11 Best Liquid-Cooled Gaming PCs – 2023

If you’re in search of a new liquid-cooled gaming PC then you’ve come to the right place.

Unlike air-cooled systems – that exhaust excess heat with multiple fans, a liquid-cooled system uses coolant and pumps to absorb heat and move it out of the way.

This primarily benefits overclockers wanting to showcase their system from behind a glass case.

In this post, we will cover the best water-cooled gaming PCs on the market right now.

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What is the best liquid-cooled gaming PC?

11. CyberpowerPC Gamer Supreme Liquid

CPU: R7-3800X
Graphics: RTX 3060
RAM: 16 GB
Storage: 1 TB

The Gamer Supreme is an enthusiast-level gaming desktop built to outplay the competition. It packs an eight-core, AMD Ryzen 7 3800X processor that can reach a 4.5 GHz max boost clock. In addition to a GeForce RTX 3060 12GB graphics card, and 16 GB of HyperX RAM.

Aesthetically, the Gamer Supreme has a modern and striking appearance. This is mostly thanks to its tempered glass front panel and side windows, which reveal four 120mm RGB fans. If you’re searching for a system that you can display up on the desk, then you’ll particularly like this setup.

In terms of performance, the R7-3800X CPU calculates the game logic smoothly, while the RTX 3060 GPU renders frame rates at the highest resolutions. While playing Warzone (ultra-settings), it gave us around 120-145 fps at 1080p. This then dropped down to a solid 90 fps at 1440p.

The hybrid cooling configuration consists of three 120mm front fans and a 120 AIO cooler in the rear. Moreover, for ventilation, perforations run along either side of the glass front. Additionally, a second vent is located in the roof of the case, giving you an option to move the CPU cooler up top.

Finally, another plus is that the Gamer Supreme comes with a decent amount of connectivity for both your peripherals and wireless network. Ports include six x USB 3.1s, two x USB 2.0, and two x 3.5mm mic inputs. It also supports wireless 802.11 AC Wi-Fi and has an RJ-45 Ethernet jack.

To sum up, the Supreme is an awesome liquid-cooled gaming PC that works exactly as it should.

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10. CUK Stratos Micro Gamer PC

CPU: i9-10900KF
Graphics: RTX 3060
RAM: 32 GB
Storage: 2.5 TB

The CUK Stratos is built on top of two cornerstone pieces of hardware – the Intel Core i9 CPU and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU. The Intel processor delivers speeds between 3.7 GHz and 5.3 GHz (before overclocking) while the discrete Nvidia graphics card is one of the best on the market today.

From a pure design standpoint, the CUK Stratos is a little bit understated, but that’s not a bad thing. Some people may prefer the clean lines and squared-off glass panels that give it a minimalist look. We can say the same about the LED lighting on the three front fans that provide a modern twist.

Due to being a smallish m-ATX chassis, the Stratos is a little bit more difficult to customize than other systems. For instance, there’s not much room to swap out the stock cooler or replace a hard drive easily. As a result, you’ll only want to make minor changes if you shoot for this pre-built option.

By taking advantage of a pre-installed cooling system, the Stratos can push hardware a little harder than other gaming PCs. This consists of a 120mm AIO liquid cooler and six 120mm high-pressure fans. Strategically located throughout the chassis, the fans help deliver even more cooling support.

Finally, because of the Stratos’s intelligent hybrid cooling setup, the cooling system is plenty effective. With all those fans, the GPU rarely exceeds 113°F and the CPU is typically under 156°F. As a result, throttling and overheating is never a concern with this pre-assembled rig.

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9. Thermaltake Glacier 370 – Snow Edition

CPU: i9-10900KF
Graphics: RTX 3070
RAM: 32 GB
Storage: 2.5 TB

The Thermaltake Glacier 370 combines the brains of an AMD Ryzen 5 5600X CPU with the muscle of a discrete Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 GPU. You get the best of all worlds here – a mix of AMD and Nvidia hardware that delivers for gamers looking to play the most demanding titles. 

It’s not hard to fall in love with the clean design of the Glacier. The Thermaltake case looks seamless with a large tempered glass side window, and provides a peek at the “guts” of this liquid-cooled gaming PC. Moreover, all LED lighting is completely customizable for a personalized appearance too.

Another plus is how the GPU comes vertically mounted out of the box. This build-decision brings two main benefits. The first is freeing up space inside the box (for clearance and airflow). Secondly, it makes it a lot easier to eyeball all of your components through the glass side window.

In terms of performance, the ten-core i9-10900KF CPU can reach a 5.30 GHz max boost clock. Lightning fast and plenty snappy, it has more than enough horsepower to handle modern games. Likewise, the 3070 GPU is capable of cranking out frame rates at the highest settings.

Finally, preventing the CPU from overheating is a closed-loop 240mm AIO cooler that acts as the “heartbeat” of the system. Assisting this is five quiet 120mm TT ARGB fans. Setup for positive pressure airflow release, they help create ice-cold temperatures right throughout the box.

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8. CUK Mantis Gamer PC                                                 

CPU: i9-11900F
Graphics: RTX 3060
RAM: 32 GB
Storage: 2.5 TB

The CUK Mantis – as you might have guessed from the name, is a large, praying mantis-inspired desktop. Packing some of the best PC hardware available, it boasts a sixteen-core i9 12900KF processor and RTX 3060 graphics to give you all the power necessary to ambush your opponents.

In terms of appearance, the full-tower, Mantis ATX chassis features a symmetrical pair of top and front wings that have a signature green trim. Apart from cladding the chassis solely for aesthetic purposes, the wings have multiple hidden vents. Due to this, air-intake goes unhindered. 

For air intake, a total of three 120mm Halo Ring LED fans border the top and rear of the case. Additionally, a 240mm AIO CPU cooler sits in the front to absorb heat away from the processor. Together, the pre-installed cooling in this system works great, without the need for any extra fans.

Accessing the hardware involves removing a toughened glass side window. This reveals a Z590-A motherboard with 32GB of DDR4 RAM. Additionally, a 650W Gold PSU and a 512 GB SSD / 2 TB HDD live in the PSU shroud. Thanks to the large chassis volume, all parts are easily upgradable.

As for the performance, the CUK Mantis boots-up fast and operates quietly and efficiently. It has no problems running most games 1440p max settings, though for intensive 4K games you might have to drop the settings. Besides top-tier gaming, this setup is ideal for 4K video editing, too.

All in all, the Mantis is a killer pre-built system that comes with everything you need for some serious gameplay.  

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7. Velztorm Gladio CTO

CPU: Ryzen 9 5900X
Graphics: RTX 3070
RAM: 32 GB
Storage: 2 TB

The Velztorm Gladio CTO is a powerful water-cooled gaming desktop that benefits from the latest PC hardware. This includes a 12-core, AMD Ryzen 9 5900x processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 graphics card. Additionally, it boasts 32 GB of DDR4 RAM and 2 TB of total storage.

While the Thermaltake Divider 300TG chassis isn’t exactly the flashiest on the market today, it does have a unique appearance. On the side is a half glass window that gives you a closer look at your core components. Then, on the front is a glass panel that reveals three ARGB fans.

Performance will never be a problem with the Velztorm Gladio CTO. The fifth-gen AMD Ryzen 9 processor and RTX 3070 GPU come together to provide all the horsepower necessary to play current and future titles. For 1440p gaming, there’s a lot of raw power to blow inside of this PC desktop.

Keeping thermals at bay is a 120mm closed-loop cooling system that works in conjunction with three front intake fans. Side by side, they do a great job at keeping system temperatures in check. It’s rare for this computer’s processor and graphics card to hit anywhere close to 167°F.

Lastly, a combo of SSDs and HDDs handles storage. You get a 1 TB of PCIe NVMe SSD as well as another terabyte of HDD space to work with. That’s more than enough storage to keep your favorite games on the SSD with a couple of less frequently played games on the slower HDD.

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6. Alienware Aurora R13

CPU: i7-12700KF
Graphics: RTX 3070 Ti
RAM: 16 GB
Storage: 2 TB

The Aurora R13 is the latest and most advanced extraterrestrial creation from Alienware. Featuring a liquid-cooled i7-12700KF processor, 16 GB of DDR5 RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti graphics, it pushes pre-assembled gaming performance to all-new heights.

Unlike its predecessor, the R13 introduces a larger chassis, plus a side window that reveals the inner components. Instead of hinging open, this now pulls right off to provide full access to the mobo. As a result, it’s much easier to make changes to the system, such as upgrading the memory or storage.

Another welcome change is an update to the thermals. The R13 now benefits from a 120mm “Cryo-Tech” liquid cooler on the processor, in addition to three other system fans. Cryo-Tech has a slightly thicker radiator and a different 5-blade fan for modest 176°F temperatures without a lot of noise.

In terms of performance, the Aurora R13 is a beast for running modern titles, especially at 1440p. With everything maxed out on Halo Infinite, we found it runs between 140 – 180 fps. For more demanding games though, this did drop slightly, with Battlefield 2042 flatlining at around 110 fps. 

Finally, we also like how the AlienFX RGB lighting around the I/O port ring now makes its way into the chassis. That gives this gorgeous system even more character, particularly when viewing from the side. Overall, if you’re after a ready-made liquid-cooled gaming PC, you’ll love the Aurora R13.

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5. CUK Aegis RS

CPU: i9-11900KF
Graphics: 3080
RAM: 64 GB
Storage: 4 TB

The CUK Aegis R is pre-built exclusively with MSI components to bring you esports-level gaming performance. Not only does it include an MSI GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card, but also an MSI Z590-A PRO motherboard as well, packed inside one of MSIs very own MPG Gungnir chassis.

The MPG Gungnir chassis has a cutting-edge style with neutral tones and RGB. In terms of design, it features a triangular prism front that delivers a distinguishable overall shape. Built with both aluminum and tempered glass, the construction combines strength with attractive aesthetics.

Inside the case, you’ll find an MSI Z590-A PRO motherboard. This supports 11^th-Gen Intel core processors and even comes with one, too. What you’re getting is a more than capable 10-core, 20-thread i9-11900KF. This has a 3.50 GHz base frequency and a mighty 5.30 GHz max turbo boost.

Then, for the rest of the hardware, the Aegis R packs in 64 GB of DDR4 RAM, an 850W+ Gold PSU, and 4 GB of total storage. Additionally, it comes with three pre-installed 120mm RGB fans and one 240mm Dragon CPU cooler. As a result, this desktop is ready to roll as soon as you turn it on.

Finally, we like that all lighting effects are controllable from within the Dragon Center software. That allows you to customize the Aegis R’s appearance any way you want. The software not only customizes all of the RGB fans but also the MSI logo and RGB strip on the front of the case.

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4. CORSAIR ONE i200

CPU: i9-11900K
Graphics: RTX 3080
RAM: 32 GB
Storage: 3 TB

The Corsair One i200 packs all the performance of a full-size Intel-powered gaming desktop into a compact 12-liter enclosure. It boasts an eight-core, sixteen-thread i9-11900K processor, 32GB of Vengeance LPX DDR4 RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphics.

In terms of the build, the i200 has a sturdy yet well-ventilated tower design. Forming the side is a pair of 1/16 inch-thick bead-blasted aluminum panels with triangular ventilation holes. Additionally, a series of diagonal fins cover a 120mm cooling fan to form the lid on top.

Beneath the aluminum panels are two AIO liquid coolers that sit directly in front of the GPU and CPU. To regulate temperatures, the coolers draw in fresh air and then circulate it up through the chassis. This results in a very efficient convection system that operates with minimal noise.

On the outside of the chassis (on the front) are two tasteful RGB strips that let you personalize the system’s look via the Corsair CUE software. Additionally, a handful of easy-to-reach inputs locate towards the bottom. These include a 3.5mm jack, two USB 3.0’s, and a VR-ready HDMI port.

The rest of your I/O’s are on the back. Here you can find eight more USB ports, as well as three more display port connectors that support up to four 4K HDR monitors in total. Then for additional hardware, you get an internal 80 Plus Gold PSU and 3TB of storage to seal the deal.

Overall, if you’re searching for an SFF, liquid-cooled gaming PC, the Corsair a200 stands out from the crowd. While it does come at a bit of a cost, it makes up for that by being quiet, fast, portable, and having ridiculous power!

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3. Omen 30L Gaming Desktop

CPU: 10900K
Graphics: RTX 3080
RAM: 32 GB
Storage: 3 TB

The Omen 30L gaming desktop is brought to you by a partnership between Cooler Master and HP. Configured for esports out of the box, it comes equipped with some of the most desirable modern hardware. This includes a 10-core, i9-10900K CPU, and GeForce RTX 3080 graphics.

In addition to the processor and the graphics card, the system includes a B550 m-ATX motherboard, 32 GB of HyperX XMP RAM, and a 750W 80+ Platinum PSU. Moreover, for storage, you get a 1TB Western Digital NVMe SSD and a 2TB HDD – to add to the other top-shelf components in this rig.

Other than the PSU, the next Cooler Master piece of hardware is their custom-made, Omen chassis. Slim, elegant, and somewhat minimal, this has a modern design with tempered glass front and side panels. Thanks to the panels providing tool-less access, we like that it’s a breeze to upgrade, too.

Naturally, internal cooling is another area that Cooler Master takes care of. Both the pre-installed fans (120mm intake and 92mm exhaust) are some of Cooler Masters’ very own, and so is the 120mm AIO liquid cooler on the CPU. As a result, you won’t have to stress much about the stock thermals.

Lastly, a groove for all the front I/Os sits in the top panel. Here you’ll find two USB-As, two 3.5mm jacks, and a power button. Overall, the Omen 30L is ideal for those seeking some of the best tech in a no-frills package. Just turn it on, load up your games, and enjoy this liquid-cooled gaming PC.

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2. Empowered PC Sentinel 2

CPU: i9-12900KF
Graphics: 3080 Ti
RAM: 64 GB
Storage: 3 TB

CUK USA is one of the leading custom PC builders of gaming desktops in America, with their Empowered Sentinel PC 2 being our next high-performing option. Rocking a 12^th-Gen i9-12900KF CPU, and GeForce RTX 3080 Ti graphics, it has everything you could wish for under the hood.

Assembled inside Sentinels’ very own Empowered II PC case, the system has a stealthy aesthetic. This is an ATX chassis with a sleek, minimalist design. On the front is a brushed aluminum panel with a silver-edge trim. That combines gorgeously with the side tinted tempered glass window.

After powering on the Sentinel, the system starts up fast and is immediately ready for action. In terms of performance, this PC excels at 4K and 1440p gaming. While playing Far Cry 6 with RTX on, we found that runs smoothly at around 90 fps in 4K and 120 fps in 1440p.

To manage temps, the setup goes for a 50% water-cooled and 50% air configuration. Taking care of the CPU is a 140mm AIO cooler, and then there’s six 120mm fans. Although the build has direct airflow-cooling, the interior does get a little warm, but you’d expect that with a discrete 3080 Ti.

Other hardware includes an 850W Gold PSU, 64GB DDR4 (3200MHz) memory, and 3 TB of storage. The storage consists of a 1 TB NVMe SSD, plus a 2 TB 7200 RPM HDD. Finally, for I/Os, you get two USB-As on top of the front panel, along with a power button and a couple of 3.5mm jacks.

Overall, there’s a lot to like about this liquid-cooled Sentinel gaming PC. The build is solid and so is the performance with quality over-powered components all round.

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1. Skytech Prism II Gaming PC

CPU: i9 12900K
Graphics: RTX 3090
RAM: 32 GB
Storage: 1 TB

The Skytech Prism II is a liquid-cooled gaming PC that packs a powerful punch. Built to handle multi-thread loads, it boasts an 16-Core i9-12900K CPU with a 5.20 GHz (max boost) clock speed. Additionally, it benefits from an RTX 3090 24 GB GPU that’s capable of cranking out the high frames.

We especially like the “Qube” chassis from Phanteks budget Metallic Gear line-up. This is essentially a Lian Li 011 clone with dual chambers to separate the internal hardware. It allows you to showcase all your new gear through the front glass windows while concealing messy cables away in the back.

With the 3090 GPU under the hood, the Prism II can run your (high-quality-settings) games at QHD and 4K resolutions. At 1440p, you can expect a frame rate of around 186 fps. Moreover, 4K gameplay is also on the cards, having a 120 fps average accross our ten tested triple-A titles.

Thanks to a hybrid architecture of air and liquid cooling, the thermals are also impressive. During a full system workload in the default configuration, the CPU and GPU peaked at around 170°F. This was with the nine included 120mm Alphacool RGB fans running at medium speeds.

Other hardware includes a 850W 80+ Gold PSU, 32 GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. If that’s not enough storage capacity, you’ll be glad to know that the Qube has plenty of room for upgrades. Behind the motherboard tray, there’s room to mount five 3.5” SSDs, plus two HDDs in the hard drive cage.

motherboard tray, there’s room to mount five 3.5” SSDs, plus two HDDs in the hard drive cage.

Overall, we highly recommend this liquid cooling gaming PC for enthusiasts who want the best things in life – without having to build it themselves. The price is decent, it comes assembled properly, and the quality of parts is fair.

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Is Liquid Cooling Worth it for a Gaming PC?

In most cases, liquid cooling is worth the investment for a gaming PC. If you understand how liquid cooling works, it is easier to justify the slightly larger price tag. Sometimes, you can find a liquid cooled gaming PC for less than some air-cooled PCs.

Installation for a liquid cooler is more complex, but not by much. With an all-in-one cooling system, you need to worry about the water block, hoses that cycle coolant, and the radiator. These install easily, and the effort is worth the performance benefits.

Liquid coolers take up more space, but you can customize them to cover more ground and cool more components effectively. A smaller build may benefit from a smaller all-in-one cooler that works better at absorbing heat from the case.

Liquid coolers are particularly useful in chassis with little or obstructed airflow. For example, those with glass front panels, or small form factor chassis. If you want to showcase an RGB build, or build a compact system that takes up less space; then liquid cooling it is the way to go.

Liquid cooling makes less noise than fans, although the difference varies on the fan. Even though liquid cooling uses a small pump, it sits well insulated and does not make much noise.

Furthermore, liquid cooling is almost always more efficient at regulating temperature, both from your components and inside your PC case.

While air coolers do their job with relocating heat away from the CPU, they ‌raise the ambient temperature as heat disperses inside the case. A liquid cooler moves the heat outside of the system, keeping everything cooler.

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Are Liquid Cooled Gaming PCs High Maintenance?

Apart from the higher price tag, many gamers are put off by the idea of ‌maintaining a liquid cooled gaming PC. The idea of working with liquid around electronic components raises an eye, even if they are not the labor-intensive powerhouses you may think they are.

A liquid cooled gaming PC can be high maintenance regarding setup, especially with custom setups that cover multiple systems. This is because you will have to put more work into finding parts and measurements that work well for your gaming PC and spend more time putting everything together.

All-in-one cooling systems offer you less customization, and you have less opportunity to upgrade your cooling as needed. Because these systems operate as sealed units, they require little to no maintenance. They should not need topping off as long as they operate properly, but they can be less efficient at cooling.

The custom system requires more commitment towards its maintenance, but it’s far easier to upgrade as needed. As long as you use the right coolant, there is not much hassle in choosing parts or keeping up with the cooling system.

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How to Choose the Best Liquid Cooled Gaming PC in 2023

As long as you’re okay with liquid cooling, choosing the best liquid cooled gaming PC relies mostly on choosing the level of performance you’ll get the most use out of.

Choosing the Best CPU/ GPU

Look for a CPU or GPU appropriate for gaming. For Intel this is usually an i7 or higher, while AMD Ryzen 7 or higher should suffice.

Your GPU processes the higher quality and more intensive images used in gaming, and your liquid cooled gaming PC needs a dedicated graphics card to get the job done. Major manufacturers include Nvidia and AMD.

PC Case Materials

Don’t worry about how liquid cooling affects case materials (but do spend time finding a sturdy material that will last over time).

Something you should consider when looking at PC cases is how well the case will handle the loops of your cooling system. This is more important when running multiple loops, but it should be sizable enough to handle your liquid cooling system.

Gaming Performance

Apart from securing an appropriate CPU and GPU, try to get as many gaming-worthy components as possible. Make sure your motherboard offers you plenty of room for adding hardware and upgrading your system.

To start, opt for a SSD over HDD, ideally NVMe. These solid state drives operate more quickly, are more reliable, and generate less heat.

You don’t need to max out your RAM, but aim to start with about 16GB.

Cooling Hardware

An all-in-one system should have everything you need, but if you plan on creating a custom system make sure you have the things on this list: water block(s) for the CPU and/or GPU, a coolant reservoir, pump, radiator(s), fans, fittings, tubes, and an appropriate coolant or cooling liquid.

Pay attention to where the hardware sits on your system, such as an all-in-one cooler on the processor or a water block on the motherboard. Look for fitted loops as opposed to extra tubing.

Cooling Performance

While higher temperatures are a greater concern, ‌cold temperatures have their faults. The main concern is how electricity heats components rapidly as it runs through a circuit, and this can cause damage.

Make sure your cooling system is not so powerful that it overpowers your build and causes drastic fluctuations in temperature.

Budget

A liquid cooled gaming PC will usually cost more than an air-cooled system, but you should be able to find one in your budget.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are liquid-cooled PCs reliable?

Liquid-cooled PCs are generally reliable but this will depend on the type of cooling and components fitted inside the system. For instance, a custom loop is far more likely to fail than a sealed/ closed loop. Moreover, high-end components from reputable manufacturers tend to be the safer option.

Do liquid-cooled computers leak?

When parts get old or start to fail, there is a possibility of liquid-cooled PCs leaking. The best way to avoid this is by performing regular maintenance on your hardware. For example, swapping out the coolant, cleaning your pipes, and checking that all fittings are still tight, etc.

Is liquid cooling a gaming PC worth it?

Liquid cooling a gaming PC is worth it if the chassis you like has obstructed airflow or limited ventilation. This is because liquid coolers work by absorbing the heat and moving it out of the system instead of relying on fans to push the hot air out of the way. 

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We hope you found a water-cooled gaming PC on this list.

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