AIO (all-in-one) liquid coolers are a great choice for a smaller bedroom or media room.
User-friendly and affordable, you get great performance and advanced features in a sleek, compact design.
But how long do AIO liquid coolers last? This article covers everything of an AIO cooler’s lifespan. Read on to find out more.
How Long Do AIO Liquid Coolers Last?
AIO liquid coolers are the most popular type of cooling device. The best AIO liquid coolers have fans that can circulate air to help keep the inside of your case cool, as well as a pump to pump cold liquid (typically water) into the radiator and circulate it throughout your case.
This makes them very effective at keeping your PC cool and helping you maintain a stable temperature.
Generally, AIO liquid coolers last around six months before they start leaking or breaking down.
In some cases, a few months of regular use will be enough to break down an AIO liquid cooler. If you notice that your AIO liquid cooler is not cooling efficiently anymore, however, then it may be time for a replacement.
Do AIO Coolers Need Maintenance?
Yes, AIO (all-in-one) liquid coolers are easy to use and can provide you with plenty of benefits. They have many advantages, such as being more energy-efficient than other types of liquid cooling systems.
However, they do require maintenance on a regular basis, which is not uncommon for any type of cooling device.
One thing that people usually need to pay attention to is the water. The water in AIO coolers is always going to be a potential leak point for the cooler, so it is important that you check your water regularly and change it out when necessary.
You should also examine the pump and make sure that it’s working properly and not leaking. Even if you’re using distilled water, you should still clean your pump every few weeks or months to keep your system running smoothly.
Do AIO Coolers Leak?
Most AIO or all-in-one coolers leak at some point. The question is, what should you do when they start leaking?
When an AIO cooler leaks, it can be difficult to determine where the water is coming from. But there are a few things that might give you a clue as to why your AIO cooler is leaking.
If the liquid has discolored and the color changes throughout the day, it’s probably leaking from the reservoir.
If you can hear gurgling noise when your AIO cooler is running, it’s probably leaking from the pump head.
If you notice that your AIO cooler has stopped cooling during use, it’s probably leaking from one of two places:
- If one of your tubing connections is loose and/or doesn’t fit tightly into its corresponding slot on the radiator or pump head, this could cause water to flow out of that connection and into your liquid cooler–leaking from both sides of your AIO cooler.
- If one of your radiator tubes has fallen off (most likely because it was clogged), then water will be able to escape through that tube and into your liquid cooler–leaking from both sides of your AIO cooler.
Corsair AIO Warranty
The Corsair AIO warranty covers your product, but only for the first year of ownership. If you have a Corsair H60 liquid cooler, you should be able to use it for up to four years before the warranty on your cooler ends.
If you have an H50, you can use it for up to two years before the warranty on your cooler ends.
For those who are interested in purchasing a new Corsair liquid cooler and want to get even more out of their purchase, they can purchase an extended warranty plan that will cover them until they upgrade to a new one.
AIO Cooling vs AIR For Gamers and Overclocking
AIO liquid coolers are most commonly found in gaming PCs. These liquid cooling systems do not require a separate pump or tubing to work.
Instead, they use a pump and radiator mounted on top of the case to remove heat from the PC’s components. They are also very easy to install and take up very little space inside of your PC.
AIR liquid coolers, also called air-cooled liquid coolers, are typically used by overclockers.
These coolers produce cooler temperatures than AIOs because they have an air-cooled radiator that is placed outside of the computer case.
AIOs offer better heat dissipation than AIR coolers because they have a larger surface area exposed to hot air inside the case.
How Reliable Are AIO Coolers?
There is no right answer to the question of how long liquid coolers last. It largely depends on a variety of factors, including the type of liquid cooler you have and how often you use it.
Typically, AIO (All-In-One) coolers will last around three years while triple-fan or twin-fan coolers will last between two and five years.
What Do I Do If My AIO Cooler Leaks?
A common issue with AIO coolers is that they start to leak. It’s important not to ignore a leak because it could get worse quickly.
If your cooler starts leaking, you can do one of two things: let it leak for a bit and then turn off the cooling system or take the cooler apart and fix the leak.
If you have time, you might be better off taking the cooler apart and fixing the problem instead of waiting for it to become a bigger problem.
Other than that, there are some other things you can do to avoid leaks in future such as checking the o-rings after each use to ensure they stay tight and replacing them if they don’t feel like they’re sealing well.
If your liquid cooler has been leaking, then contact customer support so that they can help you with a replacement.
If your liquid cooler stops working but hasn’t started leaking yet, then contact customer support so that they can help you figure out what happened and what needs to be fixed.
This will help prevent any further leaks from occurring in the future.
Final Thoughts: Should I Get An AIO Cooler?
If you are looking to get a liquid cooler, the first thing you will want to do is consider what type of cooler you would like to use.
If you are looking to purchase an air-cooled liquid cooler, then this might be the best option for you.
They have a much longer life span than their AIO counterparts as they do not need water filled in them. However, they require more maintenance and can be more expensive.
On the other hand, AIO coolers can be very convenient when it comes to having your liquid-cooled all in one unit.
They contain a reservoir that holds an ample amount of water for cooling and can also connect with a hose for quicker access if needed.
The only downside is that these coolers may not last as long as air-cooled coolers and should not be used in any situation where there is an extreme temperature difference between what is inside and outside the unit.
