I'm thinking about replacing my Arctic Liquid Freezer II 120 AIO with an air cooler. I have Maine Coon cats, and I've already found a surprising amount of fur packed into the radiator. An air heatsink seems easier and less stressful for me to clean. The AIO has also started making bubbling noises, so I'd rather replace it before it becomes a bigger problem.
I'm considering the Scythe Mugen 6 Dual Fan and would like to stay around an $80 budget. I currently use an NZXT H510 Elite case, though I may eventually move to a Phanteks XT Pro Ultra. I initially preferred a single-tower cooler because it should be easier to access in the tighter H510 Elite, but I'm open to other suggestions.
Would the Mugen 6 provide adequate cooling and airflow in my current case, or should I choose a different cooler? Is it reasonable to install the air cooler now and upgrade the case later?
2 Answers
You can replace the cooler now and keep the current case until you’re ready to upgrade. The case should be fine as long as you have reasonable intake and exhaust airflow and the new heatsink fits. With cats in the house, cleaning a standard air cooler periodically is much simpler than dealing with fur and dust buildup on a radiator, so moving away from the bubbling AIO makes sense.
Pretty much any decent air cooler will be a better choice than a 120 mm AIO. The Scythe Mugen 6 should work well, assuming it supports your CPU socket and fits within the H510 Elite’s cooler clearance. A single tower is perfectly reasonable if easy access and cleaning are your priorities, although dual-tower options such as the Thermalright Peerless Assassin or Phantom Spirit generally offer more cooling for the money.
Is the 120 mm AIO really that poor compared with air coolers? I mainly want something reliable and easier to maintain.