I'm trying to figure out why I'm seeing strange temperature changes after upgrading from air cooling to a liquid cooler in my fish tank tower computer. I have a 5600x CPU and 7700xt GPU housed in a desk compartment with limited space, although I did add some ventilation holes. Previously, with fans, my CPU ran at about 70°C and my GPU at around 60°C while playing Spider-Man 2. But after installing a Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 liquid cooler, my CPU temp rose by 10°C, reaching 80°C, while my GPU temp dropped by 10°C. This seems counterintuitive to me since the GPU isn't part of the liquid cooling setup. Should I go back to the air cooler?
2 Answers
Totally get your confusion! The liquid cooling system you switched to has likely removed some heat from the case, benefiting your GPU despite not being directly connected to it. As for your CPU temp, maybe you just need to tweak the setup a bit or adjust your thermal paste application. Definitely keep an eye on it—if performance doesn’t improve, returning to the air cooler might be the best way to go.
It sounds like your old CPU cooler was likely exhausting air back into the case, which can trap heat around your components. The new liquid cooler probably vents hot air outside, helping to lower your GPU's temperature by improving overall airflow. That said, a 10°C rise in your CPU temp is concerning—make sure the liquid cooler is installed correctly and has good contact with the CPU. You might also want to double-check the pump speed if it’s a variable one. If the CPU keeps running hotter than you'd like, going back to the fans could be a valid option.
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