Unveiling the Best AIO Cooler for AMD 7950x - Find out the Winner!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. testing Methodology
3. AIO Coolers Used in the Test
4. The Importance of Cooling for the 7950x
5. Results and Analysis
   1. Arctic Liquid Freezer 2
   2. be quiet!
   3. Deepcool
   4. Galahad
   5. Corsair
6. Understanding the Cold Plate and Offset Bracket
7. Why Some AIOs Perform Better on AM4 than AM5
8. The Future of AIO Cooling
9. Conclusion
10. FAQs

Introduction

👋 Hello everyone, welcome to my Channel! I'm Cleo and today I'll be putting five AIO coolers to the test with my AMD 7950x. The purpose of this test is to determine which cooler will provide the best cooling solution for my CPU. For those unfamiliar with the 7950x and the 7000 series, these processors have the ability to push the temperature to its maximum of 95 degrees Celsius during heavy loads. The cooling performance of the AIO coolers will determine the power drawn from the motherboard and the resulting clock frequency.

I would like to express my gratitude to the individuals and companies who provided me with the AIO coolers for this test. A special thanks to Thick, Decode, Corsair, Lian Lee, Cyber Cipher, Jay, and Young Kid for their support.

Now, let's delve into the methodology of the test and understand how the results were obtained.

Testing Methodology

To ensure fair comparisons among the tested AIO coolers, I decided not to use thermal paste. Instead, I used thermal pads. This provided a standardized cooling adjustment for all the coolers. Each AIO cooler was tested using the R23 Benchmark application, running a 10-minute throttle test. Two runs were conducted for each AIO cooler, first with the original fans and then with the T30 fans from Fintex.

During the test, you will hear the fan noise of both the original fans and the T30 fans mounted on each radiator. The dashboard will display various statistics, including the temperature, clock frequency, and power Package information. Please note that if you are watching this on a mobile device, it is recommended to switch to desktop view for better visibility of the statistics.

AIO Coolers Used in the Test

In this section, I will introduce the five AIO coolers that were tested in my system. These coolers were chosen based on their availability and reputation in the market. The AIO coolers used for the test are:

1. Arctic Liquid Freezer 2
2. be quiet!
3. Deepcool
4. Galahad
5. Corsair

Each AIO cooler has its unique features and specifications that contribute to its cooling performance. Let's explore each cooler in detail and analyze their performance in the subsequent sections.

The Importance of Cooling for the 7950x

Before we dive into the results and analysis, let's understand why cooling is crucial for the AMD 7950x processor. When the CPU is loaded into Windows and put under a 100% load, it reaches its maximum temperature of 95 degrees Celsius. Based on the cooling performance of the AIO cooler, the processor will adjust the power drawn from the motherboard and push the clock frequency to its limits.

Effective cooling is essential to maintain the temperature within acceptable limits and optimize the performance of the 7950x. The better the cooling solution, the higher the clock frequency the processor can achieve. Now, let's examine the results of the test and see how each AIO cooler performed.

Results and Analysis

Arctic Liquid Freezer 2

✅ Pros:

• Surprisingly high performance despite the small cold plate
• Improved cooling with new cold plate design (details in the URL video)

❌ Cons:

• High RPM on the default fans, producing more noise

The Arctic Liquid Freezer 2 ranked first in the test, exceeding expectations. Despite its small cold plate size, it managed to cool the processor effectively. Arctic has recently acknowledged a gasket issue affecting some AIO units between May 2021 and March 2022. They offer a service kit with a new cold plate to address the issue. If you own an affected unit, check the URL video for more information.

be quiet!

✅ Pros:

• Large cold plate for better contact with the CPU
• High fan RPM for increased cooling performance

❌ Cons:

• Higher noise level due to higher fan RPM

The be quiet! AIO cooler performed admirably, ranking Second in the test. Its large cold plate provided excellent contact with the CPU, allowing for efficient heat dissipation. The high fan RPM further contributed to its cooling performance. However, the increased RPM also resulted in more fan noise.

Deepcool

✅ Pros:

• Large cold plate for efficient heat absorption
• High fan RPM for improved cooling

❌ Cons:

• Higher noise level due to higher fan RPM

The Deepcool AIO cooler secured the third position in the test. Similar to be quiet!, it boasted a large cold plate and high fan RPM, resulting in efficient cooling. However, the increased RPM also led to higher noise levels. Overall, it provided good performance but could be quieter.

Galahad

❌ Cons:

• Lower performance due to misalignment of the fin stack on the AM5 platform

The Galahad AIO cooler did not perform well in the test, and this can be attributed to a misalignment of the fin stack on the AM5 platform. The offset bracket might be the cause of this issue. Unfortunately, dismantling the unit would risk damaging it, so further investigation is not possible. The Galahad's cooling capability was comparable to that of be quiet! and Deepcool on the AM4 platform but fell short on the AM5 platform.

Corsair

❌ Cons:

• Lower performance due to inadequate cooling on the AM4 and AM5 platforms

Like the Galahad, the performance of Corsair's AIO coolers was affected by insufficient cooling on both the AM4 and AM5 platforms. The spacing and alignment of the cold plate seemed to be the issue. Corsair is expected to release a new AIO cooler in the future, which may address these cooling concerns.

Understanding the Cold Plate and Offset Bracket

In this section, I'll explain the significance of the cold plate and the offset bracket in AIO coolers. The cold plate plays a crucial role in transferring heat from the CPU to the liquid in the AIO loop. A properly designed cold plate ensures optimal thermal conductivity and efficient heat transfer.

The offset bracket, on the other HAND, is responsible for aligning the AIO cooler with the CPU socket. It ensures that the cold plate makes proper contact with the CPU. If the offset bracket is not aligned correctly, it can lead to a loss in cooling performance.

For more information on changes made to the cold plate and offset bracket in the Arctic Liquid Freezer 2, please refer to the URL video provided.

Why Some AIOs Perform Better on AM4 than AM5

The disparity in performance between the AM4 and AM5 platforms raises questions about the compatibility and effectiveness of AIO coolers. The AM5 platform, used by the 7000 series processors, seems to have a less centered CPU die compared to the AM4 platform. This misalignment affects the contact between the cold plate and the CPU, resulting in lower cooling performance.

While some AIO coolers, like Lian Li, performed well on the AM5 platform, others, including Galahad and Corsair, showed less impressive results. The size of the cold plate and the alignment of the fin stack play a significant role in this difference. Further optimization and adjustments are needed to enhance cooling performance on the AM5 platform.

The Future of AIO Cooling

Looking ahead, AIO cooler manufacturers are constantly working on improving their products to meet the growing demands of high-performance processors. Companies like Lian Li are expected to release new and improved AIO coolers in the near future, aimed at delivering better cooling performance and addressing the challenges of the AM5 platform.

It is important to note that this test only covered a select few AIO coolers, and there are many other options available in the market. Different AIO coolers may yield different results depending on factors such as cooling design, fan RPM, and compatibility with specific CPU platforms.

Conclusion

In conclusion, selecting the right AIO cooler is crucial for maintaining optimal performance and temperature control for high-performance CPUs like the AMD 7950x. Based on the test results, the Arctic Liquid Freezer 2 emerged as the top performer, surpassing expectations despite its smaller cold plate. Be quiet! and Deepcool also demonstrated impressive cooling capabilities.

However, it is important to consider other factors such as noise level, compatibility with different CPU platforms, and personal preferences when choosing an AIO cooler. The dynamic nature of cooling technology means that newer models may offer improved performance and address existing limitations.

FAQs

Q: Can I use thermal paste instead of a thermal pad?

A: The decision to use a thermal pad instead of thermal paste was made to ensure fair comparisons among the AIO coolers. The thermal pad provided a standardized cooling adjustment for each cooler.

Q: Will the high fan RPM affect the lifespan of the AIO coolers?

A: AIO coolers are designed to handle high fan RPMs without significant impact on their lifespan. However, it is advisable to ensure proper maintenance and cleaning to keep the coolers running smoothly.

Resources:

1. Arctic Liquid Freezer 2 Cold Plate and Offset Bracket Changes
2. Lian Li's Latest AIO Coolers