To cool the processor, a cooler is used, which consists of a radiator and a fan.
Different processors have different mounts for coolers and have different thermal dissipation (TDP). As for heat dissipation, the more powerful the processor, the larger the cooler should be.
For the cheapest 2-core processors (Celeron, A4, A6), any simple cooler with an aluminum radiator and an 80-90 mm fan will be enough. The larger the fan and radiator size, the better the cooling. The lower the fan speed, the less noise. Some of these couriers are not suitable for all processors, so check the supported sockets in the description. For example, Deepcool GAMMA ARCHER is suitable for almost all sockets except AM4.
CPU cooler Deepcool GAMMA ARCHER
Most coolers for more powerful processors are universal and have a set of mounts for all modern processors. DeepCool and Zalman coolers have an optimal price/quality ratio, and I will recommend them first.
Please note that not all coolers can be equipped with a mount for the AM4 socket, and sometimes it can be purchased separately; check this point with the seller.
For 2-core Intel processors (Pentium, Core-i3) and 4-core AMD processors (A8, A10, Ryzen 3), a small cooler with 2-3 heat pipes and a 90-120 mm fan, such as Deepcool GAMMAXX 200T (for TDP 65) is enough W).
CPU cooler Deepcool GAMMAXX 200T
Or Deepcool GAMMAXX 300 (for TDP 95 W).
CPU cooler Deepcool GAMMAXX 300
For more powerful 4-core Intel (Core i3,i5) and AMD (FX-4,6,8, Ryzen 5) you need a cooler with 4-5 heat pipes and a 120 mm fan. And the minimum option here would be Deepcool GAMMAXX 400 (4 handsets) or slightly better Zalman from the CNPS10X series (4-5 handsets) for more powerful processors.
CPU cooler Deepcool GAMMAXX 400
For even hotter 6-core Intel (Core i5,i7) and AMD (Ryzen 7), as well as for overclocking, it is advisable to purchase a large, powerful cooler with 6 heat pipes and a 120-140 mm fan. Some of the best in terms of price/power ratio are Deepcool Lucifer V2 and Deepcool REDHAT.
CPU cooler Deepcool Lucifer V2
2. Do I need to buy a cooler separately?
Most boxed processors, which are sold in cardboard packaging and have the word “BOX” at the end of the label, have a cooler included.
If “Tray” or “OEM” is written at the end of the marking, then there is no cooler included.
Some expensive processors, despite being labeled with the word “BOX,” are sold without a cooler. But the box is usually smaller in this case, and the description often states that the processor does not include a cooler.
If you purchase a processor with a cooler, then you do not have to buy the cooler separately. This usually works out cheaper, and a boxed cooler is quite enough to cool the processor, since it is designed for it.
The disadvantages of boxed coolers are a higher noise level and the lack of a heat sink reserve in case of overclocking the processor. Therefore, if you want to have a quieter computer or overclock the processor, it is better to purchase a separate processor and a separate quiet and more powerful cooler.
3. Processor parameters for choosing a cooler
In order to choose the right cooler, we need to know the socket of the processor and its heat dissipation (TDP).
3.1. CPU socket
Socket is a motherboard connector for installing a processor, which also has a mount for a cooler. Different sockets have different types of cooler mounts.
3.2. CPU heat dissipation
As for heat dissipation (TDP), this indicator is also often indicated on online shopping sites. If the TDP of the processor is not indicated, then it can be easily found on the website of another online store or the official websites of processor manufacturers.
There are many more sites where you can find out the characteristics of the processor by the model number.
You can also use the Google or Yandex search engine.
4. Main characteristics of coolers
The main characteristics of coolers are the supported sockets and the TDP for which the cooler is designed.
Each cooler is designed for certain sockets; it simply will not install on others. Which sockets a particular cooler supports is indicated on the websites of manufacturers and online stores.
4.2. Cooler TDP
Despite the fact that the TDP of the processor for which the cooler is designed is the main parameter, its value is not indicated on the websites of online stores and most manufacturers. However, this data can sometimes be found. For example, on the website of one of the leaders in the production of coolers, the Austrian company Noctua, there is a comparison table of TDP coolers.
The TDP value of some popular cooler models, determined approximately based on test results, can be found on the Internet. Based on this information and personal experience, I have compiled a table with which you can easily select the optimal cooler depending on the TDP of the processor. You can download this table at the end of the article in the “” section.
5. Cooler design
CPU coolers come in many different designs.
5.1. Cooler with aluminum radiator
The simplest and cheapest are coolers with an aluminum radiator and a standard 80 mm fan. The shape of the radiator may vary. Basically, coolers for Intel processors have a round heatsink, while for AMD processors it is square.
Such coolers are often included with low-power boxed processors and are usually sufficient for them. Such a cooler can also be purchased separately inexpensively, but their quality will most likely be slightly worse. Well, such a cooler is not suitable for overclocking a processor.
5.2. Cooler with fin radiator
On sale you can still find coolers with radiators made of stacked aluminum or copper plates.
They remove heat from the processor better than coolers with a solid aluminum radiator, but are already outdated and have been replaced by more efficient coolers based on heat pipes.
5.3. Horizontal cooler with heat pipes
Coolers with heat pipes are the most modern and most efficient.
Such coolers are available with more powerful processors. They remove heat from the processor much better than cheap coolers with an aluminum radiator, but they blow warm air in a less efficient direction - towards the motherboard.
This solution is more suitable for compact cases, since in other cases it is better to purchase a more modern vertical cooler.
5.4. Vertical cooler with heat pipes
A vertical cooler (or tower cooler) has a more optimal design.
Warm air from the processor is blown not towards the motherboard, but towards the rear exhaust fan of the case.
Such coolers are the most optimal; they have a very large selection in size, power and price. They are best suited for very powerful processors and overclocking them. Their main disadvantage is their large dimensions, which is why not every such cooler will fit into a standard case.
The efficiency of the cooler most depends on the number of heat pipes. For a processor with a TDP of 80-100 W, a cooler with 3 heat pipes is enough; for a processor with a TDP of 150-180 W, a cooler with 6 heat pipes is needed. You will find out how many heat pipes a particular processor needs from the table, which can be downloaded in the “” section.
In the characteristics of a cooler, they usually do not focus on how many heat pipes it has. But this can be easily calculated from a photo of the base of the cooler or by counting the number of outgoing ends of the tubes and dividing them by 2.
6. Base design
The base of the cooler is the contact pad, which is in direct contact with the processor. The efficiency of the cooler also depends on its quality and design.
In coolers with an aluminum radiator, the radiator itself acts as the contact pad. The base can be solid or through.
A solid base is more preferable, as it increases the contact area between the radiator and the processor, which has a beneficial effect on cooling. And in a through design, dust can accumulate in the gap between the radiator and the fan.
Firstly, it has a bad effect on cooling. Secondly, it is impossible to clean the dust from there without removing the cooler from the processor, while a radiator with a solid pad can be easily cleaned without removing it.
6.2. Radiator with copper insert
The radiators of some coolers have a copper insert at the base, which is in contact with the processor.
Radiators with a copper insert are slightly more efficient than all-aluminum options.
Coolers with heat pipes may have a copper base.
This design is quite effective.
6.4. Direct contact
Some manufacturers actively preach the almost cosmic technology of direct contact (DirectCU), which consists of saving copper by pressing heat pipes in such a way that they themselves create a contact pad in direct contact with the processor.
In fact, this design is close in efficiency to a radiator with a copper base.
7. Design and material of the radiator
The efficiency of the cooler also greatly depends on the design of the radiator and the material from which it is made.
The cheapest coolers have a radiator made entirely of aluminum, since this metal is cheaper than copper. But aluminum has low heat capacity and uneven heat distribution, which requires stronger airflow and therefore noisier fans.
7.2. Aluminum with copper
Coolers with aluminum radiators with copper inserts are a little more efficient, but are no longer relevant.
7.3. Copper radiator
You can still find coolers with radiators made of copper plates on sale.
Copper has a high heat capacity and heat is distributed evenly in it. This makes it possible to stabilize the processor temperature at a certain level and does not require fast, noisy fans. But the effectiveness of such a system is limited due to the fact that a copper radiator has high thermal inertia and it is difficult to quickly remove heat from it. But such a cooler can be indispensable in compact cases for media centers, since it is quite low.
7.4. Radiator made of aluminum plates
The most effective today are coolers with heat pipes and a radiator made of many thin aluminum plates.
Heat from the processor is instantly dissipated through heat pipes to the plates, on which the fan air flow is also quickly removed due to the high dissipation area. This design has very low heat capacity and thermal inertia, so cooling efficiency increases significantly with small increases in fan speed.
7.5. Nickel plating
Good branded coolers may have nickel plating on heat pipes, copper bases, and even aluminum heatsink fins.
Nickel plating prevents surface oxidation. It always remains beautiful and shiny. But the most important thing is that the oxide does not interfere with heat removal and the cooler does not lose its properties. Although, by and large, the difference will not be significant.
7.6. Radiator size
The efficiency of the cooler always depends on the size of the radiator. But coolers with large radiators cannot always fit into a standard computer case. The height of a tower radiator for a standard case should not exceed 160 mm.
The width of the radiator also matters. A cooler with a large radiator may not fit due to the close location of the power supply. You also need to consider the size and layout of the motherboard. It may happen that the cooler cannot be installed due to highly protruding heatsinks of the motherboard near the processor, closely spaced tall memory modules, etc.
All this must be taken into account in advance and, if in doubt, measure the required distances in your computer. It's better to play it safe and take a slightly smaller cooler. If the processor is very hot, and the case is small, or elements protruding from the motherboard are in the way, then tear them off; a horizontal cooler with heat pipes and specially designed with sufficient distance from the motherboard will suit you.
7.7. Radiator weight
The larger the radiator, the heavier it is, and the heavier the radiator, the larger it is. But essentially, the higher the TDP of the processor, the heavier the radiator should be. For a processor with a TDP of 100-125 W, a radiator weighing 300-400 grams is enough; for a monster like AMD FX9xxx with a TDP of 200-220 W, you need a radiator of at least 1 kg, or even 1200-1300 grams. I will not give the weight of the radiator for each processor, since you will see all this in the table, which can be downloaded in the “” section.
8. Fans
The size, speed and other parameters of the fan determine the efficiency of the cooler and the noise level it creates.
8.1. Fan size
In general, the larger the fan, the more efficient and quieter it is. The cheapest coolers have fans measuring 80x80 mm. Their advantage is simplicity and low cost of replacement (which is rare). The disadvantage is the highest noise level.
It is better to buy a cooler with a larger fan - 92x92, 120x120 mm. These are also standard sizes and are easy to replace if necessary.
For particularly powerful and hot processors, such as AMD FX9xxx, it is better to take a cooler with a fan of a standard size of 140x140 mm. This fan is more expensive, but there will be less noise.
It’s better to limit the choice to coolers with standard fan sizes, what if you still have to replace it someday? But this is not important, since among us there are real nuggets of Kulibins who will screw any fan to any radiator on their knees
8.2. Fan bearing type
The cheapest fans have a Sleeve Bearing. Such fans are considered less reliable and less durable.
Fans with ball bearings are considered more reliable. But they make more noise.
Most modern fans have hydrodynamic bearings (Hydro Bearing), which combines reliability with low noise levels.
8.3. Number of fans
To overclock such monsters as AMD FX9xxx with a TDP of 200-220 W, it is better to take a cooler with two 140x140 mm fans. But keep in mind that the more fans, the higher the noise level. Therefore, there is no need to buy a cooler with two fans for a processor with a TDP of up to 180 W. Recommendations for the number and size of fans are in the table from the “” section.
8.4. Fan speed
The smaller the radiator and fan size, the higher its speed will be. This is necessary to compensate for the low dispersion area and low air flow.
In cheap coolers, fan speed can vary between 2000-4000 rpm. At a speed of 2000 rpm the fan noise becomes clearly audible, at a speed of 3000 rpm the noise becomes annoying, and at 4000 rpm your room will turn into a small landing pad...
The ideal option is a fan measuring 120-140 mm with a maximum speed of 1300-1500 rpm.
8.5. Automatic speed control
Motherboards are able to regulate cooler speed depending on the processor temperature. Adjustment can be done by changing the supply voltage (DC), which is supported by all motherboards.
More expensive coolers can be equipped with fans with a built-in speed controller (PWM). In this case, the motherboard must also support speed control via a PWM controller.
It’s good if the cooler has a 120-140 mm fan with a speed in the range of 800-1300 rpm. In this case, you will almost never hear it.
8.6. Cooler connector
Processor coolers can have a 3-pin or 4-pin connector for connecting to the motherboard. 3-pin ones are controlled by changing the voltage by the motherboard (DC), and 4-pin ones using a PWM controller (PWM). A PWM controller can more accurately control the cooler speed, so it is better to purchase a cooler with a 4-pin connector.
8.7. Noise level
The noise level depends on the rotation speed of the fan, the configuration of its blades, and is measured in decibels (dB). Fans with a noise level of up to 25 dB are considered quiet. Based on this indicator, you can compare several coolers and, other things being equal, choose the one that makes less noise.
8.8. Air flow
The strength of the air flow determines the efficiency of heat removal from the radiator and, accordingly, the efficiency of the entire cooler and the noise level. Airflow is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). Based on this indicator, you can compare several coolers and, other things being equal, choose the one that has a higher CFM. But do not forget to pay attention to the noise level.
9. Cooler mount
There are no pitfalls in mounting a small or medium-sized cooler. But with big models there are surprises...
Carefully read the cooler mounting diagram before purchasing it. Some heavy coolers require reinforced mounting using a special frame on the back of the motherboard.
In this case, the motherboard must allow the installation of such a frame and there should be no soldered electronic elements at the installation site. There should be a recess in the computer case where the processor is supposed to be located. Even better if there is a window that allows you to install and remove such a cooler without removing the motherboard.
A set of universal coolers that fit many sockets may contain many different mounts.
If the cooler is of sufficient quality and expensive, then they will not be superfluous if you suddenly want (or have to) change the motherboard and processor to another platform (for example, from AMD to Intel). In this case, there is no need to change the cooler.
10. Backlight
Some coolers have LEDs and glow beautifully in the dark. It makes sense to purchase such a cooler if your case has a transparent window through which you can enjoy how it works while you relax. But keep in mind that the backlight can interfere and irritate not only you, but also your family members. Therefore, think in advance where the body will stand and where the light will go.
11. Thermal paste
Thermal paste is applied to the processor to improve heat transfer and this is very important. In cheap coolers, thermal paste may already be applied to the contact pad and covered with a plastic cover.
More expensive models come with a small tube of thermal paste, which can be enough for 2-3 times. Sometimes thermal paste is not included. Check the availability of thermal paste on the online store website.
If thermal paste is not included, you will need to purchase it separately. Thermal paste greatly influences the transfer of heat from the processor to the cooler. The temperature difference between a processor with bad and good thermal paste reaches up to 10 degrees!
As a budget option, you can take KPT-8 in a white aluminum tube. Its thermal conductivity is not so high, but if the processor is not very hot (TDP up to 100 W) and you do not plan to overclock it, then this will be enough. The main thing is that it is original! It is not advisable to purchase it in syringes, jars, plastic tubes with handmade stickers, since there are a lot of fakes in such packaging.
It should be absolutely obvious that the packaging is factory made.
Alsil-3 thermal paste is similar in quality and price, but even in the original it is sold in syringes that are difficult to distinguish from a fake.
12. Cooler manufacturers
The best cooler manufacturers are the Austrian company Noctua and the Japanese company Scythe. They produce high-quality coolers and are deservedly popular among wealthy enthusiasts. Noctua provides a 72-month warranty on coolers.
The Taiwanese company Thermalright successfully markets the above-mentioned brands, which has very similar models at a slightly more reasonable price.
But the most popular in Russian-speaking countries are coolers from such familiar brands as Cooler Master, Thermaltake, Zalman. Coolers from these manufacturers have the best price/quality ratio.
But by and large, the manufacturer of the cooler is not so important, since there is nothing special to break apart from the fan. Therefore, it’s not a sin to save money and take something cheaper. A fairly large assortment and low prices are offered to us by DeepCool, GlacialTech, Ice Hammer and TITAN.
Don’t be afraid to make a mistake, it’s just a cooler. And let the presence of a guarantee calm your nervous system
13. Warranty
The cheapest coolers have a standard 12 month warranty. Basically, all that can come out of the cooler is the fan, and replacing it will not be difficult.
But if you are purchasing a good cooler with branded fans, then it is better that the warranty is 24-36 months, since finding high-quality fans with the same characteristics can be difficult and expensive.
Top coolers are expensive, but manufacturers give them a warranty of up to 72 months.
I do not recommend purchasing coolers from little-known manufacturers whose lineup is represented by only a few models, as there may be problems with warranty service. Remember - a guarantee never hurt anyone
14. Setting up filters in the online store
- Using the table, determine the main parameters of the cooler for your processor.
- Go to the “Cooling Systems” section on the seller’s website.
- Select the "Processor" destination.
- If you want a better cooler, then choose only the best manufacturers.
- If you want to save money, then choose all popular manufacturers whose lineup includes at least 15-20 models.
- Select your processor socket.
- Note the presence of heat pipes in the filter.
- Size and number of fans (optional).
- Availability of speed controller (only if necessary).
- Cooler height (for a standard case up to 160 mm).
- The presence of backlighting (will greatly narrow the choice).
- Other parameters that are important to you.
- Sort the selection by price.
- Look through the coolers, starting with the cheaper ones (from the photo you can determine the number of heat pipes and the massiveness of the radiator).
- Select several suitable models, view their photos from different angles and compare them based on parameters that were not included in the filter.
- Buy the cheapest suitable model.
Do not overdo it with filters, as you can weed out successful models. Select only the parameters that are most important to you.
Thus, you will receive a cooler with the best price/quality/efficiency ratio that meets your requirements at the lowest possible cost.
15. Links
Below you can download a table that allows you to easily determine the main parameters of the cooler, depending on the processor heat dissipation (TDP).
CPU cooler Deepcool REDHAT
CPU cooler Zalman CNPS10X Optima
CPU cooler Deepcool GAMMAXX S40
Any computer enthusiast, and there are a majority of them on our site, should know– What parameters should you pay attention to when choosing a cooler for and how do these small turntables differ from each other? Is it worth buying a tower cooler or is the boxed version enough? WITHIs it worth installing “dropsy” and what is Power Dissipation?I will try to answer all these questions today.
So, when they come to the store to choose a little spinning comrade for their processor, many users’ eyes begin to run wild. And this is not surprising; today the market offers a huge number of models at a wide variety of prices. Conventionally, coolers can be divided into three categories.
Boxed and heatpipe-less coolers
The simplest models on the market, consisting of an aluminum plate with fins and a fan attached to them. Almost every processor model has two versions for sale.
First - BOX version(hence the name of boxed coolers), which includes the processor itself and a simple cooler without heat pipes included.
Second version - OEM, which includes a bare processor. By the way, boxed versions usually have a much longer warranty on the product, but that’s not what we’re talking about today.
(BOX cooler DEEPCOOL THETA 9 for CPU Intel Pentium G4560)
As we can see, in this case the price is slightly different, and it differs precisely because of the cooler included and the extended warranty.
And the first question that I often get asked is: Should I buy the BOX version or buy the turntable separately? It all depends on the price and purpose of your PC. In this case, the difference is 1250 rubles, which is quite noticeable. I recommend taking the boxed version of the processor if the difference does not exceed 400-500 rubles. Plus, a bonus in the form of a big guarantee is never superfluous. As for the purpose of your computer, everything is simple, if your gaming or workstation is from the entry-level and mid-price segment, then the boxed version will be quite enough for you. If your system is closer to the top options or if it will be overclocked (during overclocking, the amount of heat generated by the processor due to increased voltage on the stone increases greatly!), then you need to buy a more advanced fan model separately. The advantages of boxed coolers include low price and compactness. The downside is that they are not suitable for powerful machines and, due to their small size, they are often quite noisy. So we've sorted out the boxes, let's move on to the next category of turntables.
Liquid cooling systems or, more simply put, “dropsy”
They consist of a copper base that is installed on the processor cover, a small pump that circulates water, a pair of tubes and a radiator with fans.
The next question I’m asked regarding cooling is: is it worth installing “dropsy”? I’ll answer right away that no. If you analyze all the pros and cons of these systems and compare them with the pros and cons of tower coolers, it becomes clear that the latter are much more advisable to buy.
Tower coolers with heat pipes
The next category of processor cooling is tower coolers with heat pipes. They consist of a copper or aluminum base, from which several heat pipes extend, to which a radiator is in turn attached. And the cooler is already attached to the radiator.
If you compare them with water cooling systems, the first thing that catches your eye is the price. Dropsy is always much more expensive. This is the first reason why I don't recommend using them. Yes, they run a little quieter and cool a little better, but is it worth paying twice as much? Everyone decides for themselves. The second reason is the complexity of operation and mandatory additional care. For the average user, checking the pump and water pipes daily is an unnecessary hemorrhoid. In general, the final decision is yours, but I outlined my position.
CPU cooler options
So, after you have decided on the choice of cooling type, you can move on to the parameters on which the final choice of a particular model will be based. The first thing to look at is the type of sockets supported. Almost every online store has this feature. If not, then you know where to look - the manufacturer’s website. I will analyze everything using the example of my processor (i5 6400) and my cooler (DeepCool Gammaxx 400).
My stone has 1151 sockets, so the cooler should be installed on the same socket.
Let's go further and look at the size of the turntable. It should fit into the housing in such a way that the side cover of the housing closes smoothly. By the way, I am often asked whether it is worth closing the case completely or leaving it open. Definitely needs to be closed! If the case is open, the air flow inside the system is disrupted and the cooling of the components becomes worse. It is also easier for dust to penetrate inside, and dust, along with high temperatures (I will never get tired of saying this) is the main evil of computer hardware! I'm getting off topic a bit, let's get back to the height of the pinwheel. The specifications for any case indicate the maximum possible height of the processor cooler,
and the characteristics of the cooler include its height, length and width. I think it will not be difficult for anyone to compare these data.
The next very important parameter is power dissipation. The processor specifications always indicate the amount of heat generated by the processor itself.
It is heat dissipation that is the sworn enemy of our cooler and it is with this that he fights every day to ensure stable operation of our stone. In general, the cooler must be able to dissipate all the heat generated by the processor. To do this, look at the power dissipation column indicated in the characteristics of the turntable.
But under no circumstances choose a cooler with a power dissipation equal to the heat dissipation of the processor. The thing is that cooler developers very often overestimate this parameter, so I recommend buying a cooler with a small margin. And if you are going to overclock your processor, then feel free to multiply the TDP of the processor by 2 and get real heat dissipation. Of course, the amount of heat during overclocking depends on the degree of overclocking itself, but in any case, always take a cooler with a small margin.
Next, be sure to look at the size of the fan. If you read my last article about, then you already know the main rule when choosing cooling. The more blades, the better. The thing is that small fans, in order to cope with the same amount of air, need to spin much faster than large ones. And the faster the cooler spins, the more noise it makes and, as a rule, wears out faster. Therefore, I advise you not to look at the parameter showing fan revolutions per minute at all. It’s more accurate to look, but make your choice based more on the size of the turntable. For example, a 120 mm turntable with 1200 rpm will be many times quieter and more efficient than an 80 mm turntable with 2400 rpm.
The next, no less important parameter is the maximum air flow.
The quieter the fan, the better.
Along with the performance of computers, temperature conditions increase, which must be contained to ensure stable, long-term service of all components. For these purposes, manufacturers create cooling systems, which will be discussed in detail in the article. They all have different structures, proprietary technologies, efficiency, and are compatible with certain types of processors. In every price category you can find coolers that can provide the desired set of functionality and performance. Remember, a computer is not a microwave, don't let it get fried.
We have compiled a list of the best CPU fans based on expert assessments and reviews from real customers. Our recommendations will help you make a choice that suits your needs and desires. There are many competitors in the global technology market, but we have selected the best manufacturers and we recommend paying special attention to them:
Budget / Inexpensive
- Zalman
- Deepcool
- Ice Hammer
- Thermalright
- Scythe
- Thermaltake
- Zalman
- Cooler Master
- Deepcool
Expensive/Premium class
- Noctua
- Be quiet
*Prices are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice.
CPU Fans: Backlight
*from user reviewsMinimum price:
Main advantages
- The heat pipes and contact surface are made of copper. They are connected by soldering, which ensures the best thermal conductivity
- The total dispersion area is 6800 cm² and is one of the best indicators for single-tower systems
- Radiator design with additional cutouts allows for installation of a second cooler
- Ability to work in both passive (power dissipation up to 125 W) and active modes (300 W)
- The built-in controller automatically maintains the desired temperature and rotation speed, making the cooler almost silent (12.6-31.1 dB)
- The lower rotation limit is 300 rpm with an average of 700 rpm
- Record low price, practically no one can compete with it
Show all products in the category "Size 140 mm"
CPU Fans: Sleeve Bearing
Sleeve bearing/ Size 120 mm / Speed controller
Main advantages
- The radiator fins have different end heights, which reduces air resistance and the load on the cooler
- The presence of five heat pipes has a beneficial effect on temperature control. This amount is rarely found in single tower cooling systems
- A perfectly flat base ensures even contact with the processor. Many manufacturers have soles with small bulges where the tubes pass through.
- The proprietary fan can accelerate to an impressive 2000 rpm. A resistor (RC24P) is included to limit the speed to 1500 rpm if you need to achieve absolute silence
Best CPU Cooler | Introduction
Detailed specifications are great, of course, but only if you have time to research them. However, all the user needs is best cpu cooler for the available amount. For those who do not have time to look through numerous test results, for those who do not feel confident enough in their choice best cpu cooler, there is absolutely nothing to be afraid of - the editors are constantly updating this article, which talks about the choice best cpu cooler for every budget and taste.
Best CPU Cooler | Latest updates
All outdated and discontinued models have been excluded from the review, and now our tables contain only current cooling systems, which can be found in most specialized stores.
Best CPU Cooler | Air coolers
Lower CPU temperatures provide increased stability, efficiency, and reliability. It benefits everyone: from overclockers looking to extract maximum performance from their processor, to efficiency enthusiasts looking to achieve the lowest power consumption. This material is aimed at those who do not have time to look through numerous test results, and who do not feel confident enough in choosing the best processor cooler or the best liquid cooling system. The editors periodically update this article, adjusting the recommendations.
Best CPU Cooler | Pivot table
| Model | be quiet! Dark Rock 4 | Cooler Master MasterAir MA410M | Reeven RC-1001b Brontes | Noctua NH-U14S |
| Category | Best big | Best average | Best Low Profile | Best for AMD Threadripper |
|
|
|
||
| price, rub. | 5200 | 4700 | 2800 | 6000 |
| Dimensions, mm | 158.8 x 136.9 x 75.4 | 158.8 x 132.4 x 58.2 | 59 x 105 x 114 | 171.45 x 151.4 x 52.3 |
| Base height, mm | 41,3 | 37,8 | 17,78 | 25,1 |
| Installation displacement, mm | 27,94 | 27,94 | n.d. | 27.94 (with fan) |
| Weight, g | 1471 | 1247 | 340 | 1035 |
| Materials | Aluminum, copper, plastic | Aluminum, copper | n.d. | Aluminum, copper |
| Fans | (1) 135 x 22 mm | (2) 120 x 25 mm RGB | (1) 100 x 12 mm | (1) 140 x 25 mm |
| Connectors | (1) 4-pin | (2) 4-pin PWM, (2) 4-pin RGB | (1) PWM | (1) 4-pin PWM |
| Intel socket compatibility | FM2(+), FM1, AM2(+), AM3(+), AM4 | rectangular, with four screws | TR4, SP3 | |
| Compatible with AMD sockets | 775, 115x, 1366, 2011x, 2066 | 115x, 1366, 2011x, 2066 | 115x, 1366, 775 | No |
| Guarantee | 3 years | 5 years | 2 years | 6 years |
We evaluate "performance" by the ratio of cooling efficiency to noise, and "value" by the ratio of performance per dollar spent. The formula for a successful cooler is always a large heatsink surface area and increased airflow to maintain low temperatures, along with high thermal conductivity materials to quickly transfer heat from the processor to the heatsink surface. Maximum performance typically requires a large heatsink, and some of these models are too bulky to fit into mid-to-small cases.
Large coolers tend to fit into wide, full-size tower cases, although there are some mini-ITX gaming cases designed to accommodate larger coolers. Mid-sized cooling systems fit most standard cases and motherboards, but are less efficient due to their smaller radiators and fans. Thin coolers up to 75mm in height are usually designed for compact cases. Since different motherboards have different processor socket locations, it is very important to check the parameters of the cooler, motherboard and case before purchasing.
Do you have one of the new Ryzen models? Then you don't need to buy another cooler even for overclocking. All Ryzen 2000 series processors and some older models come with quality coolers, many of which can handle moderate overclocking. If you want to overclock the chip to the highest possible frequency, then buying a powerful cooler makes sense, but for most Ryzen owners it simply isn't necessary.
If you want to purchase a large air cooler, first measure to see if it will fit. Large and low-profile models can interfere with the installation of tall RAM modules and even rest against the heatsinks of the board's power supply system. At the same time, tall coolers can interfere with the installation of a side wall, even if your case does not belong to the compact category. Please make sure the measurements are accurate before purchasing.
Remember that, all other things being equal, the more fans, the better the cooling, but the higher the noise level. The most efficient coolers are often the loudest. If this is a problem for you, you will have to look for the optimal balance.
RGB lighting can be impressive, but make sure it can be turned off. Many modern cooling systems come with RGB lighting and/or RGB fans, which can give your PC a striking appearance. But make sure that this backlight can be turned off through the onboard controller or through the motherboard. There will probably be situations when the backlight will interfere - for example, when watching a movie in the dark.
Best CPU Cooler | The best large air cooler - be quiet! Dark Rock 4
ADVANTAGES
- Excellent performance
- Excellent build quality and design
- Low noise level
- Compatible with most modern sockets
FLAWS
- Premium price
VERDICT
Dark Rock 4 is an excellent and very effective, but rather expensive air cooler that can decorate any system unit.
- Alternative: Noctua NH-D15 SE-AM4
Best CPU Cooler | The best mid-size air cooler - Cooler Master MasterAir MA410M
ADVANTAGES
- Mid-size cooler takes up less space
- Thermal sensor allows you to demonstrate temperature changes via RGB lighting
FLAWS
- Not as quiet as analogues
VERDICT
The Cooler Master MasterAir MA410M is a mid-sized air cooler with heat pipes and RGB lighting that delivers impressive cooling performance and fits perfectly into any gaming system.
Best CPU Cooler | Best Low Profile Air Cooler - Reeven RC-1001b Brontes
ADVANTAGES
- Low price
- Low noise level
- Equals performance as larger models, but takes up less space
FLAWS
- Does not support 130W processors, including Intel chips for LGA 2011x sockets
VERDICT
For just RUR 2,800, the Reeven RC-1001b Brontes eliminates any competition with performance typical of much larger models. Thanks to its small size, it is also perfect for the most compact cases.
Best CPU Cooler | Best Air Cooler for AMD Threadripper-Noctua NH-U14S
ADVANTAGES
- Superior Performance
- Very low noise level
- Simple and reliable fastening
FLAWS
- Premium price
- May not fit in small cases due to height
VERDICT
For anyone looking for a high-quality, high-performance, and quiet air cooler for AMD Threadripper, this is our clear recommendation.
- Alternative: Cooler Master MasterAir MA621P
Making a backup of the firmware on Android
How to configure the swap file?
Setting compatibility mode in Windows
Windows Driver Backup and Restore
How to switch to a different tariff on Beeline: all methods