customizable lcd display cpu cooler factory
Customize your screen! The LCD display have brand new enthusiast modes and a special Chibi Time Mode. It also supports playing your own MP4/GIF/JPG formats for even more customization.
When it comes to keeping overclocked CPU load temperatures in check, Cooler Master’s MasterLiquid ML360R RGB is the new chilling champ. As the 360 variant of our previously reviewed MasterLiquid ML240R RGB, the newly available MasterLiquid ML360R adds 33 percent more radiator surface area for even more cooling prowess. The result? It cools even better than the mighty NZXT Kraken X72.
The Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 360 features a full-cover CPU block sizable enough to fully cover Threadripper’s ample surface area, although it supports mainstream sockets like AM4 as well. There’s also a powerful, fast-flowing pump with built-in reservoir and an all-copper radiator, allowing the Eisbaer Pro Aurora 360 to morph into a custom cooling loop, one piece at a time.
Considering the cost associated with most of the CPUs and motherboards alone supported by the Eisbaer Pro Aurora, system builders in this realm of performance usually draw from a unique set of criteria, which a frequent aim for ‘the best at any price." And that, quite simply, is what the Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 360 exemplifies. Whether you intend to run it as is, or expand into a custom cooling loop, you won"t be let down by this versatile piece of cooling kit.
MSI"s MEG CoreLiquid S360 delivers top-notch cooling performance, quiet(er) cooling fans and an excellent implementation of a simple-to-use MSI Center UI and a brilliant display above your CPU to deliver system performance stats, or even your favorite photo or animated GIF. At $280, it’s definitely a premium cooler, but MSI backs up that price with some real performance clout.
The Corsair H100i RGB PRO XT takes over where the H100i Pro left off by providing enthusiast levels of thermal load management from a 240mm AIO and making use of Corsair’s iCUE software suite for RGB lighting control, fan curve configuration and pump performance settings. Paring the capability of the cooler with a set of user-friendly software tools provides a great deal of value for system builders of any technical proficiency, in real time.
The NZXT Kraken M22 is an incredibly compact, high-performance liquid cooler that delivers sleek styling and vibrant RGB lighting options, while offering support for current AMD and Intel processor sockets. Specifically, if you"re building a small home-theater PC or a compact gaming build, the Kraken M22 offers surprising cooling potential in a condensed cooling package.
Computers are some of the most flexible, powerful devices in the world, but that power can come at a cost. Running the most powerful components (or overclocking those parts) can cause them to run hot, which can lead to hardware throttling and even failure. While PC fans have been a go-to for a long time, water coolers (and other liquid coolers) are vastly more efficient.
Thankfully, you don"t have to be a professional to get a cool (pun intended) rig these days, thanks to the availability of all-in-one (AIO) liquid coolers. These cooling units are self-contained, meaning you don’t have to worry about spilling water on your expensive gaming PC components, and they are incredibly easy to install. As an added bonus, they are usually far quieter and take up less room than air cooling components (making them perfect for mini ITX cases). Read on to find our list of the best liquid CPU coolers.
This 240mm cooler comes with socket support for the latest AMD and Intel processors, including AMD’s Threadripper processors. Pulling heat away from your CPU with a copper cold plate, it pumps liquid into a 240mm radiator fitted with two Corsair ML Series 120mm fans. It runs quietly and efficiently when your CPU is running cool, and it tops out at 37dBA when running at maximum (75CFM).
Managing the AIO cooler is also simple. You can control fan and pump speeds from within Corsair’s iCUE software right on your PC, and monitor CPU temperature to make sure your settings are giving you optimal performance. If visual flair is also your thing, the pump has 16 RGB LEDs on the head, and you can manage each light with the iCUE software, too. Corsair is a well-known and respected brand, and there is a reason for that. This is a high-quality liquid cooler, which is why it gets our top spot.
If you’re looking for a powerful way to cool down your computer at an affordable price, Lian Li Galahad GA-240A is the way to do it. This AIO cooler comes in under $120 but has a sizable 240mm radiator and dual 120mm fans. Those fans generate 2.6 mmH2O of air pressure and 69.17 CFM of airflow, ensuring ample air movement throughout your PC while remaining quiet.
The fans and the water pump housing of Lian Li Galahad GA-240A feature 47 addressable RGB lights to keep your system glowing. It’s also easy to switch between the 17 different lighting effects thanks to a handy little controller. Beyond that, the kit includes thermal paste and ensures compatibility with most major CPU sockets, meaning you’ll have everything you need to get up and running.
Looking for an all-in-one liquid cooler with a 240mm radiator, wide compatibility, RGB options, and a bargain price? The DeepCool LS520 is the one for you. It has a big radiator with two fans designed for higher static pressure and a strong, concentrated airflow. And the water pump has a powerful three-phase drive motor and great coolant flow. This cooler even manages to keep everything running quietly, as the pump noise only reaches 19 dB
Beyond the DeepCool LS520’s cooling prowess, you get adjustable RGB lighting on those fans, and the water pump features an infinity mirror to make its lights really shine. Motherboard connectivity even allows you to link and sync it with your existing RGB setup. And if you’re worried about the cooler working with your CPU, it complements a variety of builds thanks to its extensive socket compatibility, including LGA1700, AM5, and sTR4.
The NZXT Kraken X53 is the successor to our longtime favorite NZXT Kraken X52 that features some major improvements to look better and cool more efficiently. (We"ve seen this cooler easily keep an Intel Core i7-9700K running at full tilt, well under 50-degrees Celsius.) It’s available in 120mm, 240mm, and 360mm.
If you need the biggest, most powerful liquid cooling unit, look no further. The Corsair iCUE H150i Elite LCD has a large, 360mm radiator to handle the hottest CPUs and the highest overclock speeds. The Corsair ML RGB Elite fans can adjust to higher or lower levels, according to the moment’s cooling needs.
As far as lighting, the fans’ RGB lighting can also be adjusted with Corsair’s iCUE software, but the unit really raises the bar with the pump’s 2.1-inch IPS LCD display. It has 8-bit color depth for millions of color options. The display can show visual effects, and even GIFs or memes, all at 30fps (and, of course, it can display handy system performance data, like your CPU temperature).
When it comes to liquid CPU coolers, there’s a good reason the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240 Illusion stands out. It pairs RGB lights with translucent material for maximum visual impact. Imagine a glow stick dancing in the middle of your PC while it’s running, and you’ll have a good idea.
Cooler Master pairs the dual-chamber radiator with two MasterFan MF120 Halo fans (also translucent), which have a total of 24 ARGB LEDs each, and you can customize your look from the included ARGB controller, so you don’t need to have motherboard RGB controls to make use of it.
The Alphacool Eisbaer Aurora offers just about everything you could want in an AIO water cooler. Its 240mm radiator provides powerful cooling, and the two 120mm Aurora Lux Pro fans are capable of 2.0 mmH2O of static pressure and 61.5 CFM of airflow. The biggest way this cooler sets itself apart is that you can open the fluid chamber and refill it, meaning it can have a longer life as part of your rig.
There’s a good amount of RGB lighting on display here as well, although it’s not as flexible as other options on this list. Both fans sport RGB light rings and the pump includes a transparent window with RGB lighting inside.
Several cooler manufacturers have displays, but NZXT’s Kraken Z63 truly stands above the rest. The display contains important information like the CPU and GPU temperatures, but you can also have it display animated GIFs and other things, letting you truly personalize your setup.
The Kraken Z63 isn’t lacking in power, either, as it comes with a powerful pair of 140mm fans and an advanced Asetek water pump. If you like the idea of having a display, but don’t need tons of RGB light flooding your system, this is the one.
The EKWaterBlocks EK-AIO 240 D-RGB cooler is primed and ready to keep the hottest, high-end gaming rig cool. It"s compatible with Intel and AMD setups, and is easy and quick to set up. The Vardar S 120mm fans on this beast can produce 2.89 mmH2O of static pressure and 66 CFM airflow to enable the 240mm radiator to handle whatever your CPU can throw at it.
This All-in-One (AIO) liquid cooler is designed with the ability to fit comfortably in most cases. Show CPU/GPU temperatures or customize with GIFs with the Kraken Z LCD display.
This All-in-One (AIO) liquid cooler is designed for full and mid-tower cases with support for 360mm radiator mounting, this AIO delivers the highest cooling potential of any NZXT Kraken.Rotatable top accommodates logo re-orientation*
CPU coolers, as the name suggests, are designed to handle a CPU"s thermal output and keep it running cool at all times. They"re critical to avoid thermal throttling and help your CPU achieve its full potential. Not having the right cooler can also be a limiting factor when it comes to overclocking the CPU. We believe picking the right CPU cooler is just as important as, say, choosing the best PC case, best SSD, or any other core component of a PC build.
Air coolers and closed-loop liquid cooling solutions will be our primary focus for this collection. We"ll top it off with a custom cooling kit for those who want to dip their toes in the liquid cooling world. Here"s a quick look at our picks for the best CPU coolers to buy:
Contrary to popular belief, buying an aftermarket CPU cooler isn"t a necessity -- unless your CPU manufacturer didn"t include one in the box of course. For most people, the best CPU cooler might just be the stock cooler included in the box. Perhaps use the money for other peripherals like monitors, keyboards, webcam, etc.
It"s important to check for space before buying air coolers. Some of the coolers included in our collection demand a lot of space and clearance in your motherboard and PC case. Make sure your case is ready for your purchase.
Air coolers will be ineffective without proper airflow inside your PC case. Make sure it has enough vents and fans to move air in and out of the enclosure.
While AMD has confirmed that you can use the same CPU coolers with its upcoming AM5 platform, Intel"s 12th and 13th Gen processors will require a different mount to 11th Gen and earlier. Many cooler manufacturers offer a bracket either in the box or available separately to help you make the transition.
It"s no secret that Noctua makes some of the most sought-after air coolers on the market. Their flagship product NH-D15 is our pick for the best air cooler you can buy for your CPU. It"s the successor to Noctua"s award-winning D14, and there"s a lot to like about this beast of a cooler. Even without any RGB lights or flashy colors, the Noctua NH-D15 would still be the most striking component of your PC due to its sheer size. This massive cooler has six heat pipes attached to the heatsinks. The cooler"s dual tower design allows it to have two 140mm fans in between for optimum airflow.
The NH-D15 has a wide 150mm fin stack and there"s enough space between the heat pipes to allow uniform heat distribution. The cooler also comes with two NF-A15 140mm fans for both heatsinks. These fans support PWM for convenient automatic speed control and Low-Noise Adaptors (L.N.A.) for quiet operation. In addition to moving air from the heatsink, these massive fans also provide good airflow over surrounding components.
It"s recommended that you pair this CPU cooler with a good-quality airflow case for the best results. Not having optimum airflow will prevent the hot air to escape the enclosure. This is true for all air coolers since there are no tubes, coolant, or radiators involved to move the heat away from the CPU. The Noctua NH-D15 supports a variety of sockets ranging from Intel LGA1200, LGA115x, LGA2011, LGA2066, and AMD AM4, AM3(+), AM2(+), FM1, FM2(+). The cooler also comes with thermal paste for installation.
What"s impressive about the Noctua NH-D15 CPU cooler is it runs quiet even when the CPU is under load. Its massive size makes it look like it"ll make a lot of noise handling high temperatures, but that"s simply not the case. In fact, we think it"s one of the best air coolers if you want something that makes less noise. Most other air coolers tend to make a lot of noise with the fans rotating at high speeds under load. If you aren"t a fan of liquid cooling or don"t have enough radiator mounts in your PC case, then the Noctua NH-D15 is the way to go.
Noctua also makes an all-black version of this air cooler called the "NH-D15 chromax.black". It"s perfect to cool the CPU in an all-black build to maintain the aesthetics. The only drawback of this case is that it demands a lot of space inside your case. As a result, the RAM clearance takes a hit and you"ll be forced to use the standard low-profile DIMMs. Noctua addressed that with a different version of the CPU cooler called the NH-D15S. It has an asymmetrical layout with only a single fan and it offers more clearance for RAM (up to 65mm). It"s also good for LGA20xx in which the RAM slots are distributed on both sides of the socket.
Our second pick for the best CPU air cooler is a budget option for those who don’t want to spend close to $100 on the Noctua NH-D15. The Cooler Master Hype 212 Black Edition is a $35 CPU cooler that trades blows with some of the best coolers out there. Cooler Master’s Hyper 212 cooler has been around for well over a decade now. These coolers have been a part of recommended lists for many years and yet Cooler Master somehow manages to update them in a meaningful way to keep them relevant. The Hyper 212 Black Edition brings all the expertise from some of the older coolers in the form of a stealthy black-colored variant.
The Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition cooler features four direct contact heat pipes, an aluminum heatsink, and a 120mm high airflow fan. It has a fairly straightforward design to efficiently carry the heat from the CPU IHS. The included PWM fan has a maximum RPM of 2,000. Cooler Master says it has 42CFM airflow and makes up to 26 dBA noise under heavy load at max RPM. It’s a simple air cooler that supports a variety of sockets including LGA2066, LGA2011-v3, LGA2011, LGA1200, LGA115x, LGA1366, AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2+, FM2, and FM1. As you can see, it"s made to be used with a wide variety of CPUs on the market.
The Hyper 212 Black Edition may not the most powerful CPU cooler out there. However, it’s proven to be better than the stock CPU coolers which is why we recommend it as a good entry point for most people. Even AMD users rocking a stock Wraith cooler can upgrade to this for better cooling. One of the best things about the Hyper 212 Black Edition cooler is its size. It’s not a massive unit with a huge heatsink and a bunch of fans. The simple design also makes it very easy to install on the motherboard. You don"t have to be a professional PC builder or an enthusiast to install this cooler. The Hyper 212 is also compact enough to keep its distance from other components like RAM.
We think the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition is a fantastic air cooler for anybody who’s looking to ditch the stock CPU cooler. It may not be enough for a high-performance unlocked CPU running at upwards of 5.0GHz at all times, but it’s a solid option for users with a basic budget build. There’s also a variant with RGB lights if you want a touch of RGB in your build. In fact, Cooler Master has a few variants of the Hyper 212 with subtle differences in design. It’s the most affordable cooler in our collection, and we’re yet to find a worthy replacement for it.
If you prefer an AIO liquid cooler over an air cooler, then we recommend the Cooler Master"s new MasterLiquid ML360 Illusion. It"s our pick for the best closed-loop liquid cooler on the market right now. It offers excellent cooling performance, making it a reliable cooler to tame the high-performance unlocked processors. Be it the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X or an Intel Core i9-11900K, this should do the trick. It features a large 360mm radiator which allows for an even distribution of the coolant inside the tank. It also looks fantastic thanks to the translucent water chamber dome and three MF120R ARGB fans. This is one of the new few AIOs on the market with a translucent water block.
We hope your PC case has decent radiator mounting space because this liquid cooler comes with a 360mm radiator (hence the name ML360). Even though the cooler is bundled with 3 aRGB fans, you can use any 120mm fans for the radiator. The PWM fans included with the cooler have a maximum RPM of 1,800. The Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Illusion uses a dual-chamber pump. It helps to keep both the temperatures as well the noise levels low. The cooler supports LGA2066, LGA2011-v3, LGA2011, LGA1200, LGA115x, AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2+, FM2, and FM1 sockets. This can also be used with the upcoming AM5 platforms and we believe the company will also have adapters to support Alder Lake CPUs.
The MasterLiquid ML360 Illusion is a tried-and-tested AIO with consistent cooling performance. It"s one of the top-performing CPU coolers on the market right now and it goes head-to-head with other AIOs like the NZXT Kraken X72 and the Corsair H150i Pro. Cooler Master also has another variant called the MasterLiquid ML240 with a smaller 240mm radiator. We recommend opting for that if your PC case doesn"t have space for mounting a large 360mm one. In fact, the smaller 240mm variant is perfect for mini-ITX builds with limited space. You can also buy a compact version of the cooler with just a 120mm radiator, however, that"s not going to be enough to cool high-performance CPUs.
The ML360 is also bundled with an addressable Gen 2 RGB controller that works with Cooler Master"s MasterPlus+ software to help you customize the lights. However, it involves fiddling with a lot of cables, making it difficult to work with compared to other coolers. While the MasterLiquid ML360 Illusion isn"t the most affordable CPU cooler on the market, we think it"s perfect for power users, gamers, and overclocking enthusiasts looking to push the limits of their CPUs. The MasterLiquid ML240, as we mentioned earlier, is also a solid option if you don"t mind working with a smaller radiator. Corsair also has some quality AIO coolers on offer, however, they"re slightly more expensive than other options in this collection.
NZXT"s catalog of AIO liquid coolers includes a bunch of options in the form of the Kraken Z, Kraken X, and Kraken M series. While the Kraken Z series coolers are the most popular ones, we"ve picked the Kraken X53 AIO as the second-best liquid CPU cooler you can currently buy. This isn"t as expensive as the Kraken Z series coolers, and it only lacks the display on the water block. The cooling performance should more or less be similar to NZXT"s other 240mm AIOs. This AIO comes with a 240mm radiator coupled with two 120mm Aer P fans to blow the heat out of the case.
The water block is made out of copper and plastic, and it features a rotatable top to re-orient the logo. The rubber tubes are covered with nylon mesh sleeves to protect the component from any accidental leaks. It"s compatible with LGA1200, LGA115x, LGA1366, LGA2011, LGA2011-3, LGA2066, AM4, AM3, sTRX4, and TR4. The Kraken X53 can be used with almost all the relatively newer CPUs on the market, but we don"t recommend using it if you plan on overclocking your CPU. The 240mm radiator isn"t going to be enough to control the thermal output of high-performance CPUs, especially the overclocked ones.
The water block is the only component of the Kraken X53 with RGB lights. The included fans don"t have RGB, but you can use any 120mm fans with the radiator. NZXT itself has a bunch of RGB fans that are compatible with this AIO cooler. The Kraken x53 syncs with the NZXT CAM software to let you control the RGB lights. A fully decked-out NZXT build with, say, an NZXT case, fans, etc. will work well together and they can be controlled easily via the CAM software. NZXT users have mixed opinions about the CAM software, but it"s a fairly easy-to-use software and most importantly, it gets the job done.
The Kraken X53 is NZXT"s most affordable X-series AIO, but it delivers reliable performance. Just to reiterate, we don"t recommend this AIO for cooling a high-performance unlocked processor like the Core i9-11900K, though. This 240mm AIO should be enough to handle the thermal output of, say, Intel"s Core i5 or the Ryzen 5600X CPU. It"s safe to say that this AIO should be able to handle just about low to mid-tier CPUs on the market right now.
NZXT also has other AIO liquid coolers under the Z-series. These coolers have an LCD display on the water block that can be customized to show many things including the CPU temperature. The Kraken Z73 is also a great cooler, albeit a bit expensive. NZXT coolers are best paired with the company"s own PC cases to maintain the overall aesthetics of the build, but they can be installed on pretty much any case with enough for the radiator. NZXT hasn"t launched any new CPU coolers in a while, so you might want to wait and see if they come up with something new just in time for the holiday season.
Intel"s new 12th-gen Alder Lake CPUs are now available to purchase. The new 12th-gen chips drop in an updated LGA1700 CPU socket, which is physically a different socket. You can check out our LGA1700 CPU cooler guide to learn more about the socket in detail. While all the CPU coolers mentioned in this collection are now bundled with a compatible LGA1700 mounting bracket, we wanted to add an AIO liquid cooler we recently tested. After spending an extended period of time testing the Gigabyte Aorus Waterforce X360 CPU cooler for its review, it"s safe to say that it"s one of the best options to consider if you"re looking to buy the new unlocked Alder Lake chips.
We tested the Gigabyte Aorus Waterforce X360 with both the Core i5-12600K and the Core i9-12900K CPUs. The Core i9-12900K is one of the most powerful CPUs out there with an impressive performance and corresponding thermal output. While testing, we were able to notice that the Gigabyte Aorus Waterforce X360 managed to keep the thermal output of this particular CPU in check. We were able to record core temperatures as low as 25°C at idle conditions. While gaming, we ended up logging an avg core temperature of about 45°C. Even under heavy load, the Gigabyte Aorus Waterforce X360 managed to keep the temperatures under acceptable limits.
One thing that"s worth pointing out about this particular cooler is that it can get very loud if you to its limits. We were able to record noise levels of up to 50 dBA under load, which as you probably already know, is one on the higher side. Your mileage may vary but it"s definitely something to make a note of. As we mentioned in the specs sheet, the Gigabyte Aorus Waterforce X360 AIO comes with three 120mm ARGB fans, so you don"t have to separate units unlike a lot of other coolers on the market.
In terms of design, the Gigabyte Aorus Waterforce X360 sports a 60mm LCD panel on the water block. The cooler also lets you add a microSD card using which you can play custom videos and pictures on the LCD using the RGB Fusion 2.0 software. There"s a copper base plate at the bottom of the water block along with a pair of rotating 90° fittings to which the coolant tubes are connected to the pump.
Overall, we think the Gigabyte Aorus Waterforce X360 checks all the right boxes to become one of the best high-performance coolers on the market. It gets an easy recommendation from us if you"re looking for a reliable high-end AIO cooler to tame powerful chips like the 12900K. The Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Illusion is also a great alternative to consider. It costs almost the same as the Gigabyte Aorus Waterforce X360 and supports the LGA1700 socket, so be sure to check it out. We also encourage you to check out our Gigabyte Aorus Waterforce X360 review to learn more about it in detail.
The Aorus Waterforce X360 AIO cooler checks all the right boxes to score some good numbers in our test to become one of the best coolers around for Alder Lake CPUs.
A high-end CPU requires some sort of a powerful cooling solution involving either fans or a liquid cooling loop that make a lot of noise. But Noctua wants to remove the noise from that equation with its NH-P1 passive CPU cooler. A passive cooler, in case you don"t know, solely relies on the heatsink to move heat away from the CPU IHS. The lack of fans or a liquid cooling loop makes it completely silent. Passive CPU coolers have been around for quite some time, however, the older ones were extremely limited when it comes to their cooling capability.
But unlike the older passive cooling solutions that"d force you to use an underpowered processor or limited clock speeds, Noctua"s passive cooler is good enough to cool an Intel Core i9-11900K. Passively cooling your CPU is not for everyone though. Noctua has a set of setup guidelines and a CPU compatibility list to help you prepare a build involving the cooler. The company also has a list of recommended cases for you to choose from. The cooler is compatible with all modern CPU sockets and it also has 100 percent RAM clearance on LGA1200 and AM4. This makes it even better than the NH-D15 in terms of RAM clearance.
Passively cooling an Intel Core i9-11900K sounds like a fantastic idea, but it"s not something we recommend. The i9-11900K might fall below base clock under continuous full load and there"s a good chance that you might not be able to take full advantage of the turbo boost speeds too. That being said, the NH-P1 can be paired with a mid-tier CPU for the best results. CPUs like the Ryzen 5 5600X should work just fine with this cooler.
You should also be prepared to give up a whole lot of space in your chassis to use this cooler. It"s an absolute unit at 1.2Kg. Not to mention, you"ll also need a case with decent airflow. Having mesh panels and lots of ventilation is a must to passively cool your PC without any fans. We recommend using Noctua"s NF-A12x25 LS-PWM fans with this cooler, though. You can set these fans to come to a dead stop at 0 percent PWM, giving you complete control over when the fans are active.
Overall, the Noctua NH-P1 is an impressive CPU cooler. It achieves what most powerful CPU coolers struggle to do even with a set of aggressive fans spinning at high RPMs. It"s the kind of sophisticated components enthusiasts love to work with, and it"s a worthy addition to this collection.
The Noctua NH-L9i is officially one of the oldest products to have made it to one of our collections. Much like Cooler Master"s Hyper 212, this cooler has been around for many years and Noctua has done a fantastic job of keeping it relevant to date. The company found a niche in the market and they"ve been serving it for many years with this quality product. The NH-L9i is a tiny 1.46-inch air cooler designed for mini-ITX enclosures. This specific cooler only supports Intel-based platforms, but Noctua also makes one for AMD systems.
There are two U-shaped pipes to draw heat away from the CPU to be dissipated via the heatsink. The fan takes over there to throw the heat away from the CPU. The included low-profile fan with the cooler is among the quietest in the business. The cooler dimensions are small enough to fit on most motherboards without causing any clearance issues too. It comes pre-installed with mounting brackets and the CPU contact surface is nickel-plated, typical for a Noctua cooler.
Just like many other Noctua coolers, we love the NH-L9i for its build quality. The company also throws in some thoughtful extras with the NH-L9i cooler like the rubber inlays for the included fans and a cable to control its RPM. You can also ditch the stock fan to install a thicker one by means of spare screws that also come bundled.
The Noctua NH-L9i is not meant to cool a high-end CPU. It"s a low profile and we recommend using this cooler in low to mid-tier builds. It"s a solid entry point for most people who are looking to replace their stock CPU coolers for the first time. Given its dimensions, this cooler won"t stick out like a sore thumb inside your cabinet. This is perfect for those who complain about CPU coolers taking a centre stage inside PC cases these days. It"s just as small as some of the stock coolers you get with most CPUs. It"s good for small form factor PCs (Cube PC cases) and mini-ITX builds. That"s assuming you"re not going for a high-end build in an ITX form factor, in which case you should be looking at AIO coolers.
The Cooler Master Hyper 212 may seem like a better cooler for the price, but the Nocta NH-L9i is targeted at enthusiasts interested in small-form-factor PCs. The Hyper 212 budget cooler is more suitable for a mid-tower build. We recommend the Noctua NH-L9i for its low-profile design, impressive build quality, easy installation process, and reliable cooling. Don"t forget to pick up the right variant to go with the CPU socket.
The Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML120R RGB is essentially a compact version of the MasterLiquid ML360 Illusion we mentioned earlier as the best liquid cooler. So it"s hardly a surprise that we added the smaller, more compact version of the cooler to the collection too. Besides the smaller radiator size and the lack of a translucent water block, the MasterLiquid ML120R RGB is identical to the standard cooler. However, it"s not ideal to control the thermal output of high-performance CPUs on the market.
It supports all modern CPU sockets including Intel"s LGA 2066, 2011-v3, 2011,1151, 1150, 1155, 1156, 1366, 775, and AMD"s AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2+, FM2, and FM1. You"ll also be able to use it with AM5 platforms and we believe Cooler Master will also provide adapters for the upcoming Intel Alder Lake CPUs. You get two 120mm fans with a maximum of 30 dbA noise and 66.7 CFM airflow. The pump features a copper cooling plate seen on many other Cooler Master AIOs.
Despite the smaller form factor, the ML120 cooler is full of RGB lighting. One of the best things about this cooler is that it comes with aRGB (addressable) technology. Both the fans as well as the water block feature aRGB lights and they can be easily controlled using the bundled RGB controller. Yes, you also get an RGB controller with this cooler which is quite impressive for the price.
The included RGB controller is powered using a SATA connection and it features additional ports to allow users to add more RGB lighting to the case. You can also avoid using the controller entirely and customize the lights using the motherboard software. Alternatively, the cooler can also be connected to an existing RGB controller.
The MasterLiquid ML120RS RGB is a compact cooler best suited for builds with a limited amount of space. This particular cooler works best with mini-ITX enclosures with limited radiator mounting options. It"s relatively easier to make space for a 120mm radiator than struggling to mount a full-length 360mm radiator. As mentioned earlier, the ML120R RGB is not meant to be used with high-performance CPUs. The smaller 120mm radiator might not be enough to efficiently cool something like a stock Ryzen 5950X or an i9-11900K, let alone overclocked. It"s good for entry-level to mid-range CPUs.
At $109, the MasterLiquid 120R is not the most affordable compact liquid cooler on the market, but it"s a reliable option that borrows a lot of great features from the bigger cooler. If you don"t mind giving up on some of the RGB lights, there"s also the MasterLiquid 120L for $64. However, this one only comes with a single SickleFlow 120mm fan as opposed to two 120mm units.
The Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML120R RGB is one of the best compact AIOs you can buy for your small form factor builds. This is suitable for cooling a low to mid-tier CPU.
Unlike other coolers in our collection, the Alphacool Eissturn Hurricane Copper 45 will take some effort to install. The process involves figuring out how to route the tubes for passing the coolant. It"s not as straightforward as closed-loop AIO coolers. As an open-loop cooling solution, you can add more components to the loop including the GPU and the SSD, but you"ll need respective water blocks for those components and more tubes to pass the coolant to. The included Eisblock XPX for CPU supports a variety of sockets including Intel"s LGA 2066, 2011x, 1366, 115x, 775, and AMD"s AM4, AM3(+), AM2(+), FM1, FM2(+), and TR4. These kinds of kits are usually updated to support newer CPU sockets too, so you can rely on the manufacturer to provide adapters for upcoming CPUs.
The Eisblock XPX features a nickel-plated copper base polished to a mirror finish. It has grooves at the bottom, allowing the metal mounting brackets to maintain even pressure on the CPU. Just remember to apply the thermal compound before installing the water block. The kit also includes the VPP755 pump, which you"ll be pairing with the 250mm acrylic reservoir to make a safe space for the coolant.
The Alphacool Eissturm Hurricane Copper 45 is an ideal solution for enthusiasts looking for a high-quality water cooling kit in a single box. There"s always an option to shop for individual parts to build a more customized cooling solution. However, a single-box kit like this will save you a ton of time searching for reliable and compatible options. At $380, this is the most expensive cooling solution in this collection, but it"s also more than just a CPU cooler.
That concludes our list of the best CPU coolers you can buy for your PC build. It includes some of the best coolers on market for high-end rigs, small form factor builds, and everything in between. The Noctua NH-D15 is a fantastic air cooler capable of cooling even the most powerful CPUs, and it"s our pick for the best air cooler you can buy. Our second-best option, the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition is also an excellent air cooler for those who want a relatively smaller solution for a mid-tier build.
All-in-one liquid coolers, on the other hand, have their own advantages over air coolers and we think the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Illusion is the one to go for. It"s our pick for the best AIO liquid cooler on the market for its excellent cooling performance, stunning design, ARGB lights. The NZXT Kraken X53 is another high-quality AIO that"ll save you some money for the other core components of your build. Lastly, for those who want the absolute best cooling experience for low temperatures with silent operation, we recommend buying an open-loop cooling kit like the Alphacool Eissturm Hurricane Copper 45.
As we mentioned earlier, most CPUs are bundled with a stock cooler, and many of them are enough to keep your CPU ticking for a long time. Buying an aftermarket cooler isn"t necessary, but they tend to have advantages like silent operation, and better aesthetics among other things. With excellent aftermarket coolers like the Hyper 212 starting at $35, it also doesn"t hurt to spend more and keep your CPU buzzing. Remember, it"s not always necessary to go all-out when it comes to PC building. It"s a long process that can be tackled by focusing on one component at a time.
The CORSAIR iCUE H170i ELITE LCD Display Liquid CPU Coolerdelivers powerful, customized cooling for the most ambitious PC builds, with a personalized LCD screen and three cutting-edge CORSAIR ML140 RGB ELITE PWM fans.
• The best performing coolers from one of the biggest names in cooling, ELITE LCD all-in-one liquid CPU coolers offer a unique window into both your PC’s performance and your own style and personality.
• Each Elite LCD Cooler comes with an iCUE COMMANDER CORE that can control lighting and fan speeds of not only the included fans, but up to a total of six. Turn any case into a smart case.
• All-new CORSAIR ML RGB ELITE magnetic levitation fans with eight RGB LEDs per fan and AirGuide technology channel airflow for extreme CPU cooling performance.
Don’t underestimate the best CPU cooler when you’re putting together or upgrading your PC. Whether you’re multitasking, editing videos, or playing the latest AAA titles, your computer and all its components need to stay cool. And, that requires a robust cooling solution such as these coolers.
If there’s too much heat, you might experience performance issues such as thermal throttling and performance slowdowns. And, more worryingly, if things get too hot, your components could fail or, in the worst-case scenario, catch fire. So, instead of going with the cheapest or easiest option, it’s critical for the life of your PC and its precious components to stay cool. That means getting a quality CPU cooler to keep temperatures under control no matter how much work your computer is doing. And, if you want to spice up your set up a little, you"ll find some that come with RGB lighting.
So, don’t skimp on this part of your system, whether you’re upgrading or building a PC. Your computer will thank you by investing in a proper cooling solution. And, take a look at our guide on how to install a CPU cooler after you’ve bought that perfect CPU cooler for your system.
The Noctua NH-D15 is one of the best CPU coolers you can buy in 2019 simply because it performs just as well as – if not better – than some liquid coolers, while costing a fraction of the price. You might not be too familiar with Noctua’s name, as they’re relatively small in the CPU cooler world, but its business is revolves around designing coolers, so you know that when you buy one of their products, you’re getting a product by people who really know their craft. On top of delivering a fantastic cooling performance, the NH-D15 is nearly silent as well.
The Corsair H100i Elite is a smaller form factor AIO cooler than its beefier H115i Elite Capellix cousin, but it"s more than capable of keeping the best processors on the market running nice and cool under load. Compatible with both LGA 1700 and AM5 sockets, this cooler is ready for the next generation of desktop processors and offers enough cooling power to handle just about anything Intel and AMD can throw at it.
Powered by Intel’s Cryo Cooling Technology, the MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero from Cooler Master allows increased performance for Intel’s high-TDP chips by letting them reach higher frequencies at lower voltages. This liquid cooler boasts a 360mm radiator and fans that are able to spin at low rpm while delivering a high air pressure to air flow ratio. Whether you’re a hardcore gamer who loves to overclock or a content creator with demanding processing needs, this is the best CPU cooler for you.
When it comes to cooling your CPU, there are a lot of factors at play when determining what the most effective CPU cooler for your chip and for your case will be. If you just care about keeping your temperatures down, and you don"t really care about how much it will cost, something like the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero will be super effective.
On the other hand, there are plenty of air coolers out there like the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo that can keep your CPU cool without costing an arm or a leg, and it"s even pretty easy to install.
CPUs generate a ton of heat, and so every single CPU out there is going to need a cooler. There will be some that will simply come with one and that"ll be fine for low-to-mid range parts, but when you start going for more expensive parts (or anything by Intel) you"re going to have to buy one of the best CPU coolers.
If you want something that"s going to rival the cooling of a custom water cooling loop out of an all-in-one liquid CPU cooler, you"re going to have to shell out for something with a 280mm or 360mm radiator. But for a lot of people that"s going to be a bit overkill, and you might not even have space for it in your machine.
You also run into longevity issues. Custom loops are great because you can keep them maintained, but most AIO loops are something that you"ll buy and use until it burns out, and then you"ll have to replace the whole thing. An air-based CPU cooler like the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo or the Noctua NH-D15 will keep your CPU just as cool as a 120mm or even some 240mm liquid coolers, and we have never had to replace one.Round up of today"s best deals
The CORSAIR iCUE H170i ELITE LCD Display Liquid CPU Cooler delivers powerful, customized cooling for the most ambitious PC builds, with a personalized LCD screen and three cutting-edge CORSAIR ML140 RGB ELITE PWM fans.
- The best performing coolers from one of the biggest names in cooling, ELITE LCD all-in-one liquid CPU coolers offer a unique window into both your PC’s performance and your own style and personality.
- Showcase your favorite animated GIF, funniest meme, your team´s logo, or anything you like on a custom 2.1´´ IPS LCD screen with 480x480 resolution and ultra-bright 600cd/m² backlight.
- Each Elite LCD Cooler comes with an iCUE COMMANDER CORE that can control lighting and fan speeds of not only the included fans, but up to a total of six. Turn any case into a smart case.
- All-new CORSAIR ML RGB ELITE magnetic levitation fans with eight RGB LEDs per fan and AirGuide technology channel airflow for extreme CPU cooling performance.
- Each ELITE LCD cooler comes complete with all the mounting hardware you need for modern platforms, including AMD AM4 and Intel LGA 1200 and LGA 1700, and installs in just minutes.
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