What Is The Best Liquid For Cooling A PC?

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

While air coolers have long been the standard, liquid cooling is becoming a popular option for both gamers and professionals. There are plenty of amazing liquid coolers you can find on Amazon, with many going for under $200, which is now affordable enough for most people. However, a custom liquid cooling loop will still provide better performance than an off-the-rack liquid cooler, especially if juiced up with the right stuff. So, what's the best liquid for your custom loop? Well, prepare to jump into the rabbit hole involving different kinds of water, additives, and premixed coolants.

Every liquid cooling solution comes with a unique set of benefits and limitations, and your choice will ultimately depend on how far you're willing to go. The simplest and the cheapest is regular tap water. But though it may seem like the obvious liquid to use for a "water-cooled" setup, tap water may not be treated and can introduce a whole lot of impurities into your cooling loop. Over time, it can lead to corrosion or limescale formation on components (yikes). Distilled water, then? It's a better option than tap water, but it may still require a few additives to minimize headaches later, such as a corrosion inhibitor, dyes for the vibes, and biocides to battle any algae growth.

Unfortunately, the problem with taking distilled water and adding a bunch of additives is that you'll have to get the measurements just right. Because there's margin for error when mixing multiple additives, it's ultimately simpler and oftentimes more wallet-friendly to go with a premixed coolant. This gives you the best performance, and while it does limit customizability, the sheer convenience probably makes it the most-well rounded liquid for PC cooling for the majority of builders and hobbyists. Let's get into it.

According to what users on Reddit say about premixed coolants, DP Ultra (Aquacomputer Double Protect Ultra Coolant) seems like the most sought-after option. Coming in multiple colors and priced at around $69 on Amazon, one user reveals they have never read a complaint about this particular product, calling it the most reliable coolant money can buy. A viable alternative to this "gold standard," as it's dubbed by many, is Koolance 702. Regardless of your choice, both variants contain corrosion and biological inhibitors, meaning you're safe with either as long as you properly maintain the system.

Speaking of, one of the more annoying aspects of liquid cooling is the frequent maintenance. An off-the-rack AIO is a set-it-and-forget-it type deal, but with a custom system, you'll have to occasionally replace the coolant. The frequency depends on the materials you used to build the loop and the coolant. Several Redditors report they flush and refill the loop once a year, but everyone has different habits. A user with a system running distilled water and biocide went over a year without a liquid swap, while another drains and refills their system every six months. When it comes to the DP Ultra coolant that many recommend, some Redditors "ran it" for over two years. One commenter claims they've been using a canister of this product for over a decade. Since a 5000 ml jug of it costs around $69, it's a testament to how affordable and simple this premade solution is, making DP Ultra as close as possible to a set-it-and-forget-it coolant for custom loops. It sure beats draining a niche concoction every six months.