As the name implies, the CPU cooler is designed to handle the CPU’s thermal output and keep it cool at all times. They are important to avoid thermal throttling and help your CPU reach its full potential. The lack of a proper cooler can also be a limiting factor in overclocking the CPU.
Choosing the suitable CPU cooler is as important as selecting the best P.C. case, S.S.D., or any other fundamental component of P.C. construction.
CPU coolers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they are all classified into one of three categories, which include:
- Air cooler
- Closed-loop or all-in-one (AIO) cooler
- Part of a custom or open-loop cooling setup
This collection will primarily focus on air coolers and closed-loop liquid cooling solutions. We will offer it with a custom cooling kit for those who want to immerse themselves in the world of liquid cooling.
Here’s a look at our selection of the best CPU coolers to buy:
1. Noctua NH-D15
It’s no secret that Noctua makes the most coveted air coolers on the market. Their flagship product, NH-D15, is our choice for the best air cooler you can buy for your CPU.
It is the successor to the award-winning D14 of Noctua, and Cooler has a lot to like about this animal.
Even with no RGB lights or bright colors, the Noctua NH-D15 will still be the most prominent component of your P.C. because of its sheer size.
This large Cooler has six heat pipes connected to the heat sinks. The dual-tower design of the Cooler allows it to have two 140mm fans for maximum airflow between them.
The NH-D15 has a 150mm wide fan stack and enough space between the heat pipes to allow for an even distribution of heat.
The Cooler also has two NF-A15 140mm fans for both heat sinks. These fans support P.W.M. for easy automatic speed control and low noise adapter (L.N.A.) for quiet operation.
In addition to transferring air from the heat sink, these large fans also provide good airflow to the surrounding components.
It is recommended that you pair this CPU cooler with a good quality airflow case for the best results. Lack of maximum airflow will prevent hot air from escaping the wall.
It is true for all air coolers as no tubes, coolants or radiators are included to remove heat from the CPU. The Noctua NH-D15 supports Intel LGA115x, LGA1200, LGA2066, LGA2011, and AMD AM4, AM3 (+), AM2 (+), FM1, FM2 (+).
Thermal paste is also included with the cooler for installation. If you need assistance, read our article on installing thermal paste.
Pros
- Quiet operation
- Dual 140mm fans included in the box
- Excellent cooling performance
Cons
- Massive form factor
2. Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition
The budget option for those who do not want to spend around $100 on the Noctua NH-D15 is our second choice for the best CPU air cooler.
The Cooler Master Hype, 212 Black Edition CPU cooler, compete with the best. Cooler Master’s Hyper 212 Cooler has been on the market for over a decade.
These coolers have been on suggested lists for many years, and Cooler Master still manages to update them meaningfully to keep them relevant.
The Hyper 212 Black Edition combines some older coolers’ capabilities in a sleek black color.
The Master Hyper 212 Black Edition cooler has four direct contact heat pipes, an aluminum heat sink, and a 120mm high airflow fan.
The CPU has a fairly straightforward design to transfer heat from the I.H.S effectively. Included P.W.M. fan maximum R.P.M. is 2,000. The Cooler Master says it has 42CFM airflow and produces noise up to 26 dBA under a heavy load at maximum R.P.M.
It is a simple air cooler that supports multiple sockets, including LGA2066, LGA2011-v3, LGA2011, LGA1200, LGA115x, LGA1366, AM4, AM3 +, AM3, AM2 +, AM2, FM2 +, FM2 and FM1. As you can see, it is designed to be used with various CPUs in the market.
The Hyper 212 Black Edition may not be the most powerful CPU cooler. However, this stock has proven to be better than CPU coolers, so we recommend it as a good entry point for most people. Even AMD users with stock Wraith coolers can upgrade for better cooling.
The size of the Hyper 212 Black Edition cooler is one of its best features. It isn’t a large unit with a large heat sink and fans. The straightforward design also makes installation on the motherboard a breeze.
You don’t have to be a computer builder or enthusiast to install this Cooler. The Hyper 212 is also small enough to be kept apart from other components like RAM.
Pros
- Affordable price tag
- Good compatibility list
Cons
- No RGB (a pro for many)
3. Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Illusion
If you prefer AIO liquid cooler over an air cooler, we recommend Cooler Master’s new MasterLiquid ML360 Illusion.
It is our choice for the best closed-loop liquid Cooler on the market. It provides excellent cooling performance and is a dependable cooler controlling high-performance unlocked processors. This trick should work on AMD Ryzen 9 5950X and Intel Core i9-11900K processors.
It has a large 360mm radiator that ensures coolant distribution throughout the tank. It also looks stunning, thanks to the translucent water chamber dome and three MF120R ARGB wings. It is one of the few new AIOs with a translucent water block on the market.
Pros
- ARGB lights for fans and the water block
- Excellent cooling performance
- Also available in white
Cons
- Too many cables
Final Thoughts
This concludes our list of the best CPU coolers for building your PC. It includes some of the best coolers on the market for advanced veins, small form factor construction, and everything in between.
The Noctua NH-D15 is a terrific air cooler capable of cooling even the most powerful CPUs; It’s also our pick for the best air cooler money can buy.
The Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition, our second-best option, is also a great air cooler for those looking for a small solution for mid-range construction.
