280mm AIO Liquid CPU Coolers
Drive CPU temperatures down to keep its performance up with a 280mm all-in-one cooler, equipped with both a high surface area radiator and two 140mm fans to draw heat way from your processor and disperse it out of your system.
What to look for in a 280mm AIO liquid CPU cooler
Here’s how to consider the various specs that come when you search for a 280mm AIO cooler.
- Radiator size: This is the spec measured in millimeters that denotes how large of a footprint that AIO cooler’s radiator output will take up on your PC case.
- Socket compatibility: This spec indicates what type of CPU will work with the socket connector size of your AIO cooler.
- Design: Explore colorways, LED accents, or even an LCD screen on some coolers.
What is the difference between 280mm AIO coolers and other sizes?
The only thing indicated by a millimeter measurement in the name of an AIO water cooler is how large that unit’s radiator component is. PC cases feature one or more slots dedicated to case fans or radiators. While you can add individual case fans, a radiator contains multiple fan units (in the case of a 280mm cooler, it’s usually 2 fans). So, look at your case’s spec sheet and see what size radiators will fit in its slots. Also be aware that a larger radiator will take up more space that you could otherwise fit more general case fans. So, a smaller-sized radiator could be better if you want more general airflow in your PC—rather than a large liquid cooler for your CPU.
Not sure which AIO cooler is right for your setup? Try out our Custom PC Builder for recommendations, size guides, and compatibility checks.