The editorial staff of 20 Minutes did not participate in the production of this article.
A cooler is not chosen at random.
An essential component of your computer equipment, it helps reduce CPU heatstroke.
This is why you must know the characteristics of your installation before starting to select the best CPU cooler.
Small selection of CPU coolers among the best of the moment
Cooler Master MASTERAIR MA410M: a silent CPU cooler with addressable LED lighting
Noctua NH-L9x65: a CPU cooler with a low height
Deepcool Ice Edge Mini FS V2: a space-saving and efficient CPU cooler
XIGMATEK Apache PLUS: a design and efficient CPU cooler
ZALMAN CNPS9900 MAX BLUE LED: a CPU cooler capable of dissipating up to 300 W
Be Quiet Dark Rock 4: a CPU cooler with 9 cooling fins in a unique design
ARCTIC Freezer 34 eSports: a CPU cooler recommended for extreme loads
Spirit of Gamer Aircooler Pro: a CPU cooler with the brand's logo in LED lighting
THERMALTAKE Riing Trio 14: an ultra quiet and bright CPU cooler
ENERMAX - ETS F40 FS: a CPU cooler with the patented Vortex Generation Flow design
Cooler Master MASTERAIR MA410M: a silent CPU cooler with addressable LED lighting
Between its cooling performance and the customization of its LED lighting, the Cooler Master MASTERAIR MA410M CPU cooler has it all.
Very quiet, its use at full speed does not exceed 31 dB.
Very efficient, this cooler for Intel or AMD processor also adds a little touch of originality: its adjustable lighting, directly thanks to the compatible motherboard (Asus Aura, Gigabyte Fusion, MSI Mystic Light) or to a remote control (for others models).
The most
:
Quiet operation;
Compatibility with Intel and AMD;
Remotely controllable LED lighting;
A tube of thermal paste included.
The least
:
His price.
Get the MASTERAIR MA410M model
Noctua NH-L9x65: a CPU cooler with a low height
Ideal if you're short on space in your desktop or gaming case, the Noctua NH-L9x65 takes up little space.
With a height of only 65 mm (against 120 mm or more for other models), this CPU cooler ensures optimal heat dissipation.
Compatible with Intel motherboards including those equipped with a PCIe port, this fan promotes air circulation with a reduced noise level.
The most
:
A small footprint;
Compatibility with all Intel motherboards;
Connection possible to cards with a PCIe port;
Quiet operation.
The least
:
His price.
Get the Noctua NH-L9x65 model
Deepcool Ice Edge Mini FS V2: a space-saving and efficient CPU cooler
The Deepcool Ice Edge Mini FS V2 CPU cooler is ideal for traditional use, for those who do not do PC tuning.
Thanks to a Hydro Bearing cooling system, this computer component limits the risk of the device overheating, even when the processor is overloaded.
Very affordable, it remains unattractive, however, and basic in terms of design.
The most
:
An efficient cooling system;
A small footprint;
An aluminum heat sink;
Sintered metal (copper) powder heat pipes.
The least
:
A design that is a little too classic.
Get the Edge Mini FS V2 model
XIGMATEK Apache PLUS: a design and efficient CPU cooler
Thanks to its small footprint (Top Flow format), the XIGMATEK Apache PLUS CPU cooler can be easily installed on existing configurations.
Compatible with most Intel and AMD processors, it improves the performance of the machine, but also its aesthetics.
Indeed, this CPU fan has an RGB LED backlight.
The only downside: it remains somewhat silent when it is in high demand.
The most
:
A space-saving Top Flow format;
Compatibility with Intel and AMD processors;
An LED strip with changing colors;
Modern and original design.
The least
:
Quite noisy operation at full throttle.
Get the Apache PLUS model
ZALMAN CNPS9900 MAX BLUE LED: a CPU cooler capable of dissipating up to 300 W
Renowned in the world of computer components, the Zalman brand offers an ultra powerful CPU cooler model.
Thanks to a patented design with axial grooves, this internal fan ensures a transfer rate up to 50 times higher than a more traditional system.
Thus, this compound dissipates up to 300W to improve the performance of the configuration.
The ZALMAN CNPS9900 MAX BLUE LED is compatible with the vast majority of Intel and AMD processors.
The most
:
A well-known brand in PC cooling;
An original and efficient patented design;
Compatibility with Intel and AMD processors;
A dissipation of up to 300 W.
The least
:
A somewhat bulky format (152 mm).
Get the ZALMAN CNPS9900 model
Be Quiet Dark Rock 4: a CPU cooler with 9 cooling fins in a unique design
Heavyweights in the silent computer component industry, Be Quiet!
presents one of its latest CPU cooler models.
The Dark Rock 4 is crafted from diamond-cut brushed aluminum for even more elegance and performance.
Silent Wings fans cool the processor with the Fluid Dynamic Bearing mechanism.
At full throttle, this cooler does not exceed 21 dB of noise level, making it one of the quietest in its class.
The most
:
A renowned German brand;
A 9-fin brushed aluminum design;
Fluid Dynamic Bearing cooling;
Extremely quiet sound level.
The least
:
His price.
Get the Dark Rock 4 model
ARCTIC Freezer 34 eSports: a CPU cooler recommended for extreme loads
As the name suggests, Arctic's Freezer 34 eSports supports heavy-duty use, such as online video games.
Compatible with most Intel processors (and with the AMD AM4), this CPU cooler houses 54 aluminum fins and 4 high-performance heat pipes.
Confident in the quality of its component, the Arctic brand guarantees it for 10 years.
Only downside: it remains quite bulky and takes up an important place in the case.
The most
:
A cooler composed of 54 aluminum fins and 4 heat pipes;
Easy assembly;
Compatibility with most Intel processors (and AMD AM4);
A 10-year manufacturer's warranty.
The least
:
A fairly bulky design.
Get the Freeza 34 model
Spirit of Gamer Aircooler Pro: a CPU cooler with the brand's logo in LED lighting
From its first start-up, the Aircooler Pro CPU cooler sets the tone: the brand's Skull logo appears in particularly original LED lighting.
But beyond its design, this computer component ensures optimal performance for your desktop pc.
The 4 copper heat pipes conduct the heat from the processor to the powerful fans in order to dissipate it quickly.
The most
:
An ultra original design;
Addressable LED lighting featuring the brand's skull logo;
Great cooling power;
A radiator with 4 copper heat pipes.
The least
:
Its somewhat massive design.
Get the Aircooler Pro model
THERMALTAKE Riing Trio 14: an ultra quiet and bright CPU cooler
Reserved for professional use or for overcloking, the Riing Trio 14 from Thermaltake offers an air and water cooling system (or watercooling).
Thus, it boosts the power of your equipment without fear of overheating.
Perfect for quickly cooling overworked processors, this CPU cooler remains silent despite everything, since it does not exceed 22 dB at full speed.
The most
:
A reference for professional equipment;
Air cooling and water cooling;
Quiet operation (22 dB max);
Discreet LED lighting.
The least
:
His price.
Get the Riing Trio 14 model
ENERMAX - ETS F40 FS: a CPU cooler with the patented Vortex Generation Flow design
Thanks to its intelligent speed control function (PWM technology), the ENERMAX - ETS F40 FS CPU cooler oscillates between 300 and 1200 rpm.
Thus, it does not run at full speed when it is not called upon for it.
The brand's patented Vortex Generation Flow technology doubles the cooling performance compared to a traditional system, as the hot air flow is more concentrated in the heatsink.
The most
:
Patented air flow redistribution technology;
Intelligent operation according to the needs of the processor;
An original design with visible copper heat pipes;
Performance twice as high as a classic model.
The least
:
A bulky design (156 mm).
Get the ETS F40 FS model
How to choose your CPU cooler?
Unless you have a solid knowledge of computers, choosing the best CPU cooler is very difficult.
First, you need to know the space available to connect this component, both in terms of space on the motherboard and in the case.
Rest assured: each processor (or each complete pc) indicates the necessary cooling power expressed in watt (the TDP for Thermal Design Power).
You just need to choose a cooler compatible with the type of processor of your equipment and covering the TDP indicated on the latter to make the right choice.
What is a CPU cooler used for?
The cooler combines a radiator and a fan to ensure the proper functioning of the processor of your machine.
When the processor heats up after intensive use, the cooler absorbs the heat to redirect it to a heat sink (air or water depending on the technology).
To summarize: the CPU cooler avoids the risk of the processor overheating, and therefore prolongs the life of the latter.
You are now in possession of the main information to choose the best CPU cooler according to your needs. Remember that this type of component is installed directly on the motherboard. If you are new to opening and modifying your PC, hiring a professional IT professional is highly recommended.
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The editorial staff did not participate in its realization.
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