Cooling for AMD processor. Rating of the best cooling systems for the processor

The processor is the main element in the operation of a computer and is responsible for all calculations occurring in the system. When the "stone" operates, some amount of heat generation or TPD occurs. Cooling systems help prevent overheating and keep the processor in working condition. Currently, coolers and liquid cooling systems are mainly used - liquid cooling systems, or in common parlance - dropsy, although there is no water there. Cooling with liquid nitrogen has become somewhat widespread, but it is extremely expensive.

A standard cooler consists of a radiator and a fan, the number of which may vary depending on the model. The purpose of the radiator is to transfer heat from the processor cover to all its surfaces, greatly increasing the surface area with which the air comes into contact. The fan brings in cooler air, displacing hot air. Liquid cooling systems are more compact, more expensive, and remove heat better. The working fluid is initially distilled water with many additives and impurities that increase the bactericidal and galvanic effect.

We have selected for you the top 15 best coolers and liquid cooling systems for processors and motherboards.

Best Liquid Cooling Systems

Let's start with the top five best liquid cooling systems. If you want to get low temperatures, immediately pay attention to the 3-section options. It is worth noting that in Russia, unfortunately, prices are greatly inflated and it makes sense to pay attention to foreign sites. The section is represented by both serial and custom models.

5 ID-COOLING FROSTFLOW+ 240

Budget option for emergencies
Country: China
Average price: 3782 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.2

If you have very little money, but really want a liquid lubricant, you can take FROSTFLOW+ 240. However, we would not advise taking risks and recommend saving some money and installing a tower cooler as a stopgap. Despite the ability to cool Intel i5/i7/i9 processors and the latest Ryzen from AMD, taking a two-section system with an RPM of 700-1800 is not the best idea.

The maximum power dissipation here is only 200 W with a pump output of 96 liters per hour. Everything would be fine, but its bearing is not hydrodynamic, but ceramic, which affected the price and overall reliability in general. According to the manufacturer, the bearing is guaranteed to work for its factory 50,000 hours at a noise level of 25 dB, which is not bad for this model.

4 Alphacool Eisbaer LT120

The best single-section life support system
Country: China
Average price: 6438 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.4

A copper radiator with thermal conductivity is almost 2 times higher than that of aluminum, and all this happiness will cost you only 6,500 rubles. This is definitely top, and considering that it has a quick locking mechanism for AlphaCool HF, which will allow you to expand the dropsy by adding, for example, a video card outline. However, in this case, the LT120 simply will not be able to cool both components simultaneously, so it is not recommended to take risks. There is no talk of overclocking here.

The system will fit all modern sockets, including Intel i5/i7 and AMD processors along with the new AM4 socket. The rotation speed of the turntable ranges from 550 to 1700 rpm, depending on the mode of use. The noise level is 29 dB, and the pump capacity is 70 l/h.

3 Cooler Master Liquid ML240R RGB

Great look
Country: China
Average price: 8930 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.6

Those who like to have a rainbow in the case will definitely like the Cooler Master Master Liquid ML240R RGB. For special purposes, there are 3 types of fans with different speeds, allowing you to combine components for the best effect. The company has learned from the mistakes of the past and the model in the latest revisions leaks only in case of disregard and lack of care in terms of cleaning, and it is better to buy an additional filter altogether.

According to customer reviews, there is no difficulty in installation, which should also be added to the list of advantages. A nice addition will be the tube of thermal paste included. Parts of the turntable fasteners are completely rubber and are separately screwed to the body, creating minimal background noise.

2 NZXT Kraken X62 (RL-KRX62-02)

Buyers' choice
Country: China
Average price: 12172 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.8

NZXT Kraken X62 (RL-KRX62-02) is one of the leaders in sales, but frankly speaking, 12 thousand is an overpayment, albeit for a beautiful appearance. By installing it in the case, you will get a real mirror inside, since the pump is made using the latest technologies. The radiator length is 240 mm, which eliminates the need to worry about the temperature of the “stone” under heavy loads.

Paired with the radiator are 140 mm fans with good speeds - 500-1800. The contact area with the block itself is rubberized, which significantly helps reduce noise levels and eliminate rattling. The contact pad of the pump is entirely copper, and on the reverse side there is a microchannel structure for rapid heat dissipation. All hoses are braided, which is good news, and the connection with the pump has an angle adjuster to adjust it to the features of your unit.

There are several global types of coolers:

Boxing. The radiator is small in height and is made mainly of solid aluminum. The fan acts as a cover. The main advantage is low cost of production and manufacturability, which has a beneficial effect on cost. Manufacturers often use similar designs when selling kits with processors. For “stones” with a heat release of up to 65 W, this solution is considered acceptable. “Boxed” options cannot cope with large indicators. Is a dead-end branch.

Tower. By increasing the height of the fan and adding copper heat pipes to the aluminum bar, heat dissipation can be significantly improved. There are “towers” ​​with both vertical and horizontal fan locations. The first option has become more widespread, but there are no fundamental differences in effectiveness. The effectiveness of such a system depends on the diameter of the tubes, their number and indirectly on the size of the turntable. The more, the better the system will cool the air.

1 Arctic Liquid Freezer 360

6 fans – the best serial LSS
Country: China
Average price: 11,705 rub.
Rating (2018): 5.0

By purchasing this dropsy for a very reasonable price, in addition to a pleasant appearance, you will immediately receive 6 coolers in a set. Such a colossus will not fit into every box, so before purchasing, carefully measure the dimensions of your system unit.

The water block is made of copper and has impressive dimensions of 82x82x40 mm. The air is driven by 120 mm fans, creating an air flow of 74 CFM. The radiator is aluminum and does its job well. The maximum power dissipation is 350 W, and the Freezer 360 itself will fit perfectly on any modern processor. There is no backlight or speed control.

The best boxed coolers

Inexpensive, with low power dissipation and allowing you to save a lot of space in the case, boxed coolers. For processors such as i5-8400, i3-8100, i7-7700, they are quite sufficient, because there is complete silence even at night and stability does not suffer.

5 Deepcool CK-11508

For office PCs
Country: China
Average price: 290 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.5

The cheapest and weakest Deepcool CK-11508 in our top is suitable for office machines without overclocking, since it dissipates no more than 65 W of energy, but for such a price you shouldn’t expect more. The 92mm fan produces a modest 40.9 CFM. The noise is appropriate - only 25 dB.

According to customer reviews, the model will easily fit on LGA1150/1151/1155/S1156 sockets. The small contact surface is compensated by a good screw fastening and clamping force, but you should be careful not to overdo it, as it can be easily broken.

4 AeroCool BAS

Lowest noise level
Country: China
Average price: 595 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.6

Received the status of AeroCool BAS gaming cooler. The maximum power dissipation is 100 W; you can’t really drive 95 W processors on it, but it can handle the new Ryzen with a TDP of 65 units. The spinner is unregulated and the number of revolutions is only 1200 per minute. It's not much, but it's enough to complete all your tasks. The noise level is minimal – 19 dB, thanks to the wide 120 mm cooler.

Due to the compact shape, air intake comes from the side cover of the case, creating air sweat up to 55.6 CFM. The radiator is made well, the fins do not spring.

3 Cooler Master C116 (CP6-9GDSC-0L-GP)

For lovers of Intel processors
Country: China
Average price: 590 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.7

According to customer reviews, for 590 rubles you get an analogue of a boxed cooler, which has a copper core and is standard for Intel processors. Only LGA 775/1151 sockets are supported, but 1151 is compatible with 1150/1156/1155. The model can cope with cooling 95 W processors and below, its compactness and component base are excellent and do not need criticism. The kit includes an additional mounting plate, and the cooler itself is secured with screws to the motherboard.

The only thing is that the plate itself is made of plastic, which is why it can sag and eventually crack. Adjusting the speed is possible only with the help of a rheobass. Thermal paste has already been applied to the contact surface itself, which means you don’t have to shell out money for a tube.

2 Cooler Master CK9-9HDSA-PL-GP

Easy installation, high speed
Country: China
Average price: 800 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.8

“The more complex the system, the greater the chance of it breaking,” thought Cooler Master and released an extremely simple model CK9-9HDSA-PL-GP. Despite the modest size of the fan (95 mm), this option can spin up to 4200 rpm, creating a powerful air flow of 64.1 CFM. When using it, several nuances should be taken into account.

This “baby” is only suitable for AMD processors with sockets AM2, AM2+, AM3/AM3+/FM1, most of which are outdated. The presence of high speeds has significantly reduced the durability of the bearing and the guaranteed operating time is only 40,000 hours, and under maximum loads it begins to resemble an airplane turbine.

Liquid cooling systems consist of the following elements:

Water block - heat exchanger;

• water pump
• Storage tank
• Fans
• Hoses and tubes

When choosing a liquid cooler, focus on dropsy coolers with 3 or more blocks, in which case the differences with conventional tower coolers will be visible. If you are assembling a small gaming PC, then you can purchase a single-section version.

Many people take such systems for beauty, often buying dropsy for 4-5 thousand, which is a waste of money. Such models not only cope poorly with their tasks, but also quickly begin to leak. Cheap options have a higher percentage of defects, but even the most expensive model can leak. The only correct solution is proper operation.

1 Deepcool ARCHER BIGPRO

The best solution for stock processors
Country: China
Average price: 955 rub.
Rating (2018): 5.0

We recommend Deepcool ARCHER BIGPRO as an inexpensive box. A simple and successful design with support for the new AM4 socket from AMD allowed the cooler to establish itself in the market as a popular one. Installation takes about 30 seconds with straight hands. The copper core greatly enhances heat absorption, resulting in a maximum power dissipation of 125W.

A nice bonus is the multi-directional fins of the radiator, which is why the heat is evenly distributed over the entire area of ​​the radiator. The turntable is capable of accelerating to 2000 rpm, pleasing with a low noise level both at the top and at the minimum speed. For your money - definitely top.

The best tower coolers

The most popular and in demand segment.

5 Deepcool ICE EDGE MINI FS V2.0

The most budget tower
Country: China
Average price: 717 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.8

Install ICE EDGE MINI FS V2.0 in your computer and ensure low temperatures for any Intel and AMD processors without overclocking. However, if the overclocking is weak, for example on the new Ryazhenkas, then the cooler can be used, but with extreme caution. In this case, V2.0 will be slightly more efficient than a standard box turntable.

Buyers in their reviews praise the versatility and this is completely deserved, since the package includes mounts for all modern processors. The low noise level is also pleasing, although the diameter of the turntable is only 82 mm. 2 copper heat pipes transfer heat to the radiator, which needs to be cleaned frequently, as it clogs quickly. The connection is made via a 3-pin connector. It is recommended to approach the installation carefully, since the fastenings, especially for AM3+, are a bit tight.

4 PCcooler GI-X6B

Best cooler for Ryzen overclocking
Country: China
Average price: 1700 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.9

Beauty, silence, low temperatures - this is just a small list of the advantages of this model. There are already two fans here, both with a diameter of 120 mm. This is enough to dissipate 160 W of heat, since 5 heat pipes cope with it at once. The only problem is the staple is a bit tight.

The coloring of the blades, heat pipes and lighting caused the price to increase; if beauty does not bother you, you can choose an alternative. In stress tests on the Ryzen 1800x, the temperature slowly rises to 85 degrees over half an hour, after which it does not rise at all. In general, we recommend it for connoisseurs and aesthetes.

3 Thermalright AXP-100R

Top solution for low profile systems
Country: China
Average price: 3770 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.9

Option for low profile systems. It's simply not better now. 6 heat pipes with a 100 mm fan are capable of dissipating 125 W of heat. There is no backlight or speed control. Optionally, it is possible to install a 120 mm turntable. Its height is only 6 centimeters, which greatly saves space inside the case.

The rotation range is also impressive - from 900 to 2500 rpm. This is not a standard, but for everyday tasks and slight overclocking it is quite suitable. The noise level at maximum speed increases to 30 dB, which is basically tolerable.

2 be quiet! DARK ROCK PRO 4

Liquid Cooling Buster
Country: China
Average price: 6700 rub.
Rating (2018): 5.0

2 fans and 7 heat pipes produce a killer 250 W of dissipated power. He sets records and competes with dropsy, showing the closest, and even superior, results of life support. The equipment is rich and matches the price category. A heatsink, turntables, mounting brackets, instructions, a screwdriver, thermal paste and mounts for Intel and AMD - you will find all this inside the package. The body is completely black, there is no hint of backlighting or other frills.

Compared to the 3rd generation, the “four” has become much easier to install without breaking your fingers and motherboard, Ryzen owners will be especially pleased. Each module consists of 42 aluminum plates, the distance between which is only 2 mm, which is the standard. According to customer reviews, this is an excellent device, but the price and weight of almost 1 kg greatly narrow the circle of fans of the model.

1 Thermalright Macho 120 Rev.A

The best professional model for overclocking
Country: China
Average price: 3160 rub.
Rating (2018): 5.0

Very quiet (25 dB), compact and convenient for installation on all modern processors. It will definitely withstand overclocking on all i5 and i7-8700K at 5 GHz. If you are planning to buy it for Ryzen, then do not forget about the mounts that you need to buy separately for the AM4 socket. They cost about 225 rubles. There is also an alternative option. Write to the company's Taiwanese support and provide a photo of the receipt and documents, after which the missing elements will be sent to you free of charge.

It has almost standard speeds in the range from 600 to 1300 per minute. The number of heat pipes is 5. The massive radiator had a negative impact on the weight and now it is 754 grams. Be careful when installing it on the motherboard, because PCB is now very thin. A small nuance - there is a “Direct” version on sale with a 140 mm fan, which provides better cooling and costs only 200 rubles more. There is also revision B, already with 6 tubes.

How to choose a cooling system for a processor?

When choosing a cooler, rely on several important points:

• Dimensions. Before purchasing, measure the width of your case if you are going to buy a “tower”. Many powerful cooler models are large and may simply not fit into the case.
• Processor heat dissipation. Choose a cooling system that can handle the heat generated by your stone. If the TDP of the “stone” is 95 W, then you should pay attention to models with a power dissipation of about 110 W. When overclocking a similar processor, you need to consider options from 120 W or more - it all depends on how hard you are going to “drive” the processor.

Let's touch on some nuances when purchasing:

• Distance between plates. The larger it is, the less pressure is needed for air circulation. The optimal distance is 1.5-2 mm.
• The larger the radiator area, the higher the heat dissipation efficiency.

Summarizing:

• If the processor is not overclockable, then choose a radiator 4-5 cm thick, with 3-4 pipes and 120-140 mm fans with a maximum low-speed fan. From 300-400 rpm.
• When the heat dissipation is more than 120-140 W, you need to go with the width of the radiator and no wide radiator can be quieter than a thin one, but this condition is leveled out with larger fan sizes.

Relevance: March 2019

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

1. Zalman
2. Deepcool
3. Ice Hammer

1. Thermalright
2. Scythe
3. Thermaltake
4. Zalman
5. Cooler Master
6. Deepcool

Expensive/Premium class

1. Noctua
2. Be quiet

Backlight Size 120 mm Size 140 mm Sleeve bearing Hydrodynamic bearing Size 135 mm Speed ​​controller

*Prices are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice.

CPU Fans: Backlight

*from user reviews

Minimum 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

Sleeve bearing/ Size 120 mm

Main advantages

• The fan belongs to the slim-systems, showing a very small height - 58 mm. This will allow you to place it in any case, even mini-ATX format
• Unique design provides dual airflow to each of the five copper tubes for superior cooling performance
• The branded cooler is only 12 mm high and can accelerate to a respectable 2000 rpm. Up to 1300 rpm it remains absolutely silent, and at maximum it demonstrates a comfortable 33 dB
• The heat sink is polished to a mirror finish, although many competitors do not pay due attention to this point and marks from the cutter remain noticeable. As a result, irregularities may remain, which will lead to spot overheating.
• Contact between the base and the tubes is ensured by solder rather than ineffective hotmelt adhesive.

Show all products in the category "Sleeve bearing"

CPU Fans: Magnetic Centered Bearing

Magnetic centering bearing/ Size 140 mm

Main advantages

• The joining surface and outlet pipes are made of copper, although many manufacturers use simpler aluminum
• Additional NA-RC7 resistors limit the maximum rotation speed to 1200 rpm, so the coolers will remain silent at all times
• To prevent vibration, the company has developed a unique magnetically stabilized bearing (SSO2). The fan frame is additionally equipped with a vibration-isolating pad
• All metal elements are coated with a layer of nickel to prevent corrosion
• In addition to standard sockets from AMD and Intel, the manufacturer provides mounts for installation on legacy LGA775 and LGA1366

The “heart of the system,” as the central processor is often called, needs cooling. The fact is that it consists of a huge number of transistors, each of which needs power. Energy, as we know, does not disappear anywhere, but passes from electrical to thermal. Of course, this energy must be removed from the processor. In stores you can find cooling devices of various types, sizes and shapes. Today's article will help you choose a CPU cooler.

The word “Cooler” comes from the English cooler - cooler. Applicable to computer equipment, we mean an air cooling system, which most often consists of a radiator and a fan, and is used to cool computer components whose heat output is greater than 5W.
Initially, processors made do with their own surface to dissipate the required amount of heat, then simple aluminum radiators were attached to them. With the increase in power, and therefore heat dissipation, this became not enough. Fans began to be installed on radiators. Naturally, manufacturers sought to improve design and materials, which ultimately led to a variety of cooling system options.

Types of processor cooling systems based on heat removal method.

1) Air cooling systems, which are also called “coolers”.
Today’s article is dedicated to them.

2) Liquid cooling systems .
Heat is removed using liquid. There is a water block on the processor that removes heat. The pump, which is included in the circuit, pumps this liquid through tubes to a remote radiator. There the heat is removed and the liquid returns to the water block. This cycle is continuous. There are unattended systems and serviced ones. In the first case, the liquid is collected and filled at the factory. The latter are purchased as a set and assembled for a specific system.

Advantages compared to most air systems:

Less noise
+Higher efficiency
+ Installation flexibility
+Interesting appearance.

Minuses:

Higher price
-Risk of leaks
-Difficulty of installation
-Blowing around the socket space is required.

3) Extreme cooling systems.
These are systems based on the principle of phase change, open evaporation systems, as well as so-called “chillers”. This kind of system is used only by enthusiasts to achieve results in overclocking computer components.

Is it always necessary to select a cooler? BOX and OEM processors.

When choosing components for assembling a system unit, first decide on the processor. The question immediately arises: “Why can a processor of the same model in the same store be bought at different prices?” The fact is that there is an OEM version, and there is a BOX version, usually this is indicated in the name. The first means that the processor arrived at the point of sale on a pallet and is used to assemble a PC. BOX - the version provides that the processor is in a box with a cooling device, instructions, and, usually, an increased warranty. It should be noted that the most powerful processors, even in BOX versions, are not always equipped with cooling systems. In this case, the box size is smaller, and the absence of a cooler is indicated on the box and in the description.

It makes sense that OEM processors require a cooler. However, it is often purchased for the BOX version. The supplied cooler will naturally cope with cooling, but only under ideal conditions. If the case is poorly ventilated, in the event of heat, or overclocking the processor, at best the fan will make a lot of noise, and the temperatures will be extreme. At worst, the processor will overheat and slow down, skipping cycles. In the case of an office system unit, you can use a complete, boxed cooler, but a combination of an OEM version and a cooler from a third-party manufacturer will cost less.

Selection of a cooler depending on the socket.

Once the processor is selected, you need to look at which socket it is intended for. This is the first point in choosing a cooler. A socket is a slot on the motherboard into which the processor is installed. Processor manufacturers change sockets quite often. Replacement of standards for fastening processor cooling systems occurs less frequently.
Typically, simple coolers with low cost are suitable for only one processor socket. Manufacturers make powerful cooling systems universal, which allows their products to be used for various platforms, even those that are no longer in production.
To choose the cooler that suits us, we simply select the socket we need in the configurator, for example, AM3+, and so on.

Selection of cooler depending on power dissipation.

TDP - Thermal Design Power is the power that the processor cooling system must be designed to handle. Measured in Watts. Nobody hides this parameter; it can also be viewed in the processor characteristics. The power dissipated by the cooler must be greater than or equal to the TDP of the processor. Of course, in case of equal power, the cooling system will be enough, but here everything is the same as in the case of a complete BOX cooler - it is better to take it with a reserve. Even if there is no overheating, a cooler with a higher power dissipation will be quieter and will not have to be replaced in case of an upgrade. If you plan to overclock the processor, you need to take into account that heat generation increases in proportion to the voltage increase. As a result, TDP increases, sometimes even significantly.

Conventionally, we can distinguish several groups of processor coolers depending on power dissipation:

Up to 45W – for office PCs
45-65W – for multimedia PCs
65-80W – for mid-range gaming PCs
80-120W – for high-end gaming PCs
More than 120W – powerful gaming or professional PCs, also overclocked processors.

Selection of a cooler depending on the design.

Structurally, all processor coolers can be divided into two groups: conventional design and tower design. The first implies a fan parallel to the motherboard, and the radiator fins perpendicular. In the case of a tower structure, the opposite is true. There are high-performance coolers of the usual type, but most often they are similar to those that come with BOX processors.
Achieving high heat dissipation power is much easier with tower coolers. Due to the heat pipes, the radiator can be located further from the motherboard, it is possible to install several fans, and also make a radiator of any size. The tower cooler blows warm air towards the rear wall, not the motherboard. It will not interfere with the socket space and RAM strips.
In conventional coolers, the location of the fan ensures better airflow around the socket. Dimensions are also a plus - the height of coolers of this type is smaller than that of tower coolers.

The height should be taken into account in coolers of any design - it should be less than what is indicated in the parameters of the computer case. Otherwise, the wall will not be able to close.

Heat pipes, due to the liquid boiling in them, transfer heat from one place to another almost instantly. In the case of computer coolers - from the base of the cooler to the radiator. The more tubes, the more efficient the cooling device will be. Also, the diameter of the heat pipes also affects the performance of the cooler - the thicker they are, the faster the pipes can remove heat.

Choice of materials for the radiator and cooler base.

Copper and aluminum are two materials that all cooler manufacturers use. Copper has a higher thermal conductivity, but is much heavier and more expensive than aluminum. A simple cooler without heat pipes is usually made entirely of aluminum. There are models with copper inserts at the base. There are also all-copper models, but if there are no heat pipes, they will not be able to cool powerful processors well.
Tower type coolers are combined - the base is made of copper and the radiator is aluminum. All-copper towers are quite rare coolers, as the cost and weight increase, and the increase in performance is insignificant. It is not always possible to determine the material by color - sometimes the base and heat pipes are coated with nickel to prevent oxidation.

Parameters of complete fans.

In order for the radiator to effectively remove heat, it must be ventilated. This is done by fans. Sometimes manufacturers use their own standard size, sometimes standard fans with a square frame of 80, 92, 120, 140mm. If a standard fan fails, it can easily be purchased separately. The larger the fan, the quieter it is, since it pumps more air at the same speed.
Most often, coolers are equipped with one fan; fanless (passive) models are rare. Powerful devices can be equipped with two or even three fans, which provides better airflow. However, manufacturers often leave the opportunity to retrofit coolers. The maximum number of installed fans is one, two or three.
The higher the fan speed, the better the radiator will be ventilated. This will reduce temperatures, but increase noise levels. This level is measured in decibels (dB), and depends on the rotation speed, type of fan bearing, shape and number of blades. Fans up to 25 dB can be considered quiet, which most often corresponds to rotation at a speed less than 1500 rpm.
However, the fan speed can be controlled. There are coolers where this is done manually. The kit includes a regulator, by rotating the knob or moving the slider, you can achieve an acceptable noise level. However, in this case, you will have to independently monitor the processor temperature and increase the speed at times of maximum load. Sometimes the kit contains not a variable regulator, but a constant resistor. That is, by connecting the fan directly to the motherboard, we get one speed, and through a resistor - a lower, but also fixed speed.
If the motherboard supports PWM, it is better to purchase a cooler with

Currently, the most effective are tower coolers with copper heat pipes. With proper implementation, three or four heat pipes are sufficient to ensure cooling of any serial processor in the radiator design. Further increasing the number of tubes in radiators does not always lead to a decrease in peak processor temperatures, so there is no point in pursuing this. Radiator plates and heat pipes themselves are usually nickel-plated, which allows them to maintain an almost perfect appearance throughout their entire service life.

When choosing a cooler, you should pay attention to the method of contact of the tubes with the base and fins of the radiator. If soldering is used (its traces are always clearly visible at the joints), you can trust such a device with your processor, but the simple crimping of plates on tubes and the absence of grooves in the base should be treated with skepticism, although soldering is extremely rare in the middle price segment. Coolers with direct contact technology, which have become popular in recent years, are widespread, when the radiator does not have a base, and its role is played by heat pipes processed in the base area to a flat surface. In such models, you need to pay attention to the distance between the tubes at the base - the smaller it is, the more uniform the heat exchange will be, which means the efficiency of the cooler will be higher.

The size of the radiator really matters. The larger the area of ​​the fins and the greater their number, the larger the area of ​​the radiator and the more heat it can dissipate. Do not underestimate the various types of optimization of radiators - the ends of the fins of variable height, tubes arranged in a checkerboard pattern, but from evaporation chambers or radial radiators the effect is most often minimal.

It is also worth mentioning coolers of the so-called “top design”, in which the radiator is located parallel to the motherboard, and the fan forces air flow to its plane. The height of these coolers is small (no more than 150 mm), but due to design limitations their area is relatively small, so their efficiency is usually lower than that of tower coolers. But the air flow of such coolers better cools the elements of the space around the processor and the radiators on the motherboard.

Noise level

While the efficiency of even the simplest air coolers turns out to be quite sufficient for standard processor operating modes, their noise level does not suit everyone. The only source of noise in air coolers is the fan. In general, you can focus on the following figures: for 80 and 92 mm fans, the speed should be no higher than 1500-1700 rpm; for 120 mm fans - no higher than 1200-1300 rpm; for 140 mm fans and more - no higher than 1000-1200 rpm.

Almost all currently produced cooling systems are equipped with fans that support automatic speed control, depending on the load on the processor and/or its temperature. Such fans are practically silent in low processor load mode and at the same time sensitive to any increase in load. The adjustment algorithm is set in the motherboard BIOS, or through software.

An important component of the fan is the type of bearing. The most common and cheapest is the sleeve bearing, the typical service life of which is 30,000 hours or about 3 years of continuous operation. But in practice, such bearings do not last long, and after half their service life they begin to make noise. More durable (and expensive) are ball bearings, which can last more than 100,000 hours, and with high quality manufacturing can maintain low noise levels throughout their service life. A compromise option is hydrodynamic bearings (FDB bearing). As a rule, they are twice as durable as plain bearings and have low noise levels.

The heat dissipation of the processor is one of the main parameters that you should pay attention to when assembling a computer. The CPU is the key component on which the entire system depends. If it overheats, a forced cooling mode will begin, which results in skipped clock cycles, that is, problems with computer performance. When the processor cannot cool down even in this way, it begins to automatically turn off so as not to fail completely. It’s probably not worth talking about the dangers of abruptly shutting down a computer, especially when it happens in emergency mode of the central processor.

In order for the CPU to maintain acceptable temperatures, it needs additional cooling. This is why it is important to choose the right CPU cooler. There are many nuances that you need to pay attention to when selecting a processor fan, and it is also important not to forget about the main parameters when choosing it.

Why change the cooler that comes included?

On sale you can find central processors in OEM and BOX configurations. In terms of performance, there are no differences between these versions of the CPU of the same model, and they differ only in the configuration. The OEM version represents only the central processor itself, while the BOX package includes a cooler.

Many users who do not have much experience in assembling a computer may be under the impression that the ideal solution is to purchase a BOX processor package, but this is not always the case. The coolers that come with the processor are most often of mediocre quality, and they are not capable of cooling the “stone” under high load. That is, if the CPU is purchased for an office computer, where it will not be faced with tasks more difficult than working with a browser and a text editor, then there will be no problems with cooling the processor with a cooler from the BOX package. But if you plan to use the “stone” in games and other resource-intensive applications, then you need to worry about buying a more powerful cooler.

Modern processors consist of more than 500 million transistors, each of which heats up during operation. Due to the small area of ​​the CPU, such serious heat cannot be dissipated on its own, and an additional cooler is required to remove it. The more complex tasks a processor faces, the more efficient cooling is required.

How to choose the right CPU cooler

The most important thing when choosing a cooler is to match it to the characteristics of the processor. Obviously, the more powerful the processor, the more heat it generates under high load. Accordingly, it needs more cooling. The heat dissipation parameter of a processor is usually designated TDP, and it is measured in Watts. When paying attention to the heat dissipation of the processor, we must not forget that the models also differ from each other in the type of socket. Now let’s look at the selection for each of the parameters in a little more detail.

CPU socket

The socket is the processor size, and it is designated: AM3+, 1150, 2011-3 and other combinations of letters and numbers. Manufacturers try to standardize CPUs into certain sizes, but due to changes in production technology over time, there are already about a dozen of them available. The socket is the size of the connector on the motherboard into which the “stone” itself is inserted.

Thus, when choosing a cooler for a processor, you should initially find out the processor model and check on the Internet on the manufacturer’s website what size it is made in. Coolers often fit into several sockets due to the versatility of the mounts.

CPU heat dissipation

Having decided on the standard size, you need to look at the heat dissipation of the processor. You can find out information about the TDP parameter of a particular processor on the manufacturer’s official website.

When selecting a cooler based on heat dissipation parameters for a specific processor model, everything is somewhat more complicated. The fact is that in online stores and on various websites it is quite rare to find accurate information about what processor TDP a particular cooler is suitable for. However, well-known manufacturers of processor fans, for example, Noctua, are not shy about providing such information.

If you cannot find information about a specific cooler model, you can use the data from the table below. Please note that the information in it is very approximate, and it is better to choose a fan option for the processor “with a reserve”.

How to choose a quality cooler

Having selected cooler models based on processor parameters, there will still be dozens, or even hundreds of fan options that can be purchased. In such a situation, you should look at the reviews about the quality of a particular cooler left by their owners. But it’s better to independently eliminate the least quality ones from the available options by evaluating the fans according to the following parameters.

Cooler base

The area that the cooler touches the processor plays an important role in cooling. Since the dimensions of the “stone” are fixed, it is almost impossible to increase this contact area. At the same time, some cooler manufacturers, in search of innovation, partially remove heat pipes from the base of the fan. Because of this, the contact area and efficiency of the cooler are reduced.

It is also important that the base is made without various patterns. It should be copper polished to a mirror finish. Before purchasing, you must inspect the cooler to ensure that there are no cuts, unevenness or other defects on its base.

Please note: In most cases, the base of the cooler is made of copper. This material is budget-friendly and efficient in terms of heat transfer. There are aluminum options, but they are much less efficient. In this case, copper can be coated with nickel, which is why it acquires a silver color.

Heat pipes

On almost every modern cooler you can see several heat pipes, whereas previously they were not used. The fact is that with the increase in processor power and the increase in heat generation, the existing cooling standards were no longer sufficient, and manufacturers decided to use a proven option - installing heat-conducting tubes.

The copper tube is filled with liquid and sealed on both sides. When heated, the liquid heats up and turns into a gaseous state. The gas moves to the other side of the tube and thereby removes heat. The steam then cools, turns back into water and returns to the base of the tube. In computer coolers, the process is approximately the same, except that there is also a porous material inside, which is necessary for the liquid to return back, even when the tubes are located in a horizontal position.

When choosing a cooler for a processor, you need to pay attention to how many tubes are installed. They do not differ much in their properties, depending on the size, so quantity becomes the main criterion. The minimum allowable amount for cooling a modern powerful processor is 3-4 tubes, but the more, the better.

Radiator

From the base of the cooler, heat transfers to the radiator, which consists of dozens of plates mounted on heat pipes.

The radiator can be of any shape, but it is important to remember some rules that distinguish a good option from a bad one:

• The larger the radiator area, the better;
• The plates should be thin, but in large quantities;
• It is better when the radiator is made of copper.

Since the heatsink on the cooler is partially visible when the computer is open, some companies try to do it in the best possible way from a design point of view. It can be of different colors, shapes, plates are made at unusual angles of inclination. If the above rules are followed, then design decisions have little effect on the quality of the cooler.

Fan

Some time ago, in pursuit of quiet computer operation, manufacturers did everything to abandon the active cooling element, that is, the cooler itself. However, a radiator without an element to dissipate heat cannot cope with powerful processors, and fans in processor coolers have not yet been abandoned.

When choosing a fan, you need to pay attention to its size, and accordingly, the size of the blades. Coolers with larger blades are not only more efficient at removing heat from the radiator, but they are also quieter. There is a misconception that the rotation speed of the cooler is much more important, but this is not true. Speed ​​is an important parameter, but the diameter of the fan itself is more important. If you install a cooler with a small blade diameter but a high rotation speed in a computer, such a PC will make a lot of noise even when performing “office tasks.”

Also, when choosing a cooler, you need to pay attention to the type of bearing on which the fan is mounted. On sale you can find options made on rolling bearings (Ball Bearing) or sliding bearings (Slide Bearing). Rolling bearings perform better because they make less noise and have a longer service life.

How to install a cooler on a processor

Having chosen the right cooler, there should be no problems with its installation. Using special fasteners, the fan is installed on top of the processor inserted into the grooves of the socket. Most often, the cooler comes with detailed instructions for installing it, which allows you to understand in general terms the principle of operation of the fastening mechanism.

It is important before installing the cooler. It is necessary to eliminate irregularities between the base of the cooler and the processor, for maximum heat transfer. Without thermal paste, the processor will not be able to work for a long time, so neglecting this step is prohibited.