Topic: Upgrading My PC's Cooling System

Hey everyone!

My PC has been running a bit hotter than I'd like lately, especially during gaming sessions. I'm thinking it's time for a serious cooling upgrade. I've been looking at a few options:

• High-end Air Coolers (like Noctua NH-D15 or Deepcool AK620)
• All-In-One (AIO) Liquid Coolers (240mm or 360mm)

I'm curious about your experiences with both. What are the pros and cons you've found? Are there any specific brands or models you highly recommend? My case is a Fractal Design Meshify 2 Compact, so I need to make sure whatever I choose will fit. I'm aiming for quieter operation and better thermal performance.

Any advice or personal anecdotes would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Hey CoolMaster99,

Great topic! I recently upgraded my cooling, so I can share some thoughts.

I opted for a 280mm AIO (Arctic Liquid Freezer II). The installation was straightforward, and the thermal performance is fantastic. My CPU temps dropped by about 15-20°C under load. The main advantage of AIOs is their often superior cooling capacity and aesthetics for some people. However, they do introduce more potential points of failure (pump, leaks) and can be noisier if the fans are at higher RPMs.

Air coolers are generally more reliable and cost-effective. The Noctua NH-D15 is a beast, but it's also HUGE and might cause RAM clearance issues depending on your motherboard and RAM height. If you're going air, ensure it fits your case and motherboard first!

For your Meshify 2 Compact, a 280mm or 360mm AIO should fit at the front or top, check the exact specs. Air coolers are usually fine too, but double-check height clearance.

I'm rocking a Noctua NH-U12S and it's been solid. It's quieter than my stock cooler by a mile and keeps my Ryzen 5 5600X nice and cool. I didn't want to mess with liquid, so air was the way to go for me. Installation was a breeze, and it's been totally maintenance-free for 2 years now.

If you're worried about RAM clearance, Noctua has awesome compatibility checkers on their website. Just plug in your motherboard model!

For serious overclocking and pushing thermal limits, AIOs usually win. I have a 360mm Kraken and it's incredible. Temps are very stable, even when I'm running demanding benchmarks. The noise level is manageable with good case airflow and fan curves.

However, if you're just looking for a moderate improvement and reliability, a top-tier air cooler is perfectly adequate and often simpler. Consider your specific CPU and its TDP. What CPU are you running?