I built this PC during Covid, and decided to try liquid cooling for the first time. From Day 1 of using the PC, I felt like my CPU temps were a bit high (80C under load).
A few days ago the AIO failed entirely, and my PC shut itself down around 30 seconds after I turned it on. I tried finding a replacement AIO due to my PC being entirely unusable without a CPU cooler, but no stores near me had a unit that fit my older motherboard. I decided to just buy a $30 CoolerMaster air cooler as a temporary fix until I could have a new AIO shipped.
After using it for a bit, there is absolutely zero reason to bother. This little $30 air cooler has my CPU at 60C under heavy load, and around 35C on the desktop. I had no idea that air coolers had gotten this good.