It’s fun and challenging to build a new PC. Getting the best experience will require researching the right components, assembling them, and adjusting settings perfectly. A CPU cooler is crucial for your new setup if overheating is a problem.
Here we’ll cover air cooling, liquid cooling, performance, and everything in between. You’ll know what to look for when buying a CPU cooler and how to keep your PC cool.
1. Compatibility
If you’re buying PC parts, make sure they’re compatible. The cooler you choose should fit your processor, case, and motherboard. Make sure you know what sockets are and what else is on the motherboard. Each generation of motherboard/CPU combo will have a different socket.
It’s great that most CPU coolers are compatible with both Intel and AMD sockets. You just have to make sure the cooler supports the socket on your motherboard. Size is also important. ITX cases and motherboards can be hard to fit some air coolers. Additionally, if you’re buying a liquid cooler, make sure it fits in your case.
2. Liquid vs. Air Cooling
Traditional air coolers and liquid coolers are both types of CPU coolers. Most people are familiar with air coolers. The CPU is connected to the baseplate by heat pipes. It transfers the heat from the processor to the heat sink and fan, which dissipate it.
The baseplate of a liquid or AIO (all-in-one) cooler is filled with pipes carrying water or coolant. A radiator with fans moves the heat from the CPU to the liquid. With the fans, this radiator cools the hot liquid, which is then returned to the CPU.
AIOs are better in most cases. Liquid cooling makes them perform better, and some people like how they look. On the other hand, air coolers are easier to install. There are fewer moving parts, so they’re more reliable.
3. Performance of the Cooling System
TDP (Thermal Design Power) tells you a lot about a CPU cooler’s performance. When your CPU is at max load, you’ll need to know its TDP. The CPU cooler you need for a CPU with a TDP of 150W or higher needs to be beefy.
Different factors, like fan speed and pump speed, can affect cooling performance. Having RGB lighting doesn’t mean a cooler will perform well just because it looks good. There’s no rule saying a cooler can’t have all three, but you should always check reviews.
4. It’s All About Design and Aesthetics
Performance is important to some, but aesthetics are important to others. You’ll probably want to have a balance between the two when building your PC. A CPU cooler shouldn’t look ugly, but performance should be the priority. You can splurge on a fancy AIO if you don’t like the look of traditional air coolers.
You’ll find RGB lighting on liquid coolers, OLED displays on the pumps, and high-quality backlit fans these days. There’s even RGB lighting on modern air coolers. You can choose from black, white, and even pink coolers if you want.
5. Sound and Music
The fans on some air coolers are high RPM so they’re great. Their higher speed makes them pretty loud, though. Custom fan curves can be set if you’re worried about acoustics. A quieter fan can also be swapped out.
It’s better to check reviews that mention noise levels if you don’t want to spend time doing that extra work. It’s better to go with liquid coolers since they’re less noisy.
6. Installing
It’s a bit intimidating for first-time PC builders to install a CPU cooler. Coolers have to be aligned perfectly with your CPU, you have to apply the right amount of thermal paste, and you have to screw them into the motherboard. It’s still doable if you know what you’re doing. Installing coolers can be a bit scary, so you can get ones that are easier.
Noctua’s SecuFirm mounting system makes it easy to install most coolers. Because they’re simpler, air coolers are easier to install than liquid coolers.
7. Value and Price
There are some CPU coolers with ridiculous prices. Don’t be afraid to splurge if you’re into flashy designs — OLED displays on CPU pumps, RGB lighting, etc. Be careful not to overspend so much that you lose performance. It’s always better to buy a good CPU and GPU combo if you have the cash.
Similarly, you don’t have to worry if you’re on a budget. You can find a decent cooler for under $40-$50 from reputable brands like Noctua, CoolerMaster, and Arctic Freezer.
8. Is Custom Water Cooling a Thing?
There’s always the option of custom water cooling, so don’t get stuck down that rabbit hole. Creating a custom loop for cooling your CPU using aftermarket parts like a reservoir, radiator, CPU block, and more is called a custom water-cooled PC.
The GPU can also be water-cooled if you’re willing to spend the time. You have to take a chance, but it looks great when you do it right. Water-cooled builds are all over the internet. You’ll need to double or triple the amount of time it takes you to build a PC if you want it to be custom. There’s a lot to be gained, but it’s only worth it for those who are willing to put in the effort and spending a little more.
Cool Your CPU With the Right Partner
We’ve covered all the factors we’re looking for in this guide, so now you know what to look for. It’s also important to remember that high-end processors like the Ryzen 9 and Intel’s Core i9 require serious cooling. A high-end productivity powerhouse will cost you more.
Alternatively, sometimes you don’t need a CPU cooler, since many CPUs come with one. The best option may not always be these, but they work fine for budget or low-end systems.
