Air vs Liquid Cooling for the RTX 5090: Are AIO GPUs better?

The GPU is the most important component of any high-performance gaming PC. And for most people, the choice is simple: the higher the number, the better the performance. An NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 is better than a GeForce RTX 5080. But then you have to decide which model of RTX 5090 to buy, and the decision gets tougher. Is a liquid-cooled RTX 5090 worth stepping up to over an air-cooled RTX 5090?

Both are great options, depending on what you’re looking for. Air-cooled graphics cards are a strong pick for gamers who want a cost-effective, plug-and-play option for their PC. On the flip side, for gamers who want the most thermally efficient, silent rig and have some extra room in their case, liquid cooling (sometimes referred to as “water cooling”) can’t be beat. An all-in-one (AIO) liquid-cooled GPU makes this especially easy compared to a full custom loop, consolidating setup to just a GPU and a connected radiator.

Let’s take a closer look at a few of ROG’s latest 50 series graphics cards alongside each facet of the air cooling vs liquid cooling discussion so you’re equipped with the knowledge you need to make an educated GPU purchase.

Air cooling vs AIO liquid cooling for the RTX 5090: performance and overclocking benefits

Make no mistake: a new air-cooled graphics card will offer great performance, easily handling the latest AAA games. Our ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090 maximizes air cooling potential with its quad-fan cooling system, keeping this high-end GPU healthy no matter how taxing the game gets, while also keeping noise down.

An all-in-one (AIO) liquid-cooled GPUs, on the other hand, leverages the efficiency of liquid cooling to run the card at even lower temperatures. Our ROG Astral LC GeForce RTX 5090 provides 30% better thermal performance than typical air-cooled cards. This provides more headroom for overclocking, since you can afford to clock your GPU higher without fear of reaching temperature ceilings too quickly.  In turn, you get the absolute best performance possible.

Air cooling vs AIO liquid cooling for the RTX 5090: noise reduction and fan differences

Our ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090 achieves excellent cooling with its new quad-fan design, patented milled vapor chamber, and a hefty heatsink with ultra-dense fins. This efficient heat transfer allows the card to keep its fans’ noise down, since they won’t have to spin as fast to move heat away from the GPU. Plus, when you’re not performing a graphics-heavy task, our 0dB mode will turn the fans off entirely so you can enjoy a truly silent machine.

Liquid-cooled GPUs take noise reduction a step further, since the graphics card has coolant helping to offload that GPU heat. And since its radiator fans are bigger than typical air-cooled GPU fans, it can run a bit quieter, even at full load — remember, a bigger fan tends to be a quieter fan, since it can push the same amount of air at lower RPMs. With three 120mm fans on the radiator keeping GPU temperatures down, you can rest assured the AIO ROG Astral LC GeForce RTX 5090 will be one of the quietest graphics cards you've ever used.

Air cooling vs AIO liquid cooling for the RTX 5090: the convenience factor

Air-cooled GPUs are incredibly convenient to install. As a single piece of hardware, you just slot it into your motherboard and plug in your power supply cable. There's no need for additional wrangling or mounting (apart from maybe a GPU holder, which we conveniently bundle with the ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090).

All-in-one liquid-cooled GPUs are also convenient, since the coolant comes prefilled in the product and everything’s sealed. Unlike custom liquid loops, you don’t have to worry about maintenance like refilling the coolant, making this option accessible even to new builders. However, if you go for a liquid-cooled graphics card, you’ll need room in your case for the card’s radiator and mounting points near a vent. If you have a particularly compact case, this can sometimes be a challenge, especially if you already have other radiators in your build (like for an AIO CPU cooler). Check your case manual for compatibility with 360mm radiators if you plan on picking up the ROG Astral LC GeForce RTX 5090.

Air cooling vs AIO liquid cooling: the verdict

Air cooling offers great performance at a compelling price, while liquid cooling offers the absolute best thermal efficiency and noise reduction capabilities — but you'll need to make sure you have room for a radiator in your case. You can't go wrong with either option, so let your case size, budget, and overclocking needs make the decision for you.