CPU Cooler Performance Tier List

[WoodenMarker]

14 hours ago, Mike1989 said:

I am currently undervolting, actually. I will OC when I get a proper cooler. If I OC with the stock cooler, the temps creep up to the 80's. Prolonged temps in 80's is uncomfortable for me.

Any of the coolers you mentioned should be plenty for cooling. If you're looking for some cheaper alternatives, let us know what kind of prices you're looking and and where you're shopping / located. 

[Mike1989]

I'm from India, and here are the prices of the available coolers:

Noctua NH D15: Rs 7400

Deepcool Fryzen: Rs 7200

Noctua U14S: Rs 6441

Cryorig R1 Universal: Rs 6000

Deepcool L240 RGB: Rs. 6100

Cooler Master MA620P: Rs. 3825

Deepcool Neptwin RGB: Rs. 4785

Deepcool Assassin II : Rs 5670

 

Out of all of these, Noctua probably has the best price to perf ratio, but I'd then have to change the fans to the black ones and then the cost skyrockets upto about Rs. 10000.

[WoodenMarker]

9 hours ago, Mike1989 said:

Out of all of these, Noctua probably has the best price to perf ratio, but I'd then have to change the fans to the black ones and then the cost skyrockets upto about Rs. 10000.

The MA620P seems like the best value out of the list if you're just looking for performance. The build quality is good enough if you're just looking for reliability. If you want better fans, you could replace the fans with a twin pack of ML120's. I'd recommend saving some money and just using the included fans instead though.

[LienusLateTips]

https://www.amazon.ca/upHere-AC12RD-CPU-Cooler-120mm-RED/dp/B07HL7LDLR/ref=sr_1_15?keywords=CPU+cooler&qid=1554699869&s=gateway&sr=8-15

 

This?

[WoodenMarker]

On 4/7/2019 at 10:13 PM, LienusLateTips said:

https://www.amazon.ca/upHere-AC12RD-CPU-Cooler-120mm-RED/dp/B07HL7LDLR/ref=sr_1_15?keywords=CPU+cooler&qid=1554699869&s=gateway&sr=8-15

This?

Added it to the queue but I haven't seen any good reviews on any upHere coolers. 

[ItsMeAgain]

I've been following this thread as a reference for a long time, but recently I can't but think there are a few discrepancies here and there. For example, Noctua U14S has been put in the Tier 4, but Deepcool's Maelstrom 120 as well as the budget AIO Gammaxx L240 has been put in Tier 3. I find it difficult to believe that a budget 240mm AIO would surpass U14S, let alone a 120mm AIO. Is there any supporting evidence that Gammaxx L240 or Maelstrom 120 performs better than Noctua U14S or U12A?

 

[WoodenMarker]

6 hours ago, ItsMeAgain said:

I've been following this thread as a reference for a long time, but recently I can't but think there are a few discrepancies here and there. For example, Noctua U14S has been put in the Tier 4, but Deepcool's Maelstrom 120 as well as the budget AIO Gammaxx L240 has been put in Tier 3. I find it difficult to believe that a budget 240mm AIO would surpass U14S, let alone a 120mm AIO. Is there any supporting evidence that Gammaxx L240 or Maelstrom 120 performs better than Noctua U14S or U12A?

Examples of the Gammaxx L240 beating NH-U14S:

https://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/deepcool_gammaxxx_l240_aio_review,11.html

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?296747-Deepcool-Gammaxx-L240

https://www.pakgamers.com/reviews/deepcool-gammaxx-l240-aio-cpu-liquid-cooler-review/

 

There are some examples of the Maelstrom 120 beating the NH-U14S but also some worse showings as well. I've moved the Maelstrom 120 down into the same tier. 

https://www.modding.fr/test-deepcool-maelstrom-120/6/

https://3dnews.ru/900847/page-2.html#Результаты тестирования и их анализ

https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Deepcool/Maelstrom_120/6.html

https://www.ocaholic.ch/modules/publisher/item.php?itemid=1407&page=3

https://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/68060-deepcool-maelstrom-120-water-cooler-review-3.html

https://www.technic3d.com/review/kuehler/1715-deepcool-maelstrom-120-aio-wasserkuehler/4.htm#oc

 

Thanks for the feedback!

I also feel like there are plenty of discrepancies and it tends to lead to looking back at dozens of reviews on many occasions. Every once in a while, something gets moved / corrected but it usually ends up reaffirming the position of the cooler despite my gut feeling.

[_Hustler_One_]

@WoodenMarker could you please help me find some strong performance air cooler for less than 105mm height?

Thanks, man.

[WoodenMarker]

2 minutes ago, _Hustler_One_ said:

@WoodenMarker could you please help me find some strong performance air cooler for less than 105mm height?

Thanks, man.

What cpu, case, and ram are you using?

Where are you shopping / located? Budget?

[_Hustler_One_]

1 minute ago, WoodenMarker said:

What cpu, case, and ram are you using?

Where are you shopping / located? Budget?

CPU: 8700K, usually it draws 110-125W when I'm using it for work or long gaming session.

RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX

Case: Cougar QBX, it has 105mm air cooler height limitation

Motherboard: Asrock Z390 Phantom Gaming ITX

 

Where to shop doesn't matter.

[WoodenMarker]

8 minutes ago, _Hustler_One_ said:

CPU: 8700K, usually it draws 110-125W when I'm using it for work or long gaming session.

RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX

Case: Cougar QBX, it has 105mm air cooler height limitation

Motherboard: Asrock Z390 Phantom Gaming ITX

 

Where to shop doesn't matter.

Are you using the side bracket? The case supports taller coolers without it. 

You can see a NH-C14S with NF-A12x15's in push pull here which would be a bit 130mm tall with the zipties. https://smallformfactor.net/forum/threads/cougar-qbx-nh-c14s-build-dremel-gore.9966/

[_Hustler_One_]

3 hours ago, WoodenMarker said:

Are you using the side bracket? The case supports taller coolers without it. 

You can see a NH-C14S with NF-A12x15's in push pull here which would be a bit 130mm tall with the zipties. https://smallformfactor.net/forum/threads/cougar-qbx-nh-c14s-build-dremel-gore.9966/

Wonder if the motherboard VRM heatsink will conflict with the heatpipes or with the opposite C14S heatsink orientation and pull configuration will conflict with the fan. I still dont know if I will use the side bracket or not. This is still in planning stage.

 

@WoodenMarker What is the cooler height limit of the case if I dont use the side bracket anyway?

[WoodenMarker]

1 hour ago, _Hustler_One_ said:

Wonder if the motherboard VRM heatsink will conflict with the heatpipes or with the opposite C14S heatsink orientation and pull configuration will conflict with the fan. I'm still dont know if I will use the side bracket or not. This is still in planning stage.

The side is mainly used for a case fan so using a taller cooler instead would be along the same goals. 

If you have that extra clearance, the best air cooler without any modding would probably be the Noctua NH-U9S. 

If you end up getting a different board without a large heatsink over the I/O, the Atlas would be better with the case configured with the rear ass intake and the top as exhaust. 

[_Hustler_One_]

7 minutes ago, WoodenMarker said:

The side is mainly used for a case fan so using a taller cooler instead would be along the same goals. 

If you have that extra clearance, the best air cooler without any modding would probably be the Noctua NH-U9S. 

If you end up getting a different board without a large heatsink over the I/O, the Atlas would be better with the case configured with the rear ass intake and the top as exhaust. 

 

https://proclockers.com/reviews/computer-cases/cougar-qbx-mini-itx-chassis-review?nopaging=1

Quote

For the cooler, I've used a Cryorig H7 cooler without the shroud and this cooler has a height of 145mm, 40mm taller than what Cougar recommended. So yes the QBX can fit a much taller CPU cooler of up to 145mm but that would disable you from installing the inner side panel.

My question is answered.

Thanks for sharing me the post from other forum.

[_Hustler_One_]

What size is the mounting holes of the DRTF 135mm Silent Wings fan?

[WoodenMarker]

11 hours ago, _Hustler_One_ said:

What size is the mounting holes of the DRTF 135mm Silent Wings fan?

The holes are 105mm apart -- the same as standard 120mm case fans. 

[Oalei]

between Raijintek Ereboss/Themis EVO, which 1 is better? Ereboss cost less than Themis EVO. I need it for LGA1366/1150

[thinwalrus]

On 4/20/2019 at 10:34 PM, WoodenMarker said:

Examples of the Gammaxx L240 beating NH-U14S:

https://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/deepcool_gammaxxx_l240_aio_review,11.html

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?296747-Deepcool-Gammaxx-L240

https://www.pakgamers.com/reviews/deepcool-gammaxx-l240-aio-cpu-liquid-cooler-review/

 

There are some examples of the Maelstrom 120 beating the NH-U14S but also some worse showings as well. I've moved the Maelstrom 120 down into the same tier. 

https://www.modding.fr/test-deepcool-maelstrom-120/6/

https://3dnews.ru/900847/page-2.html#Результаты тестирования и их анализ

https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Deepcool/Maelstrom_120/6.html

https://www.ocaholic.ch/modules/publisher/item.php?itemid=1407&page=3

https://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/68060-deepcool-maelstrom-120-water-cooler-review-3.html

https://www.technic3d.com/review/kuehler/1715-deepcool-maelstrom-120-aio-wasserkuehler/4.htm#oc

 

Thanks for the feedback!

I also feel like there are plenty of discrepancies and it tends to lead to looking back at dozens of reviews on many occasions. Every once in a while, something gets moved / corrected but it usually ends up reaffirming the position of the cooler despite my gut feeling.

Ignore idle temperatures and look at the max wattage ones. Maelstrom 120 is equal to Noctua u12s on Techpowerups aida fpu test(while being 9dB louder) and L240 ties with U14 on guru3d 100% load.

[WoodenMarker]

5 hours ago, Oalei said:

between Raijintek Ereboss/Themis EVO, which 1 is better? Ereboss cost less than Themis EVO. I need it for LGA1366/1150

The Ereboss is better. 

2 hours ago, thinwalrus said:

Ignore idle temperatures and look at the max wattage ones. Maelstrom 120 is equal to Noctua u12s on Techpowerups aida fpu test(while being 9dB louder) and L240 ties with U14 on guru3d 100% load.

The NH-U12S ties with the Maelstrom 120 in Techpowerup's review but is outperformed in others as show in Modding.fr's and 3dnews.ru's. In 3dnews.ru's review, the NH-U12S at 1450rpm was matched by the Maelstrom 120 with a margin of 0.1c at only 1000rpm and is largely outperformed by a margin of 15.2c at the max 2200rpm. 

A similarly significant margin of performance can be seen between the NH-U14S and Gammaxx L240 in xtremesystems' and pakgamers reviews. 

Performing equally in one test but better in the other tests indicates that it's generally better. Most coolers often trade blows with the coolers in the tiers above and below at some point and the placement is determined by where they land on average. 

The list only accounts for performance and not for noise or which is the better cooler overall. At the same price, I'd usually recommend the NH-U12S over the Maelstrom 120.

[thinwalrus]

On 4/29/2019 at 12:23 AM, WoodenMarker said:

The Ereboss is better. 

The NH-U12S ties with the Maelstrom 120 in Techpowerup's review but is outperformed in others as show in Modding.fr's and 3dnews.ru's. In 3dnews.ru's review, the NH-U12S at 1450rpm was matched by the Maelstrom 120 with a margin of 0.1c at only 1000rpm and is largely outperformed by a margin of 15.2c at the max 2200rpm. 

A similarly significant margin of performance can be seen between the NH-U14S and Gammaxx L240 in xtremesystems' and pakgamers reviews. 

Performing equally in one test but better in the other tests indicates that it's generally better. Most coolers often trade blows with the coolers in the tiers above and below at some point and the placement is determined by where they land on average. 

The list only accounts for performance and not for noise or which is the better cooler overall. At the same price, I'd usually recommend the NH-U12S over the Maelstrom 120.

Does not at all look like the Russians got it wrong. On their site Hr-02 macho with two fans is worse than True Spirit 140. That is exactly why I stick to sites who are known to have at least as scientific approach you can have at a home/office setup.

[WoodenMarker]

45 minutes ago, thinwalrus said:

Does not at all look like the Russians got it wrong. On their site Hr-02 macho with two fans is worse than True Spirit 140. That is exactly why I stick to sites who are known to have at least as scientific approach you can have at a home/office setup.

The True Spirit 140 actually outperforms the HR-02 Macho pretty often but the reason why it's not higher up on the list is because the performance is less consistent. 

Spoiler

https://gamezoom.net/artikel/Thermalright_True_Spirit_140_BW_Rev_A_Test_Review-32124-2

https://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/7160/thermalright-true-spirit-140-bw-rev-cpu-cooler-review/index6.html

 

[thinwalrus]

20 hours ago, WoodenMarker said:

The True Spirit 140 actually outperforms the HR-02 Macho pretty often but the reason why it's not higher up on the list is because the performance is less consistent. 

  Reveal hidden contents

https://gamezoom.net/artikel/Thermalright_True_Spirit_140_BW_Rev_A_Test_Review-32124-2

https://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/7160/thermalright-true-spirit-140-bw-rev-cpu-cooler-review/index6.html

 

But do you have any idea why those tests show inconsistencies? Its because some sites use low voltage(Tweaktown 0,95V stock, and 1,14V OC) on tests while others push 220W with a 9900K. Thin tower might be equal to D15 with low watts but push 130-200W and there will be a larger difference. 

[jake1santiago]

Thanks for the url guides. 

[WoodenMarker]

6 hours ago, thinwalrus said:

But do you have any idea why those tests show inconsistencies? Its because some sites use low voltage(Tweaktown 0,95V stock, and 1,14V OC) on tests while others push 220W with a 9900K. Thin tower might be equal to D15 with low watts but push 130-200W and there will be a larger difference. 

Cooler performance is inconsistent and is dependent on many factors outside of just voltage / power draw. Some reasons include different system airflow configurations and how well the cooler is mounted. Mounting hardware plays a big role in how often the cooler is properly / optimally mounted. 

[Oalei]

ok so i just found this 

Thermalright silver arrow Extreme IB-E HFS

 for around like 35usd i know its not the best deal for a used Cooler, but i want it. So im planning on replacing the fan and cleaning, the question is How to do it? do i just spray air duster all over the Heatsink or just spray it with water? and pls add what fan should i get for quietness but not that expensive, pls im doing a budget build with a athlon 200ge so dont imagine anything like a premium fan from Noctua or something, but i have a case fan from Fractal Design Silent Series R3 140mm fan that i dont use.