Which component is primarily responsible for cooling the liquid in a liquid cooling system?

The primary component responsible for cooling the liquid in a liquid cooling system is the radiator. In a liquid cooling setup, the radiator serves as the heat exchanger. It dissipates the heat absorbed by the liquid as it circulates through the system. The heated liquid from the water block, which absorbs heat from the CPU or GPU, is pumped into the radiator. As the liquid passes through the radiator, it comes into contact with the ambient air or airflow generated by cooling fans, allowing the heat to transfer from the liquid to the air, thereby lowering the temperature of the liquid before it returns to the water block.

Other components like the water block are crucial in absorbing heat from the CPU and transferring it to the liquid, while the cooling fan helps enhance the air movement across the radiator to improve heat dissipation. The liquid reservoir holds the coolant and allows for expansion and maintenance but does not directly cool the liquid. Each component has its role, but the radiator is specifically designed to facilitate the cooling process effectively.