13 best CPU coolers
The processor heats up intensively during operation. This is due to the laws of physics and to get around them will not work. Coolers, in turn, are designed to cool the processor to a temperature at which it will function normally. We ranked the best coolers that are suitable for use with virtually any processor - from the unpretentious Celeron for an office “typewriter” to the high-performance Intel Core i7-7700K, which to this day remains one of the best gaming chips.
How to choose a cooler for the processor
The cooler for the processor must be chosen carefully. Otherwise, he will not cope with his "duties". Overheating of the processor, in turn, leads to a drop in performance, a computer shutdown or damage to the chip itself.
Active, passive and liquid cooling
Cooling can be organized in one of three types - active, passive and liquid.
Active cooling system involves the use of a radiator and a fan. The first is installed on the processor. The plumage of the radiator heats up from the "chip", after which it is cooled by air flow. The effectiveness of the active cooling system depends on the materials from which the conduits are made, as well as on the performance of the fan.
So, the most effective copper heat-water tubes with copper or aluminum tail. But only aluminum radiators are suitable for cooling only old or low-end processors like the Celeron or Pentium lines.
The disadvantage of the active cooling system is that it needs a constant inflow of “cool” air into the body. Otherwise, other components of the motherboard may overheat. Therefore, the system unit must be installed so that the air circulates freely around it.
In addition, the effectiveness of active cooling drops when the radiator clogs with dust.
The liquid cooling system is structurally similar to the active one. Only instead of a radiator, a contact plate and special tubes with heat-liquid fluid (often ordinary water) are used. The fans are placed in a separate unit, which is set outside the system unit. Due to this, there are no special requirements for the installation of the system unit, and the performance of the cooling system does not fall over time.
The disadvantage of the liquid cooling system is perhaps that high cost.
Passive cooling consists only of a radiator. Heat from the processor is dissipated naturally by convection inside the system unit. The performance of such a cooling system leaves much to be desired, so it is used exclusively with low-heating chips - old or mobile, including notebooks or ultrabooks.
When choosing the type of cooling system, the purpose of the computer should be guided:
-
Office "typewriter" with an old or low-power processor - a passive radiator will do;
-
"Normal" or "gaming" computer - active cooling;
-
Gamer computer with top components - liquid cooling.
What to look for when choosing a cooler
The main criteria when choosing a cooler are compatible socket and power dissipation.
-
Since the processors differ not only in performance, but also in size, it is important to take into account the compatibility of the socket and the cooler. Socket - the size and form factor of the chip itself, as well as the placement of fixtures for the cooling system on the motherboard. If it is not compatible with the cooler, it will simply not be possible to install the latter. You can find out which socket is being used from the technical specifications of the processor and motherboard, as well as through the program AIDA64 or the like.
-
Power dissipation - cooling system performance. It shows how much heat can be removed by the cooler. Power dissipation must be greater than the heat dissipation (TDP) of the processor. Both of these parameters are measured in watts, so compare them is not difficult.
The remaining parameters are optional and do not have much value when choosing a cooler.
Manufacturer
The quality of the materials used, the durability of the cooler, and additional functions of the cooling system depend on the manufacturer. Therefore, it is advisable to choose devices from trusted companies.
We included cooling systems from famous manufacturers such as Noctua, Zalman, Thermalright, Deepcool, Prolimatech and Arctic Cooling in our rating.
Top CPU cooler rating
| Nomination | a place | Name of product | price |
| The best tower coolers for gaming systems and overclocking | 1 | Noctua NH-U14S | 5 500 ₽ |
| 2 | Zalman CNPS9900DF | 4 190 ₽ | |
| 3 | Noctua NH-D15 | 7 660 ₽ | |
| 4 | Thermalright Macho Rev.B | 5 090 ₽ | |
| Best middle class coolers up to 3000 rubles | 1 | Zalman CNPS10X Performa | 2 111 ₽ |
| 2 | Deepcool Assassin II | 3 970 ₽ | |
| 3 | Deepcool Gammaxx 300 | 1 150 ₽ | |
| 4 | Thermalright Macho Rev.A | 3 350 ₽ | |
| 5 | Noctua NH-L9i | 2 756 ₽ | |
| The best passive cooling systems | 1 | Prolimatech Megahalems Rev.C | 3 920 ₽ |
| The best processor water cooling systems | 1 | Thermaltake Water 3.0 Ultimate | 9 273 ₽ |
| 2 | Deepcool Captain 360 EX | 6 290 ₽ | |
| 3 | Arctic Cooling Liquid Freezer 120 | 5 990 ₽ |
The best tower coolers for gaming systems and overclocking
Tower cooler is a kind of active cooling systems. Its design involves placing the fan to the side of the radiator, so that heat is dissipated more efficiently. The main thing is to choose the right direction for blowing hot air.
An important advantage of the tower cooler is to preserve the performance of the radiator over time. The plumage is not covered with dust, so that the efficiency of the blower does not fall.
Noctua NH-U14S
Rating: 4.8
Why the first place: High performance, wide compatibility with sockets, almost silent operation.
Description: It opens the rating of the cooler Noctua NH-U14S - one of the best active cooling systems on the market. With a relatively low price, it provides a maximum power dissipation of 220 watts, making it compatible with high-performance and overclocked processors. The mounting pad can be installed on the chips of the most popular sockets of the LGA, AM and FM series, including the LGA1151 (which is used in the Intel Atom Coffee Lake line).
The design of the radiator includes six direct-contact copper teplovodovod and aluminum tail. Moreover, the plates are not welded to the tubes, and pressed with them, which ensures efficient transfer of heat.
The fan is based on a bearing with magnetic centering. The maximum speed is 1500 revolutions per minute, and the regulator of this number is internal. The fan provides air flow of 82.52 CFM, but at the same time the volume is not higher than 24.6 dB.
Virtues
-
High-performance and at the same time almost silent;
-
The kit includes mounting hardware, bolts, thermal grease and everything you need for installation;
-
Resource of work of 150 thousand hours, a guarantee of the producer of 6 years.
disadvantages
-
Heavy;
-
Large - can block the PCI slot or RAM slots;
-
When used with overclocked or “hot” chips, it is better to replace the complete thermal paste with another one.
Zalman CNPS9900DF
Rating: 4.7
Why second place: High performance and compact design, but a relatively high noise level.
Description: In the Zalman CNP9900DF model, the manufacturing company used a non-standard radiator design for tower coolers. The plumage is located radially, and the fans (there are two of them here) are somewhat "recessed" into the plates. According to the manufacturer, this design provides a better heat sink and a smaller area of dispersion while maintaining efficiency.
The nominal maximum power dissipation is 300 watts. But such a value is ensured only when the installation is open; in the system unit with the side wall installed, this parameter drops by about 25-30%. Nevertheless, even this is enough for most modern processors, including gaming ones.
The radiator is completely copper - and there are three heat pipes of direct contact and tail plates. Fans are equipped with direct-slide bearings, providing rotational speeds of up to 1,400 rpm with a nominal volume of up to 27 dB.
Virtues
-
Compact, during installation does not close anything;
-
Well cools the processors of stock configuration;
-
The richest in the rating equipment, including thermal grease, fasteners, bolts and screwdriver.
disadvantages
-
Not suitable for overclocked processors, because there is not enough performance;
-
Loud noisy under high load;
-
Difficult to install, better to mount on the removed motherboard.
Noctua NH-D15
Rating: 4.6
Why the third place: Powerful, quiet, with 6 tubes of direct contact, but relatively expensive.
Description: The Noctua NH-D15 cooler is a good solution for computers that are equipped with the latest generation multi-core processors (for example, Intel Core i9 or overclocked Intel Core i7). The device provides effective cooling due to the air flow of 82.52 CFM, 6 copper tubes, heat and direct contact in the radiator and two fans with a rotation speed of up to 1500 revolutions per minute. At the same time, the cooler is compatible with most processors - it can be installed on almost all sockets of the LGA, AM and FM series.
As well as the leader of the rating, this cooler is equipped with a brand-name radiator - copper tubing heat pipes are connected to aluminum fins by pressing. The sole is also copper, polished to a mirror state. Thermo conductor tubes coated with nickel for better corrosion protection.
The fans are based on bearings with magnetic centering, which ensures silence during operation.
Virtues
-
It perfectly cools both overclocked and multi-core processors;
-
Easy installation. Everything that is necessary for installation, in a set;
-
Quiet fans even under high load.
disadvantages
-
Huge! Use with RAM standard height or with cooling will not work. Install in a narrow case - too;
-
Boring, unattractive design;
-
The plates of the radiator are fragile, so the cooler requires careful installation.
Thermalright Macho Rev.B
Rating: 4.5
Why fourth place: A good cooler for runoff, including multi-core processors, but with cooling overclocked it can not cope.
Description: One of the most classic tower coolers designed for use with gaming and multi-core (6, 8 cores) processors - Thermalright Macho Rev.B closes the rating. The device dissipates up to 280 W of heating power, is equipped with six heat pipes of direct contact, aluminum fins of the radiator and one fan, which runs almost silently even at maximum speed.
The fan speed ranges from 300 to 1300 revolutions per minute, and the air flow rate is 16.9-73.6 CFM, respectively.The speed controller is external, so that specific performance can be adjusted independently for the processor or tasks used. The cooler is compatible with almost all existing chips and can be installed on LGA, AM sockets (including the newest AM4) and FM.
Virtues
-
High performance and quiet operation;
-
Relatively low price (lower than the predecessors from the list);
-
Compact, but the fan can close the first RAM slot.
disadvantages
-
Smaller, than at "colleagues", productivity;
-
Assembly and installation may be difficult, but the instructions are included;
-
High, 165 mm, it is worth considering when choosing.
Best middle class coolers up to 3000 rubles
Zalman CNPS10X Performa
Rating: 4.9
Why the first place: Tower cooler, direct contact of thermal ducts and processor, rotation speed up to 2000 revolutions per minute.
Description: The top-rated cooler Zalman CNPS10X Performa has a tower design, thanks to which it can cool even high-performance processors. In particular, it is equipped with five copper pipes-heat pipes of direct contact with the plate-sole, aluminum radiator and 120-mm fan with a rotational speed from 900 to 2000 revolutions per minute.
The fan is equipped with a classic sliding bearing, however, thanks to the optimization, the noise level even under the maximum load is up to 36 dB. At the same time, the speed regulator is internal, so that the rotation speed is set automatically by the cooler.
The cooler is compatible with both modern and classical sockets. So, it can be installed on almost all LGA models (including LGA1151 and even LGA775), AM, FM and S. Additional mounts can be purchased for other sockets.
Virtues
-
The design of the radiator allows the processors to be well cooled even at low revs;
-
Quiet operation;
-
Durability.
disadvantages
-
Difficult, inconvenient mount. It is advisable to place the cooler on the removed motherboard with the RAM already installed;
-
Complete thermal grease is desirable to replace;
-
Bulky and heavy.
Deepcool Assassin II
Rating: 4.8
Why second place: Powerful, productive cooling system, but more expensive than other models in the rating.
Description: Deepcool Assassin II is a tower-type cooler with two fans and eight copper heat pipes. Due to this, the device provides good cooling even for gamers and overclocked processors, and is compatible with almost all used sockets.
The cooler radiator, consisting of two modules, is made of aluminum plates. Copper tubing heat pipes are connected with them by pressing. This ensures good transmission and heat removal from the processor.
Two 140-mm fans can rotate at a speed of 300-1400 revolutions per minute and are based on hydrodynamic bearings, providing low volume even under high loads. Maximum - 27.3 dB.
The cooler, despite the low price, is notable for high performance. For example, the Intel Core i7-7800X processor under peak load in stress tests heats up to 54 degrees.
Virtues
-
High performance;
-
Silence of work;
-
Rich equipment with a large number of sites, fixtures, as well as thermal paste.
disadvantages
-
Relatively complex build;
-
Large, can close the power connectors or various functional elements of the motherboard;
-
Inconvenient hub power coolers, dangles, you need to stick yourself to the body.
Deepcool Gammaxx 300
Rating: 4.8
Why third place: Ultra-budget tower cooler, a good combination of price and quality.
Description: Deepcool Gammaxx 300 cooler occupying the middle of the rating is characterized by an excellent combination of price and quality. Of course, it is not well suited for overclocked or gaming processors, but at the same time it copes well with the heating of mid-level chips or with an average heat release.In particular, the maximum power dissipation of the device is 125 watts.
The cooler is compatible with almost all models of processors. Necessary soles and mounts included. The radiator is made of aluminum plates, which are complemented by three copper pipes, heat pipes.
The fan of the cooler is equipped with a proprietary hydrodynamic bearing, which ensures a minimum volume of work. In particular, even under load, it makes noise by 21 dB. The rotation speed is 900-1600 revolutions per minute (the regulator is external, that is, it can be adjusted), and the air flow is 40 CFM.
Virtues
-
Easy, quick installation;
-
Minimum volume work;
-
Rich equipment.
disadvantages
-
Relatively large;
-
The contact area is made of aluminum, in which the direct contacts of the heat pipes are embedded;
-
Inconvenient clamps with plastic "ears" that can break.
Thermalright Macho Rev.A
Rating: 4.7
Why fourth place: Quiet, productive and comfortable. But the improved version (Rev.B) costs only a few hundred rubles more, so it’s better to take it.
Description: Tower cooler with the highest performance in this segment of the rating. In particular, the maximum power dissipation of the device is already 280 watts, which makes it compatible even with gaming and overclocked processors. Includes mounting and platform for LGA sockets (including LGA775 and LGA1151), AM and FM.
The configuration of the radiator includes 6 copper pipes, heat contact with direct contact. Plumage is made of aluminum sheets. The plates are connected to the tubes by pressing, not welding.
The cooler is equipped with one 140 mm fan. Rotational speed - 900-1300 revolutions per minute. Brand bearing makes the fan quiet - even at maximum load it makes a noise of 21 dB. In this case, the air flow is up to 73.6 CFM.
The speed controller is external, so you can configure it yourself for the installed processor and usage scenario.
Virtues
-
Quiet;
-
Rich equipment with proprietary screwdriver and necessary fixtures;
-
High performance.
disadvantages
-
There are a lot of revisions, and there are even with an aluminum sole without direct contact of heat pipes;
-
Large, can not get into some body;
-
Difficult for beginners assembly and there is no instruction in Russian.
Noctua NH-L9i
Rating: 4.6
Why fifth place: The only one in the ranking is the usual (“horizontal”) cooler, but with very high power. Compatibility is limited.
Description: The Noctua NH-L9i cooler is designed for Intel Core i3-i7 series processors installed in LSI sockets. It is performed in the traditional design, which involves placing the fan over the radiator. As a result, the power dissipation of the cooler is relatively small and is 65 watts.
The radiator of the cooler is made of aluminum plates, the method of pressing placed on a copper tube, a heat pipe with direct contact. The fan is equipped with a firm low-noise bearing with magnetic centering, so that the volume of the cooler does not exceed 23.6 dB, even at 2500 revolutions per minute. The speed itself is adjustable from 300 to 2500 rpm. The airflow generated by the fan is 33.84 CFM. The speed controller is built into the cooler and works automatically.
The cooler is distinguished by high reliability - the uptime is 150 thousand hours, and the manufacturer’s warranty is 6 years.
Virtues
-
Low profile design, can be installed in narrow system units;
-
Low volume and good performance (can cool even Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5);
-
The simplest installation.
disadvantages
-
Mounting bolts are fixed when the motherboard is removed;
-
Relatively high price;
-
Not suitable for overclocked processors and processors with an unlocked multiplier.
The best passive cooling systems
Prolimatech Megahalems Rev.C
Rating: 4.9
Why him: Copper-aluminum radiator, designed specifically for passive cooling systems.
Description: Prolimatech Megahalems Rev.C cooler was designed specifically for use as a single cooling device. It is characterized by a massive base with a polished copper sole, to which six copper teplovodov copper pipes are attached by pressing, and an aluminum radiator with a wide distance between the plates, ensuring free air circulation.
The cooler is compatible with the vast majority of Intel LSA sockets, including the most recent, as well as AMD AM and FM.
Even without a fan, it provides the same cooling as some other devices in the rating, providing passive dissipation of up to 40-50 watts. However, if you wish, you can attach a fan to it - models for 120 and 140 mm will fit. Brackets for fixing thereof come complete with a radiator.
Virtues
-
The effective heat sink thanks to the massive basis and 6 copper tubes;
-
Wide space between the radiator plates for better air circulation;
-
Massive foundation.
disadvantages
-
High radiator, can not get into a thin body;
-
Tight placement of heat pipes;
-
The design of the "two towers" has less stiffness than monolithic.
The best processor water cooling systems
Thermaltake Water 3.0 Ultimate
Rating: 4.9
Why the first place: The cooling system, which is able to cool the processor, even without fans. Of course, they are available - three pieces.
Description: Thermaltake Water 3.0 Ultimate, one of the most productive water cooling systems, opens the rating. The device is equipped with three fans that rotate at speeds up to 2000 revolutions per minute. This provides effective cooling even overclocked processors. In addition, you can optionally install up to 6 fans.
The contact area is made of aluminum and copper. The mount is compatible with the most common sockets, including LGA, AM and FM. Adapters to other types of processors are commercially available.
The installed fans are quiet enough - even at a maximum rotational speed of 2000 revolutions per minute, they are noisy at 20 dB. At the same time the air flow passing through the cooling system is 99 CFM. The minimum speed of rotation of coolers is 1000 revolutions per minute.
The system can work in the passive mode - with the coolers disconnected.
Virtues
-
Silent but powerful cooling system;
-
Silent pump;
-
Compact and easy to install.
disadvantages
-
Over time, the noise level increases, it is recommended to replace the fans or install reobas;
-
With the cooling of processors with heat more than 250-300 W (overclocked), can not cope;
-
Expensive
Deepcool Captain 360 EX
Rating: 4.8
Why second place: Gamer water cooling system, the main drawback of which is the price.
Description: Deepcool Captain 360 EX could lead the rating if it were not for a relatively high price (even for water cooling systems). It is very productive - power dissipation is 220 watts. At the same time, thanks to the use of branded hydrodynamic bearings in the fans, the system is notable for quiet operation - the noise level up to 31.3 dB at a rotation speed of 1800 rpm and an air flow of 76.52 CFM.
The contact plate of the water block is made of polished copper. The pump is equipped with a ceramic bearing, which provides a service life of 120 thousand hours. It works silently.
The cooler also boasts a unique waterblock design. The cooling system is compatible with the vast majority of sockets LGA, AM and FM. All necessary fixings are included.
Virtues
-
High performance and durability;
-
Silent work under daily load;
-
Attractive design;
-
The mode of fixing the temperature of the processor.
disadvantages
-
Non-switchable bright red illumination of the cooling system;
-
Large radiator;
-
Rigid hoses;
-
Expensive.
Arctic Cooling Liquid Freezer 120
Rating: 4.7
Why third place: Dual fan cooling system with fast pump and high efficiency.
Description: The Arctic Cooling Liquid Freezer 120, a rather unusual liquid cooling system, closes the rating. It differs from other devices in a compact unit with a radiator and fans, which is much smaller than the traditional “panels”. However, with the task of cooling the processor, he copes "perfectly well" - the nominal power dissipation is 300 watts.
The fans can rotate at speeds from 500 to 1350 revolutions per minute, provide 74 CFM airflow, are equipped with durable hydrodynamic bearings and are characterized by comparative quiet operation - at maximum load the noise level is 30-35 dB.
The water block is equipped with a copper contact plate and built-in pump, which rotates at a speed of 5400 revolutions per minute. Due to this, the cooler can be used even in the passive mode. However, the pump can still be heard from the body.
Virtues
-
Rich equipment with high-quality additional items;
-
Quiet, efficient work;
-
Suitable for overclocked processors.
disadvantages
-
Pump speed is too high, which can reduce reliability and cause noise;
-
Heavy and large;
-
Relatively expensive.
Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.
