The best coolers for the 2020 processor

Budget coolers for chips mean models costing from 1 to 3 thousand rubles. Yes, on sale you can find more affordable products, ordinary coolers. But their effectiveness is not enough to cool powerful processors. Maximum for enclosures and hard drives. We are interested in active coolers with a radiator, on top of which a cooler is installed. This design takes up more space, but guarantees a high rate of heat transfer, due to the increased area of ​​contact with air.

The Top 10 cooler for the processor opens with the Aerocool Core Plus model, which attracts with an affordable price tag and excellent ARGB backlight. The PWM fan has a fairly efficient design that provides good heat dissipation. The model is compatible with motherboards, as well as hubs. It is worth saying that the cooler radiator is compatible with almost all motherboards from leading manufacturers, except for Intel 2011 and 2066. At the same time, the tap size reaches 110 watts. The top-down cooling design has already proved its effectiveness, and there is no doubt about it. In addition, a high-quality black coating of the ribs is implemented.

DeepCool is one of the leading manufacturers of computer coolers. This is confirmed by the inexpensive but good cooler of the GAMMAXX 300 series. Based on the reviews, this is a really effective tool that can significantly reduce the temperature of the chip compared to the boxed version. The gadget is made in the classic tower shape, which includes three heat pipes piercing the wear-resistant aluminum fins. To increase the productivity of the equipment, a 120-mm fan is used, which provides for the adjustment of revolutions. The model is offered with a diverse set of clips suitable for different mounts. This expands the scope of application, and allows you to operate the device with different sockets, including 1151 from Intel, AM3 + and FM2 from AMD, and others. The level of heat in this case is 130 watts.

In the list of budget coolers for AMD and INTEL processors, a good model of the initial category, called the Gamemax Gamma 500 Rainbow, deserves attention. Many users managed to evaluate the effectiveness of the form factor of this device with a U-shaped layout.The structure of the design immediately includes 5 copper heat pipes with a sufficiently large and durable aluminum radiator. Directly responsible for the cooling is the 120 mm fan, complemented by excellent LED-backlight. In this case, the device has a relatively small height. The gadget is positioned as an affordable invention of the initial category for Intel / AMD chips of the Mainstream classes, as well as Performance. The main feature in this case is a high heat release rate, up to 187 watts.

If you don’t know which cooler to buy for Intel and AMD chips in the initial category, we recommend paying attention to the Deepcool GAMMAXX 400 model. The model is suitable for a wide range of processors from top manufacturers. The gadget is made in the form of a tower, which is literally pierced by durable and high-quality copper tubes. Thanks to the direct interaction of the heat-distributing cap of the CNC and the tubes, improved heat dissipation is achieved. To disperse it, a good fan is installed that produces revolutions from 900 to 1500 per minute, depending on the load. The cooler has a fairly bright LED-backlight, which will only transform your gaming system. No flaws were found.

The best budget CPU cooler in 2020 is the ARCTIC Freezer 34 eSports DUO. As you can understand from the image, this device has two powerful BioniX P fans at once. It also has optimized pressure and an improved radiator, which now boasts the presence of thermal coating. Despite the pretty good build and high power, this device is characterized by low noise level - only 28 dB. It is worth saying that many larger, louder and more expensive models are inferior to this device both in terms of design and heat dissipation. This conclusion is easy to make based on user feedback.

In the premium category are more expensive active cooling systems with one or more fans. Such models, like the budget ones, consist of a radiator with coolers installed on top. In turn, the first element removes heat from the cooled element of the system (processor), and the fan removes heat directly from the radiator, scattering it in the air. The difference in the number of heat pipes, heat dissipation, life, number of pipes, total efficiency in the end.

The Be quiet Dark Rock Pro 4 model replenishes the rating of tower coolers in 2020. The new series of liquid cooling systems differs from its predecessors by the support of two fans with LED-backlight. By design, it’s clear that these are solutions for gaming PCs. Judging by the manufacturer’s statement, this active cooler can serve up to 18 cores with a power of 165 watts. Classic fan size is 120 millimeters. The advantages of this gadget include the presence of Fluid Dynamic Bearing hydrodynamic bearings and PWM control. The structure includes 7 heat pipes of the highest quality.

We will complement our top coolers for game processors with the Noctua NH-U12S model, which has already been awarded many awards, including for quiet operation, high efficiency and bright illumination. The design, time-tested, has a durable radiator and attracts with ergonomic dimensions. It is difficult to identify flaws in the fan, which is equipped with equipment. Firstly, the cooler is thin, and secondly, it is made of quality materials. Judging by user reviews, the model has excellent compatibility with RAM, chassis and PCIe.A high level of heat sink is achieved through the use of high-quality copper base and heat pipes. Aluminum cooling fins and solder joints, in turn, indicate stable operation under all loads.

We are talking about the popular tower cooler, which is suitable for all popular processor sockets from both Intel and AMD. The model was created specifically for gamers and enthusiasts who can not do without overlocking. At the same time, the cooler is characterized by quiet operation, the ability to work with the most powerful processors. The scope is due to the presence of a high-quality (premium) radiator with a copper base and nickel coating. In addition, the design includes immediately 6 heat pipes, the diameter of which is 6 millimeters. Thanks to the PWN function, automatic control of the rotation speed is achieved, which is accompanied by additional comfort in using the equipment.

Unlike analogues, the new cooler for gaming processors from Cooler Master has received the patented protection technology for eight heat pipes at once. With a fan diameter of 120 millimeters, the number of revolutions reaches 1800 per minute. Surely, such a system should work very loudly, but the manufacturer also took care of this. Actually in price and design it is clear that the active cooler belongs to the top line. Maximum airflow reaches 70 CFM. The time between failures, according to the manufacturer, is 40 thousand hours. The design weighs in the region of 800 grams, which is the best indicator, given the capabilities and dimensions.

The best tower cooler for the processor in 2020 is the MasterAir Maker 8 model from the famous manufacturer Cooler Master. Unlike most analogues, this flagship device has two Silencio FP 140 fans with PWM control. In this case, you do not have to look for ear pads to withstand his buzz, because the model works extremely calmly. A low volume level combined with premium illumination complements the wear-resistant fan of this series. The bearings are made on the basis of magnetic levitation, and guarantees excellent static pressure. It is difficult to ignore the heat release index, which is 250 watts.

Having decided on the type of equipment that is needed to fully cool your system, you should pay attention to the following aspects. If you don’t know how to choose a cooler for the processor, keep in mind that we only disclose key parameters, but we can’t give any recommendations without knowing what hardware you have. So:

1. The number of heat pipes. In these elements there is a low-boiling liquid, which evaporates and condenses at the other end, which will allow to remove unnecessary heat from the source, and transferring it to the radiator. In inexpensive active coolers, there are up to 6 of such elements. In premium ones, from 6 and more.
2. Radiator. Today, aluminum models are becoming less common, copper ones are more often used. The second material has better thermal conductivity and guarantees more efficient heat dissipation.
3. Way of fastening. To install passive and active coolers, you can use latches, double-sided type of fastening, bolts and silicone fasteners. The latter option is prioritized due to vibration absorption.
4. Fan quality. The most common 120-mm fans, which can have different bearings: based on sliding, rolling and hydrodynamics. The last bearings are filled with a special fluid, which guarantees good mobility during the rotation of the fan.
5. Turnovers. The lower the minimum - the wider the adjustment range, the higher - the more efficient.Moreover, the diameter is closely related to the size of the fan. It is considered the norm from 1000 to 2500 rpm.

Thus, in spite of the fact that coolers are secondary or not tertiary details in any system, it is necessary to approach their purchase with all seriousness. There are a lot of circumstances to consider: from the size of the fan to the backlight. If you don’t know which cooler to buy for a processor, do not hesitate to ask even an absurd question to a consultant, as answering them is their job. As for our opinion, to summarize:

• good and inexpensive cooler - ARCTIC Freezer 34 eSports DUO;
• The best active cooler in terms of price and quality - Thermalright Macho Rev.A;
• Premium CPU Cooler - Cooler Master MasterAir Maker 8.