Building a new PC

[Fish]

Originally Posted by TambaBerry

So the AIO won't cool it even more than air? I just figured the GPU blocks like half the air flow so having a smaller heat sink on the CPU would make everything cooler

As jd said, it will cool better, but the difference will be pretty marginal overall for the considerable price difference. Maybe ~10 degrees at best in high usage situations. Mostly irrelevant while not under heavy load.

Regarding the GPU, you actually want to direct that airflow up and away from the GPU. The GPU fans assist with this. But an air CPU cooler makes that easier since it's actually moving air instead of moving liquid. AIO just cools the CPU contact point. Air cooler actually assists in moving a shit ton of hot air from both the GPU and the CPU, which is then exited from your case with your top/rear exhaust fans. The AIO creates a dead spot where you would otherwise have dual fans pushing hot air up and away. Granted AIO keeps the CPU in particular at much cooler temps, but it actually can increase your overall case temps if your case airflow is not ideal. Airflow is key.