I recently upgraded my setup with a 4000D RS case that has three fans, and I've also got a new AMD 7900 XT GPU. I'm curious to know which cooling solution would be the most effective - air cooling or a liquid cooler? Also, can anyone suggest a good brand? Here's what I'm working with: i7-12700F processor, 32GB of RAM, and an 850W power supply, and I plan to game at 1440p.
4 Answers
For a solid budget option, the Peerless Assassin is hard to beat. On the AIO side, the Liquid Freezer is a fantastic choice. Just a side note, have you considered returning the 7900 XT? I think you might find a better deal with the 9070 or 9070 XT.
If you're looking for superior cooling performance, liquid coolers generally outshine air coolers. That said, air coolers are quite durable and reliable. For brands, I often recommend Thermalright; their products usually offer a solid balance between performance and price, often under $100 for the basic models on sites like Amazon. I personally use the Frozen Warframe 360 with my 9950X3D, but I find the pump can be a bit noisy compared to my previous Corsair Nautilus.
Both cooling types work well for your CPU, but it really hinges on the specific model and ratings. I also recommend checking out Thermalright as they provide great options for budget AIOs and air coolers.
I run a Corsair Titans 360 on my 9800X3D and it's really impressive. During stress testing, it keeps the temperature at 77°C even under heavy load. On another note, I've tested a Thermalright Spirit 120 with my 5950X, and while it performs well, I noticed that using the TF7 thermal paste might give even better results than MX-6.
I got the 7900 XT for $500 and it was barely used, so I thought it was a pretty good deal!