

I have been exclusively using AIOs for years now. Generally, by the time they need maintenance, its already time for a major hardware update and rebuild anyway. That is, of course, if it is serviceable. This depends on the quality of the AIO you buy, TBH. I had a first-gen Corsair AIO start to get audible air bubbles on startup, but it’s long since been recycled.
I am sure other people have some kind of horror story about an AIO leaking or something, but in general, they don’t really need to be maintained if it actually is a sealed system.









Air, water, AIO, whatever. If it cools well, use it. I just prefer AIOs and there really isn’t any maintenance, was my main point. There are always tradeoffs between AIO, air or a proper water rig, so there is that. (Fans are crazy quiet these days, but when I made the switch, it was mainly for noise. I always run an overclock, so my fans were always hauling ass which probably isn’t needed now.)
Ultimately, I prefer AIOs for the way airflow is managed. It’s not better or worse than air in many instances, but I like working with a radiator rather than a chonky heatsink.
I cannot disagree though: zero maintenance is better than maybe-maintenance. Like I said, it’s about tradeoffs. (I can still make my PC sound like a fucking jet engine, though. Noctua server fans kick ass.)