120 mm vs 240 mm Liquid Cooling | How Does 240 mm Differ From 120 mm?
120mm and 240mm liquid cooling systems are the most common among PC users these days. You can use a liquid cooler instead of an air cooler for its better performance and stylish look. Liquid coolers also keep the PC components healthy in long-term usage.
Even though a 240 mm liquid cooler provides better results than a 120mm cooler, there are some exceptions. The difference between a high-end 240 mm and a low-cost 120mm will be night and day.
Let’s elaborate them below.
120mm vs 240mm Liquid Cooling Radiator – Performance Differences
The performance difference between a 120mm liquid cooler and a 240mm liquid cooler is pretty significant when you will overclock or put some stress on your CPU. Because stressed CPUs get hotter than idle ones.
Here is the basic difference between 120mm and 240mm Liquid Cooling Radiators –
Size of Liquid Cooling Radiator | 120 mm | 240 mm |
Product Dimensions (LxWxH) | 4.72 x 4.72 x 0.98 inches | 10.71 x 4.76 x 1.06 inches |
Power Connector Type | 3-Pin | 4-Pin |
Voltage | 12 volts (DC) | 12 volts (DC) |
Cooling Method | Water | Water |
Noise Level | 26.9 dB | 39.5 dB |
1. Temperature Difference
In this test, Intel i9-9900K is used as the CPU (5 GHz), and a Z390 Designare as the motherboard. Here 16 gigabytes of ddr4 RAM and RTX2080 Ti are used. And here carbonate will be used instead of thermal paste to ensure consistency between runs. Both 120mm and 240mm coolers are at a fixed RPM of 50%.
The CPU with 120mm liquid cooler is at 37 degrees Celsius on idle condition and 34 degrees Celsius with 240mm cooler. On average the CPU is at 92 degrees Celsius with 120mm and 84 degrees Celsius with 240mm. When the CPU is at stress, 120mm keeps it at 97 degrees whereas 240mm keeps it at 91 degrees.
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2. Compatibility
Most of today’s cases are big enough for both 120mm and 240mm liquid coolers. The 120mm radiator can fit any case. 240mm radiator may not fit old cases, but it fits in all the new cases of almost all sizes. For the socket, you should check the compatibility because every cooler is specified for a different socket.
3. Noise Level
In terms of noise level, there is not much of a difference between a 120mm and a 240mm radiator. Though the 120mm liquid cooler is a bit quieter than the 240mm as it uses just one fan instead of two. Some users use AIOs as they are quieter than air coolers.
Top 120mm Liquid Coolers List
Here are some of the best AIO CPU coolers available on the market –
- Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML120R,
- ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 120,
- Corsair Hydro Series H80i v2,
- Asus ROG Strix LC 120,
- Thermaltake TH120 ARGB Sync,
- Cooler Master MasterLiquid LC120L V2,
- Corsair Hydro H60,
- EVGA CLC 120,
- NZXT KrakenM22
Cooler Master MasterLiquid LC120L V2 RGB is best at its price point. Corsair Hydro Series H60 is the best among these for its quietness. If you want the best performance then you should go for Corsair Hydro Series H80i v2Air Cooler. Again, if you are into customization, NZXT Kraken M22 would be best for you.
If you are looking for something alternative, then here are some worth looking into.
240mm Liquid Coolers List
Here are some of the best 240mm coolers on the market –
- Corsair iCUE H100i,
- NZXT Kraken X53,
- MSI MAG CORELIQUID,
- Corsair H100i RGB Platinum,
- Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L,
- Corsair iCUE H100i RGB Pro XT,
- Lian Li Galahad,
- Deepcool Captain 240 Pro V2,
- Alphacool Eisbaer Aurora,
- NZXT Kraken Z63
Among these, Corsair iCUE H100i RGB Pro XT is said to be the best liquid cooler according to most users. They also claim that Lian Li Galahad is the best budget liquid CPU cooler. Deepcool Captain 240 Pro V2 is the best of cheap liquid coolers. The best liquid cooler with a display is NZXT Kraken Z63.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Install Liquid Cooler?
To install an AIO, first, you have to install the backplate correctly using screws . Then first, orient the fans correctly so they push the air and screw into place using a criss-cross pattern. Install the radiator and secure it with screws. Then line up the pump on the CPU and screw it on the backplate. Finally, connect the fan cables to your motherboard and SATA power to your PSU if required.
Is a 120mm Radiator Enough for the CPU?
For most mid-range CPUs, a 120mm radiator will do the job if you are not into overclocking. But if you overclock your CPU or use a high-range CPU, then at least a 240mm radiator for the AIO is recommended. Again, for an additional GPU, you should at least use a 360mm (3x 120mm) liquid cooler for the best result.
Our Verdict
Both coolers are relevantly good in terms of cooling your CPU. But if you insist on focusing on the better one, we would recommend the 240mm. Not significantly yet it helps to keep the CPU cool better than the 120mm.
If price is not a problem then you may go for the 240mm. Or if you are a casual or average user who does not attempt to overclock his PC much, you can be quite happy with the 120mm.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is a 120mm Radiator Enough for the CPU?
For most mid-range CPUs, a 120mm radiator will do the job if you are not into overclocking. But if you overclock your CPU or use a high-range CPU, then at least a 240mm radiator for the AIO is recommended. Again, for an additional GPU, you should at least use a 360mm (3x 120mm) liquid cooler for the best result.
Is a bigger liquid cooler better?
Yes, it is. It is a noticeable fact that the larger liquid coolers tend to dissipate the CPU heat much better, which is why the CPU is able to have a cool ambient temperature, regardless of the stress or load you give your CPU by overclocking. So, if you want better cooling, you should try a bigger liquid cooler.
Conclusion
As liquid coolers are sealed units, they require little to no maintenance. All liquid coolers including 120mm and 240mm, have a protective film under the cooler and you have to remove it before installing it, which many people forget to remove.
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