How Long Do Liquid Coolers Last? Liquid coolers for computers can be broadly categorized into two types: Closed-Loop and Open-Loop. Closed-loop systems are usually all-in-one liquid coolers. Open-loop systems are usually custom-made. The durability of liquid coolers depends on a plethora of factors, including the type, materials, and technology, among others.
How Long do Liquid Coolers Last?
Open-loop liquid coolers, most of which are custom-made, tend to have a shorter lifespan. They can easily last twelve months or longer. However, they must be inspected once every six months or so. Closed-loop liquid coolers, or all-in-one systems, have a considerably longer lifespan. Many manufacturers claim the longevity of up to seventy thousand hours, which is around eight years.
A reliable indication of the expected longevity or durability of liquid coolers is in the warranty offered by manufacturers. Most companies provide a warranty of two years or longer. Some brands offer a warranty spanning five years. It should be noted that some components in liquid coolers may have limited warranty.
Another significant fact to note is the difference between longevity or durability and efficiency or efficacy. How long do liquid coolers last need not be an assurance for sustained efficiency and efficacy. Like other hardware components in a computer, a liquid cooler also requires maintenance from time to time. Care should be taken to ensure that the system is not exposed to excessive dust.
The durability of liquid coolers shall also be influenced by internal and external factors. Usage of the computer, the extent to which various hardware components get heated, how much downtime the system is provided between periods of sustained use, and local environmental factors including air conditioning or heating in a given room, will affect the durability or longevity, as well as efficiency and efficacy of liquid coolers.
The Two Most Heat Generating Hardware Components
How long do liquid coolers last depend heavily on the CPU and GPU. The two most heat generating hardware components are the CPU or Central Processing Unit, and GPU, or graphics processing unit. The processor may have some onboard graphics, or there may be a separate GPU installed in the system. Since CPU and GPU work in tandem all the time when your system is on, these generate the maximum heat. Hence, the primary job of any liquid cooler is to redirect heat away from these hardware components.
All CPUs have onboard heat sinks. It is the job of the heat sink to absorb all the electrical energy converted to thermal energy as you operate a computer. The motherboard facilitates this assimilation of all the thermal energy from various hardware components. The processor of the CPU also generates enormous heat. This is passed on to a metal lid of the CPU, which is known as the Integrated Heat Spreader. All thermal energy from various hardware components eventually gets transferred to the baseplate or heat sink. Coolers absorb the heat from the baseplate, and then redirect the thermal energy away from the central processing unit and motherboard, and eventually away from the computer, or the cabinet housing all the essential hardware.
Liquid Cooler
A liquid cooler uses refrigerant, also known as coolant. There is a repetitive cycle of a liquid getting warmed up by absorbing the heat generated by all the hardware components, then being cooled down by the refrigerant. The cooled down liquid is then circulated again through the system to absorb more heat. This cycle is activated as and when the system heats up beyond optimum temperatures. The cycle continues for as long as necessary to keep the temperature of the system down to its optimum level or below.
Beginners Guide To Water Cooling Your PC
Final Thoughts
Liquid coolers are highly effective and efficient. They are a worthwhile investment, and completely safe. Given the considerable warranties available on most models of different brands, users can assuredly invest in a liquid cooler, to not only enhance the durability of various hardware components but to also increase their efficiency.
