler choice can also make a substantial difference in noise output. If you already have an idea of what you're looking for, check out our tested list of the Best CPU Coolers. Are you a heavy overclocker or do you prefer silent operation or both?

Do you like a plain appearance or lots of RGB lights? Note that open-loop coolers are by far the most complex and expensive choice, though they can deliver unparalleled cooling results and unsurpassed looks. For a prime example of what can be achieved with a custom loop, see our Mirror Maze build , with its clear coolant and many mirrored surfaces. Those looking to build an open-loop setup for the first time may want to check out Corsair's HydroX lineup. It simplifies the process by walking you through selecting the right parts for your case, and provides video tutorials to ease installation.

Don't expect a HydroX setup to be anywhere near as affordable as a closed-loop or air cooler, however. Custom cooling setups are expensive, no matter whose parts you buy. Air coolers , made of some combination of metal heatsinks and fans, come in all shapes and sizes and varying thermal dissipation capacities sometimes listed as TDP. High-end air coolers these days rival many all-in-one AIO liquid coolers that have become popular in the market over the past several years.

AIOs have also become increasingly resistant to leaks over the years, and are easier to install. The heat is then converted into vapors, which revert to a liquid after they cool. The construction and number of heat pipes determine the overall effectiveness of the radiating unit. A copper or aluminum surface where the heatsink base establishes contact with the IHS. The base has two types, flat and direct contact.

A flat surface provides substantial support for contact, while a direct contact unit is a bundle of coils touching the heat pipes. Typically made of aluminum, heat fins are a foundational component in all CPU coolers.

Their effectiveness depends largely on their construction, spacing, placement, shape, and quantity. Choosing the right CPU cooler for you is going to depend on your particular needs. If your PC only gets light to moderate use, your stock CPU cooler may be just fine — or you might want to take a step up to an aftermarket air cooler.

On the other hand, if you have a high-powered CPU that will be placed under heavy demand with gaming, streaming, or content creation, then you probably want to spend a bit more and go with an all-in-one liquid cooling option. Christian is a tech enthusiast with a strong background in computer systems and smart devices. You'll find Christian writing about computer components, electronics, smart devices, and more.

He's a content creator by day and a hardcore gamer by night. In his free time, you can find him on a number of World of Warcraft servers or capturing epic landscapes with his mini drone.

OK for general info, useless for specific recommendations. The section on CPU pastes was very good. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

All rights reserved. Close Search. Cons Air coolers are not small. C-Type Air Coolers A top-down air cooler with c-shaped heat pipes curving from the heat fin stacks. Pros Liquid coolers have lower RPMs, making them much quieter than air coolers because heat is passed through a liquid that never leaves the unit.

To attach your AMD heat sink:. Out of the two, I prefer AMD heat sinks because they are tremendously easy to use. Intel's, on the other hand, don't mount as advertised. I've spent many hours fiddling with getting the Intel HSF snugly fitted to the board because I refuse to detach my motherboard every time I decide to work on the fan. As someone who has built and rebuilt computers countless times, Intel push-pins give me nightmares.

For additional tips on how-to keep your computer running cool, check out my article. It covers several alternative computer cooling tips, such as installing a dust filter, properly greasing squeaky fans and more.

For those of you with laptops, considering some MacGuyver-like tricks for keeping your PC cool, on the cheap. Anyone else love installing heat sinks-fan combos on their rigs? Let us know in the comments. Which Raspberry Pi project should you start with?

Here's our roundup of the best Raspberry Pi uses and projects around! Kannon is a Tech Journalist BA with a background in international affairs MA with an emphasis on economic development and international trade. His passions are in China-sourced gadgets, information technologies like RSS , and productivity tips and tricks.