On a gamer PC, fighting overheating is of paramount importance. The effects of this on the components can slow down the PC or, worse, damage it. Besides the accumulation of fans like the Noctua, the ideal solution is a watercooling kit or liquid cooling system. This guide is for those who struggle to find the best watercooling kits on the market.
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Our selection
"Install high performance hardware on your gamer PC and choose the Thermaltake R240 D5. Its aesthetic design is complemented by the perfect temperature control provided…"
"With a thermal dissipation of 200 W, it must be said that the MasterLiquid ML240L V2 is a gem not to be missed for this…"
"Like the other kits, this one features 2 x 120mm fans that are connected to the assembly through 8 x 16mm diameter tubes. A quick…"
"With the Kraken X63, NZXT brings a breath of fresh air to its X series of all-in-one watercooling kits. Significant improvements are visible, especially on…"
"The Ryuo 240 watercooler is the pride of Asus ROG. It is an all-in-one kit with a round waterblock equipped with a 1.77-inch OLED screen.…"
Install high performance hardware on your gamer PC and choose the Thermaltake R240 D5. Its aesthetic design is complemented by the perfect temperature control provided by its two 120mm red LED fans and its Pacific R240 radiator.
263 £ on LDLCThis complete PC watercooling kit has a duo of a 200ml capacity reservoir and a D5 pump to manage the flow of coolant. Made of copper and nickel, the Pacific W1 CPU Water Block is compatible with the latest sockets. It features a universal installation system. The above mentioned materials also provide high thermal efficiency and prevent corrosion.
All the necessary accessories for the installation of this equipment are included, namely a 200 mm flexible tube ring, 6 200 mm flexible pipe, 6 compression fittings and 2 adapter fittings. The high performance of this kit is certified by the Tt LCS Certified. It is designed according to strict quality standards to reassure the most demanding players. The zinc alloy radiator is particularly reliable and contributes to a better heat dissipation. The design is brought here by its 256 color LED fans. As for the noise level, it is in the 24 dB range, largely acceptable compared to the competition.
With a thermal dissipation of 200 W, it must be said that the MasterLiquid ML240L V2 is a gem not to be missed for this price of less than 80 euros. It also benefits from ultra-modern finishes giving your PC a futuristic style.
63,97 £ on CybertekWith this jewel from Cooler Master, you have two sheathed pipes for connection. They are however quite short, 40 cm, and may complicate the installation in large cases. The fans in this kit are RGB type with a size of 120 mm. When these fans are running at full speed, the airflow is 105 m3/h.
You should know that these elements have undergone a significant upgrade compared to the previous version. In fact, they are equipped with Air Balance blades, they are equipped with Air Balance 2.0 blades that add to their top lighting effects. The pump of this gear is of 3-Pin type and is double chamber. With this technology, the hot liquid is separated from the cold liquid. As for its radiator, it displays 277 x 119.6 x 27.2 mm in dimensions. You will be amazed by the performance of this hardware when it comes to overclocking. It does it wonderfully.
Like the other kits, this one features 2 x 120mm fans that are connected to the assembly through 8 x 16mm diameter tubes. A quick installation is promised. Note that old and recent sockets from AMD and Intel are included.
311 £ on CybertekAn RGB backlighting enhances the aesthetics of your PC with this liquid cooling kit. Thermal performance is ensured by its 240mm copper radiator. The fans take advantage of the ARGB controller for a breathtaking lighting effect. Its pump/reservoir combo is a Pacific PR15-DDC.
Among the integrated technologies is the anti-corrosion solution that optimizes the life of the equipment. All necessary fittings are included with the purchase including 6 Pacific C Pro G1/4 fittings, 2 Pacific G1/4 90° fittings, a silicone insert and 8 tubes.
With the Kraken X63, NZXT brings a breath of fresh air to its X series of all-in-one watercooling kits. Significant improvements are visible, especially on the aesthetic aspect, but especially on the level of cooling performance.
114 £ on AmazonThe overall look of the NZXT Kraken X63 is still tasteful compared to the older models of watercooling kits in the Kraken line. The all-black design with the subtle shades of gray makes it an eye-catching product. Improvements in the 7th generation Asetek pump contribute to the cooling efficiency and performance. The other components are not left out.
NZXT used a fairly dense 280mm radiator in this kit and paired it with two of their 140mm fans that are relatively quiet even at full load. Installation of the Kraken X63 is very simple, especially since you have a physical installation manual to refer to if needed. The versatility of the mounting brackets for Intel and AMD systems is nice. In addition, this kit is compatible with all modern Intel and AMD sockets and CPUs.
The Ryuo 240 watercooler is the pride of Asus ROG. It is an all-in-one kit with a round waterblock equipped with a 1.77-inch OLED screen. The hose provided by the manufacturer has a length of 380 mm. For installation, mounting materials and a guide accompany the kit.
151 £ on CybertekThe Ryuo 240 Watercooling's jacketed pipes inspire confidence. They hint at the quality design that the kit enjoys. Since it incorporates an OLED display, the manufacturer provides the USB cable that connects it to your PC's motherboard.. However, it can be disabled independently of other systems. The power of the radiator promises a good cooling performance.
The noise level, however, is a little higher than other coolers. The noise level is 36.7 dB when the unit is running at full capacity, but 19 dB in normal operation. The airflow resulting from the rotation of the fans is 71.6 CFM. These elements also feature ARGB lighting to provide the decorative light show that gamers love so much. It operates on a 6-mode system for the most varied effect possible.
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The best watercooling kit in 2021
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| THE BEST | CHEAP | TOP OF THE RANGE | EXCELLENT | TOP | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
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8/10 |
9/10 |
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8/10 |
| OUR SELECTION |
Thermaltake R240 D5
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Cooler Master - MasterLiquid ML240L V2 RGB
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Thermaltake - Watercooling Kit Pacific C240 DDC Hard Tube
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NZXT Kraken X63
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Asus ROG - Ryuo 240 Watercooling
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Install high performance hardware on your gamer PC and choose the Thermaltake R240 D5. Its aesthetic design is complemented by the perfect temperature control provided by its two 120mm red LED fans and its Pacific R240 radiator.
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With a thermal dissipation of 200 W, it must be said that the MasterLiquid ML240L V2 is a gem not to be missed for this price of less than 80 euros. It also benefits from ultra-modern finishes giving your PC a futuristic style.
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Like the other kits, this one features 2 x 120mm fans that are connected to the assembly through 8 x 16mm diameter tubes. A quick installation is promised. Note that old and recent sockets from AMD and Intel are included.
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With the Kraken X63, NZXT brings a breath of fresh air to its X series of all-in-one watercooling kits. Significant improvements are visible, especially on the aesthetic aspect, but especially on the level of cooling performance.
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The Ryuo 240 watercooler is the pride of Asus ROG. It is an all-in-one kit with a round waterblock equipped with a 1.77-inch OLED screen. The hose provided by the manufacturer has a length of 380 mm. For installation, mounting materials and a guide accompany the kit.
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Maximum noise level
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24 dB
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27 dB
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25.8 dB
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21 dB
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36.7 dB
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Number of fans
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2
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2
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2
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2
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2
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Radiator
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240 mm
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240 mm
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240 mm
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240 mm
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240 mm
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Sockets
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Intel LGA 2011/1366/1155/1156/1150/775 AMD FM2/FM1/AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2
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AMD Socket FM2+ / FM2 / FM1 / AM4 / AM3+ / AM3 / AM2 / AM2+ Intel LGA 2066 / 2011-3 / 2011 / 1200 / 1150 / 1151 / 1155 / 1156
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INTEL LGA1200 - INTEL LGA1200(2021- AMD AM4 - AMD AM2 - INTEL LGA2066 - INTEL LGA1151(2017) - AMD AM2+ - AMD AM3 - INTEL LGA1156 - INTEL LGA1155 - INTEL LGA2011-V3 - AMD FM2/FM2+ - INTEL LGA1150 - INTEL LGA1151 - INTEL LGA2011
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AMD AM4/ Intel 1150/ Intel 1151/ Intel 1155/ Intel 1156/ Intel 1200/ Intel 1366/ Intel 2011/ Intel 2011-v3/ Intel 2066
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AMD AM4 - INTEL LGA2066 - AMD TR4 - INTEL LGA1151(2017) - INTEL LGA1200 - INTEL LGA1200(2021) - INTEL LGA1156 - INTEL LGA1155 - INTEL LGA2011-V3 - INTEL LGA1150 - INTEL LGA1151 - INTEL LGA2011
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Fan speed
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1500 rpm
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650 at 1800 rpm
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500 to 1500 rpm
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500 to 1800 rpm
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450 at 2000 rpm
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Not all watercooling kits are compatible with all PC cases, so you will need to be aware of the type of case you have. Some models are so large that they become difficult to mount. There's also the small risk of spills that could fry your critical components.
The TDP rating is really one of the most important factors in determining if a specific watercooling kit is right for your system. If you buy a watercooling kit that has a lower TDP rating than your CPU, it won't properly cool your CPU. As a general rule, it's a good idea to make sure the watercooling kit you buy has a TDP rating that exceeds the TDP rating of your processor. And this is especially true if you plan to overclock or implement an SLI/CrossFire configuration.
Watercooling kits can be mounted vertically or horizontally. When a kit is mounted vertically, the air intake is from the front of the PC case. Horizontal mounting is at the top of the case. When mounted horizontally, you can choose to have the fans blow air out of the case or blow air in.
The
size of the tank and radiator is important for your configuration. The radiators in a watercooling kit come in many different sizes. However, not all enclosures can accommodate every size of radiator. So, again, before you choose a watercooling kit, you need to check the datasheet of your PC case and make sure it can fit the size of the watercooling kit radiator you want to get.
While most watercooling kit manufacturers produce their models to fit most processor sockets, there are some watercooling kits that will only fit a specific processor socket. So be sure to check that the CPU cooler you are considering is compatible with the motherboard/processor combination you have or plan to have.
Computer hardware can generate a ton of heat, especially under heavy load, like when we play demanding games, and/or when we overclock to push our components to their limits.
The traditional way computers cool your hardware components to keep them at a safe temperature is by moving air, with the help of a heatsink and fan for your processor.
But compared to air, water is more efficient because it has a high thermal conductivity, which means it can absorb heat more easily. With a fully water-cooled gamer PC setup, instead of blowing air over your components, water flows over them to very efficiently transfer the heat those components generate. A radiator then dissipates that heat.
A water-cooled PC not only reduces heat more efficiently than air, and directly reduces or eliminates noise, but it will also be possible to increase maximum performance later on with overclocking.
An air cooling kit is often made up of two separate parts: the heat sink and the fan. The heatsink is usually a large, heat-conducting metal that will go directly on top of the processor to transfer heat to the large metal fins. You will often find heatsinks made entirely of aluminum or copper.
Heat must be dissipated out of the case for the heatsink to work more efficiently, which is where the fan comes in. The fan plugs into the motherboard and sits either on top or on the side of the heatsink to help push air and cool the processor.
Although a watercooling kit is one piece, it is made up of four parts. Just like the air cooling kit, you have a heat sink and fans to attach, but you also have a pump to push water through the interconnecting pipes.
The heat sink in a watercooling kit is often called a radiator and works the same way as an air cooling kit. The heat from your CPU is transferred into the pump (the part screwed to the top of your CPU), then the heat is transferred into the water that is pumped around the system in a closed loop.
If you don't plan on overclocking and have a relatively weak processor, the air cooling kit that comes with your processor should be more than enough for effective cooling.
On the other hand, if you plan to overclock or set up a two or even three graphics card configuration, air can no longer do an effective job. Liquid cooling via a watercooling kit will be essential. A watercooling kit will cost you more, but it has the greatest cooling potential.
If you are on a tighter budget and are not too concerned about the bulky heatsink of an air cooling kit, opting for an air cooling solution is never a bad idea.
It is an efficient device
In terms of cooling, a watercooling fan is more efficient than a conventional fan. Its performance is explained by the simple fact that water is a much better thermal conductor than air. In practice, the temperature difference between the two devices is around 10°. The system benefits from a temperature drop of around 4 to 5°.
Suitable for overclocking
Watercooling is especially suitable for overclocking enthusiasts, i.e. an assembly that consists of pushing the computer's capacities beyond its limits. It is thus more able to withstand long-term use. Of course, gamers can also benefit from this setup.
For optimum user comfort
The watercooling system is very comfortable to use. This component ensures quiet operation. When the computer is switched on, the graphics card is the only audible element. The effect is even more pronounced with a fanless system. The aesthetics also maximise the comfort of use, provided that you opt for coloured coolants.
It is a simple device to install
A watercooling fan is also easy to install. The device actually consists of a waterblock/pump + radiator pair, all of which is factory fitted and ready to install. The specialists speak of an "all-in-one" system that is easy to install and avoids the stress usually associated with an assembly operation.
It can also be modular
A watercooling fan is also modular. For optimum efficiency, fans can be mounted on either side of the radiator. This provides enough static pressure for good air circulation. However, this arrangement is mainly suitable for flat radiators with low-density fins.
Always choose a closed loop kit
A closed-loop design typically includes a pump, tank, radiator and one or two fans that require almost no assembly other than connecting the parts to the housing itself. Everything is already pre-assembled, tested and ready to use. Installing a closed-loop system requires only careful placement of the radiator and fan(s).
Identify the components to be cooled
Identifying the parts to be cooled is a prerequisite to a watercooling kit purchase approach. Indeed, the processor and the graphics card do not require the same fan. For the latter, the waterblock should cover the entire card, to better cool the memory chips and VRMs. Similarly, each component to be cooled has a watercooling designed with a specific material. Copper is for example not recommended for sensitive components.
Check the power of the pump
The
power of the pump is also to be checked. The efficiency of the device depends on this criterion. Thus, a classic pump is enough to cool a graphics card or a processor. While to cool several components at the same time, a more powerful pump is required.
Consider the type of water circuits
Watercooling has two types of circuits, namely the LPDC circuit and the HPDC circuit. Respectively, they correspond to low and high pressure drops. The LPDC is more beneficial for the flow rate and the HPDC for the heat exchange. The LPDC is therefore more suitable if several components need to be cooled. The HPDC has the virtue of being less noisy during its operation. Nevertheless, it is associated with a high level of risk of clogging in the waterblocks, the fault of too thin diameters.
Check the diameter and length of the hose
When
choosing your watercooling system, it is also best to refer to the length and diameter of the hose. Apart from the size of the case, the length of the hose will then depend on the number of components to be cooled. To ensure a good installation, a hose of about 2 m is preferred. The diameter of the hose is determined by the water flow in the hose and the pump. The internal and external diameter of the pipe should also be taken into account.
The best watercooling kit depends on your needs and budget. Read our buying guide for the best products available.
A liquid cooling system takes advantage of the basic principle of thermodynamics: the fact that heat flows from a hotter object to a colder one.
Each liquid cooling loop must have: a water block, a tank, a pump, a radiator, fans, fittings, tubes and of course coolant.
Static pressure refers to the amount of power or force a fan has when faced with obstacles, such as a heat sink or radiator. When your fan is placed right up against the heatsink or heat sink, you should look for fans with higher static pressure.
The more heat sinks you add, the less your fans can run to achieve the same heat dissipation. This is also true in the other direction. With sufficient airflow, you can cool a complete system with a 120mm radiator. The recommendation is 240 mm diameter per main component. However, after two components, you can start adding one radiator per component. By main component, we of course mean graphics card or processor.
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