Best CPU Cooler for Gaming PC

Introduction

Did you know that a quality CPU cooler will unlock the full potential of your gaming PC? Did you also know that besides the high-end ones there are many affordable options as well?

To have your gaming PC running at its best condition, a quality CPU cooler is a good investment. A proper cooling system will ensure your gaming PC runs smoothly and consistently even during long gaming sessions.

Choosing the right product for you can become quite a daunting task. If you are an amateur, it is easy to get lost in all the brand types and specifications. There are also countless, quality products that are equipped to always keep your CPU cool and in a good working condition.

To save on your time poring through many products, this guide has been curated to include all you need to know about CPU coolers as well as the best options for your gaming PC. To be inclusive, it includes cheap and affordable CPU coolers as well as the high-end ones if you are looking to invest once and for all in these products.

Reviewing the Best CPU Coolers for a Gaming PC

Corsair H115i RGB Platinum – Liquid cooler that comes in sleek black or white

The Corsair Hydro Series H115i is an all-in-one cooler with bright RGB lighting to maintain extremely cool temperatures.

Specs

• Noise level 37 decibels
• 16 RGB LEDs designed for optimal CPU cooling
• Compatible with all major CPU sockets
• Fan speed: 360-2200RPM
• Product dimensions are 280 x 120 x 30mm

One of the oldest liquid coolers in the market, Corsair H115i is a finely developed cooler available in black or white .For topnotch CPU cooling of your gaming PC; you will not go wrong with Corsair H115i as it is built to handle resource-intensive apps like games.

It also has other several impressive features that make it a good buy. For example, its RGB lighting scanner greatly optimizes the CPU cooling. It is also developed with ICUE software to give you customizable options. This interface also monitors temperatures of the coolant and CPU as well.

Corsair H115i has a few drawbacks though. For example, its wiring easily curves and twists because it is thin.

Verdict

Even if it is quite noisy, there is still a lot to love about Corsair RGB. Other products in its range have focused in producing quiet, smooth coolers while Corsair has been optimized for good CPU cooling.

NZXT’s Kraken X62 – All in one liquid cooler

With exquisite RGB lighting, NZXT is a top quality CPU cooler.

Specs

• Powerful pump that is quiet yet capable of displacing large amounts of liquid for superior cooling
• Fan and pump have customizable options for independent tuning
• Customizable to manage performance and make any needed changes quickly
• Product dimensions are 13.66 x 6.1 x 8.23 inches

NZXT Kraken X62 is a CAM powered cooler with an infinity mirror design. Engineered with reinforced extended tubing and a radiator fan, this product can easily keep your gaming PC cool even after long gaming sessions.

With options for users to fin-tune the settings, X62 adds to its good name. The CAM software interface which allows customization of settings is a particularly good feature for gamers. This is because a gamer can fine tune the pump, fans and radiator to work at stronger speeds during long gaming sessions.

Verdict

The Kraken series has some of the most advanced CPU coolers. X62 runs just as well with good cooling capabilities and low noise emission. Unfortunately, a few issues with its CAM software dim the shine of this product.

Noctua NH-D15 – High-end air cooler with formidable qualities

This is a state-of-the art cooler with 2 fans and 6 heat pipes for quiet and efficient cooling.

Specs

• Noise volume of up to 24.6 decibels
• Fan speed ranges from 300-1500RPM
• Product measures 165 x 150 x 161 mm

Noctua NH-D15 is an air cooler with top-notch results. With high ratings, this cooler is guaranteed to keep your gaming PC in proper working conditions at all times. It does this using a heat sink (dual tower) and two high 140mm airflow fans.

However, it has a few limitations. For example, it is quite bulky and this can potentially cause problems with RAM clearance. It is also quite expensive compared to products with similar features.

Verdict

Noctua NH-D15 has quality features that make it stand out. However, it is a tad too expensive compared to products with similar abilities. It is a good buy if you are willing to spend a pretty penny for a quality CPU cooler. Noctua is definitely a top choice for a high-end cooler as it is manufactured to give you unmatched benefits.

EVGA CLC 240 – Affordable liquid cooler

One of the latest products in the EVGA line, CLC 240 is a liquid cooler that gives exquisite cooling performance considering its price tag.

Specs

• Noise volume: 16-40 decibels
• Fan speed ranges from 500-2400RPM
• Product dimensions are 276 x 122 x 53mm

EVGA CLC 240 is an all-in-one RGB liquid cooler that is quite affordable. With 120mm PWM fans and a 240mm radiator, it gets the job done. For incredible cooling efficiency, it has improved heat transfer surface area and flow rates. It also has sleeved tubing from the CPU block to the radiator.

A few of its defects include the rather noisy fans at high speeds and the software that is susceptible to bugs.

Verdict

EVGA CLC 240 is not without faults. For example, the fans are quite noisy when set at full speed. However, it performs exceedingly well without reaching high speeds. While it is not fancy, it is a quality budget option for a gaming PC CPU cooler.

Cooler Master MA410M – An affordable, high performance option

This is a mid-range air cooler with RGB lighting.

Specs

• Has RGB lighting
• Noise volume ranges from 6-31 decibels
• Fan speed: 650-1800RPM
• Product measures 112 x 131 x 165mm

With 28 RGB LEDs, Cooler Master MA410M is a quality option for a gaming PC. Besides lighting it up quite beautifully, it keeps your system incredibly cool. In terms of cooling performance, it is almost at par with high-end CPU coolers. This is due to its dual 120mm fans and 4 direct contact heat pipes.

MA410M also has a thermal detection sensor to monitor your CPU temperature. Through color lighting effects, this is displayed for you to check. To add, its specially designed air-guide armor directs air flow to reduce dead spots for efficiency.

Verdict

Cooler Master MA410M has a few cons like its bulkiness. However, it remains highly recommended as it is affordable yet high performing.

DeepCool Gammaxx 400 – Sleek blue affordable cooler

For exceptional cooling performance, Deep Cool Gammaxx is a good budget option.

Specs

• Comes with 4 powder heat pipes
• Blue LED lighting
• Compatible with many devices because of its universal socket

Using a 120mm PWN fan and 4 heat pipes, Gammaxx 400 keeps your PC cool even after long gaming sessions.  The fan particularly has a wide range of PWM functions to give you control over the performance and noise creation.

With low noise creation and turbulence, Deep Cool Gammaxx 400 delivers a maximum of 74.34 CFM volume air flow. This is ideal for proper cooling and efficiency.

Verdict

For a product in its price range, Deep Cool Gammaxx has a few defects. Nonetheless, you get value for your money as it is affordable yet quite efficient.

ARCTIC Freezer Xtreme – Low noise model with good cooling performance

Arctic Freezer Xtreme is a good-looking, all-in-one solution for excellent cooling on your PC.

Specs

• 4 heat pipes, 120mm PWM fan
• Wide range compatibility with Intel and AMD sockets
• Product dimensions are 5.2 x 3.9 x 5.5 inches

With a dual-tower heat sink, 4 heat pipes that are double sided and a 120mm PWM fan, Arctic Freezer XTreme offers efficient cooling on your gaming PC. Even when you are play resource-intensive games on maximum settings, you can be assured of a cool processor. It is precisely what you need for a gaming PC.

Verdict

Arctic Freezer Xtreme is a good buy for amateur and pro gamers alike. It delivers optimal cooling due to its double-sided heat pipes and 102 fins.

What Factors Should You Consider to Buy the Right CPU Cooler for Your Gaming PC?

Types of Coolers

Broadly, the two types of CPU coolers are an air cooler and a liquid cooler.

An air cooler works using a heat sink and a fan to blow away warm air from the CPU keeping it cool at all times. If you settle on air cooler, you need look up the product’s dimensions to check on its compatibility with your PC. If this is not considered, you can find yourself purchasing a CPU cooler that simply will not fit into its case. You also need to check if the air cooler is as quiet as can be, to avoid loud noises that can distract you during gaming. The noise volume is usually indicated in the CPU cooler box.

On the flipside, a liquid cooler works by sending cooling liquid from your CPU to your fans. It does this in a loop to prevent heat buildup in the processor. While liquid coolers effectively work better and more quietly, they cost a pretty penny. Ultimately, the best CPU cooler between these two is the one that fits within your budget and runs as you want it to.

Installation Process

While the installation process of a CPU cooler can be quite tricky for someone who is not tech-savvy, there are many helpful guide books and videos on how to get a CPU up and running in your gaming PC. One ought to consider simple to install products. There are also videos on YouTube that properly detail the installation process of most of these CPU coolers

Budget

Ultimately, no one wants to overspend/underspend on a cooler. Before purchasing any of these products, consider how much you are willing to spend then read through the details of each product to find the right one for you. If you are buying a CPU cooler as part of a new system build, then you need to allocate a fitting amount. Once you are certain the product is bound to cool your gaming PC as you want it, you can then invest if it is in line with your preferred price range.

TDP Rating

To determine the right cooler for your system, you ought to consider the product’s TDP rating. TDP refers to Thermal Design Point/Power. This is the maximum amount of heat that is expected to be dissipated by the CPU cooler. During gaming sessions, a computer chip generates heat.

When buying a cooler, you should consider one that has a higher TDP rating than your CPU. This is so that you find the right product that is able to effectively manage all the heat being generated by your PC. If you are a heavy gamer, it is recommended to find a CPU cooler that exceeds your processor’s rating.

Compatibility

Before settling on one product, you need to be sure the CPU cooler will fit with your CPU sockets. Currently, most products are widely compatible but there are still certain CPU coolers that fit with a specific CPU socket.

Maintenance

To keep your CPU cooler in proper working conditions, there are a few things you can do to boost its efficiency. Fist, always keep your CPU cooler clean as particles like dust usually clog your cooler and hinder its performance. Secondly, to ensure proper airflow get a CPU cooler that fits well in your PC and leaves enough room for air circulation. An easy to maintain CPU cooler is an ideal buy

Aesthetics

If you are not fussy about looks, a simple CPU cooler is enough. If you prefer a high-end cooler with a sleek profile, then you need to consider the aesthetics of each product. To find the right one for you, check out pictures of each finished build to find one that fits your style.

Noise Levels

A quality CPU cooler ought to run smoothly and as quietly as possible. You ought to consider manufacturers that have emphasized on designing ultra-quiet products for an enhanced gaming experience. As a general rule of thumb, CPU coolers with small fans are quite noisy compared to coolers with larger fans. This is because smaller fans spin faster and produce more sound. If you are looking for a near-silent cooler, you should consider 140mm fans.

Conclusion

Choosing the right CPU cooler for your gaming PC might not be easy as there are countless quality options. This guide has tried to make your shopping experience faster and easier by being comprehensive on all the best options as well as factors you should consider.

One of the highly rated products in this article is NH-D15 which is good at its job which is keeping your gaming PC cool. While it is simple and it does not have flashy designs it is an efficient cooler made of quality, durable materials. If you are more into aesthetics, there are also CPU coolers that are fitted with vibrant RGB lighting.

There are also other CPU coolers that are designed with the intent of being as quiet and smooth as possible. For the best buy, check on the compatibility of the product as well as its design specifications. Your budget also heavily factors in but it should not be a limiting factor. The market has many affordable options that are high quality and high performing.