This often proves to be a limit to overclocking potential, especially with heavy workloads. It can also make a big difference in terms of computer noise.
Reasons why purchasing a heat sink that can better manage the heat generated by the CPU, both at standard frequencies and in OC, is fundamental to avoid bottlenecks and prevent our system from unleashing its true potential.
Finding the right cooler for your needs will depend on the best processor you have purchased, your budget, and your overclocking needs. If you have little money.
Otherwise, you can treat yourself to a high-end liquid cooler by bringing your cooling performance to a high level. Here we will be listing the top 7 cpu coolers.
- [Brand Overview] Thermalright is a Taiwan brand with more than 20 years of development. It has a certain popularity in the...
- [Product specification] Thermalright PA120 SE; CPU Cooler dimensions: 125(L)x135(W)x155(H)mm (4.92x5.31x6.1 inch); heat sink...
- 【2 PWM Fans】TL-C12C; Standard size PWM fan:120x120x25mm (4.72x4.72x0.98 inches); fan speed (RPM):1550rpm±10%; power port:...
- 【AGHP technique】6×6mm heat pipes apply AGHP technique, Solve the Inverse gravity effect caused by vertical / horizontal...
- 【Compatibility】The CPU cooler Socket supports: Intel:115X/1200/1700/17XX AMD:AM4;AM5; For different CPU socket platforms,...
- Modular, tool-free mounting bracket for quick and simple installation on the latest Intel and AMD motherboard sockets including...
- Easy operation thanks to 5V ARGB motherboard lighting control, or connect to an RGB lighting controller for lighting compatibility...
- Enable advanced control with CORSAIR iCUE software for system monitoring and synchronized lighting with your iCUE ecosystem...
- Cooled by a 240mm radiator and two 120mm CORSAIR SP RGB ELITE Series AirGuide fans, delivering powerful PWM-controlled airflow...
- Equipped with a thermally optimized copper cold plate with pre-applied thermal compound and low-noise pump design for...
- POWERFUL COOLING: Offers a robust 150W TDP cooling efficiency facilitated by 4 high-performance 6mm heat pipes with HDT...
- SILENT OPERATION: Equipped with a Pure Wings 2 120mm PWM fan, ensuring a quiet performance with a maximum noise level of just 26.8...
- EASY INSTALLATION: Comes with a user-friendly installation kit that allows mounting directly from the top of the mainboard.
- WARRANTY: Supported by a reliable 3-year manufacturer’s warranty.
- German Design I German Engineering I German Quality I German Performance
- [Brand Overview] Thermalright is a Taiwan brand with more than 20 years of development. It has a certain popularity in the...
- [Product specification]AX120R SE; CPU Cooler dimensions: 125(L)x71(W)x148(H)mm (4.92x2.8x 5.83 inch); Product...
- 【PWM Fans】TL-C12C; Standard size PWM fan:120x120x25mm (4.72x4.72x0.98 inches); fan speed (RPM):1550rpm±10%; power port: 4pin;...
- 【AGHP technique】4×6mm heat pipes apply AGHP technique, Solve the Inverse gravity effect caused by vertical / horizontal...
- 【Compatibility】The CPU cooler Socket supports: Intel:1150/1151/1155/1156/1200/1700/17XX,AMD:AM4 /AM5; For different CPU socket...
- RGB Lighting Sync: The RGB of the cooler can sync with the motherboard via a 5V 4-Pin port, customize lights your builds and...
- PWM Smart Control: 4-Pin PWM cable allows for dynamic speed adjustment between 800-1800 RPM, min noise or max airflow
- Better Thermal Conductivity: 6 direct access heat pipes, high-density aluminum fins, and a larger copper base provide great...
- Low Noise Operation: Nine fan blades and eight vibration rubber pads provide a better silent experience and great airflow for the...
- AMD/Intel Compatibility: Works with Intel LGA1700/1200/2066/2011-v3/2011/1156/1156/1155/1151/1150/1366 and AMD AM4/AM3+/AM3 AM3...
- Dark Rock Pro 5 features 7 high-performance copper heat pipes and a special black coating with ceramic particles. This high-end...
- The 2 Silent Wings PWM fans feature advanced fluid-dynamic bearings, smooth 6-pole motors and airflow-optimized fan blades. The...
- A Speed Switch allows you to choose between Quiet and Performance Modes, which control the maximum fan speed. Quiet Mode provides...
- Thanks to a clever design, installation simple and elegant. The detachable mesh top cover with integrated middle fan is inserted...
- Dark Rock coolers have been renowned for their distinctive design for many years. Dark Rock Pro 5 continues this iconic design and...
- 【Better Heat Dissipation】The AIO CPU water cooler equipped with a 240mm radiator and two 120mm PWM fans to make sure excellent...
- 【White LED Lighting】Classic white LED lighting on the pump to match your PC build.
- 【PWM Fans】The 120mm PWM fan delivers improved airflow for extreme CPU cooling performance.
- 【Compatibility】Compatible with multi sockets like Intel LGA1700/1200/1151/1150/1155/1156 & AMD AM5/AM4
Best Cpu Coolers Buying Guide
What Is a Cpu Cooler?
Too much heat would damage your CP. Of course, more powerful coolers are needed for more powerful computers. If you’re looking for better overall performance, a good CPU cooler is a necessary investment.
People often focus on their CPU and GPU, without considering anything else. If you want to build a system that can handle all the best newer and bigger PC games, then you need to make sure that the CPU and GPU remain cool during operation over long periods.
That’s why you need to have a CPU cooler that can effectively cool your PC.
Liquid Cooling
Liquid CPU coolers offer better performance, are much quieter, and look cool. Experienced users and overclockers prefer the additional heat reduction offered by liquid cooling.
And although many gamers don’t want the hassle of installing a usable configuration, many of the best CPU liquid coolers are easy enough to integrate with standard builds. Computer-generated energy is channeled into the water or cooling agent.
Where it is processed and cooled. This process continues as microchips and parts of the PC continue to generate electricity.
If you are still not sure what you want in particular, keep reading this guide, designed to help you identify the heatsink that’s right for you based on the type of processor and the work you intend to do with your PC.
Let’s start immediately with the most critical question: what should your PC do? Are you a fan of overclocking and extreme frequencies, or do you prefer a silent PC? Minimalist design or an avalanche of RGB LEDs?
Today on the market, there are solutions of all types, shapes, and sizes. Still, we can enclose them in three categories: air coolers, all-in-one liquid coolers (AIO, also called closed-loop), and finally customized liquid systems (custom open -loop).
The “air” solutions of various sizes, can combine a metal radiator (heatsink) and fans (ie, an active system) for better cooling, or have only the heater for maximum silence (passive mode), and vary according to shape, size and obviously for heat dissipation capacity (usually referred to as TDP). The high-end air coolers on the market today can cope with various AIO liquid solutions of the past years.
AIO (or closed-loop, closed-loop) liquid heatsinks can be (but not always because of the fans connected to the radiators) quieter than the air proposals, and also do not require cutting and adapting the pipes, in addition to any maintenance – including maintaining the coolant level.
Over the years, they have become increasingly resistant to leaks and are extremely simple to install. At the same time, however, they require a space dedicated to the radiator, which could translate into the need for a more significant case than other solutions.
How Do I Know What Manages to Get Into My Case?
Whether you choose an air solution, an AIO, or a custom loop, it is essential to check that it is not too large. Many limitations are given by the socket and the size of the case.
Which may not support the height of the heat sink of an air cooler or the size of the radiator of an AIO. Most air coolers and AIOs, however, recommend a large number of Intel and AMD sockets.
Usually, these products include some adapters that expand their compatibility to most sockets. In the case of Intel, the most popular models support the 115x, 2066, 2011/2011-v3 devices and in the AMD one, we speak of AM2 / AM2 +, AM3, AM3 +, AM4.
Particular mention must be made for the thread rippers, which are considerably larger, which have a clamping system and a larger plate to dissipate better the heat generated.
The support for this series of processors is limited to dedicated dissipation systems that bear the specific abbreviation of the socket (the TR4) in the description, such as the Noctua NH-U12S TR4-SP3.
What Type of Heatsink Best Suits My Needs: Air or Liquid?
If price and ease of installation are priorities, then an air cooler is probably the best solution. For example, for around 40 euros, the Cooler Master Hyper 212 RGB offers better performance than a bundled heatsink.
Alternatively, a little more, if you don’t care about lighting, for about 70 euros, you can take a Be quiet home! Dark Rock 4 ranks among the best on the market for performance.
If instead, you prefer a quieter PC with lower CPU temperatures also checkout best room coolers, then a liquid solution could be for you. Simply spend more.
For example, a high-end AIO with a 280 or 360 mm radiator (as can be the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R RGB ) will exceed – although sometimes not much – the price of almost all air coolers on the market.
However, there is always to be considered that, unless you have a suitably sized case, a radiator of this site may not respect the supported sizes.
