Has anyone else given up on AIO's

ToOo

ToOo

ToOo

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I've had 4 AIO's over the years, 2 from Corsair and 2 from another mfr which was basically a rebranded Asetek. Initially I thought they were a fantastic idea, better performance, reduced stress on the motherboard, liquid cooling, what's not to like.

While the performance is nice at the start they all failed within the useful life of the computer. Anecdotal I know but they just don't seem to last more than 3-4 years at best, most were less than 3 years. Yes Corsair did honor the warranties but it was a load of faf.

I switched back to air cooling about 4 years ago and have not looked back, just carried that same cooler onto my new build with zero issues, I just don't see the appeal of AIO's anymore when the performance of a decent air cooler is so close.
 
Depends on what CPU you're attempting to cool. If it's a 14900k running full loads then you have no option other than to use a big AIO. Even the best air coolers aren't up to task.
 
I previously had a 5950x on an air cooler and it was great, couldn't get it to go over 80c with occt, cinebench, or prime95.
On a 9800x3d now and it's pretty much the same story.
But yes Intel have a different idea of what's sane for a home computer, anything above an i5 is asking for trouble.
 
Not had one fail yet and if the PC wasn't in such a 'showy' case then I'd be tempted to swap back to air.
 
I use air coolers. I have tried AIO’s but I don’t like the pump noise, I also don’t like the fact there are additional parts that can go wrong. Typically I don’t buy high core count processors either, and my current cpu being a 7800x3d can be cooled so easily. Have a NHU12A cooling it which is probably overkill. But it will just keen going forever.
 
I have given up on Aio's from the big names. Like corsair, lian li etc. If I have to use an AIO I get one of the cheap and cheerful no frills looks fugly ones like Artic or Thermalright.
 
Gave up on them awhile back - I had a Swiftech custom setup back in the day which was solid, lasted years and no issues, but more recently I've had 2 Corsairs which started seeping at a joint after a couple of years or so and an Antec 1250 which has integrated fan/pump which have a design issue resulting in a wire wearing through after a couple of years resulting in pump failure :s also some other not great experiences with AIOs so stopped using them.
 
Also had a few over the years and only had one that i stopped using for fear of leaking, the Raijintek Triton.

Mine was ok, but lots of them started leaking due to cracks forming in the reservoir so i got rid of it just in case.

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I’ve had the same AIO since 2018 on my threadripper 2950x. It’s an EKWB mlc phoenix 360. It was very different from the AIO’s of today as it was more modular, they did a 120, 240 & 360 radiator which had the pump built in.
The cpu block was then attached with the quick disconnects& they also did gpu blocks.

It’s a great AIO as it had a drain & fill port so completely serviceable. I change the coolant on it every year.

I’m planning on keeping it for an upcoming refresh to a 9800x3d and just adding a modern cpu block. Not sure I’d be able to do that with one of the newer sealed style of AIO.
 
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With how good top-end air coolers are these days and with how efficient CPUs can be when power limited, I don't really see the point in AIOs, unless you're going for 360mm+ if you have the space, at that point you might as well go extra in performance and cooling potential. I guess it can be great when it works, but it's a major headache if it breaks and starts leaking stuff all over your components.

I even have a i5-12600K in my spare PC with Noctua L9i at 95w PL1/PL2, only losing about 7% multicore performance with max temp of 80c~, which is quite decent.
 
AIO's were never in my opinion worth it. something like the DH15's can cool just as well with less to eject all over you kit, with water cooling do it properly or dont bother imo
 
stuie said:
AIO's were never in my opinion worth it. something like the DH15's can cool just as well with less to eject all over you kit, with water cooling do it properly or dont bother imo
Click to expand...

My brother couldn't understand why I went with dh15 over an aio. He just can't get over the size of it..
 
I've had a lot and only one failure from a know bad batch. Oldest currently is a 120mm EVGA AIO cooling on a 980 Ti since ~2015. I had it first then passed it on to my brother and only recently got it back as the mobo died I think. Still runs the 980 Ti at 40C which has probably helped to prolong it's life.

I do usually build mid-tower systems for people with twin tower coolers unless asked specifically to fit an AIO. Otherwise for SFF builds I use them unless there's no radiator space.
 
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I've gone the other way, lol. I just moved back to an AIO.
It was at least four years ago that I ditched them, but the truth is that I think they are better, although they are very definitely more expensive (not least because they are more prone to failure).
Albeit I did have on heatsink that cracked the motherboard, so not all failures were down to AIO's.
The latest one I bought is significantly better than the older units I had years ago. Quieter, easier to fit and so on.
 
Currently running an NZXT kraken with a 360mm rad, rad orientated correctly at the top.

I got it with my 5800x just after release so what, just a bit over 4 years?

Seems to be fine so far.

That being said, now I've done it once I think next time I would just get an air cooler.
 
I’ve just gone to an AIO from a full custom loop.

I’ve found it much easier to do work on the PC versus draining a loop.

Having said all of that, if I get my hands on a 5090 that has a block for it, I’ll dig me rads and cpu block out (I’ve cleaned them ready) and go back to full custom.
 
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