TOP—7. Best water cooling for PC CPU. July 2021. Rating!

Computers are among the devices that generate heat when operating. The heavier the load, the higher the likelihood of overheating, which can lead to damage to the component elements: video card, hard drive, motherboard, power supply, etc. To prevent overheating, a computer cooling system , which have many varieties and functional features.

Advantages and disadvantages of SVO

An air cooler, which costs several times more than a good air cooler, provides approximately the same cooling efficiency. As for noise, in addition to one or several fans, the SVO also has a pump (water pump), which also makes some noise, so it is no quieter than a powerful high-quality cooler. Also, the presence of a cooling system does not mean that you can create a system without fans with it; in any case, the case must be well ventilated.

The reliability of the air cooler is lower than that of an air cooler, since the pump wears out over time and may fail. But leaks are rare today, plus the CBO usually uses a liquid that does not conduct electricity and in most cases will not damage your PC.

However, some SVOs have design flaws that could potentially lead to leaks, and the liquid in some models is aggressive and can cause oxidation of parts on which it comes in contact. Therefore, in this selection we have excluded some seemingly successful models, but for which there are justified complaints in terms of leaks.

The only main advantage is that the cooling system does not clutter the case, due to which it is better ventilated, and the cooling system itself is less clogged with dust and the system unit is easier to clean. Plus, of course, aesthetics - with a beautiful SVO, everything will look cool through the transparent window of the case.

However, not all air coolers operate equally efficiently and quietly; many may even be significantly inferior to good air coolers that cost several times less. Therefore, we also excluded from the selection air coolers that are completely ineffective in terms of cooling or are too noisy.

As a result, the selection includes the most successful and reliable models that do not leak and provide fairly effective cooling with a relatively low noise level.

What is the difference between air and liquid cooling system?

Despite the same purpose, cooling systems have a number of differences both in functionality and operating features.

Deepcool Maelstrom 120T

SVO from Deepcool have the best price/power ratio with quite good quality. They also have a fairly wide range of models, so there will be a lot of CBOs from this manufacturer.

As for this particular model, it is the most affordable option with a single-section radiator and a 120 mm fan.

Characteristics of Deepcool Maelstrom 120T

This is the most compact and lightweight SVO, which can be installed in the case even without a special place for installing the SVO, instead of the standard 120 mm fan at the rear.

The fan installed here has a typical high speed for a water heater and is characterized by an average noise level compared to most other water heaters of this size.

The connection is made using two connectors - a 4-pin to the processor cooler connector and a 3-pin to a special connector for the pump, to any fan connector or to the power supply through an adapter, which can be purchased separately. This is the simplest and most typical connection for SVO. The fan speed is controlled by the motherboard, and the pump must be supplied with a constant 12 V power supply.

This SVO comes with a fan in one of three backlight colors – red, blue or white. The logo on the pump is illuminated in white with a breathing effect. There is no backlight control.

The SVO is suitable for not very hot Intel Core i3, AMD FX-4, Ryzen 3 processors, including a small overclocking option. The maximum we recommend installing it on is Core i5, FX-6, Ryzen 5 in normal operation.

It’s worth considering that this is the cheapest model from a budget brand, so you shouldn’t expect quiet, long-lasting operation from it. Nevertheless, this is one of the best solutions for the money for not very powerful and loaded PCs. Water Cooling Deepcool Maelstrom 120T

Rating of the best PC coolers - TOP 10 for 2021

Taking into account the above characteristics, the top best options for cooling systems designed to prevent computer overheating have been compiled.

CPU cooler Freezer 34 eSports DUO Red ACFRE00060A

Cooler with a tower design, suitable for various chips up to 18-core processors. Equipped with powerful fans with a rotation speed of up to 2100 rpm and characterized by high performance, ensuring stable operation of the computer. Can be combined with 10 different sockets, including installation on Intel and AMD processors.

Pros of the model:

• Productivity is above average.
• Low noise level: in standard mode the indicator does not exceed 28 dB.
• Attractive design with red accents.

Minuses:

• At high speeds the cooling system is quite noisy.
• Difficulty in assembly.

Liquid Cooling System Liquid Freezer II-280 Multi ACFRE00066A

A redesigned version of liquid cooling, released by the Swiss company ARCTIC, taking into account the experience of previous lines. This model is equipped with two fans with a rotation speed of up to 1700 rpm, an aluminum radiator, hoses, a pump and a water block. A special feature of this option is the presence of an additional fan built into the water block. This allows you to cool the motherboard's power subsystem, but at high speeds it creates noticeable noise.

Pros of the model:

• Compatible with many modern platforms.
• Availability of an additional cooling system.

Minuses:

• Larger radiator (about 32 cm) compared to other models, which imposes restrictions on the choice of housing.
• Unpleasant sound from the additional fan at high speed.

Scythe Big Shuriken 3 RGB CPU cooler SCBSK-3000R

This is a cooler with a copper base and an aluminum radiator, the height of which is only 69 mm. This makes this option suitable for owners of compact cases. The cooler is compatible with many types of sockets and is equipped with one fan whose speed can reach up to 1800 rpm.

Pros of the model:

• The maximum noise level reaches only 30 dB, which makes the system quite quiet.
• Easy installation.
• Compatible with a wide range of sockets.

Minuses:

• The system does not always cope effectively with CPU heating.
• There is only one fan.

Liquid Cooling System Liquid Freezer II-120 ACFRE00067A

Made of aluminum, present both in the base and in the radiator housing. The model is equipped with one fan designed to cool the processor. Its maximum speed is 1800. The system supports AMD and Intel processors, making it a universal option.

Pros of the model:

• Quiet operation even under high loads.
• Easy to install.

Minuses:

• An additional fan is required to reduce temperatures under high loads.
• Atypical thickness of the radiator (38 mm), which affects its installation location.

Liquid cooling system Arctic Liquid Freezer II-240 ACFRE00046A

The system is equipped with two fans located on both sides of the aluminum radiator. Their maximum rotation speed is 1350 rpm, which allows you to create the air flow necessary to cool the elements. The maximum noise level is only 24 dB, which makes the system extremely quiet in operation.

Pros of the model:

• Quiet cooling even under high loads.
• Works with all Intel and AMD processors.

Minuses:

• The system is not suitable for all cases.
• Short pump life.

Scythe Choten TUF Gaming Alliance CPU cooler

Cooler with horizontal tower design and high efficiency. It is compatible with 18 sockets, making it one of the most versatile rating models. The set includes one fan with a maximum rotation speed of 1200 rpm. This helps reduce noise levels and does not cause discomfort during operation. The height of the device is 122 mm, which makes it easy to choose a suitable case.

Pros of the model:

• Large list of compatible sockets.
• Availability of multi-colored lighting.

Minuses:

• Difficulties during installation.
• Low fan power.

Liquid cooling system Enermax ELC-LTTRTO360-TBP LiqTech TR4 II RGB

The LiqTech TR4 line was one of the first models adapted for AMD Ryzen Threadripper. The model in question is equipped with an aluminum radiator and three fans with speeds of up to 2300 rpm. Fan noise does not exceed 28 dB.

Pros of the model:

• Availability of water block illumination.
• Good cooling even at low fan speeds.
• Long connecting hoses for easy connection of the system.

Minuses:

• The high cost for such a model is about 15,000 rubles.
• Poor quality thermal paste included.

Water cooling system for Corsair CWCH60 processor

The water system is equipped with one fan with a speed of up to 1700 per minute. The maximum noise level is about 30 dB, which can be noticeable under high loads. This option supports AMD and Intel processors and works with more than 10 sockets.

Pros of the model:

• Excellent compatibility with different sockets, which makes the model universal.
• Under normal loads, the fan operates almost silently.

Minuses:

• Water overclocking is quite slow, which does not allow cooling the processor in a timely manner.
• Difficulty in installation.

Water cooling system for Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R RGB processor

High efficiency cooling system to keep powerful processors cool. This is ensured by three fans with a maximum rotation speed of 2000 rpm and a massive radiator, the length of which is 394 mm. The maximum noise level is 30 dB, while the minimum is only 6 dB.

Pros of the model:

• Compatible with the most common sockets.
• Availability of multi-colored lighting.
• Rigid hoses for connection.

Minuses:

• Difficult installation.
• There may be problems with adjusting the backlight.

Water Cooling System for NZXT Kraken X42 CPU (RL-KRX42-02)

Quite a miniature model, the length of the radiator is 175 mm. It has one fan with a maximum rotation speed of 1800 rpm. The speed is set automatically or changed manually. The maximum noise level is 38 dB.

Pros of the model:

• Multicolor backlight.
• Works with a large number of sockets (suitable for all new AMD / Intel processors).
• Compact size with high efficiency.

Minuses:

• Noise under high loads.
• It is difficult to install hoses in a narrow housing.

What makes up the rating of coolers and cooling systems according to Top10Tech

The rating of the presented coolers was formed based on the following indicators:

• Price. For the review, we selected mainly models in the mid-price category, available for purchase to a wide range of consumers.
• Compatible with AMD and Intel processors. Most of the presented options are versatile and work simultaneously with two processors.
• Efficiency. This indicator is estimated using different methods, for example, power dissipation is taken into account. This is the power that the system dissipates during normal operation. Its value must exceed the maximum specified in the processor specifications.

What is the best CPU cooler to buy in 2021?

The best model based on the combination of the given characteristics can be called the Freezer 34 eSports DUO Red ACFRE00060A processor cooler. It has a fairly high power dissipation (210 W), belongs to the mid-price range category (the model price is about 4,500 rubles) and is installed on Intel and AMD processors.

Deepcool Maelstrom 240T

This is the most affordable two-section SVO with a longer radiator and two fans, otherwise it is similar to the previous model.

Characteristics of Deepcool Maelstrom 240 T

This SVO is almost 350 grams heavier, which is primarily due to a more massive radiator, which means its heat capacity is higher and it will be able to cool a hotter processor.

The fans here are the same, and since they are not of the highest quality and quiet, the noise level at high speed already exceeds the average level for two-section air coolers. However, if it is not overloaded and used with processors adequate for it, then the speed and noise level will not exceed acceptable limits.

Since there are two fans, they already require two 4-pin connectors with speed control, but this is not a problem because the kit includes a hub for 4 fans, to which you can also connect case fans if desired.

Since the fans are the same, the backlight variations are similar. The pump is also illuminated everywhere only in white. If there is a place at the top of the case for installing the SVO, then it is better to install it there.

This CBO is recommended for use with mid-range Core i5, FX-6, Ryzen 5 processors with medium overclocking or with Core i7, FX-8, Ryzen 7 processors without overclocking. Water cooling Deepcool Maelstrom 240T

Passive systems rating

In addition to the already presented models of cooling systems, passive devices can be used. They do not require a power connection, are fixed directly on the chips, and heat is taken in and removed using a radiator. Operation is completely silent. Often, passive installations do not attract dust into the case and are very easy to install, but they are recommended for use only on medium-power processors.

Supermicro SNK-P0048PS

This device is recommended for use for chips with a maximum frequency of 3000 MHz, which is caused by the height of the heat transfer plates of 64 mm. The dimensions of this cooling are 104x80 mm, there are 3 tubes that help remove heat from the processor and this effectively affects the result. For high-quality contact, a copper plate is used, and the remaining parts are made of aluminum. The equipment is fixed with 4 bolts directly to the motherboard.

Pros:

• Suitable for many modern sockets and 2 U servers.
• The presence of 3 tubes for heat transfer through the radiator.
• Quiet operation.
• The optimal price of the device is 1400 rubles.
• Weight is 350 grams, so there is no heavy load on the board fasteners.
• The manufacturer has already applied thermal paste to the base.
• The plates are protected from dust penetration inside.
• The main materials used are copper and aluminum.
• The dimensions are optimal and do not complicate the installation of a hard drive or video card.

Among the disadvantages is the appearance, which will worsen the picture for transparent system units.

Supermicro SNK-P0047PS

An excellent choice for simple processors used at home or in the office. The connection is made to any processor with an LGA 2011 socket. The model is fixed on top of the chip with 4 bolts, which are included in the kit. Thermal paste is applied between the equipment to improve heat transfer. The design of the cooling system itself includes 27 aluminum plates, allowing for efficient heat dissipation.

Pros:

• The total height of the unit is only 2.7 cm, so it will not interfere with the connection of other devices. The system dimensions of 8x10.4 cm allow you to install cooling on any motherboard, and nothing will interfere with the video card or other components.
• The price of the product is optimal - about 1200 rubles.
• The model is suitable for many modern processors.
• Efficient heat removal.
• Easy installation using one screwdriver.
• No need to connect power.

Minuses:

• Cannot be installed on gaming PCs that use an overclocked processor.
• Thermal output is reduced due to dust entering and settling on the radiator, so cleaning needs to be done from time to time.
• There are no tubes to remove heat further from the chipset.
• There is no lighting or decorative elements, which affects the beauty when using a transparent case.

The described review will allow you to select the best processor cooling devices that will satisfy you in terms of their properties, size and cost.

Deepcool Gammaxx L240

Beautiful two-section air cooler with multi-color lighting for both the pump and fans.

Characteristics of Deepcool Gammaxx L 240

Quite a good air cooler for the money - the fans are of normal quality and operate relatively quietly, since the speed does not reach the maximum speed, where the noise could be described as average.

The lighting is also quite beautiful; the kit includes a hub for connecting up to four fans to the motherboard. But there is no backlight controller, so this system requires a 12V GRB connector, otherwise the backlight will not work.

The cooling level can be described as average in comparison with other two-section air coolers. So the recommendations remain the same - moderate overclocking of Core i5, FX-6, Ryzen 5 or Core i7, FX-8, Ryzen 7 without overclocking. Water cooling Deepcool Gammaxx L240

Rating of liquid cooling systems

A similar technique for heat removal is recommended when there is heavy load on the processor, as a result of using powerful programs, working with graphics or video. A regular cooler will not be able to provide the necessary cooling of the chips, so it is recommended to install liquid models that work effectively.

NZXT Kraken X62

Such equipment is characterized by a small pump with a copper plate that is installed directly on top of the processor. It is recommended to use the product for the most powerful chips. Using thermal paste, the processor will quickly release heat, and a pump will pump warm liquid to a pair of coolers and a radiator. Long fan pipes allow it to be installed on the wall of the system unit so that the temperature goes outside the case.

Pros:

• Beautiful lighting, which uses diodes of different colors, also lights up the company logo.
• Coolers with 7 blades providing efficient cooling.
• The plate has a diameter of 7 cm, which helps quickly transfer heat from the chip.
• The fans are 14 cm in diameter and quickly remove hot air from the unit.
• Operation using hydrodynamic bearings.
• It is possible to adjust the backlight, as well as the speed of the device, using a program from the company.
• Comes with several adapters to connect the system to different processors and boards.
• Aluminum radiator.
• The rotation range of the pump is 500-2000 rpm, and that of the cooler is 500-1800 rpm.
• 40 cm tubes for liquid.
• Sold together with a power cord for coolers and a USB cable.

Minuses:

• The high price of the device is around 10 thousand rubles.
• A plastic frame that bends easily and can be deformed when pressed.
• Quite noisy operation, which is 38 dB at maximum.
• When first used, a slight cracking sound appears caused by the circulation of liquid inside.
• The functioning of the company's software is not always stable.
• Large dimensions 31.5x14.3 cm, which does not allow the device to be installed in small blocks.

EKWB EK-KIT P240

If the PC case is quite large, used for industrial tasks or a huge network, then this cooling model will be one of the best. The equipment includes a separate unit for liquid and a container for collecting and cooling hot water coming from the radiator with associated cooling using coolers. This device allows you to get maximum efficiency when using powerful processors.

Pros:

• Uses a copper plate on a block of water.
• Reliable fastening of the device using 4 bolts that provide tight contact.
• Suitable for many processors from Intel or AMD.
• Comes with mounting hardware for AMD chipsets.
• Radiators with copper plates.
• The presence of a pair of vertical radiators of 12 cm.
• Coolers operate at a frequency of 1850 rpm.
• Water is mixed in a large reservoir, which is initially passed through fans, allowing the system to cool more efficiently.
• The presence of a separate pump to reduce the load on the fasteners to the board.
• All adapters of the system are plated with nickel.
• Supplied with a 100 ml container of concentrate.
• There is a block for bleeding and starting.
• The cooling parts can be purchased separately, so the liquid block can be replaced over time, rather than buying the whole assembly.

Minuses:

• The rotation of the fans cannot be adjusted, so they always run at maximum speed.
• The price of the equipment is about 20 thousand rubles.
• Not suitable for classic PCs in standard cases.
• No backlight.
• The splitter is only 10 cm long.

Arctic Liquid Freezer 120

This model is considered the best water system for a small case due to its dimensions of only 12x15.5 cm. Dimensions include a cooler. The hardware includes a pair of fans placed one behind the other to increase the amount of heat output. The placement does not require much space inside the PC. Fluid module with copper plates for high heat transfer.

Pros:

• Recommended for use on various modern processors.
• Small dimensions of the cooling system.
• Easy rotation of coolers using hydrodynamic bearings.
• It is possible to independently adjust the speed of rotation.
• The size of the coolers is 12 cm in diameter.
• Aluminum radiator fins.
• Each cooler has 9 blades.
• Using the device for the i3 chipset overclocked to 5200 MHz, the result is 62 degrees.
• Silent operation of the equipment.

Minuses:

• Weight is almost 1 kg.
• Price about 6 thousand rubles.
• Medium speed – 1350 rpm.
• The water block pipes are small, which necessitates close placement of the holes in the housing.
• Inability to independently set the pump speed.
• Does not come with board spacers.
• Due to the location of a pair of fans, strong fixation is complicated; it may be necessary to expand the standard window.

Corsair Hydro H60

Corsair water cooling systems are successful every now and then, either the coolers are very noisy or the pump fails. This is one of the most inexpensive successful models that we can recommend.

We do not recommend the younger H45 and older H80i single-section models, as they are too noisy.

Specifications Corsair Hydro H60

A distinctive feature of this SVO is that the pump is powered from the SATA connector of the power supply, which is generally convenient, since it does not require occupying the fan connector on the motherboard.

If you want to have a high-quality, quiet and reliable SVO for a not too powerful and hot processor, then this is the option for you. Water cooled Corsair Hydro Series H60 2018

TOP popular air systems

Equipment from this segment is recommended for cooling the case, processor or video cards. They operate using a fan that operates at different speeds based on the heating of the main equipment, after which the metal elements are cooled. In some cases, attached-type radiators can be used, which are in contact with PC elements, which allows for more efficient heat removal.

Zalman ZM-F3 SF

This option is considered the best for a computer case due to its low cost, which will be approximately 350 rubles. The fan has efficient blades, and special technology helps to capture and force more air for cooling than classic models with smooth blades. In addition, this eliminates vibrations and reduces operating volume. The equipment is fixed at the back of the computer unit. Sold in black or transparent.

Pros:

• The fans have 9 blades that increase cooling efficiency.
• 4 branches are installed on each blade to suppress noise and vibration.
• The total diameter of the equipment is 12 cm.
• Quiet and easy rotation, which is ensured by bearings.
• During operation, extraneous noise is eliminated, since the fasteners are soft and made of silicone inserts.
• The declared service life from the manufacturer is 50,000 hours.
• Light weight of the equipment – ​​125 grams.
• The small thickness of the case (25 mm) eliminates bulging inside or outside the system unit.
• Low cost fan.
• Noise up to 23 dB.
• Easy connection to many classic computers using a 3 pin cable.
• The case is cooled to 35 degrees.

Minuses:

• During operation, it attracts a lot of dust, which penetrates inside the case.
• Maximum rotation in the overclocked state is no more than 1200 rpm.
• Due to the thin plastic, you need to mount the cooler very carefully; if the bolts are too tight, the mounting ears will burst.

Thermaltake Water 3.0 120 ARGB Sync

Thermaltake CBO is already a higher level both in terms of manufacturing quality and cooling/noise ratio, as well as in design.

Specifications Thermaltake Water 3.0 120 ARGB Sync

A very high-quality, relatively quiet fan is used here, which makes this air cooler quieter compared to its classmates under the same operating conditions. The connection is standard, plus the kit includes a bunch of different adapters and a splitter for connecting up to three fans to one motherboard connector.

The backlight here is multi-colored, but addressable RGB backlighting with the corresponding connector (5V ARGB) is already used. This means you can control the color of each LED individually and create the most incredible effects. But to synchronize the backlight with all other components, an appropriate motherboard is required. Otherwise, you can use the included backlight controller with remote control for manual settings.

Despite the high quality of cooling systems from this manufacturer, we cannot recommend a single-section SVO for cooling top-end processors, since it simply does not have enough thermal capacity to quickly remove large amounts of heat.

However, thanks to a high-quality, powerful pump, you can count on fairly efficient and quiet operation of the water cooler with Core i5, FX-6, Ryzen 5 processors. Thermaltake Water 3.0 120 ARGB water cooling

The best cooling systems are put to the test

The choice of a cooling system should be based on certain criteria that allow you to evaluate the quality of a future purchase. The main ways to check the appropriateness of the choice made include the following characteristics:

• Efficiency. It is formed based on the result of the cooling system. It takes into account how quickly it copes with heating the elements and prevents situations with excess heat.
• Noise . The minimum noise level during cooling is usually around 15 dB. To maintain overall performance, it is worth choosing cooling systems with a noise level of about 25 dB, which corresponds to the audibility level of a whisper, which varies at a distance of a meter.
• Price . For air cooling systems, the optimal cost is in the range of 4500-5500 rubles. For liquid systems - about 7,000 rubles.

Deepcool Castle 240 RGB

This is a top-of-the-line SVO from this manufacturer and the best in terms of workmanship and design.

We decided not to recommend the Captain series, since they all have a design flaw in the connection of the pipe on the water block, where leaks occur.

Characteristics of Deepcool Castle 240 RGB

This is a fairly powerful and not too noisy SVO with full addressable RGB backlighting, which requires the presence of an appropriate connector (5V RGB) on the motherboard or the use of a bundled controller with a remote control.

This CBO can be successfully used for fairly powerful processors (Core i7, FX-8, Ryzen 7) with good overclocking. It can also be installed on a Core i9, but to overclock it well, it is better to use a more powerful CBO. Water Cooling Deepcool CASTLE 240 RGB

How to choose a cooler for a computer and laptop

Among the large selection of models and manufacturers, choosing the optimal cooler for iron is difficult.

When selecting, you need to pay attention to the following factors.

1. Device type. Cooling systems for laptops are much smaller in size than their counterparts for desktop PCs.
2. Type and performance of each network element. The selection of individual cooling coolers is made based on the level of heat release of the part. For example, the processor is capable of generating up to 75 W of energy into heat. Consequently, the cooler is selected for 75 W or more.
3. Installation power. Each structural element of the system unit generates a certain amount of heat. The total power of the system should not exceed the capacity of the cooler. Otherwise, the iron will constantly overheat. At low power levels, you can get by with passive cooler lines. Significant power definitely requires a high-quality cooler.
4. Design features of the location of nodes. Some coolers have impressive dimensions. If the space of the system unit is tight, bulky structures may not fit into place.
5. System load. To use the computer in office programs (Word, etc.), the hardware is not loaded. Consequently, colossal heat release does not occur. Under critical loads (heavy games, programs), parts heat up excessively, which requires heat removal.
6. Manufacturer and durability reserve. Each company presents its product as the best on the market. You should not believe the advertising, but study the reviews and characteristics yourself. If you lack knowledge on the topic, it is advisable to consult with industry experts.

Corsair Hydro H100x

If you don't like the colorfulness of the Deepcool SVO, its overly large water block, or you prefer top brands, this model may be to your liking.

Specifications Corsair Hydro H 100 x

This system is similar to the single-section SVO we are considering from this brand. The fans are connected to one motherboard connector here using a simple splitter, and the pump is also connected to the SATA connector of the power supply.

Recommendations for processors are the same as for the previous and other two-section CBOs - Core i7, 8, Ryzen 7 with medium overclocking, Core i9 at stock or with slight overclocking. Water-cooled Corsair Hydro Series H100x

Deepcool Castle 280 RGB

This is an analogue of the Castle 240 model, differing only in the size of the radiator and fans.

Characteristics of Deepcool Castle 280 RGB

This SVO looks the same and has the same beautiful addressable RGB lighting, controlled using a motherboard or a bundled controller.

But, thanks to a larger heat dissipation area and greater air flow, this air cooler can handle a more powerful Core i9 processor with good overclocking. Just keep in mind that your case must support the installation of a CVO of this size. Water Cooling Deepcool CASTLE 280 RGB

Sighting test: testing without using fans

To begin with, it was decided to carry out “sighting” testing, which consisted in the fact that the components inside the closed case would heat up during the natural circulation of air flows. The point of this testing was to identify a “reference” temperature, with which we will subsequently compare in order to determine which fan arrangement will be most effective.

During testing, hot air flows will naturally escape through the perforations on the top cover of the case, and will also be “thrown out” through the perforations in the rear wall using the GELID Phantom tower cooler.

The following results were obtained, which you can find in the attachment.

Heat and rotation speed (no fans)

Corsair H115i PRO RGB

This SVO also uses 140mm fans and is externally similar to the reviewed H100x model, but has significant differences.

Corsair H115i PRO RGB Specifications

The changes primarily concern the size of the radiator and fans, which are also low-speed, which makes this air cooler the quietest among two-section models. In addition, there is no longer white, but multi-color illumination of the pump, which will please modders.

The fans are connected to a cable that goes from the pump, and the pump is connected to the motherboard. To control the backlight, a connection to the internal USB connector and proprietary software are used, which can also control the fans.

If you need a very quiet two-section CBO not for extreme overclocking of a top-end processor, then you won’t find a better option. The main thing is that it can be installed in your case. Water cooled Corsair Hydro Series H115i

Addition

The testing did not include a blowing circuit, when the case has one blow-in fan, which takes air through perforations through the bottom wall of the case, and one blow-out fan, located on the top wall of the case above the processor cooler. There is definitely a way to do this, but it requires the tower to be positioned horizontally so that the tower fans take in cold air from below and help “throw” it up to the exhaust fan. This scheme can show itself most effectively in rare cases with a horizontal motherboard, such as the legendary SilverStone Raven RVX01:

What is the layout of the fans in your system unit?

Reward accrued
This material was written by a site visitor, and a reward was accrued for it.

Thermaltake Floe Riing RGB 240 TT Premium Edition

This SVO is very similar to the one we have already reviewed from this brand, but it is two-section.

Specifications of Thermaltake Floe Riing RGB 240 TT Premium Edition

This is a very high-quality, quiet and beautiful SVO, which you definitely can’t go wrong with. Its distinctive feature is that the fans are connected by one cable with a proprietary connector to the hub, and from there to the motherboard, which is convenient, since fewer wires and connectors are needed.

The backlight is controlled using proprietary software from a computer or smartphone. Well, such a system can be cooled by an overclocked Core i7, Ryzen 7 or Core i9 in stock. Water Cooling Thermaltake Floe Riing RGB 240 TT Premium Edition

Types of computer cooling systems

To prevent your computer from overheating during operation, there are several types of cooling systems:

• Air system - works with the help of a cooler consisting of a fan and a radiator. Heat is transferred from the heated element to the radiator, which dissipates it in space and is cooled by a fan.
• Liquid (water) cooling system - ensures heat transfer from the heating structure to the radiator, which cools the computer using liquid. For these purposes, water circulating in tubes is used.

Deepcool Castle 360 ​​RGB

An analogue of the two-section Castle 240 model, with a larger radiator and three fans.

Characteristics of Deepcool Castle 360 ​​RGB

This is one of the most affordable, but at the same time powerful, high-quality and very beautiful three-section air defense systems.

If it is important for you to properly cool a decently overclocked Core i9 or top-end Ryzen 7, while maintaining a low noise level, then this CBO is what you need. Water Cooling Deepcool Castle 360 ​​RGB

Test bench

In an article of this format, it was decided to slightly change the structure of the test bench description.

So, the Thermaltake View 31 TG, which appears quite often in our experiments, was chosen as an “experimental” case. The choice of this model as a “test” was due to the fact that the View 31 TG allows you to position the fans inside almost anywhere, and thanks to the removable front panel, this case allows you to simulate models with poor and good ventilation.

Two supplied Riing 14 LED Blue fans were responsible for cooling the components inside the case. The participation of these fans in the experiment is due to the fact that they create a fairly powerful air flow relative to the noise emanating from them. And, in fact, a powerful air flow will “reveal” the layout of the fans, since weak fans could provide sufficient blowing or blowing power and the experiment could be considered not fair and objective enough.

The case was heated from the inside by an AMD Ryzen 7 2700 processor, overclocked to a frequency of 3.9 GHz across all cores, the heat dissipation of which was about 140 watts, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 video card with a TDP of about 120 watts. The processor was cooled by the GELID Phantom dual-tower cooling system, which was reviewed and tested in the previous article. I recommend you check it out.

Testing took place at room temperature of 22 degrees. The temperature was maintained by a split system. Warming up of components was carried out by the OCCT program. The test chosen was a stress test of both the video card and the processor simultaneously, with AVX instructions being used. Each test run lasted a little more than 15 minutes to ensure almost the maximum possible heating of the components under the created conditions.

Corsair H150i PRO RGB

This SVO is close in power to the previous one, but has many differences.

Corsair H150i PRO RGB Specifications

First of all, it is worth noting that higher quality and quieter fans are used here, which, however, are not as beautiful and are not backlit, unlike the pump.

If you value quality and silence above all, rather than breathtaking beauty, then this SVO is for you. It will also do an excellent job of cooling a well-overclocked top-end processor. Water cooled Corsair Hydro Series H150i PRO RGB

Thermaltake Water 3.0 360 ARGB Sync

Well, the latest three-section SVO, which combines high quality and beauty.

Specifications Thermaltake Water 3.0 360 ARGB Sync

It differs from similar single-section and two-section SVO only in the size of the radiator and the number of fans.

Otherwise, this is the same efficient and quiet SVO, perfect for overclocking top-end processors. Water cooling Thermaltake Water 3.0 360 ARGB

Other SVO

Cooler Master SVOs are too noisy, so we did not include them in this selection.
The well-known manufacturer be quiet!, which is famous for its quiet fans, unfortunately produces very unreliable air conditioners; the pumps in all of them fail. There is also an SVO from the well-known manufacturer NZXT, the lighting of which is considered the most beautiful. However, their quality leaves much to be desired; the pump often begins to squeak and quickly fails.

Based on the above, we cannot recommend SVO from these brands. We advise you, if possible, to limit yourself to the models reviewed, since they are carefully selected and are the best and most reliable. The likelihood of problems occurring with them is much lower.

We also offer you our article “How to choose a cooler” and other reviews of coolers and fans for your computer.

Water cooling Deepcool CAPTAIN 240 PRO Water cooling Deepcool CAPTAIN 240 EX Water cooling NZXT Kraken M22

Benefits of air cooling

be quiet! DARK ROCK 4

1. Much lower cost. It makes more sense to buy good air cooling than cheap liquid cooling.
2. Easy to install and maintain. Cleaning the dust once a year is enough.
3. Reliability. Allows you not to worry about leaks that can damage components. Pumps do not break (since there are none).

4. Availability in stores. There are many more options for choosing coolers and fans from different manufacturers.