What is a CPU water cooler?

CPU water coolers have become increasingly popular among gamers and PC enthusiasts who want maximum performance. But what exactly is a CPU water cooler?

Let’s jump right into it. CPU water cooling is the same as CPU liquid cooling. As it states in the name it’s a type of cooling involving liquid.

Traditional cooling systems are using air and a fan to cool the system. However, liquid cooling systems are much more effective at dissipating heat. Water coolers also tend to be quieter than air coolers, so if quiet cooling is important to you a CPU water cooler is a great choice.

What is AIO cooling?

AIO cooling is a liquid cooling system for computers, with a sealed unit containing a pump and radiator.

CPU water cooling and AIO cooling both use liquid to cool down your CPU, but they’re different in how they’re manufactured.

CPU water cooling usually consists of separate parts that you put together. AIO cooling is simpler – it comes as one unit that’s already set up, making it easier to install and more user-friendly.

AIOs are great for most people because they’re easy, while CPU water cooling is better if you want to customize everything to suit your exact needs.

So how do the liquid CPU coolers work?

The basic components of the liquid cooling system are a pump, radiator, and water block. The water block is attached to the CPU and removes heat from it, which is then transferred to the radiator. The radiator then dissipates the heat into the air, and the pump circulates the water back to the water block.

Liquid cooling is a more advanced method of cooling a CPU than traditional air cooling, and it involves circulating a liquid coolant through a series of tubes and channels that are designed to transfer heat away from the CPU.

The liquid coolant used in a CPU liquid cooling system is typically a mix of distilled water and other chemicals that are designed to inhibit the growth of algae and other microorganisms. The liquid is then circulated through a water block, which is a metal plate that sits on top of the CPU and is designed to transfer heat away from the CPU and into the liquid coolant.

Once the heat is transferred to the liquid coolant, it flows through tubes to a radiator, which is a heat exchanger that is designed to dissipate the heat into the air. The radiator is equipped with one or more fans that help to pull cool air through the radiator, which then cools the liquid coolant.

Want to know more in-depth about liquid cooling works? We have written an extensive explanation on how liquid cooling works here.

Why do I need a CPU water cooler?

Cooling is an essential aspect of maintaining good performance and extending the lifespan of your PC components. When a computer is in use, it generates a lot of heat, which can be damaging to the sensitive electronic components if left unchecked. To avoid this, it’s crucial to ensure that your PC has adequate cooling.

The CPU, in particular, is a component that can quickly generate a lot of heat. If the CPU temperature gets too high, it can lead to thermal throttling, which is when the CPU reduces its clock speed to prevent overheating. This can significantly impact performance, especially during CPU-intensive tasks such as gaming or video rendering.

Additionally, prolonged exposure to high temperatures can damage the CPU, leading to a shorter lifespan. Therefore, investing in a good CPU cooler is essential to maintain optimal performance and avoid damaging your CPU. A quality CPU cooler will help dissipate the heat generated by the CPU and prevent it from overheating. 

In summary, cooling is a crucial factor in PC performance and longevity. By investing in quality cooling solutions, you can ensure that your PC components stay at optimal temperatures, leading to better performance, stability, and longevity.

Why are water CPU coolers better?

One of the biggest advantages of CPU liquid cooling over traditional air cooling is that it is much more efficient at dissipating heat. Liquid coolant is much more effective at transferring heat away from the CPU than air, which means that it can maintain a much lower temperature in the CPU. This can lead to improved performance, especially during CPU-intensive tasks such as gaming or video rendering.

Additionally, CPU liquid cooling is also much quieter than traditional air cooling. The fans in a liquid cooling system typically run at a lower speed than those in an air cooling system, which reduces noise.

• More efficient at dissipating heat, which can lead to better performance, especially during CPU-intensive tasks such as gaming or video rendering.
• Quieter operation than traditional air coolers.
• Ability to handle more heat and maintain a more stable temperature.
• More aesthetically pleasing, with customizable RGB lighting and clear tubing that allows you to see the liquid coolant circulating through the system.
• Provides more consistent cooling performance than air coolers, which can lead to longer CPU lifespan.
• Typically easier to install and maintain than traditional air coolers.
• Provides more even distribution of cooling across the entire surface of the CPU.
• Allows for greater flexibility in PC case design, as the bulky heatsink of an air cooler may limit the space for other components.

You can read more about air vs liquid cooling here

Is watercooling CPU safe to use?

Water cooling for CPUs is safe when properly installed and maintained, even though it’s more complex than air cooling. Closed systems, like those in AIO coolers, are designed to be leak-proof and therefore safe to use.

Custom water cooling setups require more attention to detail, but if done properly, they are also safe.

We always recommend regular maintenance checks for leaks to ensure that every component is intact. Additionally, using high-quality components is advisable to secure stable CPU water cooling.

Will an Asetek CPU water cooler work with any CPU?

Asetek CPU water coolers is compatible with every CPU that follow industry-standard mounting designs, but it’s important to check if the cooler matches your CPU’s socket type.

We recommend to look at the product details or manual to make sure it’s compatible before buying.

The benefits of Asetek-based CPU water coolers

Asetek’s innovations continue to raise the bar for gamers looking for the ultimate in gameplay experience and enthusiasts looking for the ultimate in CPU cooling technology. 

When the innovative technology of the CPU water coolers from Asetek is in use, a lot of advantages are created. Water cooling is more effective than air cooling due to the higher heat capacity of the water compared to air, meaning it can absorb more heat before it reaches its boiling point. Additionally, water is a better conductor than air, meaning it can more efficiently transfer heat away from the CPU.

Asetek’s latest liquid cooling innovations

Designed from the ground up and optimized for AMD Ryzen™ 7000 and 5000 Series processors as well as Intel 13th and 12th generation processors, Asetek’s latest liquid cooling technology includes a plethora of innovations that deliver up to  2°C/100W improvement over its industry-leading 7th generation of liquid cooling technology.

By focusing on how the individual components that constitute an all-in-one liquid cooler interact with each other and how collectively they affect performance, Asetek’s  latest technology includes:

• A new performance-engineered pump featuring a 3-phase motor for higher flow and quieter operation
• Larger diameter rubber tubes, larger HEX tubes and tanks, as well as wider and smoother flow paths in the pump to reduce flow impedance
• A newly designed square cold plate optimized for the latest AMD and Intel processors
• Optimized HEX designs that increase overall surface area and, at the same time, reduce air flow impedance
• Optional Autonomous Speed Control that allows the pump to auto-adjust its speed based on liquid temperature, thereby enabling the pump to balance thermal and acoustic performance
• Under-the-hood system enhancements resulting in even quieter operation versus previous generations

In addition, Asetek’s advanced technology offers:

• Enhanced performance:
  Maximum performance along with industry-recognized quality and reliability
• Out-of-Bounds temperature sensing:
  The cooler continuously monitors the liquid temperature and automatically boosts the pump speed to clear any temperature excursions, ensuring smooth system operation for an immersive gameplay experience
• Prevent overheating:
  Safety features to ensure the liquid temperature stays within limits for normal safe operation
• Noise reduction:
  Even quieter operation versus previous technology generations
• System improvements:
  Enhanced permeation resistance and increased durability

Liquid CPU Coolers to gain high performance

If you’re a hardcore gamer and / or a DIY builder, a high-performing PC is of course, a top priority. The technology of Asetek’s liquid coolers ensures a reliable cooling system for your CPU which is also a sustainable solution for the long haul.

CPU cooling can improve performance by preventing the CPU from overheating. Overheating can cause the CPU to throttle itself, which can lead to reduced performance. Water cooling can improve performance by keeping the CPU cooler, which can lead to higher clock speeds and better performance.

We work closely with chipmakers to effectively meet the thermal needs of each new die heading to market, from affordable mainstream solutions to thrilling enthusiast-level processors and beyond.

How long do a CPU water cooler last?

A CPU water cooler typically lasts between 5 to 10 years – if you remember to maintain it proberly. Factors like how often you clean it and the overall workload on your computer can affect how long it lasts.

See a sample of Asetek-based CPU AIOs below