Liquid cooling removes heat from a processor or graphics card by circulating coolant through a cold plate on the chip, then through a radiator where fans release the heat into the air. A pump drives the loop.
Why it matters
Liquid can carry more heat per unit than air, and the radiator can be placed where there is space and airflow, so liquid cooling can cool high-power processors with less noise. It does not make the heat disappear; it moves it to the radiator and the room.
There are two main forms. An all-in-one (AIO) cooler is sealed, pre-filled, and needs little maintenance. A custom loop uses separate parts, tubing, and a reservoir, giving more flexibility but needing more work and care. Radiator sizes are described by fan size, such as 120, 240, or 360 mm.
Example
A 240 mm AIO has a radiator that fits two 120 mm fans. It is mounted in the front or top of the case, with tubes running to a pump block on the CPU. If the pump stops, the CPU temperature rises quickly, so monitoring pump speed in the BIOS is wise.
Common mistakes
- Assuming liquid always beats a good air cooler, which is not true for modest processors.
- Mounting the radiator so air gets trapped at the pump.
- Ignoring the AIO's limited lifespan; pumps and coolant can wear over years.
Related
Get notified when this term updates
Plus occasional practical tips on uptime and monitoring, nothing else. Unsubscribe anytime.
This page is general information written by our editorial team and updated when documentation changes. Servers and providers differ, so test changes safely first. See our editorial policy and disclaimer.