You want the best CPU cooler you can get, whether you’re aiming for world-record overclocks or just a PC that doesn’t get loud under load. Choosing the right cooler for your best CPU is an important decision in any PC build or upgrade. It can make a big difference in temperatures, noise and performance -- particularly if you're overclocking. If your existing cooler can’t keep your chip’s heat under control, that could mean slower performance and / or a shorter lifespan for your precious processor, and no one wants that.

If you’re unsure whether you want air cooling or a liquid-cooled AIO, there are a few things to consider. Big air coolers tend to take up more internal space in your PC case, particularly when it comes to vertical clearance off your best motherboard. They can also be louder and less efficient at moving heat away from your choice of CPU and out of the chassis, though that’s not always the case. Air coolers also tend to cost less than AIOs, though that line is blurring as well. AIO coolers are getting more affordable, while high-end air coolers reach toward the $100 range.



If money isn't that much of an object and quiet operation and low temperatures are important to you, you may want to consider a custom cooling loop. For more on how these can perform (and how good they look), check out our Mirror Maze build feature.

Quick Shopping Tips

When choosing the best CPU cooler for your needs, consider the following:

Own a recent Ryzen CPU? You may not need to buy a cooler, even for overclocking. Most Ryzen 2000 and 3000-series processors and some older Ryzen models ship with coolers, and many of them can handle moderate overclocks. If you want the best CPU clock speed possible, you’ll still likely want to buy an aftermarket cooler. But for many Ryzen owners who don't plan to push their silicon to the limit, the best CPU cooler might just be the free one in the box.

If opting for a large air cooler, be sure to check clearances before buying. Big coolers and low-profile models can bump up against tall RAM and even VRM heat sinks sometimes. And tall coolers can cause clearance issues with your case door or window. Be sure to check the dimensions and advertised clearances of any cooler you're considering and your case before buying.

Remember that, all else being equal, more fans equals better cooling, but more noise. The coolers that do the absolute best job of moving warm air away from your CPU and out of your case are also often the loudest. If fan noise is a problem for you, you’ll want a cooler that does a good job of balancing noise and cooling.

For much more detail on how to choose the right cooler (and cooler type) check out our CPU cooler buying guide.

The Best Air Coolers You Can Buy

Deepcool Assassin III (Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

With twin cooling towers, seven heatpipes and two 140mm fans, the GamerStorm Assassin III from Deep Cool brought us the lowest temperature of big-air coolers. Pairing that thermal performance with low noise makes it our choice for air-cooling big CPUs, with great looks and easy installation qualifying as bonuses.

Read: Deepcool Assassin III review

Alternative Best Big Air CPU Cooler: See Noctua NH-U12A Review

With slightly better cooling and slightly lower noise than the above Arctic model, Noctua's NH-U12A becomes the premium choice for buyers who aren't afraid to pay big dollars for small gains.

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

2. Corsair H150i Elite Capellix Best 360mm Closed-Loop Liquid Cooler Alternative Dimensions: 400.1 x 120 x 28.6mm | Pump Height: 2.125 inch / 54.0mm | Weight: 56.4 oz / 1598g | Fans: (3) 120 x 25mm | Socket Support: Intel 2066, 2011x, 1200, 115x, AMD AM4, sTR4, sTRX4 | Warranty: 5 years $189.99 View at Best Buy No price information Check Amazon Great cooling performance Includes Commander CORE module Noisy at 100% fan speed Corsair 4-pin RGB compatibility required

The Corsair H150i Elite Capellix is no cooling slouch, easily keeping pace with some of our best-rated 360mm coolers. Toss in the included Commander CORE unit to manage pump speed, PWM fan curves, logging, alerting and monitoring as well as RGB lighting and you have an excellent liquid cooler setup in the H150i Elite Capellix, plus the ability to manage a few extra Corsair case fans.

While this does nudge users to expand their PC horizons by utilizing the Corsair iCUE and RGB ecosystem, it still makes a compelling argument by providing centralized management of the H150i Elite Capellix cooler as well as additional components. Power users want full control of their systems, and the ability to have a simplified, centralized setup with granular administrative control is always an appealing option.

Read: Corsair H150i Elite Capellix review

Cooler Master MasterAir MA410M

The Cooler Master MasterAir MA410M is our pick for an excellent performing mid-size air cooler, especially considering the aggressively designed exterior shell and the inclusion of addressable RGB lighting from within the cooling tower itself. Sitting on the upper range of the affordable pricing tier, $67 (£60) might cause budget system builders to balk a bit, but considering the features and performance, it definitely deserves those few extra dollars.

Read: Cooler Master MasterAir MA410M review

Noctua NH-U14S

The Noctua NH-U14S TR4-SP3 provides whisper-quiet cooling with big league thermal performance – the kind of overclocked Threadripper performance that sneaks into quality 360 AIO cooling performance. Armed with six nickel-plated copper heatpipes and a NF-A15 140mm PWM fan, the AMD-friendly NH-U14S TR4-SP3 is a silent thermal assassin. For Threadripper air cooling, this cooler checks all the boxes for enthusiasts and overclockers alike.

Read: Noctua NH-U14S Review

Alternative Best Threadripper Cooler: See Arctic Freezer 50TR Review

Neither as cool nor as quiet as Noctua's NH-U14S, the Artice Freezer 50 TR got our attention for its lower price. The value advantage could be important to current builders hoping to save money by using AMD's previous generation 2000-series parts.

be quiet! Pure Rock 2 (Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The Pure Rock 2 represents the same passion around thermal design, silent operation and manufacturing / build quality that has made be quiet! a reputable force of the PC industry. As hardware enthusiasts, we’re often faced with some sort of compromise when decisions must be made around the purchase of specific components, although the Pure Rock 2 keeps those to a minimum.



The company’s pedigree, deeply rooted in performance and quality, are alone enough to draw the gaze of the enthusiasts. But be quiet! delivers on that pedigree at such a pleasing price point with the Pure Rock 2, it's an undeniable recommendation for serious system builders on any budget.

Read: be quiet! Pure Rock 2



Alternative Best Budget Air Cooler: Arctic Freezer 34 Esports Duo

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