If youre in search of a water-cooled motherboard then youve come to the right place.
In particular, this modification appeals to overclockers searching for an unrivaled cooling solution.
Below, we will cover the best water-cooled motherboards on the market right now.
What is the best water-cooled motherboard?
Accompanying them are high-quality chokes and capacitors that carefully regulate the voltage.
This allows users to push the processors max performance to the ultimate limit.
(Image credit: ASRock)
Maintaining stability through heat dissipation is paramount for any motherboard put under a high load.
The water block itself is a hybrid design that cools with both air and water.
However, water is the optimal solution here, providing up to 37.2C-lower MOSFET temperatures.
This is in part thanks to the widened copper tubes and larger surface area than the previous model.
Then, beneath we have the PCI Express 3.0s and Triple M. 2 slots.
A fast connection is essential for FPS gaming and all other online activities.
Fortunately, the Z490 features Intel Wi-Fi 6 (802.
11 ax), dual Ethernet ports, and Intel 2.
We particularly like that the board includes an external Dual Band Antenna for the most reliable WIFI connection.
In addition to this, you will also appreciate the Aura Sync RGB lighting and Live Dash OLED screen.
Overall, its a top-tier, liquid-cooled motherboard that now retails at very reasonable price.
Equipped with an AM4 socket, it provides the perfect pairing for Ryzen 5000 and 3rd Gen AMD CPUs.
It also combines a mixture of premium controllers, quality features, and classic Formula aesthetics.
Each of the MOSFETs can handle sixty amps.
Moreover, these come accompanied by high-permeability alloy-core chokes, individually rated to handle 45 amps.
(Image credit: ASRock)
Effective cooling is extremely important for any high-powered motherboard.
A unique attribute of this board is that it features an integrated VRM water block CrossChill EK III.
For this reason, you will need to buy a separate CPU cooler to externally cool the processor.
In terms of the build, the Crosshair VIII is surprisingly solid.
An extra thick back plate supports large GPUs and several heatsinks cover the board from head to toe.
Other standout features of this board include; PCIe 4.0, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0.
We also like the very useful BIOS flashback button and 5-way optimization software that offers tons of overclocking abilities.
Finally, we cant forget the Live dash OLED panel that displays useful system information.
Enthusiasts planning on showcasing their Ryzen build will love this water-cooled motherboard.
Not only does this cool the CPU, but also the power delivery system as well.
Therefore, its even easier to attain lower temps while playing on ultra-high prefs.
The power system consists of a similarly aggressive 14 plus 2 VRM design.
(Image credit – EQ Quantum)
Thanks to the large monoblock, this is capable of high overclocks while eliminating increased heat generation.
The rest of the board is virtually identical to the Crosshair VIII Formula.
Furthermore, four x M.2 Gen4 ports provide up to 64 GB per second of bandwidth on data transfers.
A built-in Intel Wi-Fi 6E card primarily handles the networking on this motherboard.
This provides speeds of up to 2400 Mbps when running through your primary web connection connection.
In terms of power, an aggressive 18+1+1 DrMOS system provides stability to the CPU.
Rated to handle 75 amps each, they offer excellent overlocking abilities.
We particularly like the design of the water block that offers real, incredible beauty.
Just as you would expect with any Z690 motherboard, it comes loaded with the latest technology.
Overall, its a stunning piece of enthusiast hardware that looks just as good as it performs.
The Z690 Formula boasts a 20 plus one-phase setup with 105 amp power stages.
Covering this is an enlarged nickel heatsink, as well as EKs CrossChill III solution.
Gamers building a lightning-fast system will also appreciate the extendibility of this motherboard.
Featured are two PCIe 5.0 x 16 expansion slots.
Keep in mind that DDR5 boards are not DDR4 backward compatible.
The onboard networking solutions are another top feature of this hardware.
Alternatively, connect via Marvell Ethernet port to enjoy bandwidth transfers up to 10 Gb.
Finally, we also like that the Formula offers full connectivity.
In addition to this, there are plenty of Internal I/O connectors, including three addressable Gen 2 headers.
For the VMR, youre looking at a 20-phase power delivery system.
Each smart power stage is fully optimized, and rated to deliver 105A.
Surrounding these are a whole host of temperature and current sensors that can handle even the most power-hungry overclocks.
To cool the VRM and CPU, the Z690 Aqua comes equipped with a custom-fitted monoblock.
This has a sleek metallic finish and stretches across the whole upper half of the board.
The Z690 features 4 x DDR5-6400 memory slots, supporting up to 128 GB of RAM.
All of which are some of the best networking options currently available.
On top of that, theres Bluetooth compatibility for all your peripherals.
Finally, like other Z690 flagship motherboards, the Z690 Aqua series packs a plethora of connectivity options.
Output options include an HDMI port and 2 x DisplayPort 1.4 Input.
Overall, the Z690 Aqua is amazing, showpiece bit of tech that truly stands out from all others.
Gigabyte went into designing this board with one thing in mind; leaving nothing on the table.
This starts with the massive VRM, which is a true beast among motherboards.
Comprised of 105A smart power stages and tantalum polymer capacitors, it certainly dominates the competition.
Cooling a VRM of this capacity is no joke either and something not to be taken lightly.
The water block is the star of the show here, offering suburb engineering.
Constructed out of nickel-plated copper, it weighs a ton and has a real premium feel to it.
Aesthetically, the water block looks incredible, something that becomes even more apparent once mounted.
Its unique design is split into two diagonal halves.
Its no surprise that this flagship water-cooled motherboard is loaded with the latest technology.
Much like the Extreme Glacial connectivity includes; Wi-Fi 6e (802.11Ax), and Bluetooth 5.2.
Other top features include the very useful BIOS flashback button and 5-way optimization software.
Overall, the Xtreme Waterforce is a real premium board that offers a ridiculous water-cooled platform.
Much like the AORUS Xtreme Waterforce, this board goes all out on power and functionality.
An equally large VRM with 18+2 (100 amp) power stages provides reliable system voltage.
Eighteen of these supply the processor itself while the remaining two are for the secondary voltage rails.
Actively cooling the power stages is a weighty, pure electrolytic copper EK water block.
slots in the process.
We also like how it adds to the visual qualities of the board.
When paired up with the addressable LEDs on either side, it creates a real futuristic aesthetic.
What is a Water-Cooled Motherboard?
A water-cooled motherboard uses liquid to cool the core components of the board, primarily the CPU and VRM.
Many gamers upgrade to a water-cooled motherboard when their budget permits or when customizing their rig.
Not all water-cooled motherboards come with a water block pre-installed.
Providing the water block/ monoblock is available, enthusiasts can upgrade their current motherboard to a water-cooled motherboard.
This usually requires two fittings for a proper operation.
Is it Worth Buying a Water-Cooled Motherboard?
Instead, heat pipes transfer this energy away from the motherboard.
In traditional air cooling systems, fans blow the warm air from the heat sink.
This works fine, but more complex systems often generate more heat than air can handle.
With a water-cooled motherboard, the liquid absorbs heat and moves it through an integrated cooling system.
The key is ensuring the motherboard you choose works with all of your components and meets your needs.
Water Block
Water blocks are most beneficial when they fit the VRM perfectly.
The lower heatsink works to cool the chipset that controls communication between components on your motherboard.
The liquid-cooled motherboard and the cooling loop cannot exceed the capabilities of the current form factor.
They must fit inside the physical dimensions of the case and work with the power and mounting configurations available.
Some examples include:
The additional features compound on the superior cooling benefits of a water cooled motherboard.
Frequently asked questions
Can you water cool a motherboard?
Since the introduction of custom-engineered monoblocks, its entirely possible to water-cool a motherboard.
Is motherboard cooling necessary?
Is VRM water cooling important?
Water cooling the VRM is only important if the air circulation inside the case is not sufficient.
When properly cooled, the MOSFETs will last far longer as they are less susceptible to overheating.
They will also run more efficiently, improving your processors performance.
Do you need a special motherboard for water cooling?
Once fitted, it will then perform the same function as a specialist motherboard with an integrated water block.
Image credit:Photo byJ Kon Unsplash
