Has anyone else given up on AIO's

ToOo · 2025-02-10T17:25:36+0000

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.

tamzzy · 2025-02-10T17:28:17+0000

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.

ToOo · 2025-02-10T17:35:04+0000

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.

Glanza · 2025-02-10T20:39:18+0000

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.

rare · 2025-02-10T20:51:25+0000

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.

sniperone · 2025-02-10T21:05:11+0000

Stopped using them years ago when one leaked and destroyed my system which was a headache at the time as it was a machine I used for work .

WARburton · 2025-02-10T22:56:10+0000

I've been using AIO's for about 6 years now and never had one fail

GoRedwings19 · 2025-02-10T23:30:52+0000

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.

WARburton · 2025-02-11T00:11:51+0000

GoRedwings19 said:
If I have to use an AIO I get one of the cheap and cheerful no frills looks fugly ones like Artic or Thermalright.

you mean the best one you can get

Rroff · 2025-02-11T00:28:20+0000

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.