Best Water Cooling Kits for Keeping Your Computer From Wearing Out
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H320 X2 Prestige CPU Water Cooling Kit -
XSPC RayStorm Pro Twin V3 WaterCooling Kit -
EK Water Blocks EK-Kit Water Cooling Kit -
Cooler Master Glacer 240L Water Cooling Kit -
Alphacool NexXxos Cool Answer 360 LT/ST Set -
Buyer's Guide
Water cooling kits are all-in-one setups you can use to easily install a water or liquid-cooling system into your computer. These typically have enough hardware to connect to your CPU heatsink, tubing for additional cooling needs (like your video card) and other hardware. You may need to have some equipment already compatible with a water cooling system (like a video card with connections for tubing) though kits typically work with a wide range of CPUs. It's helpful to find kits that provide all the hardware you need and are known for reliable and trustworthy equipment. Introducing liquid to the inside of your computer can be a bit risky, so you want to make sure you have a setup that you trust and know won't leak onto your other hardware.
We've chosen these as the best water cooling kits for your computer because they provide the hardware you need, including the radiator, tubes, and a number of different connectors and fasteners to securely setup your new cooling system. All of these models include at least two fans, though most of them have three, which helps move heat out of your system and keeps the coolant working properly. These best water cooling kits in 2022 can work with a wide range of different CPUs though keep in mind some are limited to only Intel processors but still offer you support for different Intel chipsets.
Compare The Best Water Cooling Kits Of 2022
H320 X2 Prestige CPU Water Cooling Kit - Best Water Cooling Kit Overall
One of the most noteworthy aspects of this kit, is that it's available in a few different models. This one, the H320 X2, has three 120mm fans which means it functions as well as any other 360mm radiator out there. The other models have a pair of fans, one with two 120mm fans and the other with two 140mm fans which gives you great options if you don't want the 360mm model. This kit comes with everything you need for set up including a radiator, multiple fittings, and pre-filled tubing. LEDs are included to make the cooling system stand out visually and three different dye colors are also provided so the liquid in the tubes can appear red, blue, or green. This kit works with both Intel and AMD CPUs which makes it a great option for a wide range of computer builds.
XSPC RayStorm Pro Twin V3 WaterCooling Kit - Runner Up
If you have an Intel CPU, then this is a great option, but that limitation keeps it from being the absolute best choice on the market. The reservoir is easy to use and watertight, the pump works effectively, and it all connects to the waterblock that you can easily install onto your CPU. There are three 120mm fans that come with this setup, which gives you great cooling and ventilation. It includes about six feet of hose for set-up, and even includes thermal paste for installing the CPU water block on your processor. XSPC provides white and blue LEDs on this kit for a clean, sleek look and it's designed to work with multi-core CPUs for optimal cooling performance.
EK Water Blocks EK-Kit Water Cooling Kit - Honorable Mention
This kit has pretty much everything you need to get a computer set up with liquid cooling. All the hardware you need, including the pump and other attachments, are all included and set up is pretty straightforward and simple. It has 2 meters (around 6 feet) of tubing for you to use inside your computer, which should be more than enough for just about any system. There are three 120mm fans included with this kit, which is great, but you will need to choose a different model if you want fewer fans or ones of a different size. It lacks much of a "wow factor" from features like LEDs or colored coolant, but it works well. This kit supports a number of different AMD and Intel processors, so it is a great choice for a wide range of setups.
Cooler Master Glacer 240L Water Cooling Kit - Consider
There's a lot to like about this water cooling kit and Cooler Master has it available at a number of different, standard retailers, which makes this a more accessible option than some other kits out there. This is a 240mm model that includes two 120mm fans. That means there are certainly larger and more efficient coolers out there, but you're not likely to need them unless you're really overclocking your system as much as possible. This is also an expandable kit so you can install this basic hardware and add more tubes to it for additional cooling later. That makes this ideal for people who are new to liquid cooling, though it's still a great option for use even by experienced computer enthusiasts. The support for both AMD and Intel CPUs is also excellent since you can use this kit with just about any modern computer on the market.
Alphacool NexXxos Cool Answer 360 LT/ST Set - Best Water Cooling Kit
There is a lot to like about this water cooling kit, but it is just a bit too hard to track down in the US to make it the best choice overall. It comes with a pump and reservoir, along with all the tubing and fittings you are likely to need. The tubes are nice and wide for easy liquid flow and it includes coolant that works much better than water. This is a 360mm model thanks to three 120mm fans that keep your system nice and cool, even during serious overclocking sessions. You can use this kit with all the current AMD and Intel sockets, so it's a great choice for a wide range of different systems. The real weakness of this one is there's a limited number of retailers that carry it in the US, so it can be a bit hard to track down. You can order directly from the manufacturer, but you will have to deal with European conversion rates.
Buyer's Guide
Keep your pc cool with the best water cooling kit
To get your hands on one of the best water cooling kits in 2021 you need to make sure you know exactly what you need to look for. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you do that.
How Does a Water Cooling Kit Work?
Your computer is performing multiple tasks in the background even when you’re just watching a video on YouTube. And just like other electronic devices, it requires sufficient energy consumption to keep up with the system’s processing needs.
As the energy that your computer consumes increases, it generates more heat especially in graphic cards or processors and other such components. In order to avoid damage to such components due to the constant heat and temperature fluctuations, a simple system is adopted to keep it all cool.
This system incorporates fans that dissipate the heat that travels through the system in the form of hot air. Oftentimes, this system is not enough all on its own to tackle the heat. A water cooling kit can offer a much higher dissipation level. The kit includes a pump that drives and circulates water from a closed circuit to absorb heat. The water then ends up in the radiator where it gets cooled down from the fans to continue its journey on another cycle.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Water Cooling Kit
You must keep these things in mind before getting a new water cooling kit for your computer.
Size
When you’re comparing two cooling kits with each other, the size of the fan is one of the major determining factors. A small fan will move the same amount of air as a large one while it spins more revolutions. And as the number of revolutions increases, so does the noise.
While on the other hand, the larger your radiator is, the better it is at maintaining a lower temperature. However, the larger the size of the fan and radiator, the more space the kit is going to occupy in your computer.
You need to take into account the amount of space your system has while selecting the liquid cooling kit. It’s all about finding a balance between the two.
Power
Power indicates the capacity of cooling a liquid cooling kit possesses. Cooling ability is determined mainly by the size of the fan and the radiator, as mentioned before.
The more power the fan has, the better it will be at maintaining the temperature. So when buying a water cooling kit, make sure that the number of revolutions per minute is high for effective results.
Noise
One setback that comes with installing a cooling system might be the noise it creates to keep your system cool. Water cooling kits are however much less noisy than the traditional ones.
The noise level on these cooling kits for pcs is usually mentioned in decibels (dB). You can find water cooling kits that are extremely quiet and don’t make noise above 8dBs. While others can range from 17 dB to 30dBs.
You must take into account the amount of noise you can tolerate. Every model and manufacturer is different you need to carefully evaluate noise with other characteristics.
Is Water Cooling Better Than Air Cooling?
Water cooling is significantly more efficient and quieter than air cooling. The fan radiators rotate slower than the ones that are connected to heatsinks in air coolers. This is the best option for users who like to overclock often. Moreover, many liquid cooling systems feature LED lights and screens or RGB elements that sync with the radiator for impressive aesthetics.
Whereas air cooling is much more cost-effective and relatively easy to install into the computer. You don’t have to stretch hoses or fill in liquids in this case. But this system is not effective if you’re going to render detail-heavy things or 4k gaming on your computer.
Air is a poor conductor of temperature when compared to liquids. Heatsinks can lose their efficiency over time as the dust builds up, thus getting a water cooling kit installed is your best bet. You get a quieter, prettier, and much more efficient process to elongate the life of your powerful device.
Tips to Use Water Cooling Kits
Generally, water cooling kits for pcs do not require a lot of maintenance in the first place but it’s always better to keep a check. Some manufacturers suggest that you regularly change the water or coolant in your liquid computer cooling kits. The frequency and need may vary for different manufacturers and also on the ease of assembly and disassembly the kit has.
You should always try to keep your system clear of any dust and debris. Dust particles can seriously affect the performance and functionality of your system over time. Take care of the hot air outlet section and clean it regularly. This will enhance the air circulation in the kit as well.
Check regularly for any leaks in the duct where the water circulates. Moreover, you can always refer to the manual to learn about any specific maintenance methods or requirements the kit has.
Conclusion
Water cooling kits are a great way to save your computers from overheating and causing other unwanted issues. Especially if you take highly intensive jobs done on your system or play 4K games.
Not only do they improve your computer’s performance, but they also make it look more aesthetic. This guide tells you other considerations and tips for getting the best water cooling kit out there.
Water Cooling Kits FAQs
Some frequently asked questions are:
Are water cooling kits safe?
Yes, water cooling kits are totally safe if you’re periodically checking in them for leaks or issues.
What are the components of a water cooling kit?
Key components include a water circuit, hydraulic pump, fans, and radiator.
What devices can you install a water cooling kit on?
Water cooling kits are mainly designed for stationary computers like desktop pcs. This is mainly because they are the only systems that have sufficient space to occupy a kit.
