CPU Cooler Performance Tier List

[Beerus]

On 11/18/2018 at 7:31 AM, WoodenMarker said:

The MA410M is similar in performance to the DR4 in the same way that Tier 6 is similar in performance to Tier 5. It's not like the two coolers trade blows but instead, the DR4 always wins. 

https://bit-tech.net/reviews/tech/cooling/cooler-master-masterair-ma410m-review/2/

https://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/cases_cooling/coolermaster_masterair_ma410m_review/7

https://www.techtesters.eu/cooler-master-masterair-ma410m-review/

well in the toms review they actually trade blows  but it loses in a every other review.  Maybe it does better with the 5930k for some reason. It also beats the tier 4 MA620P there

[WoodenMarker]

1 hour ago, Beerus said:

well in the toms review they actually trade blows  but it loses in a every other review.  Maybe it does better with the 5930k for some reason. It also beats the tier 4 MA620P there

Having lower temps at a lower static percentage or non-max rpm isn't the same as having actual better performance since it doesn't scale linearly. If the argument is made for acoustics, rpm is irrelevant and temps should be compared to temps instead. In both max rpm and noise-normalized results, the DR4 performs better. 

As for the MA620P, it seems like Tom's Hardware's results is a bit of an outlier compared to other reviews. 

[jiyeon]

On 1/31/2018 at 9:58 AM, WoodenMarker said:

Tier 5 - 140mm's & High-End 120mm's

    Arctic Freezer 33 eSports Edition

    Be Quiet! Dark Rock 4

I happened to notice that my current cooler, the Arctic Freezer 33 eSports One, and the cooler that I have laid my eyes on recently, the be quiet! Dark Rock 4 are in the same tier. I have the eSports One at the moment, but can easily add another fan to essentially make it an eSports Edition.

 

What's the better route to go down here?

 

a) Add an additional fan to my existing Arctic Freezer 33 eSports One to make it a push-pull config eSports Edition

b) Buy a be quiet! Dark Rock 4

[WoodenMarker]

1 hour ago, seoz said:

I happened to notice that my current cooler, the Arctic Freezer 33 eSports One, and the cooler that I have laid my eyes on recently, the be quiet! Dark Rock 4 are in the same tier. I have the eSports One at the moment, but can easily add another fan to essentially make it an eSports Edition.

What's the better route to go down here?

a) Add an additional fan to my existing Arctic Freezer 33 eSports One to make it a push-pull config eSports Edition

b) Buy a be quiet! Dark Rock 4

What are your priorities? The Freezer eSports Edition isn't nearly as quiet as the DR4. 

If you want more performance, an additional fan would be an improvement albeit small. 

[_Hustler_One_]

Also I see the NH-D15 and Le Grand Macho RT are separated in different tier here, while I read most of the reviews that shows they perform at similar performance even Macho gives slightly better numbers than D15 in one review but also slightly lower than D15 in another review, also Macho can be more quiet and has all the compatibility feature, Macho only lose for its short warranty.

 

So my opinion is Thermalright Le Grand Macho RT should be in the tier 2 because it performs the same plus all those compatibility advantage ahead the D15.

Or are there something that I missed about why they're being separated in different tier?

[WoodenMarker]

1 hour ago, _Hustler_One_ said:

Also I see the NH-D15 and Le Grand Macho RT are separated in different tier here, while I read most of the reviews that shows they perform at similar performance even Macho gives slightly better numbers than D15 in one review but also slightly lower than D15 in another review, also Macho can be more quiet and has all the compatibility feature, Macho only lose for its short warranty.

So my opinion is Thermalright Le Grand Macho RT should be in the tier 2 because it performs the same plus all those compatibility advantage ahead the D15.

Or are there something that I missed about why they're being separated in different tier?

This is something that I've been thinking about for the past week and it seems that tests that aren't as heavy show the Le Grand Macho RT as a similar or better performer which makes sense since the heatsink design is more suitable for passive or low rpm cooling. The cooler is held back by the low rpm fan and catches up to the NH-D15 when a second fan is added. When loads are heavier, results often show the LGMRT perform similarly to or worse than the NH-D15S or similar coolers. 

 

Some examples:

https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermalright/Le_Grand_Macho/6.html

The LGMRT performs better than or similar to the NH-D15 at stock but starts to fall behind as the cpu is oc'ed and temps rise.

http://pcfoster.pl/artykul/thermalright-macho-le-grand-rt-–-test-chlodzenia/1655-4.html

The LMGRT is just behind the NH-D15 at stock but falls behind the NH-D15S when the cpu is oc'ed. 

https://whatnext.pl/test-chlodzenia-thermalright-le-grand-macho-rt/

The LMGRT is falls further behind the Fuma and Ninja 4 as voltage is raised.

 

In general, the LMGRT performs similarly to or slightly worse than other T3 coolers like the NH-D15S or the Ninja 4:

https://www.nikktech.com/main/articles/pc-hardware/cpu-cooling/cpu-air-coolers/7107-thermalright-le-grand-macho-rt-cpu-cooler-review?showall=&start=5

http://hardwareoverclock.com/Thermalright-Le-Grand-Macho-RT-5.htm

https://www.hardwareluxx.de/index.php/artikel/hardware/kuehlung/38997-thermalright-le-grand-macho-mit-ty-147-b-im-nachtest.html?start=4

https://overclockers.ru/lab/show/73449_4/obzor-i-testirovanie-passivnoj-sistemy-ohlazhdeniya-thermalright-le-grand-macho

 

Plenty of coolers in T3 perform similarly to or even better than coolers in T2 in some tests but that isn't the norm. Even the NH-D15S ends up beating out the NH-D15 in parts of the TechPowerUp review.

Warranty, compatibility, and acoustics aren't accounted for in the list. 

[jiyeon]

8 hours ago, WoodenMarker said:

What are your priorities? The Freezer eSports Edition isn't nearly as quiet as the DR4. 

If you want more performance, an additional fan would be an improvement albeit small. 

My priorities are basically "Get the best cooler that can fit inside my case that isn't a Noctua cooler".

[WoodenMarker]

9 hours ago, seoz said:

My priorities are basically "Get the best cooler that can fit inside my case that isn't a Noctua cooler".

Ah, I found your thread. 

 

[SuperFlower]

Is a thermalright macho 120 sbm a good cooler for a 9600k? Is it a good idea to sell it and go for a dark rock 4 (non pro) or it will perform mostly the same? (I don't have the cpu yet)

[Guest]

On 12/8/2018 at 4:58 AM, beast said:

Is a thermalright macho 120 sbm a good cooler for a 9600k? Is it a good idea to sell it and go for a dark rock 4 (non pro) or it will perform mostly the same? (I don't have the cpu yet)

https://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/7810/thermalright-macho-120-sbm-cpu-cooler-review/index6.html

https://play3r.net/reviews/cooling/thermalright-macho-120-sbm-cpu-cooler-review/

https://www.overclockers.com/thermalright-macho-120-sbm-review/

 

It's fine. Don't waste your money on a DRP4/NH-D15/whatever else.

[_Hustler_One_]

Newcomer incoming!

The CES 2019 newly introduced, the Be Quiet Dark Rock Slim

[_Hustler_One_]

Another newcomer from Deepcool..(?)

 

 

[Guest]

On 1/13/2019 at 7:27 AM, _Hustler_One_ said:

Another newcomer from Deepcool..(?)

 

 

Looks like a carbon copy cuz noctua's patent is prob expired 

[Amaiel]

Interesting rating tbh with you... I don't know if its fully right after all.

[Keslo]

Hello, I got the NZXT H500 white case, and I'm concerned about it accepting the DEEPCOOL GAMERSTORM CASTLE 280 RGB AIO, since it kinda isn't 280mm, but it's ≈300mm. If this matters, the cooler fit these cases: 

• Corsair Carbide Series 275R (White w/Tempered Glass)
• Corsair Crystal 280X RGB
• Phanteks ECLIPSE P400S TEMPERED GLASS

Will it fit the NZXT H500?

[WoodenMarker]

44 minutes ago, Keslo said:

Hello, I got the NZXT H500 white case, and I'm concerned about it accepting the DEEPCOOL GAMERSTORM CASTLE 280 RGB AIO, since it kinda isn't 280mm, but it's ≈300mm. If this matters, the cooler fit these cases: 

• Corsair Carbide Series 275R (White w/Tempered Glass)
• Corsair Crystal 280X RGB
• Phanteks ECLIPSE P400S TEMPERED GLASS

Will it fit the NZXT H500?

All 280mm rads are actually longer than 280mm. It'll fit. 

[slimshady620]

someone can help me please... id like to know the thermal difference between h7 quad lumi and r1 ultimate... i know r1 is better, but it will hide the rams, and i dont want it... ill build a ryzen 5 2600, and i might OC it, but nothing extreme... im from brazil and r1 universal is not avaiable here :( ty for help

[WoodenMarker]

36 minutes ago, slimshady620 said:

someone can help me please... id like to know the thermal difference between h7 quad lumi and r1 ultimate... i know r1 is better, but it will hide the rams, and i dont want it... ill build a ryzen 5 2600, and i might OC it, but nothing extreme... im from brazil and r1 universal is not avaiable here ty for help

You can look at benchmarks by googling 'H7 Quad Lumi benchmarks' or the list for relative performance. The actual temperature results you might experience would rely on several factors including ambient temps and system airflow / specs. 

Here are some examples:

https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/CRYORIG/H7_Quad_Lumi/6.html

https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/dominic-moass/cryorig-h7-quad-lumi-rgb-air-cooler-review/5/

https://www.nikktech.com/main/articles/pc-hardware/cpu-cooling/cpu-air-coolers/9359-cryorig-h7-quad-lumi-cpu-cooler-review?showall=&start=6

 

The R1 Universal is the same as the R1 Ultimate but the front fan is slimmer for better ram clearance at the cost of slightly worse performance. That being said, it's probably overkill for the 2600. The H7 Quad Lumi is already plenty for oc'ing. 

Why are you looking at these coolers in particular?

[slimshady620]

Just now, WoodenMarker said:

You can look at benchmarks by googling 'H7 Quad Lumi benchmarks' or the list for relative performance. The actual temperature results you might experience would rely on several factors including ambient temps and system airflow / specs. 

Here are some examples:

https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/CRYORIG/H7_Quad_Lumi/6.html

https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/dominic-moass/cryorig-h7-quad-lumi-rgb-air-cooler-review/5/

https://www.nikktech.com/main/articles/pc-hardware/cpu-cooling/cpu-air-coolers/9359-cryorig-h7-quad-lumi-cpu-cooler-review?showall=&start=6

 

The R1 Universal is the same as the R1 Ultimate but the front fan is slimmer for better ram clearance at the cost of slightly worse performance. That being said, it's probably overkill for the 2600. The H7 Quad Lumi is already plenty for oc'ing. 

Why are you looking at these coolers in particular?

because they look great! and i want an air cooler in my build, i think its more beauty than watercoolers!
to be honest, im waiting for ryzens 3 gen, so ill build a ryzen 5 3600 in a s340 elite.
so can i go with h7 quad lumi? ty for ur time bro!

[slimshady620]

Just now, WoodenMarker said:

You can look at benchmarks by googling 'H7 Quad Lumi benchmarks' or the list for relative performance. The actual temperature results you might experience would rely on several factors including ambient temps and system airflow / specs. 

Here are some examples:

https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/CRYORIG/H7_Quad_Lumi/6.html

https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/dominic-moass/cryorig-h7-quad-lumi-rgb-air-cooler-review/5/

https://www.nikktech.com/main/articles/pc-hardware/cpu-cooling/cpu-air-coolers/9359-cryorig-h7-quad-lumi-cpu-cooler-review?showall=&start=6

 

The R1 Universal is the same as the R1 Ultimate but the front fan is slimmer for better ram clearance at the cost of slightly worse performance. That being said, it's probably overkill for the 2600. The H7 Quad Lumi is already plenty for oc'ing. 

Why are you looking at these coolers in particular?

also, im so grateful for these great links! i was looking for it but i didnt fint them yet! ty so much

[WoodenMarker]

2 minutes ago, slimshady620 said:

so can i go with h7 quad lumi? ty for ur time bro!

Yep. If that's the look you're going for, it's a good cooler for oc'ing. 

[Dissitesuxba11s]

Do you think the new Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme should be included when more reviews come out? It's made out of custom loop parts, and comes at a custom loop equivalent price, but branded as an AIO.

 

Product page (German): https://www.alphacool.com/eisbaer-extreme-280-black-edition-cpu-aio

[WoodenMarker]

On 1/29/2019 at 5:51 AM, Dissitesuxba11s said:

Do you think the new Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme should be included when more reviews come out? It's made out of custom loop parts, and comes at a custom loop equivalent price, but branded as an AIO.

Product page (German): https://www.alphacool.com/eisbaer-extreme-280-black-edition-cpu-aio

Yep, it should be added once there are enough good reviews / benchmarks on the cooler in a standard configuration. 

[BetterThanLife]

Wanting to add my own experience with the Noctua NH-L12, i do not use the 92MM fan, instead i use a 120MM NF-F12 Focused Flow, and the provided 92MM as a case exhaust fan.

https://noctua.at/en/nh-l12.html

https://noctua.at/en/nf-f12-pwm.html

 

The i5 3550 never surpasses 48c even under Prime95 load, this on PWM also.

 

 

 

 

[254732_1454182039]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm looking for a CPU Cooler for my Ryzen 2600x on an NZXT H200. I'm running the default Wraith Spire at the moment but unhappy with its performance in this case, it works well under load but it's incredibly noisy. I've replaced all case fans with 2x 120mm Pure Wings 2 and 2x 140mm Pure wings 2. I'm just looking to replace the heatsink now. What would be the absolute "best" one could get for this case? Noctua NH D15S? I'm not too worried about aesthetics but the D15S is definitely a bit on the expensive side.