
8 Best CPU Coolers in 2023
INTRODUCTION
CPU coolers are designed for taking heat away from the processing unit. They are of two types air and liquid. Air ones have a heat sink and a fan. The heat sink carries the heat to the fan which then blows it away. The liquid ones have a tubing system. These tubes run through the system and have a liquid circulating in them. This method of cooling is a lot quieter and energy-efficient. We have prepared best CPU coolers guide by researching the multitude of options in the market. Then weigh on the advantages and disadvantages to guide you about the best ones in the market right now. You can also read a guide about gaming CPUs here.
Comparison Table
1. ASUS ROG STRIX LC 360 RGB White Edition
Are you in search of a white AIO liquid best white CPU cooler with an impressive design? ASUS ROG STRIX LC 360 is what you need. Many gamers chose an all-black setup so their lights are more visible. But some enthusiasts chose to go for the absolute opposite which is white. Both are fine in fact whatever suits your taste and style is best for you. The ROG STRIX LC 360 is an RGB fan. These RGBs can be controlled using the motherboard. This is a closed-loop design that has RGB fans. The pump is from Asetek’s 7th generation and comes with a custom cap. Starting speed for the fans is 840 RPM which can go up to 2500 RPM.
Also read: Best CPUs for RTX 3070
The pump offers a speed of 2800 RPM. The aluminum radiator has 380 mm long rubber tubes. You can use the Aura Sync software to control the RGBs. ASUS has delivered a premium CPU cooler. This product comes with a 6-year long warranty so you can safely make a purchase. When operating at the maximum speed that fan has a loud noise which might be annoying for some. To get decent cooling performance without noise keep the fan at 70 percent of the max speed. The ASUS 360 is the best white CPU cooler to work with all Ryzen and intel high-end processors. Though an expensive purchase the features and the performance justify the price tag.
SPECIFICATIONS
RGB | ARGB |
FAN | ROG Model 12 |
Fan speed | 800-2600 RPM |
Socket | LGA 1700 |
Power | 250 watts |
AMD | AM4 |
FEATURES
- Static airflow with ROG-designed fans
- Individually controllable RGBs
- Modern aesthetically pleasing built
- Sleeve Rubber tubing inside radiator for durability
- Aura Sync software gives customized RGB themes
- Big cooler
- Efficient temperature control
- Noisy at maximum speed
- Lacks a temperature display screen
- Expensive
WHY BUY ASUS ROG STRIX LC 360 RGB White Edition?
ASUS ROG STRIX LC 360 RGB WHITE EDITION is the most efficient and price-worthy Liquid white CPU cooling system. You get 3 all-white radiator fans. This gives an aesthetic appeal to the whole unit. The closed-loop design with the RGB radiator fans unleashes the true potential of your Ryzen or Intel processor. The multi-color lighting on all white built is surely a sight to hold. The fans are great at controlling the temperature only issue might be noise at maximum speed. This however can be avoided if you set the speed at a medium level. ASUS ROG 3600 has also rubber tubing inside the radiator to increase efficiency.
2. CORSAIR LL Series LL120 RGB
RGBs are in high demand nowadays. That is why brands are trying to come up with the best RGB lighting effects nowadays. CORSAIR LL Series LL120 RGB is a step forward in this effort. The amazing RGB effects appeal to the gamers of this product. Apart from this lighting, these fans are efficient at cooling down processors. The excellent airflow helps to maintain the temperature within limits. This way you get performance and looks both in one product. These fans spin at a speed of 600 to 1500 RPM. Moreover built from 120 mm blades these fans have a very less noise level.
This model has two fans both of which consume the power of 13 volts. The fans are rotating on a hydraulic motor so they maintain a great speed with optimal airflow. CORSAIR has offered a 2-year long warranty on this product which increases buyers’ trust. Each fan has 16 separately addressable LEDs so you have endless customization options. Reflected from the white fan housing the light appears brighter. You can use the CORSAIR iCUE software to create your favorite RGB profile. This triple fan kit maintains static pressure with high airflow so you get to experience the best possible gaming performance.
SPECIFICATIONS
RGB | Present |
FAN | 120 mm blades |
Fan speed | 360-2200 RPM |
Socket | LGA 1700 |
Power | 13 Volts |
AMD | AM4 |
FEATURES
- Mounting screws and start guide provided inbox
- 16 RGB LEDs on each fan
- RGBs customized using iCUE software
- 120mm long blade for noise-less functioning
- All included so easy to install
- Silent fans
- 4 rubber contacts on fan shrouds for stability
- High price range
- Cables are not sleeved
WHY BUY CORSAIR LL Series LL120 RGB?
CORSAIR LL Series LL120 RGB is a market-leading and the best white CPU cooler. With a triple fan kit, you can lower your PC temperature in minutes. This cooling system has a great RGB profile that stands out. Each fan is designed with 16 separate LEDs that can be controlled and customized using the iCUE software. The bright RGBs on an all-white build provide an elegant look. The LL120 series has 120 mm long blades that maintain high airflow and static pressures all day long. The CORSAIR series fans are engineered for a low-noise operation without compromising performance. The box has all the mounting screws and a guide so you can straight away start installing the system as soon as you receive it.
3. NZXT Kraken Z73 RGB 360mm
Next on the list is the 360 mm best white CPU cooler by NZXT. The Kraken 273 has exquisite RGB lighting that will give a glow to your whole PC setup. The cooler lets you adjust the fan speed according to the requirement. This way you can experience better-overclocking performance. The box contains three 120 mm fans that maintain the airflow to keep the temperature in control. This is not a bulky unit so you can easily handle it. The improved pump built contributes to better performance. With this fan, you can reach speed up to 3000 RPM. The fan functions in complete silence even at maximum speed.
NZXT has offered a 6-year warranty on the product. On the front, you get a 2.36 inches LCD. This screen shows the temperature of the processor. This way you can keep the temperature at a lower level. With the programmable display, the pump can be rotated to fit in according to your motherboard. This won’t affect the logo or image of the cooler. The CAM software interface lets you display your favorite image or an animated gift. The Kraken 273 has nylon mesh sleeves that provide better protection and durability. Kraken Z series lets you customize your system like never before.
SPECIFICATIONS
RGB | Present |
Fan | RGB 120 mm |
Fan speed | Up to 3000 RPM |
Socket | LGA 2066 |
Power | 12 volts |
AMD | AM4 |
FEATURES
- 2.36-inch LCD
- Rotatable pump
- User-friendly software for better customization
- 24-bit Color LCD
- Wide compatibility
- Improved pump design
- Fan speed control software
- Special adapters are required for some processor
- Primitive paper manual
WHY BUY NZXT Kraken Z73 RGB 360mm?
When it comes to customization NZXT has lifted the game. With user-friendly software, you can design a better lighting profile and manage fan speeds. The fans on this unit are designed to reach a maximum speed of 3000 RPM. Even at such high speeds, it is not a noisy cooler. You get an LCD on this best cpu cooler as well. The LCD shows the temperature so you can monitor the system’s cooling efficacy. Though a big cooler it can be rotated to fit in according to your motherboard needs. The RGB 2 fans with the dramatic lighting effects complement your gaming setup.
4. ID-COOLING AURAFLOW X 240 Snow CPU Water Cooler
Here is something for the budget gamers. Despite being a budget cooler ID-COOLING AURAFLOW has RGB lighting on both the pump head and the fan. The full RGB experience mostly costs a lot but this unit has a budget price tag. As it is a budget pick so the lights are not as bright and blended as the high-end ones. The thermal plates are designed to smooth which allows for maximum contact and thus efficient cooling. Reinforced tubings last longer and have lesser chances of leakage. The fans have been housed in a rubber casing to dampen the noise. This way even at high speeds you can play your game with comfort.
Also read: Best Motherboards for Mining
The AuraFlow X 240 is compatible with all modern processors including Intel LGA 2066,2011,1155,1200 etc. For AMD it supports AM4, AM3, AM2, and many more. You can self-install this unit by following the steps in the manual. Hose fittings can swivel 90 degrees and the tubings are long so any orientation that accommodates a 240 mm radiator is possible. Though the price tag is quite affordable its cooling performance will not be the best in the price range. Great for average work but for overclocking you need to look at some other options. If you are on a tight budget and just need a white cooler to complement your system this one can be a great purchase for you.
SPECIFICATIONS
RGB | Present |
Fan | 120 mm RGB |
Fan speed | 700-1800 RPM |
Socket | LGA 1200 |
Power | 12 volts |
AMD | AM4 |
FEATURES
- RGB lighting on the pump and fan is adjustable
- Dual 120 mm RGB fans
- Wired RGB controller included
- Adjustable fan speeds between 700 to 1800 RPM
- Great built design
- Includes all required RGB splitters
- Simple and quick installation
- Budget-friendly
- Elegant logo design
- Dim RGBs
WHY BUY ID-COOLING AURAFLOW X 240 Snow CPU Water Cooler?
ID-COOLING AURAFLOW X 240 Snow white CPU Water Cooler is a budget pick with solid built. The unit has dual cooling fans paired with a 240 mm radiator. Due to the smooth thermal plate design, efficient cooling takes place. You get RGBs on both the pump and the fan. These RBGs are not as bright as the high-end ones but still do the job pretty well. The AuraFlow X 240 is a budget unit that does the job of cooling the processor well. It might not offer some advanced features but for the price range, it is a great pick. Fan speed can be adjusted between 700 to 1800 according to your performance needs.
5. DeepCool AS500 Plus
DeepCool has designed a competent air cooler that is available in both black and white. The AS500 Plus has a single tower built with dual 140 mm fans that manage to keep the airflow constant. Five 6 mm nickel-plated heat pipes are connected to the heat sink for fast dissipation. This model has a slim-built design that only measures 48 mm wide. This provides great space for RAM. DeepCool has designed this CPU cooling unit with TF 140s fans. The speed of these fans ranges from 500 to 1200 RPM. These fans regulate the airflow and keep the system temperature down with relatively low noise.
Also read: Best Motherboards for Ryzen 9 5900X
Installation is simple and quick due to fewer parts. The unit offers compatibility with a wide range of Intel and Ryzen processors. Do check out your model number for compatibility before confirming the purchase. With thermal design power of 220 watts, the system can handle even high ends multi-core processors like Ryzen 9 and Intel Core 9. Though not much a single strip of RGBs is present on top of the fan. These RGBs shine through the plastic coating placed on the heatsink. DeepCool has included a physical ARGB controller so you don’t face any issues in case your motherboard lacks RGB headers.
SPECIFICATIONS
RGB | RGB |
Fan | TF 140s |
Fan speed | 500-1200 RPM |
Socket | LGA 1700,1200 |
Power | 220 watts |
AMD | AM4, AM3 |
FEATURES
- Equipped with 5 heat pipes
- Slim profile
- Comes with an A-RGB controller
- Powerful 140 mm fans
- Pretty quiet operating
- Excellent price
- Less RGB LEDs
- Tall might not fit in
WHY BUY DeepCool AS500 Plus?
DeepCool AS500 Plus is an air cooler with 5 heat pipes connections for the heat sink. The dual 140 fans with the efficient air flow dissipate the heat away from the system. This way processor’s temperature is lowered for optimized performance delivery. The AS500 Plus is compatible with most of the latest processors. The unit has an affordable price tag so you can install it into your processor on your own. DeepCool has designed a slim 48 mm wide unit so you have enough space for the RAM. Handling it will also be convenient due to less weight. The RGBs are present on top of the heatsink and give a minimal yet elegant light.
6. CORSAIR HYDRO Series H100i RGB Platinum SE
If your eyes are all on aesthetics this CORSAIR HYDRO SERIES H100i RGB Platinum SE is an elegant all-white AIO cooler with a complement of RGB LEDs. Gaming enthusiasts will love the amount of RGB lighting on this unit. The pump head and both the fans have RGB lights. The RGB LEDs on this unit are bright and vivid. If you want to deck up your system in RGBs you surely will love this one. Using CORSAIR iCUE software you can easily control these lights. You can create a personalized lightning profile to match your style. This software also lets you control your fan and pump speed so you can improve heat dissipation depending on performance.
The CORSAIR H100i readily mates with all the latest processing units. The swivel fittings make it easy to install the cooler. If the 240 mm radiator fits in then you will have no more issues. The thermal paste is pre-applied by the manufacturer so you don’t get messy during installation. The hoses are nylon sleeved to avoid any leakage. Overall this is a well-built cooling unit that will last you for a long. Even at high loads, this unit will. Ensure the temperature is well within the limit. On testing when compared to 360 mm the temperature was only 11 degrees higher than 240 mm. On top of all this CORSAIR offers a 5-year warranty on the product.
SPECIFICATIONS
RGB | Present |
Fan | RGB fans |
Fan speed | Up to 2200 RPM |
Socket | LGA 1200 |
Power | 12 volts |
AMD | AM4, AM3 |
FEATURES
- 16 LEDs on each LL120 fan
- White fan house accentuates the style
- Tool-free mounting bracket
- Extreme cooling performance with aluminum radiator
- Easy to set up
- Easy to monitor with iCUE software
- Piping swivels so you get your desired alignment
- Large up to 15 inches
WHY BUY CORSAIR HYDRO Series H100i RGB Platinum SE?
Do you want a bright RGB setup? Buying CORSAIR HYDRO SERIES H100i RGB Platinum SE can fulfill this dream. With 48 RGBs per pump and fan, you get a bright glow and vivid lights. Customizing these lights is also a breeze with CORSAIR iCUE software. This software is meant to monitor the fan speed and temperature too. This way you can adjust the fan settings according to your performance requirements. One more feature that makes this unit the best white CPU cooler is a 240 mm tall radiator. This radiator coupled with dual fans provides efficacious heat transfer from the processor into the liquid.
7. Cooler Master Masterliquid ML240L V2
Cooler Master Masterliquid ML240L V2 is built using 3rd generation dual-chamber pump innovative technology. This offers a high cooling efficacy. The device has elegant RGBs with customization features. RGB controller helps control all the RGB-related functions. Industrial built quality provides longevity and less leakage risk. Cooler Master has updated the exterior fan blade design. The improved design offers better airflow and quiet operation. This is an all-white cooler that well suits the whole setup. The fans operate at a rate of 650 to 1800 RPM. This maintains the temperature within set limits.
Also read: How Much VRAM Do I Need for Gaming?
Increased fin surface area allows rapid heat dissipation. The more the surface area, the higher the dissipation rate and the faster the cooling is achieved. This unit is a liquid cooling system that uses water to carry heat away from the processor. The Cooler Master is compatible with all the latest Intel and AMD processors so you will get a greater performance efficiency. Though Cooler Master offers a multitude of fantastic CPU coolers ML240L is the most loved one. The cooler with its dual fans is suitable for gamers, graphic designers, video editors, programmers, or others that work for long hours on PC.
SPECIFICATIONS
RGB | Present |
Fan | 120 mm |
Fan speed | 650 -1800 RPM |
Socket | LGA 1700 |
Power | 2.36 watts |
AMD | AM4 |
FEATURES
- 3rd generation two-chamber pump
- Improved exterior design
- High industrial grade material built
- Supports Intel and AMD processors
- Mounting brackets for easy installation
- Comes with an RGB controller
- High-quality industrial built
- No temperature display
- No software control
WHY BUY Cooler Master Masterliquid ML240L V2?
Cooler Master is a great liquid cooling unit for everyday users. The high-grade built quality increases the longevity and makes it a long-term purchase. The exterior design of the fans amd RGBs has been improved to make installation quick. With the dual chamber pumps, Cooler Master will cool down your PC within seconds. The ML240L is not just loved for the price tag but the high fan efficacy has made it the top pick. The fan speed fluctuates between 650 to 1800 RPM depending on the CPU temperature. This unit does not have software or LCD so that you can monitor the temperature.
8. ARCTIC Freezer 34 eSports White
ARCTIC is a well-known brand for its manufacturing of premium quality AIO and air coolers. The ARCTIC Freezer 34 eSports White is the latest air best CPU cooler that will go well with your all-white setup. Freezer 34 has four heat pipes connected to the base plate. Although it comes with a single fan the space for another one is left. In case you feel the need for increased airflow you can install a second fan. The compact size allows the unit to fit in any processor. The silent operation is another great feature. With lower power consumption these fans deliver a speed of 200 to 2100 RPM.
Also read: Best Processors for Programming
The ARCTIC Freezer 34 eSports White comes with a 10-year long warranty which shows the trust of the brand in their product. This device comes with LGA 1700 compatibility which makes it a great pairing option for Alder Lake processors. Rubber housing reduces the noise and makes the device efficient. Even though the fan has just five blades it provides a high airflow. The mounting process is simple and quick. You can mount it without having to remove any other parts. From fans to pumps everything on this cooling system is white so it will go well with your white setup.
SPECIFICATIONS
RGB | No |
Fan | 120 mm |
Fan speed | 200-2100 RPM |
Socket | LGA 1700 |
Power | 12 volts |
AMD | AM4 |
FEATURES
- The heat pipe contact surface covers 18 core processors as well
- Special surface structure using thermal coating
- Optimized heat dissipation with 54 cooling fans
- 10-year warranty
- Reduced noise
- The thermal coating increases heat dissipation
- No RGB LEDs
- Limited Socket support
WHY BUY ARCTIC Freezer 34 eSports White?
ARCTIC FREEZER 34 eSports White is an efficient air white CPU cooler. Four heat pipes coming from the heat sink to the fan dissipate heat through air. This model has a single fan which is enough for maintaining temperature. ARCTIC has however reserved a slot for the other fan. This way you can install another fan if you feel you are not reaching your potential. This is an all-white unit including the fan and the pump. If you like RBGs then going for this cooler will not serve you. It has no RGB LEDs so it will be dull for you.
FAQs about the best CPU coolers
1) Can cooler damage a processor?
Heavy CPU coolers can damage, break or bend the motherboard. Before making a purchase make sure the cooler is the right fit for your processor.
2) Can the CPU run without a fan?
No CPUs cannot be run without a cooler. Without a proper cooling mechanism, the processor will overheat and thus fail. The fans dissipate the heat generated by the processor to keep it optimally functioning.
3) How to clean a CPU air cooler?
Wipe it with a tissue piece. If you want to do a thorough cleaning moisten the tissue with washing liquid and use it.
4) Is it fine to wash CPU fans with water?
Not at all. It is not recommended to soak the fan in water. Water can cause it to rust thus affecting longevity.
5) Why is my processor fan so loud?
At high processor temperature, the fan is running at maximum speed so it becomes loud. High RAM use or dust stuck inside the fan can cause it to make noise.
6) How to adjust CPU fan speed?
Each brand has different software that lets you monitor the temperature and then adjust the fan speed accordingly.
CONCLUSION
OVERALL BEST CPU COOLER
This unit has a single tower built with two 140 mm fans. Due to less number of parts and slim design this unit is quick to install. You can pair up any of the latest processors with it for optimal overclocking. This is an affordable air cooler that comes with a separate RGB controller.
BEST LIQUID CPU COOLER
Cooler Master Masterliquid ML240L V2
Industrial built liquid cooler with a dual-chamber pump will cool down your system like none other. Cooler Master ML240L has an improved exterior design that allows for better heat dissipation.
BEST BUDGET CPU COOLER
ARCTIC Freezer 34 eSports White
This unit will be a great choice for your all-white setup. At an affordable price tag, you can easily install it into your processor without messing with other parts. The 54 cooling fins provide optimized cooling for maximum efficacy.