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10 Best Cpu Coolers 2024 in the US

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Kayla CarstensKayla Carstens

Buying Guide for the Best Cpu Coolers

If you use your computer a lot—or if you use it for particularly taxing projects—you know that feeling of frustration when the machine starts to run slowly or shut down. It’s not the computer’s fault; some of them just aren’t built to stand up to heavy-duty jobs. There are some things that you can do to minimize the problem, however. One of them is to invest in a cooling device for your computer—think of a cooler as a second fan for your PCU (in many cases, that’s exactly what it is). Here are some things to look for when shopping for a cooler.

Types

Fans: On the most basic level, a cooler might just be a second fan that gets attached to the CPU’s tower and blows cool air onto the motherboard, chips, and other internal equipment.

Heat sinks: Heat sinks feature a fan, but also special substances that helps to absorb heat faster, thus increasing the cooler’s effectiveness.

Liquid coolers: Liquid coolers use substances (including water) to cool the air going into the computer, which helps to cool the equipment faster.

What Reviewers Have to Say

Here are some of the things reviewers talk about when discussing the computer coolers they purchased:

  • Cooling power: This one is obvious; there isn’t any point in spending good money on a device that doesn’t keep your computer cool. Great coolers do just that—they do a fantastic job of making computers noticeably cooler and running much more smoothly than before the coolers were attached.
  • Fan noise: This is a common point of discussion. All coolers use fans in one way or another, but not all fans are created equal. The best models feature fans that get the job done and do so quietly—you don’t want to buy a cooler that is so loud that it distracts you from your work.
  • Durability: Since people buy computer coolers to help make up for heavy use, it makes sense that they want coolers that can stand up to abuse. High-quality coolers start off strong and keep going for extended periods of time.
  • Ease of installation: Coolers come with various means of attaching the device to the computer—some use magnets, some use brackets, some have other devices. Regardless of the method, the best models have one thing in common—they’re easy to install and stay in place once they are attached.

Important Features

  • Fan speed: Since the fan is the most important part of a cooler, be sure to look for one that features a fan that will generate enough power to meet your needs. For increased usability, look for a model that has adjustable fan speeds.
  • Coolants: You might decide to go with a cooler that just uses a fan, or you might want to go with one that uses a heat sink or liquid coolant. If you choose to go with one of the latter two options, take a few minutes to find out which coolants would be most likely to work for your computer setup.
  • Installation: Think about your home office and your own technical skills. If you want or need something that will be fast and easy to install (and uninstall), you might look into one of the more straightforward installation options, such as one that uses magnets.

Top-Rated Brands

Cooler Master: Cooler Master is the most established brand on this list, having been established in 1992. The company specializes in manufacturing a variety of products with one goal: providing customers with the best in computer cooling devices.

Corsair: Corsair has been manufacturing computer peripherals since 1994. The company offers a wide range of products, including keyboards, memory devices, and coolers.

Arctic: Arctic is a Switzerland-based company that has been producing innovative cooling devices for computers since 2001; the company has since gone international, opening offices in Germany, Hong Kong, and the United States.

Phanteks: Phanteks is one of the newer companies in the computer cooling business, having been established in 2007. However, the company’s founders have decades of experience in developing cooling solutions, and the company offers an impressive array of products.