I'm upgrading from an Intel Core i5-9500 to a Ryzen 5 5600X and I'm deciding whether to keep using a traditional air cooler or switch to an all-in-one liquid cooler. Is an AIO worthwhile for this processor, or would a basic air cooler provide enough cooling and noise performance?
3 Answers
Stick with air cooling. The 5600X is a 65W processor and doesn’t need much cooling; a decent single-tower cooler such as a DeepCool AG400 or similar will handle it easily. An AIO would mostly be for appearance or personal preference.
An air cooler is cheaper, simpler, and generally lasts longer. With an AIO, the pump can eventually fail and the whole unit usually needs replacing, while an air cooler only has a fan that can be swapped inexpensively. A larger dual-tower cooler is overkill but can run very quietly.
There’s very little performance difference between the 5600 and 5600X, so it may be worth buying whichever is cheaper. Either one works well with a basic air cooler. Choose an AIO only if you specifically prefer the look or want the extra radiator space in the case.
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