Recommended CPU Coolers

Recommended CPU Coolers

A periodically updated, curated list of recommended CPU coolers for your budget so you can make a well-balanced decision and get a great value for your money.

Air Cooler

Noctua NH-D14 64.95 CFM CPU Cooler ($90)

+Best thermal performance for air cooler

-Very big (make sure it fits your case and ram)

-Expensive

Noctua NH-U14S 82.52 CFM CPU Cooler ($80)

+Excellent thermal performance

+Very low noise levels

-Expensive

be quiet! Dark Rock 4 CPU Cooler ($70)

+Budget NH-U14S

+Great air cooling

-A bit louder than NH-U14S (Still not a deal breaker)

-Some socket are not supported, make sure to check

Cooler Master MasterAir MA410M 53.38 CFM CPU Cooler ($65)

+Great air cooling

+RGB

-A bit louder than dark rock, especially in max (Again not a deal breaker)

Noctua NH-U12S redux 70.75 CFM CPU Cooler ($50)

+Amazing Price/thermal performance

+Pretty quiet for this price range

+Easy to install

-Even after upgrading to 2 fan it still can't beat NH-U14S in thermal performance

Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($35)

+Best seller

+Budget cooler

+Fits everything

-Not the best thermal

-A bit hard to install

Water Cooler

NZXT Kraken Z53 ($230)

+Programmable (you can add gif)

+Amazing build quailty

-Very expensive even for a water cooler

-Not the best temp for a water cooler

Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R ($150)

+Amazing temp

-Garbage cable for at this price point

ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II ($110)

+Great price/performance

+Great cooling

-Uses splitter cable that looks bad

-No rgb