CPU air cooling tests. CPU fans: Backlight. Automatic speed control

Every time when choosing a cooler to cool a processor, buyers face certain difficulties. The range of devices is constantly growing, the characteristics are getting better, so stopping at just one is quite difficult.

Difficulties in choosing are also explained by the fact that many parameters of the parts are quite specific, and they may be incomprehensible to a person who is not very well versed in technology. To eliminate all the gaps and find the best option, our editors have prepared a rating of the best CPU coolers, the purchase of which will be a real treat for your computer.

The best CPU cooler brands

One of the main dilemmas that a buyer needs to solve is to decide which cooler to choose from, so as not to regret the money spent. On the market computer parts There are several manufacturers that are popular among users. It is their products that you should pay attention to first of all in order to remain satisfied with the performance of the cooling system for many years.

Cooler Master – the manufacturer from Taiwan has been known in the computer spare parts market for decades, so there is definitely no doubt that it will offer an unreliable cooler for your processor. Correspondence international standards, high performance, reliable assembly and a reasonable price - with such parameters, the company’s products cannot but be popular.
DeepCool– a decent selection of good coolers for personal computer Deepcool is a famous company specializing in cooling systems. The wide range offers both budget models and premium quality parts, and each of the offered options is characterized by high reliability and excellent performance. You definitely won’t be able to pass by the spare parts offered by the company.
Corsair– the manufacturer is a real regular in reviews and ratings of the best coolers and power supplies. Almost every part offered is the perfect combination of quiet operation, innovative cooling system and highest quality. It is no coincidence that many famous gamers choose Corsair as the main supplier of components for their computer.

Deepcool GAMMAXX 400

Budget popular model The cooler with one fan has gained fame due to its incredibly strong set of characteristics at a price of only 1300-1500 rubles. The maximum power dissipation of the device reaches 125 W, while the structure of the part includes 4 heat pipes and a housing made of aluminum and copper, which allows not only to effectively cool the processor, but also to maintain a decent level of performance for more than one year. At a speed of 900 rpm the cooler is very different quiet operation(up to 21.4 dB), although when increased to 1500 rpm, the noise level reaches 32 dB.

Advantages:

work with wide range processors (from Intel Sempron to Core i7)
blue backlight
reliable hydrodynamic bearing
support for modern platforms
great price

Flaws:

decent dimensions – 136x159x76 mm
noticeable noise under load

Cooler Master Hyper 212 (RR-CCH-LB22-GP)

Next in the ranking is a good and inexpensive cooler that is not very versatile, but can without a doubt be called one of the best in the budget category. Main feature The device is incredibly quiet with a noise level of 19 dB at 2000 rpm. This combination is quite rare at a price of 2500-3000 rubles, so the demand for the part is very high. Separately, it is worth mentioning the possibility of installing a second 120 mm fan, which allows you to increase the level of cooling without additional problems. Judging by the reviews, this model The cooler also pleasantly pleases users with a neat and not too bright blue backlight, which does not irritate the eyes, as in some other devices.

Advantages:

air flow – 69.69 CFM
successful design of the radiator made of aluminum and copper
very quiet operation
excellent efficiency
convenient fastening

Flaws:

some LEDs turn off over time
large dimensions

Thermalright TRUE Spirit 140 Power

The TOP of processor cooling systems continues with one of the best coolers with one fan. Despite the relatively average rotation speed (from 900 to 1300 rpm), the device allows you to increase the air flow up to 73.6 CFM. At the same time, the maximum power dissipation can reach 360 W, largely due to sophisticated heat pipes, the number of which the manufacturer has increased to six. At medium speeds the model is the most quiet cooler of those proposed in the rating, since the noise level can drop to 17 dB. With price tags ranging from 3,300 to 3,600 rubles, such a part is a real tidbit of the cooling system market.

Advantages:

connector for second fan
excellent cooling volumes
excellent work surface made of aluminum and copper
well-designed radiator with good heat dissipation

Flaws:

impressive dimensions
awkward fastening

Deepcool NEPTWIN V2

A perfectly balanced model with two fans can confidently be called the best budget cooler. Six heat pipes, power dissipation up to 150 W and a speed range from 900 to 1500 rpm - parameters that are sometimes not found in expensive parts. Wherein average cost spare parts do not exceed 2,500 rubles, which fully explains its incredible popularity. The air flow due to the presence of two fans is 139.5 CFM, so the user will hardly be able to feel any serious heating during the entire life of the device. Purchasing a new cooling system without paying attention to the best cooler in terms of price-quality ratio is a big mistake for the buyer.

Advantages:

low noise level (ranging from 18 to 30 dB)
additional blue backlight
work with processors from Sempron to Core i7
excellent quality of parts and workmanship
convenient installation

Flaws:

standard valves - sometimes vibrate at high speeds
very bright backlight

Cooler Master Hyper 212 LED Turbo

A high-quality cooler with an air cooling method and a price tag of 2300-2600 rubles is an excellent option for both a home and office computer. Its versatility is explained by its wide speed range - from 600 to 1600 rpm. At the same time, at minimum and average performance, the model can operate with a noise level from 9 to 17 dB, so it is simply impossible to hear its operation. Great job, judging by the reviews about the cooler, the device also demonstrates at high speeds, but it is impossible to say that any noise appears, since 18-31 dB at 1600 rpm is a very good indicator. A decent set of characteristics and a reasonable price make the model excellent choice for the buyer.

Advantages:

robust aluminum housing
two reliable fans
nice red backlight
ease of installation
excellent anti-vibration protection
Comes with thermal paste

Flaws:

insufficient air flow for two fans – 66.3 CFM

Corsair CWCH90

The next model is one of the best water coolers with the highest performance. Unique technology allows the device to effectively thermoregulate the processor using a copper water block, which prevents liquid or vapor from getting on wires and other parts. The noise level is 35 dB, which at 1500 rpm is a very good result. At the same time, the device has only one fan, which allows you to place the cooler even in a small system unit. A significant advantage of the part is the aluminum radiator, which, due to its refractoriness (melting point - from 660 degrees), guarantees the unchanged properties of the mechanism.

Advantages:

air flow – 94 CFM
compact dimensions – 140x170x53 mm
possibility of installing a second fan
high reliability (5 years warranty)
It is possible to install an additional fan

Flaws:

high cost - from 6500 rubles
high noise when the pump is running

Arctic Cooling Liquid Freezer 120

It would be a crime to complete the cooler rating not to talk about the best processor cooling system available today. Swiss quality, which is perhaps unnecessary to talk about, and perfectly selected parameters make the device inaccessible to competitors. Power dissipation up to 300 W and the presence of two fans provide maximum degree cooling even at a relatively small speed range from 500 to 1350 rpm. At the same time, the presence of a water cooling system with a copper water block, as well as 6 mm heat pipes, allows the quiet and compact cooler to deliver maximum performance without the slightest heating.

Advantages:

low fan noise
well-thought-out design
high performance
long service life and reliability
use of modern developments
combination of price and quality

Flaws:

no criticisms found

Which CPU cooler is best to buy?

The correct choice of a high-quality cooling system for your PC depends on many factors: processor power, design system unit and, importantly, the budget allocated for the purchase. Among the proposed models you can find options for home and office, for gaming and work computers. The final decision on which cooler is best to buy is made by the user himself, based on his own preferences and the conditions of future operation of the device. At the same time, taking into account the opinions of experts will allow you to avoid unjustified mistakes and the risk of getting a low-quality cooler.

Updated: 07/13/2018 16:43:23

The processor heats up intensely during operation. This is due to the laws of physics and there is no way to get around them. Coolers, in turn, are designed to cool the processor to a temperature at which it will function normally. We have compiled a rating of the best coolers that are suitable for use with almost any processor - from a simple Celeron for an office typewriter to a high-performance Intel Core i7-7700K, which to this day remains one of the best gaming chips.

How to choose a CPU cooler

The CPU cooler must be chosen carefully. Otherwise, he will not cope with his “responsibilities.” Overheating of the processor, in turn, leads to a drop in performance, shutdown the computer, or damage 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 fan. The first is installed on the processor. The radiator plumage is heated by the “chip”, after which it is cooled by air flows. The efficiency of an active cooling system depends on the materials from which the heat pipes are made, as well as on the performance of the fan.

Thus, the most effective are copper heat-water tubes with copper or aluminum fins. But exclusively aluminum radiators are suitable for cooling only old or budget processors like Celeron lines or Pentium.

The disadvantage of the active cooling system is that it requires a constant flow of “cool” air inside the case. Otherwise, other components of the motherboard may overheat. Therefore, the system unit must be installed so that air circulates freely around it.

In addition, the efficiency of active cooling decreases when the radiator becomes clogged 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 a thermal fluid (often ordinary water) are used. The fans are placed in a separate block, which is placed outside the system unit. Thanks to this, there are no special requirements for installing the system unit, and the performance of the cooling system does not decrease over time.

Disadvantage fluid system cooling is only expensive.

Passive cooling consists only of a radiator. Heat from the processor is dissipated naturally through 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 laptops or ultrabooks.

When choosing the type of cooling system, you should be guided by the purpose of the computer:

An office “typewriter” with an old or low-power processor - a passive radiator is suitable;

“Regular” or “gaming” computer – active cooling;

Gaming 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 processors differ not only in performance, but also in size, it is important to consider socket and cooler compatibility. Socket - the size and form factor of the chip itself, as well as the placement of mounts for the cooling system on the motherboard. If it is not compatible with the cooler, installing the latter simply will not work. You can find out which socket is used from the technical characteristics of the processor and motherboard, as well as using the AIDA64 program or similar.

Power dissipation is the performance of the cooling system. It shows how much heat can be removed by the cooler. The power dissipation must be greater than the thermal dissipation (TDP) of the processor. Both of these parameters are measured in Watts, so comparing them is not difficult.

The remaining parameters are optional and do not have much importance 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.

Rating of the best CPU coolers

Nomination	place	Name of product	price
The best tower coolers for gaming systems and overclocking	1		5 500 ₽
	2		RUB 4,190
	3		7,660 RUR
	4		5,090 RUR
The best mid-class coolers under 3000 rubles	1		RUB 2,111
	2		RUR 3,970
	3		1 150 ₽
	4		RUB 3,350
	5		RUB 2,756
Best systems passive cooling	1		RUR 3,920
Best CPU Water Cooling Systems	1		9,273 RUR
	2		6,290 RUR
	3		5,990 RUR

The best tower coolers for gaming systems and overclocking

Tower cooler– a type of active cooling systems. Its design involves placing the fan on the side of the radiator, allowing heat to be dissipated more efficiently. The main thing is to choose the right direction for blowing hot air.

An important advantage of a tower cooler is maintaining the performance of the radiator over time. The plumage is not covered with dust, so the efficiency of the airflow does not decrease.

Why first place: High performance, wide socket compatibility, virtually silent operation.

Description: The Noctua NH-U14S tower cooler opens the rating - one of the best active cooling systems on the market. At a relatively low price, it provides a maximum power dissipation of 220 W, making it compatible with high-performance and overclocked processors. The mounting pad can be installed on chips of the most popular LGA, AM and FM series sockets, including LGA1151 (which is used in Intel line Atom Coffee Lake).

The radiator design includes six direct contact copper heat conductor tubes and an aluminum tail. Moreover, the plates are not welded to the tubes, but are pressed with them, which ensures effective heat transfer.

The fan is based on a magnetically centered bearing. The maximum speed is 1500 rpm, and the regulator of this number is internal. The fan provides an airflow of 82.52 CFM, but the volume does not exceed 24.6 dB.

Advantages

Highly productive and at the same time almost silent;

The kit includes a mounting structure, bolts, thermal paste and everything you need for installation;

Operating life 150 thousand hours, manufacturer's warranty 6 years.

Flaws

Large - can block PCI connector or RAM slots;

When used with overclocked or “hot” chips, it is better to replace the supplied thermal paste with another one.

Why second place: High performance and compact design, but comparatively high level noise.

Description: In the Zalman CNP9900DF model, the manufacturing company used a radiator of a non-standard design for tower coolers. The tail 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 better heat dissipation and a smaller dissipation area while maintaining efficiency.

The nominal maximum power dissipation is 300 W. But this value is ensured only with open mounting; in a system unit with an installed side wall, this parameter drops by approximately 25-30%. However, even this is enough for most modern processors, including gaming ones.

The radiator is entirely copper – there are three direct contact heat pipes and tail plates. The fans are equipped with direct sliding bearings, providing rotation speeds of up to 1400 rpm with a nominal volume of up to 27 dB.

Advantages

Compact, does not cover anything during installation;

Cools stock processors well;

Flaws

Not suitable for overclocked processors due to lack of performance;

Loud noise under high load;

Difficult to install, it is better to mount it on a removed motherboard.

Why third place: Powerful, quiet, with 6 direct contact heat pipes, but relatively expensive.

Description: Cooler Noctua NH-D15 – good decision for computers equipped with multi-core processors latest generation(for example, Intel Core i9 or overclocked Intel Core i7). The device provides efficient cooling thanks to an air flow of 82.52 CFM, 6 direct contact copper heat pipes in the radiator and two fans with a rotation speed of up to 1500 rpm. 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.

Like the leader in the rating, this cooler is equipped with a proprietary radiator - copper heat conductor tubes are connected to an aluminum fin using the pressing method. The sole is also copper, polished to a mirror finish. Heat conductor tubes are coated with nickel for better protection from corrosion.

The fans are based on bearings with magnetic centering, which ensures quiet operation.

Advantages

Excellent cooling for both overclocked and multi-core processors;

Easy installation. Everything you need for installation is included;

Quiet fans even under high load.

Flaws

Huge! It cannot be used with standard-height RAM or with cooling. Install in a narrow body - too;

Boring, unattractive design;

The radiator fin plates are flimsy, so the cooler requires careful installation.

Why fourth place: A good cooler for stock, including multi-core, processors, but it may not cope with cooling overclocked ones.

Description: The rating is completed by one of the most classic tower coolers designed for use with gaming and multi-core (6, 8 cores) processors – Thermalright Macho Rev.B. The device dissipates up to 280 W of heating power, is equipped with six direct contact heat pipes, an aluminum radiator and one fan that operates almost silently even at maximum speed.

The fan rotation speed ranges from 300 to 1300 rpm, and the air flow intensity is 16.9-73.6 CFM, respectively. The speed controller is external, so the 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 (including the latest AM4) and FM sockets.

Advantages

High performance and quiet operation;

Relatively low price (lower than predecessors on the list);

Compact, but the fan can cover the first RAM slot.

Flaws

Less productivity than that of “colleagues”;

Assembly and installation can be tricky, but instructions are included;

Tall, 165 mm, this is worth taking into account when choosing.

The best mid-class coolers under 3000 rubles

Why first place: Tower cooler, direct contact between heat pipes and the processor, rotation speed up to 2000 rpm.

Description: The top-ranking Zalman CNPS10X Performa cooler has a tower design, thanks to which it can cool even high-performance processors. In particular, it is equipped with five copper heat pipes in direct contact with the base plate, an aluminum radiator and a 120 mm fan with a rotation speed of 900 to 2000 rpm.

The fan is equipped with a classic plain bearing, but thanks to optimization, the noise level even under maximum load is up to 36 dB. In this case, the speed controller is internal, so the rotation speed is set automatically by the cooler.

The cooler is compatible with both modern and classic 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.

Advantages

The design of the radiator allows for good cooling of processors even at low speeds;

Quiet operation;

Durability.

Flaws

Difficult, inconvenient fastening. It is advisable to place the cooler on a removed motherboard with RAM already installed;

It is advisable to replace the supplied thermal paste;

Bulky and heavy.

Why second place: Powerful, efficient cooling system, but more expensive than other models in the rating.

Description: Deepcool Assassin II is a tower cooler with two fans and eight copper heat pipes. Thanks to this, the device provides good cooling even gaming and overclocked processors, and is also compatible with almost all used sockets.

The cooler radiator, consisting of two modules, is made of aluminum plates. Copper heat conductor tubes are connected to them by pressing. This ensures good transmission and abduction high temperature from the processor.

Two 140 mm fans can rotate at speeds of 300-1400 rpm and are based on hydrodynamic bearings, ensuring low volume even at high load. Maximum – 27.3 dB.

Cooler, despite low price, characterized by high performance. For example, the Intel Core i7-7800X processor heats up to 54 degrees under peak load in stress tests.

Advantages

High performance;

Silence of work;

Rich equipment with a large number of pads, mounts, and thermal paste.

Flaws

Relatively complex assembly;

Large-sized, can cover power connectors or various functional elements motherboard;

The cooler power supply hub is inconvenient, it dangles, you need to glue it to the case yourself.

Why third place: Ultra-budget tower cooler, good combination of price and quality.

Description: The Deepcool Gammaxx 300 cooler, which occupies the “middle” of the rating, has an excellent combination of price and quality. Of course, it is not very suitable for overclocked or gaming processors, but it copes well with heating mid-range chips or with average heat dissipation. In particular, the maximum power dissipation of the device is 125 W.

The cooler is compatible with almost all processor models. Necessary soles and fastenings included. The radiator is made of aluminum plates, which are complemented by three copper heat pipes.

The cooler fan is equipped with a proprietary hydrodynamic bearing, which ensures minimal operating volume. In particular, even under load it makes 21 dB noise. The rotation speed is 900-1600 rpm (the regulator is external, i.e. it can be adjusted), and the air flow is 40 CFM.

Advantages

Simple, quick installation;

Minimum operating volume;

Rich equipment.

Flaws

Relatively large-sized;

The contact pad is made of aluminum, into which direct contacts of heat conductor tubes are built;

Inconvenient latches with plastic “ears” that can break.

Why fourth place: Quiet, efficient 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 rating segment. In particular, the maximum power dissipation of the device is as much as 280 W, which makes it compatible even with gaming and overclocked processors. Includes mounts and pads for LGA sockets (including LGA775 and LGA1151), AM and FM.

The radiator configuration includes 6 copper heat conductor tubes with direct contact. The tail is made of aluminum sheets. The plates are connected to the tubes by pressing rather than welding.

The cooler is equipped with one 140 mm fan. Rotation speed – 900-1300 rpm. The proprietary bearing makes the fan quiet – even at maximum load it is noisy at 21 dB. In this case, the air flow is up to 73.6 CFM.

The speed controller is external, so you can customize it yourself to suit the installed processor and usage scenario.

Advantages

Rich equipment with a branded screwdriver and the necessary fasteners;

High performance.

Flaws

There are many revisions, and there are even ones with an aluminum sole without direct contact of heat conductor tubes;

Large, may not fit into some cases;

Assembly is not easy for beginners and there are no instructions in Russian.

Description: The Noctua NH-L9i cooler is designed for Intel Core i3-i7 series processors installed in LSI sockets. It is made in a traditional design, which involves placing a fan above the radiator. As a result, the cooler's power dissipation is relatively small and amounts to 65 Watts.

The cooler's radiator is made of aluminum plates, placed by pressing on a copper heat conductor tube with direct contact. The fan is equipped with a proprietary low-noise bearing with magnetic centering, thanks to which the cooler's operating volume does not exceed 23.6 dB even at 2500 rpm. The speed itself is adjustable from 300 to 2500 rpm. The airflow generated by the fan is 33.84 CFM. The speed regulator is built into the cooler and operates automatically.

The cooler is different high reliability- time trouble-free operation is 150 thousand hours, and the manufacturer’s warranty is 6 years.

Advantages

Low-profile design, can be installed in narrow system units;

Low operating volume and good performance (can even cool down Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5);

Simplest installation.

Flaws

The mounting bolts are fixed when the motherboard is removed;

Relatively high price;

Not suitable for overclockable or unlocked processors.

The best passive cooling systems

Why it: Copper-aluminum radiator designed specifically for passive cooling systems.

Description: The Prolimatech Megahalems Rev.C cooler was designed specifically for use as a single cooling device. It features a massive base with a polished copper sole, to which six copper heat conductor tubes 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 newest ones, as well as AMD AM and FM.

Even without a fan, it provides as much cooling as some of the other devices in the ranking, delivering up to 40-50W of passive dissipation. However, if you wish, you can attach a fan to it – 120 and 140 mm models are suitable. Brackets for fixing it are included with the radiator.

Advantages

Effective heat dissipation thanks to a massive base and 6 copper tubes;

Wide space between the radiator plates for better air circulation;

Massive base.

Flaws

Tall radiator, may not fit into a thin case;

Dense placement of heat pipes;

The “two towers” design has less rigidity than a monolithic one.

Best CPU Water Cooling Systems

Why first place: A cooling system that can cool the processor even without fans. Of course, there are three of them.

Description: The rating opens with one of the most productive water cooling systems – Thermaltake Water 3.0 Ultimate. The device is equipped with three fans that rotate at speeds of up to 2000 rpm. This ensures effective cooling even for overclocked processors. In addition, up to 6 additional fans can be installed.

The contact pad is made of aluminum and copper. The mount is compatible with the most common sockets, including LGA, AM and FM. Adapters for other types of processors are commercially available.

The installed fans are quite quiet – even when maximum speed rotation of 2000 rpm, they are noisy by 20 dB. In this case, the air flow passing through the cooling system is 99 CFM. The minimum rotation speed of coolers is 1000 rpm.

The system can also operate in passive mode – with the coolers turned off.

Advantages

Quiet but powerful cooling system;

Quiet pump;

Compact and easy to install.

Flaws

Over time, the noise level increases, it is recommended to replace the fans or install a reobass;

It may not be able to cope with cooling processors with a heat dissipation of more than 250-300 W (overclocked);

A bit expensive.

Why second place: Gaming water system cooling, main drawback which is the price.

Description: Deepcool Captain 360 EX could have topped the rating if it weren’t comparatively different at a high price(even for water cooling systems). It is very productive - the dissipated power is 220 W. At the same time, thanks to the use of proprietary hydrodynamic bearings in the fans, the system is characterized by quiet operation - a noise level of 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.

Why third place: Dual-fan cooling system with fast pumping and high efficiency.

Description: The rating is completed by a rather unusual liquid cooling system – Arctic Cooling Liquid Freezer 120. It differs from other devices compact unit with a radiator and fans that are significantly smaller than traditional panels. However, it copes with the task of cooling the processor “excellently” - the rated power dissipation is 300 W.

The fans can rotate at speeds from 500 to 1350 rpm, provide an air flow of 74 CFM, are equipped with durable hydrodynamic bearings and are relatively quiet - at maximum load the noise level is 30-35 dB.

The water block is equipped with a copper contact plate and a built-in pump that rotates at a speed of 5400 rpm. Thanks to this, the cooler can be used even in passive mode. However, the pump can still be heard from the housing.

Advantages

Rich equipment with high-quality additional items;

Quiet, effective work;

Suitable for overclocked processors.

Flaws

Pump speed is too high, which can reduce reliability and cause noise;

Heavy and bulky;

Relatively expensive.

Attention! This rating is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

As is known, many problems in modern computer arise not because of poor reliability of components, but because of a very banal situation - their overheating. Therefore, ensuring a high-quality cooling system for the entire system unit is the key to long-term operation of the computer. Choosing the best CPU cooler Intel or AMD plays an important role in this.

But all problems begin with the computer case - this is not only the base on which all components are screwed for compact placement. This is also one of the components of the PC cooling system. Just a few years ago, processors and video cards were not so powerful and did not produce as much thermal energy. Therefore, the case was not subject to such stringent requirements as today - it was a heavy box, closed on all sides, with 1 or maximum 2 small fans for air intake from the front and exhaust from the rear.

Today, if you are assembling at least a universal home computer, this is no longer enough. Cases on the market today have holes for large fans on all walls, and air intake and exhaust are carried out from several directions.

Not only are two fans not enough, but very often users take cases without pre-installed fans and do not install them themselves, causing overheating to occur even faster.

The same applies to the processor cooling system. As you already know from the article about, they are sold either with a cooler (the so-called “BOX”) or without it. So, boxed versions are only suitable for office work slightly overheating processors, Intel type Core i3, i5, i7. From experience, they heat up little in normal mode and stock CPU coolers cope with the task quite well.

If you plan to overclock them, play games, work in complex graphics applications, then you need to buy a separate cooler (radiator + fan). This is especially true for AMD processors that generate a lot of heat.

How to choose the best CPU cooling cooler for Intel and AMD?

So we come close to the issue of choosing a cooler for the processor. Let's take a closer look at those parameters that affect performance and are worth paying attention to when purchasing.

First of all, choose the cooler that fits your processor socket! As a rule, they support several sockets from both Intel and AMD, but given that they all have non-standard mounting, take the time to look at the instructions - perhaps installation is not provided for your socket.

CPU cooler type

This is more likely not even a type of cooler, but of the entire system as a whole. The most common is air, which is what we call a processor cooler. It consists of a metal radiator, which absorbs heat from the processor cover, and a fan, which blows air onto it and thereby cools it. Advanced models even have two fans - one for blowing in and one for blowing out.

Another type of processor cooling common among gamers is water. Options for such systems vary, from small fans associated with cooling liquid tubes to large expensive systems with remote radiators. One thing in common is that thermoregulation involves liquid, which cools more than just air.

By the way, if you plan to use this type of cooling, then pay attention to the presence of special holes on the rear panel of the case for the tubes to exit - they are usually covered with rubber curtains.

Coolers can also be divided into active and passive - the passive one does not have a fan and is usually used for inexpensive and already outdated video cards - of course, this is not suitable for a processor.

Cooler radiator size

I won’t touch on water cooling, but let’s talk about the most accessible and widespread - air cooling. And here the size of the radiator and the number of metal plates are important - the more there are, the easier it is for it to remove excess heat. It is also desirable that they be as thin as possible.

Fan size

A fan or even two must be installed on the radiator to pump and exhaust air. The larger the fan (120x120x25), the more efficiently it cools the processor, and secondly, it is easier for it to do this than a small one, so with the same quality of heat dissipation it will make less noise. It is also better to take fans with the inscription “Ball bearing” - they have a quieter and more durable bearing.

Ability to adjust CPU fan speed

It would be good if it was possible to adjust the speed of the processor cooler - so that it would not just spin at a constant speed, but would select it depending on the heating. It is easy to distinguish such a fan - its power connector, which connects to system board, must have 4 contacts.

Metal and number of heat pipes of the computer cooling system

The radiator is in direct contact with the surface of the processor case, so the metal from which this surface is made, as well as the tubes through which heat is transferred to the radiator, are important. The characteristics of the metal must be such that it heats up and cools down as quickly as possible. There are tubes made of aluminum, but copper works best for this, although such a unit turns out to be heavier. So get the CPU cooler that has them dark yellow.

Cooler location type

As I said, the larger the processor cooler, the better, but at the same time consider how it will be located on the motherboard and in the case - will it interfere with the installation of RAM or expansion cards, covering the necessary slots? And will it fit in the width of the case? Considered optimal tower type, since it exhausts air directly to the exhaust rear case fan.

In the same time classical the option when the fan blades are directly in front of you when looking at the motherboard from above is more suitable if the case and mother small format microATX, and they need to be placed as compactly as possible large quantity devices. The advantage of this type is also that the radiator fins blow around other components inserted into the motherboard.

However, there is also expensive models, in which these two types are combined, as in the figure below.

All the characteristics described above are indicated in one general parameter - heat dissipation (in watts). The higher it is, the better your processor will be cooled.

Manufacturer

Thermal paste

And finally, the final touch is the choice of thermal paste as an intermediate link between the processor cover and the cooler. Its task is to displace excess air between the metal plates, while it should also maximize heat transfer. In order for this to be as effective as possible, metal is added to good pastes, which is why it has a dark gray color rather than white - buy just such a paste. It is a little more expensive, but more effective. I already wrote somewhere, but I’ll repeat it again - I use MX-2 paste, it’s cheaper than competitors with comparable quality.

CPU cooler rotation speed

And now, after we bought a cooler for the processor, I will show you how to adjust its speed, if this function is supported in it and in the motherboard. This can be implemented in two ways - through the program from under running Windows or through BIOS. Gigabyte has developed a special utility for its products called i-Cool, which, however, is not supported by all motherboards. It makes it very easy for any novice user to do all this without going into the depths blue screen BIOS.

If you own a motherboard from another company, then reboot the computer, go into the BIOS and look for menu items such as CPU Smart FAN Control and CPU Smart FAN Control (I found them in the PC Status section).

In the first, the processor fan speed control mode must be activated (Enabled or Auto), and in the second, one of the modes must be set - automatic (Auto, Normal, Silent) or manual (Manual) to set the speed manually.

In conclusion of this article about processor cooling coolers, I suggest you watch an educational video - tests of several sophisticated models for Intel Core and AMD.

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, moreover, when it happens in emergency mode operation of the central processor.

For the CPU to maintain acceptable temperature, 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. OEM version represents only the central processor itself, while the BOX package implies the presence of a cooler.

Many users who do not have much experience in assembling a computer may have the impression that 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 in office computer, where he will not be faced with tasks more difficult work with browser and text editor, then there will be no problems with cooling the processor with the 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 are placed in front of the processor, the more efficient cooling is necessary.

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.

With selection of cooler according to heat dissipation parameter for a certain model processor, everything is somewhat more complicated. The fact is that in online stores and on various websites it is quite rare to find exact information about what TDP processors this or that cooler is suitable for. However, well-known manufacturers of processor fans, for example, Noctua, are not shy about providing such information.

If information about specific model The cooler could not be found, 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, are partially withdrawing heat pipes on 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. Minimum permissible quantity to cool a modern powerful processor, it takes 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 bad:

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 radiator on the cooler is partially visible in open computer, some companies are trying to do it in the best possible way from a design point of view. He can be different colors, forms, plates are made at unusual angles. 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 a heat dissipation element cannot handle powerful processors, and fans in the processor cooler 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 significantly speed is more important rotation of the cooler, but this is not the case. 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 in your computer, but high speed rotation, 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 together with comes with a cooler detailed instructions for its installation, which allows you to general outline understand the operating principle 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 gear heat. Without thermal paste, the processor will not be able to work for a long time, so neglecting this step is prohibited.

Best CPU Cooler | Introduction

Detailed specifications are great, of course, but only if you have time to research them. However, all the user needs is best cpu cooler for the available amount. For those who do not have time to look through numerous test results, for those who do not feel confident enough in their choice best cpu cooler, there is absolutely nothing to be afraid of - the editors are constantly updating this article, which talks about the choice best cpu cooler for every budget and taste.

Best CPU Cooler | Updates for March 2019

All outdated and discontinued models have been removed from the review, and now our tables contain only current cooling systems, which can be found in most specialized stores.

Best CPU Cooler | Air coolers

More low temperature The CPU provides increased stability, efficiency and reliability. It benefits everyone: from overclockers looking to extract maximum performance from their processor, to efficiency enthusiasts looking to achieve the lowest power consumption. This material is aimed at those who do not have time to look through numerous test results, and who do not feel confident enough in choosing the best processor cooler or better system liquid cooling. The editors periodically update this article, adjusting the recommendations.

Best CPU Cooler | Pivot table

Model	be quiet! Dark Rock 4	Cooler Master MasterAir MA410M	Reeven RC-1001b Brontes	Noctua NH-U14S
Category	Best big	Best average	Best Low Profile	Best for AMD Threadripper

price, rub.	5200	4700	2800	6000
Dimensions, mm	158.8 x 136.9 x 75.4	158.8 x 132.4 x 58.2	59 x 105 x 114	171.45 x 151.4 x 52.3
Base height, mm	41,3	37,8	17,78	25,1
Installation displacement, mm	27,94	27,94	n.d.	27.94 (with fan)
Weight, g	1471	1247	340	1035
Materials	Aluminum, copper, plastic	Aluminum, copper	n.d.	Aluminum, copper
Fans	(1) 135 x 22 mm	(2) 120 x 25 mm RGB	(1) 100 x 12 mm	(1) 140 x 25 mm
Connectors	(1) 4-pin	(2) 4-pin PWM, (2) 4-pin RGB	(1) PWM	(1) 4-pin PWM
Intel socket compatibility		FM2(+), FM1, AM2(+), AM3(+), AM4	rectangular, with four screws	TR4, SP3
AMD socket compatibility	775, 115x, 1366, 2011x, 2066	115x, 1366, 2011x, 2066	115x, 1366, 775	No
Guarantee	3 years	5 years	2 years	6 years

We evaluate "performance" by the ratio of cooling efficiency to noise, and "value" by the ratio of performance per dollar spent. The formula for a successful cooler is always a large heatsink surface area and increased airflow to maintain low temperatures, along with high thermal conductivity materials to fast transfer heat from the processor to the surface of the heatsink. Maximum performance typically requires a large heatsink, and some of these models are too bulky to fit into mid-to-small cases.

Large coolers tend to fit into wide, full-size tower cases, although there are some mini-ITX gaming cases designed to accommodate larger coolers. Mid-sized cooling systems fit most standard cases and motherboards, but are less efficient due to their smaller radiators and fans. Thin coolers up to 75mm in height are usually designed for compact cases. Since different motherboards have different processor socket locations, it is very important to check the parameters of the cooler, motherboard and case before purchasing.

Do you have one of the new Ryzen models? Then you don't need to buy another cooler even for overclocking. All Ryzen 2000 series processors and some older models come with high-quality coolers, many of which are capable of handling moderate overclocking. If you want to overclock the chip to the highest possible frequency, then buying a powerful cooler makes sense, but for most Ryzen owners it simply isn't necessary.

If you want to purchase a large air cooler, first measure to see if it will fit. Large and low-profile models can interfere with the installation of tall RAM modules and even rest against the heatsinks of the board's power supply system. At the same time, tall coolers can interfere with the installation of a side wall, even if your case does not belong to the compact category. Please make sure the measurements are accurate before purchasing.

Remember that, all other things being equal, the more fans, the better the cooling, but the higher the noise level. The most efficient coolers are often the loudest. If this is a problem for you, you will have to look for the optimal balance.

RGB lighting can be impressive, but make sure it can be turned off. Many modern cooling systems come with RGB lighting and/or RGB fans, which can give your PC a dramatic look. appearance. But make sure that this backlight can be turned off through the onboard controller or through the motherboard. There will probably be situations where the backlight will interfere - for example, when watching a movie in the dark.

Best CPU Cooler | The best large air cooler - be quiet! Dark Rock 4

ADVANTAGES

Excellent performance
Excellent build quality and design
Low noise level
Compatible with most modern sockets

FLAWS

Premium price

VERDICT

Dark Rock 4 is an excellent and very effective, but rather expensive air cooler that can decorate any system unit.

Alternative: Noctua NH-D15 SE-AM4

Best CPU Cooler | The best mid-size air cooler - Cooler Master MasterAir MA410M

ADVANTAGES

Mid-size cooler takes up less space
Thermal sensor allows you to demonstrate temperature changes via RGB lighting

FLAWS

Not as quiet as analogues

VERDICT

The Cooler Master MasterAir MA410M is a mid-sized air cooler with heat pipes and RGB lighting that delivers impressive cooling performance and fits perfectly into any gaming system.

Best CPU Cooler | Best Low Profile Air Cooler - Reeven RC-1001b Brontes

ADVANTAGES

Low price
Low noise level
Equals performance as larger models, but takes up less space

FLAWS

Does not support 130W processors, including Intel chips for LGA 2011x sockets

VERDICT

For just RUR 2,800, the Reeven RC-1001b Brontes eliminates any competition with performance typical of much larger models. Thanks to its small size, it is also perfect for the most compact cases.