\n
The purpose of the best CPU cooler is just that, to keep your CPU from overheating, ensuring you get the best performance. If you’re dipping your toes into the wild world of overclocking, a CPU cooler is essential for you to maximize your CPU’s untapped potential.\u00a0Though even if you’re running your parts stock, it’s still good practice to pick up a cooler that can offer the lowest temperatures for the lowest price.<\/p>\n
There are two types of cooling options: air cooling and liquid cooling. Air coolers are still just about the most common of the two chilling methods. A metal heat sink pulls heat away from the CPU and then blows it away with a fan. or directly cooling the chip itself.<\/p>\n
Liquid or water cooling circulates liquid through your system via tubing as a cooling method which is more energy-efficient and a lot quieter. If you’re feeling courageous, you could also create a complete custom water cooling loop, which can include GPU and CPU cooling. Still, that way lies tube-bending and a lot of installation effort and cost\u2014not recommended for first-time PC builders.<\/p>\n
Both have advantages and disadvantages, so we’ve chosen the best from our respective guides: the best AIO cooler for CPUs and the best CPU air cooler. Generally, though, air coolers are cheaper and simpler, while AiO and other liquid coolers can be more expensive but come with extra features, even tiny screens.<\/p>\n\nEach of the coolers on this list has been thoroughly tested in the PC Gamer labs so we can tell you which ones offer the most optimum CPU cooling for your dollars under different workloads. If you’re looking for other ways to help increase your system’s cooling performance, you can check out our guide to the best PC fans.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Water cooling<\/span><\/h2>\n\n
\n
Image 1 of 2<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n
\n
(Image credit: EKWB)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nImage 2 of 2<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n
\n
(Image credit: EKWB)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
1. EK-AIO Basic 240<\/h3>\n <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span>A step up from even the best air coolers<\/p>\n
\n
Specifications<\/h4>\n\n
Socket support: <\/span>Intel LGA: 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1200, 2011, 2011-3, 2066, AMD AM4 compatible<\/span><\/p>\nScale: <\/span>240mm<\/span><\/p>\nFull radiator dimensions: <\/span>275 x 120 x 27mm<\/span><\/p>\nFan speeds: <\/span>550\u20132200RPM<\/span><\/p>\nNoise level: <\/span>Up to 33.5dB(A)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\nToday’s Best Deals<\/p>\n
\n
Reasons to buy<\/h4>\n+<\/span><\/p>\nCooling performance nips at the heels of 360mm coolers<\/p>\n
<\/span>+<\/span><\/p>\nGood value for money<\/p>\n
<\/span>+<\/span><\/p>\nNo RGB<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Reasons to avoid<\/h4>\n–<\/span><\/p>\nIf cooler aesthetics bother you at all, it is rather plain-looking<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
In the world of liquid cooling, EK is a name that needs little introduction. The EK Basic series focuses on value for money and performance. Plus, it doesn\u2019t feature any RGB at all. If this appeals to you then the EK AIO Basic 240 is well worth a look. Its absence sure helps to keep the pricing down too.<\/p>\n
The EK Basic 240 really stands out thanks to its build quality. It just feels hefty and well built. The included EK- Vardar fans are very good and have a wide operating speed range. It\u2019s good to have some high-speed headroom on tap if you need it. Most of the time it stays essentially silent.<\/p>\n
What really impresses us is the cooling performance on offer. We find it goes very close to 360mm levels of cooling capability, It does get noisy if you try to push an overclocked Rocket Lake CPU, but then pretty much every other cooler does too.<\/p>\n
The EK-AIO basic 240 is perfect for builds with a stealthy focus or closed case builds where lighting doesn\u2019t matter. With its build quality and high performance, it’s a cooler that you can surely set and forget, out of sight, out of mind and out of earshot.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
Image 1 of 2<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n
\n
(Image credit: Deepcool)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nImage 2 of 2<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n
\n
(Image credit: Deepcool)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
2. Deepcool Gammaxx L240 V2<\/h3>\n <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span>Awesome bang for buck 240mm liquid cooling<\/p>\n
\n
Specifications<\/h4>\n\n
Socket support: <\/span>Intel LGA20XX, LGA1366, LGA1200, 115X, AMD AM4, AM3, AM2, FM2, FM1<\/span><\/p>\nScale: <\/span>240mm<\/span><\/p>\nFull radiator dimensions: <\/span>280 x 120 x 27mm<\/span><\/p>\nFan speeds: <\/span>500\u20131800RPM<\/span><\/p>\nNoise level: <\/span>Up to 30dB(A)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Reasons to buy<\/h4>\n+<\/span><\/p>\nTerrific value<\/p>\n
<\/span>+<\/span><\/p>\nGood cooling ability<\/p>\n
<\/span>+<\/span><\/p>\nEffectively silent at idle<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Reasons to avoid<\/h4>\n–<\/span><\/p>\nCan get loud under significant CPU load<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Deepcool is well known for its capable AIOs at affordable prices, and the Gammaxx L240 V2 is one of the cheaper 240mm coolers on the market. That makes it a great option for users looking to step up from air cooling into the world of AIO cooling.<\/p>\n
The Gammaxx 240mm features basic RGB lighting on the pump head and fans. There\u2019s a more expensive ARGB version should you really want it. Deepcool likes to talk about its \u2018Anti leak technology\u2019 which seeks to maintain an optimal pressure balance inside the loop. Which certainly can\u2019t hurt.<\/p>\n
The Gammaxx 240 is capable of cooling most processors, too, though like many of the chip chillers on this list it draws the line at AMD’s Threadripper beasts. But it keeps the rest running with remarkably low noise levels, which is one of the main reasons we recommend it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At idle the L240 is effectively silent. As you\u2019d expect, you will start to see an increase in temperatures and noise levels with high TDP processors, especially when overclocking. Our 5800X CPU with PBO enabled is about the maximum we\u2019d consider appropriate for a 240mm cooler. Under load, the fans can and do ramp up quite a bit.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re after a 240mm AIO that\u2019s inexpensive and quiet under less demanding loads, then the Deepcool Gammaxx L240 is a great choice. Sure, it\u2019s noise levels can get high if you push it hard, but at this price it comes highly recommended.<\/p>\n
Best mid-tower case | Best RAM for gaming | Best SSD for gaming \u00a0
\n
\n
Image 1 of 2<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n
\n
(Image credit: Corsair)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nImage 2 of 2<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n
\n
(Image credit: Corsair)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
3. Corsair Hydro Series H60 V2<\/h3>\n <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span>Liquid cooling at air cooling prices<\/p>\n
\n
Specifications<\/h4>\n\n
Socket support: <\/span> Intel LGA 1200, 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1366, 2011, 2066, AMD AM4, AM3 & AM2<\/span><\/p>\nScale: <\/span>120mm<\/span><\/p>\nFull radiator dimensions: <\/span>157 x 120 x 27mm<\/span><\/p>\nFan speeds: <\/span>Up to 1700RPM<\/span><\/p>\nNoise level: <\/span>Up to 28.3dB(A)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Reasons to buy<\/h4>\n+<\/span><\/p>\nGood performance for its small radiator size<\/p>\n
<\/span>+<\/span><\/p>\nGenerally quiet operation<\/p>\n
<\/span>+<\/span><\/p>\nVery affordable<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Reasons to avoid<\/h4>\n–<\/span><\/p>\nWould struggle with super high-end CPUs<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The Corsair H60 has been around for some time. Over the years it’s seen its tubing, fan, pump and mounting upgraded. The 120mm AIO form factor won\u2019t suit everyone, but those who require a compact cooler to suit something like a small volume ITX build will find it can perform as well as a decent mid-range air cooler. Notably, it lacks RGB, though there is some white lighting around the head.<\/p>\n
The H60 V2 is well suited to processors under about the 95w level. Sure, it will be beaten out by a decent tower cooler or AIO with a larger radiator, but their dimensions often rule them out of SFF builds. Heat is the enemy of an SFF system, so the H60\u2019s ability to eject hot air outside the case will benefit the whole system. Corsair includes its SP PWM fan, which operates at speeds of between 600 RPM (at which level it really is silent) up to 1700 RPM. It becomes clearly audible at that point.<\/p>\n
The Corsair H60 V2 is perfect for a compact system. It’s affordable and should outperform most low-profile air coolers and doing so without having to resort to unreasonable noise levels. It won’t suit a high core count or overclocked processor, but then you shouldn\u2019t expect it to. With the right partnering components, it\u2019s an easy recommendation.<\/p>\n
Air cooling<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
(Image credit: Deepcool)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
1. Deepcool AS500 Plus<\/h3>\n <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span>A fantastic all round cooler that won’t empty your wallet<\/p>\n
\n
Specifications<\/h4>\n\n
Socket support: <\/span>Intel 1200, 1150, 1151, 1155, 2011, 2066, AMD AM4, AM3, AM2, FM2 & FM1 compatible<\/span><\/p>\nFans: <\/span>2x 140mm PWM<\/span><\/p>\nFan speeds: <\/span>500\u20131200RPM<\/span><\/p>\nDimensions (L x W x H): <\/span>140 x 102 x 164 mm<\/span><\/p>\nNoise level: <\/span>Max 31.5dB(A)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Reasons to buy<\/h4>\n+<\/span><\/p>\nGreat value<\/p>\n
<\/span>+<\/span><\/p>\nLow noise levels<\/p>\n
<\/span>+<\/span><\/p>\n