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Not sure what is the best cpu cooler to pair your CPU with?
After Extensive research I’ve picked the top three coolers that offer great performance to keep your processor running cool.
So let’s get started!
Our Top Picks
- 3. Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 – Best Budget CPU Cooler
- 2. Corsair iCue H170i Elite CAPELLIX XT – Best Premium CPU Cooler
- 1. ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 280 A-RGB – Our Top Choice
How We Chose the Best CPU Coolers
When selecting CPU coolers for this list, our goal was to find options that deliver top-tier thermal performance, user-friendly installation, and excellent build quality—all while taking into account different budgets and system configurations. Below, you’ll see how we approached our research and testing:
- Performance and Cooling Capability
- Thermal Efficiency: We looked at real-world thermal benchmarks to ensure each cooler could keep even high-end CPUs at optimal temperatures.
- Overclocking Headroom: We paid extra attention to how well each cooler performed when the processor was pushed to higher clock speeds.
- Noise Levels
- Fan Quality: High static pressure fans can dramatically reduce noise while ensuring the heatsink or radiator dissipates heat effectively.
- Pump Noise (for AIOs): We considered pump quality in liquid coolers, making sure that any hum or whine was kept to a minimum.
- Design and Compatibility
- Form Factor: Tower air coolers vary in size, so we checked each model’s height and width to ensure compatibility with most ATX cases.
- AIO Radiator Sizes: Not all cases can accommodate 280mm or 420mm radiators, so we took note of different form factors (240mm, 280mm, 360mm, 420mm) to suit a wider range of builds.
- RAM and Motherboard Clearance: We verified memory and motherboard slot clearance to minimize installation surprises.
- Installation and Ease of Use
- Mounting Hardware: Poorly designed mounting systems can turn a simple job into a nightmare. We preferred coolers that included clear, concise instructions and sturdy backplates/brackets.
- Extra Features: Some CPU coolers come with additional components—like Arctic’s VRM fan or custom contact frames—to improve cooling and stability. We evaluated these unique features and how they impact ease of installation.
- Value for Money
- Price-to-Performance Ratio: A cooler might be expensive, but if it offers unrivaled performance and top-notch quality, it can still be a smart buy. Conversely, budget-friendly options need to offer a respectable level of performance to make it on our list.
- Warranty and Customer Support: Reputable brands often stand by their products with robust warranties and responsive customer support, which can be invaluable if any issues arise.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the main factors we considered, side by side:
Factor | Air Coolers | AIO Liquid Coolers |
---|---|---|
Performance | Excellent for mid-range & some high-end CPUs | Often better for extreme overclocking |
Noise Levels | Depends on fan design (can be very quiet) | Pumps add slight noise, but high-end fans reduce overall sound |
Installation | Can be bulky, requires enough vertical clearance | Typically straightforward, but radiator placement can be tricky |
Price | Generally more affordable | Higher cost but can offer premium features |
Maintenance | Virtually maintenance-free | May need occasional checks (pump/fan health) |
By weighing these considerations, we aimed to create a balanced list of air and liquid coolers that suit different budgets, performance needs, and case limitations. Hopefully, this insight will help you decide which of these coolers—or perhaps another model—will be the best match for your PC build.
Below is a side-by-side comparison table highlighting the main features and differences of each cooler mentioned in the list. The awards noted beneath each model name match those referenced in the content above.
Best CPU Coolers Comparison Table
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 | Corsair iCue H170i Elite Capellix XT | ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 280 A-RGB | |
---|---|---|---|
Award | Best Budget CPU Cooler | Best Premium CPU Cooler | Our Top Choice |
Cooler Type | Dual-Tower Air Cooler | 420mm AIO Liquid Cooler | 280mm AIO Liquid Cooler |
Fans Included | 2 × 120mm | 3 × 140mm | 2 × 140mm |
Dimensions / Radiator Size | ~154 × 125 × 135 mm (Tower)* | 420mm Radiator | 280mm Radiator |
Noise Level Range | Quiet at typical loads | Smooth transitions, overall quiet | Low noise with efficient pump/fans |
Unique Features | 7 heat pipes, improved fin array, adjustable fan placement | Capellix RGB LEDs, integrated iCUE software, optional LCD upgrade | VRM fan, custom contact frame, improved pump design |
Pros | – Comparable to Noctua NH-D15 performance – Excellent value for money – Respectable noise levels | – Exceptional cooling performance – Sleek RGB/pump design – Great for overclocking | – Innovative VRM cooling – Fantastic performance vs. price – Addressable RGB lighting |
Cons | – Bulky design can limit RAM clearance – Might not fit in smaller cases | – 420mm radiator compatibility limits case options | – Installation is more involved – Possible M.2 slot interference |
*Approximate tower dimensions for reference only. Always verify case compatibility before purchase.
3 Best CPU Coolers Review
Number 3. Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 – Best Budget CPU Cooler
If you’re looking for an affordable cooler that provides an impressive level of cooling performance for any budget or mid-range cpu, the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 is an incredible choice. It competes with high-end air coolers such as the Noctua NH-D15 and the Deepcool AK620 at a much lower price. Thermalright has raised the bar high with this one, and it’s going to be tough to beat for a while.
One of the reasons this cooler is so great is that it improves upon its already impressive predecessor — the Peerless Assassin 120. This new cooler from Thermalright adds an additional heat pipe, a new fin array setup, and lower noise levels. It’s available in the form of the Phantom Spirit 120, the 120 SE/SE-RGB, and the 120 Evo.
All three of these models are excellent in terms of cooling, but the SE is ever so slightly smaller. As for the EVO, it delivers better performance because of the powerful fans but tends to get a bit louder. Considering that, the standard Spirit 120 is the best balance of noise levels, performance, and price.
As for the design, the cooler features two 120mm high static pressure fans and seven heat pipes to effectively dissipate heat from the CPU. RAM clearance is up to 42mm, meaning taller DIMMs will have a harder time with compatibility. Fortunately, you can adjust the fan clip to increase the height of the front fan.
Of course, that’s a sacrifice you have to make with any dual-tower air cooler. Like other air coolers of this caliber, this CPU cooler is massive. It won’t fit into every case, and memory clearance can be an issue for some.
However, if you can accommodate it in your case, you’ll be anything but disappointed. In terms of cooling, the Spirit 120 manages to match the Noctua NH-D15. The NH-D15 has been the gold standard for air cooling for years now, and seeing a cooler match its performance for half the price is saying something.
Rest assured, this cooler leaves a lot of headroom for overclocking, and won’t have any trouble keeping your cpu within reasonable temperatures. The best part is that it achieves this performance with very respectable noise levels. In a typical case with average ambient noise, you likely won’t notice the sound of the fans.
As for the competition, there aren’t any coolers that can keep up at this price. The closest is the Deepcool AK620, but even that costs twice as much.
Cooler Master’s Hyper 212 Evo is around the same price but is nowhere near the same level of performance. Thermalright has done a great job with this cheap air cooler, and it’s a safe bet for the 5700X.
To sum up, what I like is…
- Superb performance, regardless of the cheap price
- Doesn’t get too loud
- Much cheaper than the competition
On the downside
- Limited memory clearance
Number 2. Corsair iCue H170i Elite CAPELLIX XT – Best Premium CPU Cooler
Corsair has been in the AIO liquid cooler game for a long time, and while they usually just take advantage of the great Asetek pumps out there, it’s a strategy that has worked well. The Corsair iCue H170i Elite Capellix XT is a simple CPU cooler that pairs an RGB Asetek pump with a massive 420mm radiator. On top of that, you get three AF140 RGB Elite fans, extensive software support, and low failure rates.
This model builds upon the success of previous H170i AIOs. The direct predecessor would be the H170i Elite XT, without the newer Capellix RGB LEDs. This newer version that we’re looking at takes advantage of brighter and more efficient Capellix LEDs and also uses a newer high-performance thermal paste in the form of the XTM70.
There’s also an LCD version of this cooler that features an IPS LCD Block, similar to the one seen on NZXT’s Kraken line and the MSI MEG CoreLiquid S360.
Now, let’s talk about performance. One interesting thing about this cooler is that the fan curve is tied to the AIO coolant temperature, not the CPU temperature. In less-intensive workloads, the cooler will still run as loud as it would with more intensive workloads. The fans will also follow suit. However, this means that the transition to lower or higher noise levels is smoother, as the AIO coolant temperature takes a bit longer to cool down than the CPU temperature.
It’s a risky idea, but one that pays off well. In common workloads where temperatures aren’t that high, the pump won’t be working too hard at all. Fans won’t ramp up or ramp down suddenly either, and the overall result is a surprisingly quiet 420mm cooler. Of course, you’ll still have trouble fitting a 420mm radiator into most cases, and that’s a downside we’ll touch on later.
Despite the quiet operation, this thing offers phenomenal performance. It easily beats out a lot of the 360mm CPU coolers out there. It leaves a lot of headroom for overclocking, and it’s nice to see that even with intensive workloads, it is capable of keeping the most demanding cpus like the i9 14900K under 45-50 degrees Celsius.
H170i Elite Capellix XT is not only one of the best CPU coolers in terms of performance, but also in terms of looks as well. Its RGB pump looks great, and there are a few pump cover options in the box to match your build theme. The AF140 RGB Elite fans are also quite bright, and they aren’t as loud as other fans would be.
Unfortunately, as I mentioned before there is one big issue. Most mid-tower ATX cases simply won’t have space for a 420mm radiator. If you want to buy this CPU cooler, you’ll need to first check if it can even fit in your case. That might be something that pushes you away, as there are 360mm CPU coolers out there like the Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 that offer almost the same level of performance.
With that said, if you have room for it, this is a CPU cooler that will last you for a long time. It’s more than capable of handling the most demanding cpus, and I reckon it will do just fine with newer CPUs in the future as well.
To sum up, what I like is…
- Best-in-class performance
- Quiet operation
- Easy installation
- Reasonable pricing for a 420mm radiator
On the downside
- Limited case compatibility
Number 1. ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 280 A-RGB – Our Top Choice
Considering its competitive pricing, the Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280-A RGB is arguably the best 280mm liquid CPU cooler on the market. It blends superb performance, value, low noise levels, and great looks in an aggressively priced package.
While it’s affordable, this cooler is anything but cheap. It’s an almost enthusiast-grade cooling solution at a fraction of the price.
Let’s get the basic stuff out of the way first. It consists of a 280mm radiator and two 140mm Arctic P-series fans. These are high-pressure static fans that are specifically designed for AIO coolers, and the fan speed is rated at 200 to 1700 RPM. As for the pump, it’s not using an Asetek pump, instead, Arctic is using its own efficient PWM-controlled pump that outperforms a lot of options on the market.
And this is where things start to get interesting. Compared to its predecessor, the Liquid Freezer II, the Freezer III has a lot of new tricks up its sleeve. For one, it comes with an Intel LGA1700 contact frame that replaces the stock ILM. This Arctic contact frame distributes contact pressure on the Integrated Heat Spreader more evenly.
This might sound like nerd-talk and a bit gimmicky, but for a demanding high-end processor, we need all the cooling we can get. This aftermarket contact frame paired with Arctic’s new pump helps a lot in controlling temperatures. Arctic has always had ingenious solutions to these tiny problems, as seen with the VRM fan on their previous Liquid Freezer II.
Speaking of which, the VRM fan is back, and it’s bigger than before. If you remove the pump cover on the Liquid Freezer III, you’ll find that inside is a large fan that helps to cool the voltage converters on the motherboard. Again, this was a feature present on the Liquid Freezer II, but it’s more effective here because of the larger fan.
Sadly, with an enthusiast-grade CPU cooler such as this one, there are bound to be some issues for those who are not used to all this technical stuff. For example, removing the stock ILM and replacing it with the Arctic’s contact frame is an added step that most people are not used to. It makes the installation more finicky, and that might turn some people away.
However, in return, you’re getting a CPU cooler that offers innovative features with excellent performance. This 280mm cooler is capable of outperforming some 360mm coolers on the market, and that’s saying a lot. At this price, there are other options like the Kraken X53 and the highly reliable CoolerMaster ML240 RGB V2. Both options are easier to install, but the Liquid Freezer III is arguably the best looker out of them and performs better especially when it comes to noise levels and durability.
However, make sure you check out Arctic’s CPU cooler compatibility checker to see if the cooler will fit properly on your motherboard or not as the pump of this cooler might block the first M.2 slot if your SSD has an oversized heatsink.
Overall, this is an ingenious CPU cooler, you’re getting a CPU cooler that delivers impressive performance at a very reasonable price. And that makes it our top choice.
To sum up, what I like is…
- Innovative features like the contact frame and VRM fan
- Impressive performance compared to its predecessor
- Available in black and white, and looks good in both color schemes
- Addressable RGB LEDs
On the downside
- Limited motherboard compatibility
- A bit difficult to install
So what do you think, which of these is the best cpu cooler for you? Or do you think another cooler is better?
Faq
1. What is the difference between a liquid AIO and an air CPU cooler?
A liquid AIO cooler uses a radiator, liquid pump, and fans to transfer heat away from the processor more efficiently, while an air cooler uses a heatsink and fan setup to dissipate heat. Both options offer good performance, but liquid AIO coolers often excel in extreme overclocking scenarios and can run quieter under heavier loads.
2. Why is a CPU cooler necessary for a computer?
A CPU cooler is needed to prevent the processor from overheating, which can cause throttling or even damage. Keeping CPU temperatures in a safe range also helps maintain stability, improve performance, and extend the overall lifespan of the system’s components.
3. How do I know if a certain CPU cooler will fit in my case?
Check the cooler’s dimensions and compare them to the maximum cooler height or radiator space listed for the computer case. For air coolers like the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120, confirm there is enough vertical clearance and room for tall RAM modules. For larger AIO coolers such as the Corsair iCue H170i Elite Capellix XT, verify that the case supports the radiator size (e.g., 420mm).
4. Can spending more on a premium CPU cooler make a big difference?
Paying extra for a premium cooler can lead to better thermal performance, quieter operation, and additional features like efficient pumps or RGB lighting. Coolers like the Corsair iCue H170i Elite Capellix XT offer premium features and top-tier performance. However, a budget cooler such as the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 can still provide excellent cooling without breaking the bank.
5. What does TDP mean, and why does it matter for CPU coolers?
TDP (Thermal Design Power) indicates how much heat a CPU generates under load. A CPU cooler must be rated to handle, or exceed, the TDP of the processor. Matching the cooler’s capacity to the CPU’s TDP ensures stable performance and avoids temperature spikes.
6. Is there a risk of leaks when using an AIO liquid CPU cooler?
Modern AIO liquid coolers are designed to be leak-resistant, and reputable brands rigorously test their products. While no system is 100% risk-free, the chance of leaks in well-made AIO coolers is extremely low. Checking for brand warranties and reading user reviews can offer additional reassurance.
7. Which CPU cooler is best for a tight budget?
A highly recommended option for those on a budget is the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120. It competes with higher-end coolers at a fraction of the cost, providing solid cooling performance for a wide range of processors without generating excessive noise.
8. Why does a CPU cooler sometimes get loud, and how can it be fixed?
A CPU cooler may become noisy if the fans are running at high speed to manage rising CPU temperatures. Poor airflow or dust buildup can also raise noise levels. Cleaning the fan blades and improving airflow inside the case with more exhaust and intake fans can help reduce noise.
9. How often should a CPU cooler be replaced or upgraded?
A CPU cooler does not usually need frequent replacements unless it fails, struggles to keep up with a new, more powerful processor, or becomes too noisy. Maintenance, such as reapplying thermal paste every two to three years, often ensures continued efficiency without needing a new cooler.
10. Are CPU coolers difficult to install for someone new to PC building?
Many modern CPU coolers, including both air and AIO designs, feature straightforward mounting systems with clear instructions. The key is to follow the included guide, ensure correct orientation, and verify that all parts—such as brackets and backplates—match the CPU socket. Even large coolers like the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 280 A-RGB can be installed at home with patience and attention to detail.
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