HYTE's THICC Q60 all-in-one liquid cooler is the company's first foray into CPU cooling, and they've spared no effort. Providing a unique but niche offering in a highly competitive market, it boasts a thicker radiator and fans, coupled with a dual-pump design, to deliver substantial performance capabilities. However, its limited case compatibility and high price tag may hinder its appeal to the broader market.
Thermalright is on a mission to dominate the CPU air cooling market with the Phantom Spirit 120 EVO. This cooler offers top-tier performance and exceptional value, with a sleek design that, as a package, outshines the competition, making the Phantom Spirit 120 EVO a beacon of excellence in PC cooling.
Endorfy's Navis F360 all-in-one liquid cooler delivers an impressive blend of performance and visual appeal, all at a budget-friendly price point. Moreover, it boasts a lower noise output compared to many competitors, ensuring a pleasant user experience. Thus any minor performance trade-offs are effectively offset by its exceptional end-user experience.
Enermax aims to distinguish itself in the all-in-one liquid CPU cooler market with the LIQMAXFLO 360. Featuring a 60 mm VRM fan, daisy-chainable fans, and a 38 mm thick radiator, it guarantees quiet yet robust performance. Add in a five-year warranty along with a convenient fill port for easy maintenance, and you have a practical solution that won't break the bank.
Valkyrie makes a strong impression with their Syn 360 ARGB all-in-one liquid cooler. Featuring solid performance, distinctive aesthetics, a built-in 2.4" display, and a robust five-year warranty, it undeniably has a lot to offer. However, its higher price makes it a more specialized option than conventional offerings.
Arctic has truly hit the mark with the Liquid Freezer III 240 Black. If you're seeking exceptional performance, features, and an impressive warranty at an affordable price, then your search ends here—especially if you're planning an AMD build.
The EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB has a name that will leave you tongue-tied, and if it doesn't, then its performance will at least leave you speechless. Offering top-tier results, stellar looks, and a great warranty, EK seems to have nailed it with this release.
The Scythe Fuma 3 stands out as a compact dual-tower cooler, boasting solid performance with a max height of only 154 mm granting it better compatibility with smaller or older cases. The Fuma 3 shines for mid-tier builds where extreme air coolers or all-in-one liquid coolers don't make sense.
The Dark Rock Elite, be quiet!'s newest premium air cooler, stands head and shoulders above its competition. With a blend of distinctive features, impressive aesthetics, and unparalleled performance, it effortlessly claims the performance crown in the realm of traditional CPU air coolers.
darkFlash enters the AIO liquid cooler competition with the Twister DX-360 V2.6. Its utilization of an infinity mirror pump cap and fan design not only brings ample ARGB flair but also guarantees solid performance. This combination makes it an appealing choice without breaking the bank.
Corsair aims to retain dominance in the AIO liquid cooling arena with the iCUE LINK H150i RGB. Boasting a six year warranty, new fans, and exceptional performance, it's a great all-around closed-loop cooler if you can handle the cost of entry.
The AK620 Digital from DeepCool, the newest addition to their line of dual-tower air coolers, not only delivers impressive performance but also encapsulates the company's commitment to effective cooling solutions by seamlessly blending form and function through its clean, stylish design, complemented by useful features.
As PC technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, the need for new cooling to keep up with industry changes becomes inevitable. In response, we've completely revamped the AMD and Intel CPU cooler test systems. However, our efforts didn't stop there; we've also introduced new testing methods to provide greater insight into CPU cooler performance and value.
Lian Li looks to assert dominance in the all-in-one liquid cooler market with the Galahad II Trinity Performance 360. Utilizing a new, thicker radiator design along with 28 mm fans, it certainly packs class-leading performance, but beyond that, it also has a host of new features and customization options to suit your personal tastes.
DeepCool's all-new Assassin IV CPU cooler brings powerful performance to the table while remaining elegant and graceful in design. It easily dominates other air coolers in more ways than one, making it an effective solution for any build.
ID-Cooling is taking a different approach with its Dashflow 360 XT all-in-one liquid CPU cooler. While ARGB lighting is a mainstay feature, the inclusion of an extra matching fan to improve your system's visual aesthetics is a nice touch. Add in the pump-based fan for active cooling of your RAM, M.2 SSD, and motherboard VRM, and you have a unique package to consider for your next build.
DeepCool's LT720 WH is a 360 mm all-in-one liquid cooler that is able to dominate its competitors in many aspects. Performance is solid, the warranty is exceptional, add in a unique look, easy-to-use mounting hardware and you end up with a winning combination.
Cooler Master's Latest Hyper 212 Halo Black looks to carry on the legacy established by its venerable ancestor. Delivering solid performance, good looks, and plenty of clearance for components making it s a decent option for entry to mid-range gaming PCs.
TEAMGROUP merges solid performance with innovative features in the Siren DUO360. This 360 mm prefilled AIO not only cools your CPU, it also includes a block for an M.2 NVMe SSD. Cooling performance is good, and the all-white design will certainly catch some attention.
Corsair's iCUE H150i Elite LCD XT is a 360 mm All-In-One liquid cooler that looks to dominate the AIO space. Delivering exceptional performance, clean looks and a stout five-year warranty along with an IPS display, it packs a massive number of features to go with its stellar performance. Just beware of the hefty price tag.
ID-Cooling knocks it out of the park with the $70 Dashflow 240 Black All-in-One watercooling unit. What it lacks in rainbow LEDs and fluff features, it more than makes up for in pure performance per dollar where it absolutely man-handles the competition.
Endorfy's Navis F280 all-in-one liquid cooler is a remarkable mix of performance and elegance rarely seen at its price point. While it may not outright dominate its competition, the combination of performance, value, and looks make it a hard option to ignore.
DeepCool's AK500 slots in between the AK620 and the AK400, proving to be a near-perfect balance between the two. It delivers solid performance, a clean visual aesthetic, and, best of all, offers exceptional performance per dollar. Making it a solid contender in the mid-range air cooler market.
Montech has entered the heavyweight cooler market with their all new Metal DT24 Premium. This monster of a cooler may not take the performance crown, but it does offer an impressive price to performance ratio that pairs well with its visually appealing design.
Alphacool's Core Ocean T38 240 mm all-in-one liquid cooler dominates the closed-loop competition in value. But more importantly, it also delivers strong performance on Intel systems, making for an easy choice if you want to tame a hot processor without lighting your wallet on fire.
Cougar is expanding their cooling lineup with the Forza 85. This large single-tower design features an offset, for perfect memory clearance while also maximizing thermal dissipation. On paper it seems like a sure-fire winner, lets put that to the test in our comprehensive review.
ID-Cooling looks to retain its dominance in the entry-level air cooler market with the SE-224-XTS series. These successors to the stalwart SE-224-XT showcase exceptional looks, solid performance, and an improved noise profile while still delivering tremendous performance per dollar.
Corsair's iCUE H115i RGB ELITE comes bursting onto the scene with a new set of AF ELITE 140 mm fans, which help propel this all-in-one liquid cooler into contention with some of the best in its class. Add in stellar support via the 5-year warranty, and you have a compelling option no matter how you look at it.
Gamdias hits the ground running with the Chione M3 240W all-in-one liquid cooler. This affordable offering delivers a one-two punch with its all-white design and solid performance for the price. The M3 240W is an intriguing option for those looking to stick to a budget.
DeepCool seeks to dominate the competition with its new high-performance LS720 all-in-one liquid cooler. Packed to the gills with features such as daisy-chained fans, a customizable pump cap, and the company's Anti-Leak technology, it certainly looks good on paper, but can it truly beat all comers? Time to find out!
ARCTIC showcases how to handle a potential quality control issue the right way by being proactive about it. Today we take a look at the ARCTIC service kit for affected batches of its popular Liquid Freezer II AIO CPU coolers and go through the service process ourselves to see how user-friendly it is.
be quiet! looks to compete in the ARGB era with the Pure Rock 2 FX. Based on a tried and true design, this single tower cooler is quiet, well built, and visually stunning. Thus making it an appealing option for those with entry to mid-range systems wanting to add a little visual flair without going over the top.
For their 20th anniversary, be quiet! is introducing a new all-in-one CPU liquid cooler, the Pure Loop 2 FX 280. It comes with a great look, thanks to its ARGB lighting capability and performance is very respectable, too, especially on AMD Ryzen systems.
Noctua looks to conquer the small form factor cooling market with the NH-D12L. With its maximum height of 145 mm, it fits standard 4U rackmount chassis and a wider range of Mini-ITX cases than traditional tower coolers. Add exceptional long-term support, good performance for its targeted market, and low noise levels and you have a solid offering for those limited by height.
The DeepCool AK400 may be a classic four-heat-pipe tower cooler, but traditional design aside, it is a compelling entry-level option. Its price-to-performance ratio is impressive, and the lack of ARGB lighting doesn't affect its aesthetically pleasing appearance. Drop in a good warranty and low noise levels and you have a winner.
AQIRYS looks to break into the all-in-one liquid cooler market with the Aquarius 360 AIO. This aesthetically pleasing design comes at an affordable price, which certainly means it looks the part of a crowd-pleaser. However, performance matters, and this CLC struggles in that regard, but not all is lost.
With a maximum height of 154 mm, the entry-level SE-225-XT Black delivers exceptional case compatibility and perfect memory and graphics card clearances. Add in solid performance and style, and you have an excellent option for those building a budget system.
DeepCool's AS500 Plus delivers compelling performance for a single-tower cooler that gives some of the biggest air coolers a run for their money. Add the white version's aesthetically pleasing looks, simple installation, and acceptable noise profile and anyone looking to grab one for their build is in for a treat!
Alphacool revamps the Eisbaer Aurora 360 with the new HPE, or High-Performance Edition. Sporting an entirely new copper radiator design, higher-performance fans, and exceptional performance, it remains one of the few and best examples of a pre-filled AIO that can be expanded and serviced.
MSI looks to improve its share of the all-in-one liquid cooler market with the MEG CORELIQUID S280. The built-in IPS display on the pump and active cooling for the VRM result in this halo product delivering not only unique features, but also solid performance.
The Zalman Reserator5 Z36 is a cost-efficient all-in-one liquid cooler that will shake up the market. Instead of going with fancy LCDs, unnecessary software, or excessive features, Zalman delivered a solid no-frills performer that won't set your wallet on fire.
Sapphire looks to break into the all-in-one liquid cooler market with the Nitro+ S240-A. Based on Asetek technology and equipped with hybrid fans, ARGB lighting, and a unique look, it appears to be a winner, but appearances can be deceiving.
DeepCool looks to assert dominance with its latest dual-tower air cooler, the AK620. Featuring an accommodating height of just 160 mm, it fits where other large coolers won't—all while packing serious performance with clean and stylish looks.
Arctic looks to dominate with the Liquid Freezer II 280 A-RGB. This 280 mm all-in-one liquid cooler boasts exceptional performance, a six year warranty, and an affordable price, making it a clear winner in a cut-throat market with no shortage of competitors.
Cooler Master's MasterLiquid PL240 Flux is the newest addition to their all-in-one liquid cooler lineup. With clean looks, ARGB lighting, and a solid warranty, it hits many of the right notes, but its price tag may be its Achilles heel.
SilentiumPC looks to build on its recent successes with the new and improved Fortis 5 series of coolers. Bigger and bolder and with improved mounting hardware, the Fortis 5 series delivers solid performance without excessive noise while staying true to its value-oriented roots.
The SilverStone Hydrogon D120 ARGB is a compact middle-of-the-pack dual-tower cooler with some exciting features, such as its zero-RPM fan mode, ARGB lighting, and top-tier AMD mounting solution. This jack of all trades but master of none is an interesting user-friendly solution with acceptable performance and some visual flair.
SilentiumPC comes out of nowhere to deliver a 1-2 combo of performance and value with the Fera 5 and Fera 5 Dual Fan CPU coolers. While simple and traditional in terms of design, both of these entry-level heatsinks trade blows with far more popular offerings.
Scythe looks to reap the competition with the Mugen 5 Black Edition. Its asymmetrical design is a major focal point, while the all-black aesthetic is visually appealing. Add the more powerful fan and you have what appears to be a truly upgraded Mugen 5 Rev.B.
Zalman's CNPS10X Performa Black may be a mid-range air cooler, but its sleek design and all-black appearance give it a stealthy look for those that want a less flashy build. It also doesn't hurt that performance per dollar was quite the surprise.
ASUS takes all-in-one liquid coolers to the extreme with the ROG Ryujin II 360. Its 3.5" LCD display delivers vibrant graphics and even hardware-monitoring functionality. Meanwhile, Noctua IndustrialPPC fans achieve that quality feel you expect, making for a truly over-the-top cooler that has a price to match.
be quiet!'s Dark Rock TF 2 takes a tried and true top-flow design and refreshes it for modern systems with new fan designs, aesthetically pleasing looks, and the low-noise operation you'd expect. The only problem? Performance doesn't live up to expectations.
be quiet!'s Shadow Rock Slim 2 takes the mantle from its predecessor and carries it to new heights. What at first appears as just another tower cooler soon proves to be a top-tier low-noise performer that lacks only ARGB lighting, which will be a huge plus for many RGB haters.
ID-Cooling offers some truly compelling coolers, and with the release of the SE-207-XT, they are targeting the high-end air-cooling market after dominating the entry-level segment. Featuring a dual-tower, dual-fan design, this all-black cooler should intrigue those looking to avoid ARGB lighting while maximizing performance per dollar.
Corsair is going big with the Hydro Series H170i Elite Capellix. This all-in-one liquid cooler features a massive 420 mm radiator, three 140 mm ML series fans, and all the ARGB you can handle. It also performs exceptionally well, making it a potent offering in a crowded market if your case can fit it.
Montech is breaking new ground with their first CPU cooler, the aptly named Air Cooler 210. This single-tower cooler features six heat pipes, an asymmetrical fin-stack, and an ARGB fan for that little bit of bling. All in all, an appealing option if its performance can rival its looks.
MSI looks to break into the all-in-one liquid cooler market with their MPG CORELIQUID K240. Sporting a built-in LCD on the pump and a fan adding active VRM cooling, this ARGB LED-equipped cooler is host to a plethora of features. It also offers solid performance on Intel systems.
Enermax looks to turn heads with its ETS-F40-FS ARGB coolers. Available in black or white with ARGB lighting, this asymmetrical single-tower design sports a quiet 140 mm fan for those looking to add some visual flair without excessive noise.
G.SKILL enters the all-in-one liquid cooler market with the ENKI 360. The defining feature is its increased radiator piping for improved surface area and more efficient heat dissipation. Add a solid warranty along with an aesthetically pleasing design and you have an offering that manages to go toe to toe with the competition.
With new hardware comes the need for test system updates, and we have instituted a massive overhaul of the testing process for CPU coolers. The biggest change is the addition of an AMD test bench alongside Intel so we can provide you with a better look at the performance offered. Not to mention we added noise normalized results, too!
EK goes all in with the AIO Elite 360 D-RGB. For this release, the company took their 360 D-RGB unit, added more RGB Vardar fans, and upped the performance of the pump. Add in some minor cosmetic changes and you have a top-tier, high-end all-in-one liquid cooler that delivers serious performance.
Deepcool delivers a solid air cooler with the AS500. This single-tower design includes a tasteful ARGB lighting implementation and offers 100% memory clearance. More importantly, it delivers solid performance and acceptable noise levels, making it an attractive mid-range option if your case can handle its height.
ID-Cooling seeks to expand its presence in the SFF PC cooling market with the IS-60 EVO ARGB. Equipped with six heatpipes and soldered fins, it is a rather potent top-flow design that should fit into even the smallest cases, all while illuminating your system with its ARGB fan.
ID-Cooling continues its push to offer exceptional entry-level coolers with the release of the SE 914 XT ARGB and SE 914 XT Basic. These compact 92 mm tower coolers deliver performance that belies their small size while allowing them to fit where larger air coolers simply cannot.
The be quiet! Pure Loop 280 may be a value-focused offering, but it still delivers respectable performance. The unit is also visually appealing and doesn't break the bank, which makes it a lean and ruthless competitor that easily beats the overpriced alternatives in the crowded AIO market.
The cost of entry might be steep, but Corsair's H150i Elite Capellix manages to impress. In fact, it breaks the mold when it comes to the raw performance you can expect from an ARGB-equipped closed-loop liquid cooler. With a simple, clean design and good looks, it deserves a closer look if you're in the market for an AIO.
ZADAK looks to break into the crowded CPU cooling market with its SPARK 240 mm all-in-one liquid cooler. Donning the ARGB mantle, it comes with both an illuminated pump and fans, and according to the company has been optimized to operate quietly.
Lian Li brazenly enters the all-in-one liquid cooler market with their Galahad 240. Featuring a brushed aluminium radiator shroud along with a white and silver design, it certainly stands out visually. It's not only pretty looks, performance is quite compelling as well.
Deepcool is expanding its all-in-one liquid cooler portfolio with the Gamer Storm Castle 280EX. It bridges the gap between their 240 mm and 360 mm options while featuring Deepcool's Anti-leak technology, tasteful ARGB lighting, and even a replaceable or rotatable center logo.
SilentiumPC has updated their heavyweight cooler lineup with the Grandis 3 and Grandis 3 EVO ARGB. These hefty dual-tower coolers feature a value-focused design, but considering we have seen high-end coolers humbled by cost-effective competitors in the past, anything can happen.
The Zalman CNPS17X is an eye-catching single-tower CPU cooler that follows in the footsteps of the CNPS20X, its larger sibling. It makes use of the same 4D stereoscopic corrugated fins and is equipped with a dual-blade spider ARGB fan, both of which contribute to its unique look. However, considering its price tag of $69, it faces some seriously stiff competition.
be quiet! has updated their Pure Rock line of CPU coolers with the Pure Rock 2. Coming in two distinct versions, one silver and the other black, this single-tower design is whisper quiet without sacrificing overall performance, which makes it ideal for the silence-focused crowd.
EK looks to continue the onslaught against their competitors with the EK-AIO 240 D-RGB. Offering performance similar to its larger 360 mm sibling, it proves to be a better value for mainstream systems without sacrificing performance or looks.
EK looks to pummel their competition in the liquid cooler market with the EK-AIO 360 D-RGB. It features a pump based on their SPC series, which means it isn't just another Asetek design, but genuinely new from the ground up. However, does new in this case truly mean better?
Zalman looks to KO the juggernauts of the air-cooling world with their CNPS 20X. Using a fancy 4D stereoscopic corrugated fin design along with their unique dual-blade spider ARGB fans, they are not only looking to deliver on performance but visual style as well.
XPG looks to break into the all-in-one liquid cooler market with the Levante 240. Sporting ARGB lighting, good performance, and a solid 5-year warranty, it might just be enough to establish XPG in this crowded field.
ID-Cooling continues its entry-level air cooler dominance with the SE 234 ARGB. This single-tower design is offset for maximum memory compatibility and delivers remarkably good performance along with an attractive design.
Fractal Design has revamped its venerable line of Celsius liquid coolers with the all-new Celsius+ S28 Prisma. This latest release delivers the topnotch performance you would expect along with ARGB lighting and a solid warranty, which gives it a leg up in the crowded liquid cooler market.
Scythe looks to up their game in the low-profile CPU cooler market with the Shuriken 2. Like its larger siblings, this ultra-compact cooler delivers exceptional performance for its size with no excess noise because of a well-designed slim 92 mm fan.
be quiet! looks to one-up their competition with the Shadow Rock 3 by delivering a high-quality, asymmetrical heatsink that not only provides reliable performance and low noise levels, but also keeps memory and graphics card clearance in mind. This makes the Shadow Rock 3 a robust offering that will make the no-RGB crowd quite happy.
Alphacool goes all in on RGB lighting with their all-copper Eisbaer Aurora 360. Not only does this all-in-one liquid cooler deliver reliable performance, but it also allows for optional expansion via quick release fittings and support for the company's Eiswolf product line.
Deepcool has delivered a monster with the Gamer Storm Assassin III. This latest air cooler is comprised of two 140 mm fans and a massive dual-stack heatsink, leaving the ARGB lighting craze behind. Instead, Deepcool has focused on offering users maximum performance, which the cooler handily delivers.
ID-Cooling looks to dominate the entry level cooler market by giving users a traditional tower cooler with an emphasis on solid performance in the SE 224 XT Basic. Taking things a step further, they add LED lighting with the appropriately dubbed SE 224 XT ARGB. Both versions certainly gave the competition a pummeling.
Corsair's A500 dual-fan CPU cooler is a monster in terms of size, with an appealing design and features that set it apart. We found installation to be remarkably easy as well, but performance could be better. The review also goes into detail about why we had to file down the heat pipes on the A500.
Thermaltake goes all out with the Floe DX 360 TT Premium Edition. This 360 mm closed loop liquid cooler packs a hefty punch delivering performance you can count on. It even has everyone's favorite feature with the inclusion of software-controlled RGB lighting with 16.8 million colors. With so much to offer, what could go wrong!
Enermax looks to assert its dominance in the all-in-one liquid cooler market with its LIQMAX III ARGB 360 mm offering. It offers exceptional cooling performance, acceptable noise levels, and a plethora of lighting modes. As such, it manages to deliver in more ways than one.
Sharkhan looks to conquer the entry-level cooler market with its APEX4 offering. This new release packs ARGB lighting, achieves solid temperatures and good noise levels. Priced at $30, the Sharkhan APEX4 doesn't break the bank either.
Bursting onto the all-in-one liquid CPU cooler scene, Sharkhan seeks to impress with their ARGB-equipped APEX 240. With all the LED lighting you could ever need, the 250-watt TDP might just be enough to tame your processor as well.
In a market saturated with RGB products, Silverstone has actually done more than simply stick increasing amounts of LEDs on another generic liquid cooler. Instead, with their new Permafrost PF240-ARGB, they not only have pretty lights, but also deliver top-tier performance. How's that for a twist!
Enermax looks to assert dominance in the mid-range CPU air cooling market with the ETS-T50 AXE ARGB. Offering new features such as an "Air Guide" and rotatable grill, alongside its crisp looks and hefty five heat pipes, this single-tower design is not only easy on the eyes, but exceptionally well built too.
ID-Cooling's SE 224 RGB bares its fangs at the competition. This entry-level offering brings tasteful RGB lighting, reliable performance, and acceptable noise levels to the table, so it is not a paper tiger by any means.
The Scythe Fuma 2 is a compact dual-tower cooler that manages to deliver exceptional performance while also being nearly silent and fitting where other massive coolers cannot due to its 154.5 mm height. Truly like a ninja, the Fuma 2 is hiding in the shadows, poised to strike down its competition.
SilentiumPC's Navis EVO ARGB 280 mm all-in-one liquid CPU cooler is a value-oriented offering with muted looks which spring to life when illuminated. Add in solid performance and a fairly pleasant noise profile and you have a recipe for success.
Deepcool comes out swinging with the Gamer Storm Castle 360EX, which comes packing their new "Anti-leak" technology alongside solid performance and acceptable noise levels. It also comes with RGB lighting that is aesthetically pleasing and limited to the pump, keeping things a bit more subtle and far less flashy.
Cooler Master goes all-in when it comes to RGB lighting with the MasterLiquid ML240P Mirage. This latest all-in-one liquid cooler comes with an illuminated, transparent pump design alongside a healthy assortment of lighting modes to go with its low-noise operation and solid performance.
Scythe looks to corner the small form factor market with their latest down-draft, low-profile Big Shuriken 3 cooler. A great solution for systems where space is at a premium, it not only fits in small spaces, but also delivers solid performance with whisper-quiet noise levels.
Deepcool's Captain 240 PRO is a unique closed-loop cooler that delivers the performance you expect with all the RGB LEDs you can handle. While similar to the company's previous designs, it now features their patented anti-leak tech which regulates pressure inside the cooler and therefore delivers improved reliability.
be quiet! shakes up the mid-range air cooling market with their Dark Rock Slim. It not only offers solid performance and ultra-low noise levels, but also does so while looking sleek and professional due to the all-black design and lack of RGB LEDs, which will likely please many who are tired of gamer-centric offerings.
Noctua delivers top-tier air cooling performance in a compact design with the release of the NH-U12A. Sporting two of their latest NF-A12x25 PWM fans, what this cooler lacks in regards to RGB LEDs, it makes up for with brown and tan Noctua styling and a premium build quality that is second to none.
Alphacool has updated their all-in-one liquid cooler lineup with the brand new Eisbaer Extreme Black Edition. Offering solid performance while being nearly silent, it is sure to garner some attention. Built with enthusiast-grade components, this expandable offering is truly a beast in more ways than one.
ID-Cooling seeks to dominate the competition with their latest and greatest all-in-one liquid cooler, the Auraflow X 240. This RGB LED-equipped offering not only delivers solid performance, but also manages to deliver best in class value when looking at RGB-equipped liquid coolers.
SilentiumPC continues to push the boundary of what users can expect in regards to entry-level CPU coolers with the Spartan 3 Pro RGB. Equipped with a 100 mm Sigma Pro RGB fan, this compact tower cooler manages to stay relatively silent while still delivering adequate performance when it matters.
Swiftech brings an all-copper all-in-one liquid CPU cooler to the masses with the H240 X3. Out of the box, it offers solid performance and acceptable noise levels with the option of expandability. Not to be left behind in the RGB LED era, it packs those as well, along with Pastel white coolant and various dyes which give users the ability to indeed make it their own.
SilentiumPC offers incredible value with their entry-level Fera 3 RGB cooler. It embodies what a killer entry-level cooler should be. Combining performance, noise, and looks into an attractive package. You cannot ignore it as it delivers the best performance per dollar we have seen thus far.
Scythe has updated their long running Ninja series with the Ninja 5. It offers a solid upgrade over the previous iteration, featuring quality of life improvements like its increased memory compatibility and updated mounting hardware. Pair that with solid performance and a nearly silent operation and you have a winning combination.
Corsair once again looks to take the closed-loop cooler crown with the new Hydro Series H115i Platinum. Sporting RGB ML series fans, a larger 280 mm radiator, and an improved mounting system, it received a slew of updates which translate into a solid performer that not only gets the job done, but looks the part as well.
Swiftech's latest all-in-one liquid CPU cooler comes with all the bells and whistles you could imagine. They push RGB illumination to the extreme by pairing their IRIS ALED system with Mayhems Pastel Nanofluid Coolant, which comes with various dyes. Add in the all-copper design, as well as excellent performance, and you have a cooler that makes standard AIOs look silly.
ID-Cooling has set the Zoomflow 240 and its addressable RGB LEDs on stun. Featuring clean looks, decent performance, and all the illumination you can handle, it might be one of the better values for enthusiasts wanting to shed some light on their custom-built systems.
The C7 Cu by CRYORIG takes the C7 and makes it better by using an all-copper design. When it comes to Mini-ITX heatsinks, this one sits at the top in terms of weight at 675 g. The copper not only adds a great deal of weight but also increases performance and makes it feels like a premium heatsink.
Cooler Master seeks to light up your life with their MasterLiquid ML360R RGB. This latest 360 mm all-in-one liquid cooler sets itself apart by offering addressable RGB LEDs on the pump and fans, with software and hub controller giving users complete control over their ARGB experience.
ID-Cooling offers a true feast for the eyes with the Dashflow 360. Fully decked out in RGB LEDs on both the fans and pump, this design will definitely turn a few heads. Looks are not all it has on its side either; with standard G1/4" fittings, the unit is also fully expandable and serviceable.
Corsair is expanding their latest Hydro Series lineup with the H100i PRO. Geared towards a quiet operation, this latest revision replaces the ever-popular H100i V2. Packing magnetic levitation fans, RGB LEDs, and a boatload of features, this latest generation looks to go head to head with the best the competition can offer.
SilverStone is looking to expand their Argon series of cooler launches with the all new AR11. Featuring four copper heat pipes, a 92 mm fan, and a dense aluminium fin array, it manages to achieve a 95 watt TDP rating with good airflow. Suffice it to say that this dainty cooler packs a punch.
Reeven is still relatively new in the DIY PC market. However, that doesn't stop them from coming out swinging with their very first closed-loop cooler. The NAIA 240 not only offers surprisingly good performance, but includes some solid extras as well. It even manages to offer some RGB goodness.
SilentiumPC has of late been focusing on value for money. Enter the Grandis 2 XE1436. This dual tower, dual fan CPU cooler uses a popular tried-and-true design. Size isn't always indicative of performance, however, so let's see just what the Grandis 2 has to offer!
Alphacool looks to strengthen their position in the liquid-cooling market with the all new Eisbaer LT series. Offering the convenience of a closed loop with the option of expansion, it features an all-copper design with sleek looks and industry standard parts.
be quiet! looks to recapture the high-end air-cooling crown with the new and improved Dark Rock Pro 4. It is a dual-fan, dual-tower design that will certainly turn a few heads. However, it won't be due to noise. Silent and powerful, this new challenger looks to dethrone Noctua's NH-D15.
The MLC Phoenix from EKWB offers custom liquid-cooling performance with the plug-and-play functionality of a closed-loop cooler. Utilizing their QDC fitting, this modular unit overcomes one of the biggest hurdles for proper liquid cooling, which is building it all yourself. It's so easy even a noob can do it. Well, if they can afford it, that is.
Deepcool has taken their closed-loop coolers to the next level with the Captain 240EX RGB. Offering a good balance of price, performance, and features, it also capitalizes on the current industry trend of adding RGB lighting by featuring an RGB LED pump along with a bundled RGB LED strip for good measure.
Silverstone looks to shake things up with their Super Slim series of Tundra all-in-one liquid CPU coolers. The TD03-SLIM is the smallest of the bunch at just 37 mm thick with the fan included. The Tundra TD03-SLIM could very well be the answer to your CPU-cooling conundrum for all those tiny systems where space is at a premium.
Raijintek looks to one-up the competition with their Orcus 240 all-in-one liquid cooler. How do they plan to do so you ask? By offering full RGB LED functionality with a unique design at an affordable price.
Deepcool joins the RGB LED tower cooler craze with the GAMMAXX GT. Offering ultra-low noise levels along with acceptable performance, it's a great cooler, even if its name is a head scratcher.
Corsair looks to reassert their dominance in the all-in-one liquid cooler market with the launch of the H150i Pro. Taking the "go big or go home" approach, it packs an RGB pump block and 360 mm radiator. The cherry on top is the inclusion of Corsair's much vaunted ML series fans.
Fractal Design continues their tradition of expandable all-in-one liquid coolers with the Celsius S24. Bucking the RGB trend, they have instead gone for a more professional and sleek design that offers usable features instead of flashy LEDs. With good performance and noise levels, it manages to stands out in a crowded market.
Aerocool bursts onto the all-in-one liquid cooler market with the P7-L240. It features an attractive design, paired with low noise levels and good performance. Also included is RGB LED illumination that can be controlled via motherboard or the separately available P7-H1 Hub.
CRYORIG's R1 Ultimate looks to deliver top notch cooling even the R1 Universal cannot match. Eschewing the thin fan on the Universal, the Ultimate uses two full-size 140 mm fans for maximum cooling potential. Can it overcome the competition and reign as King of air coolers or will it fall short?
FSP looks to break into the entry level cooling market with the Windale 4. This simple tower cooler may appear bland, but don't let it fool you: It packs a huge punch in terms of price to performance.
CRYORIG joins the RGB craze with the H7 Quad Lumi. Based on the wildly popular and successful H7 cooler, this new offering keeps everything you love about the original while improving performance and making it light up the night.
Fractal Design looks to take another stab at the expandable all-in-one liquid cooler market with the Celsius S36. Offering a 360 mm radiator and all-new features, like a built-in fan hub, it certainly has a lot to offer.
The A40 by CRYORIG is the company's entry level offering in their all-in-one hybrid liquid CPU cooler lineup. It lacks the size of the A80 and the radiator thickness of the A40 Ultimate. However, unlike the others, it offers a more affordable price point with all the same features.
LEPA looks to stand out from the crowd with the NEOllusion CPU cooler. Rather than using fancy RGB LED fans, they opt for an RGB LED heatsink that even has a remote control. Unique, quiet, and downright gimmicky, it's still an interesting contender in a crowded market.
The Scythe Fuma might be quite small for a dual tower design, but should not be looked down upon, offering exceptional performance and little noise. It has all the right attributes to sneak up on and dispatch the competition.
FSP looks to break into the cooling market with their brand-new Windale 6 CPU cooler. Featuring a 240 W TDP rating, this sleek black tower cooler certainly looks the part. The question is whether it can stand out in an increasingly crowded market.
Thermalright looks to impress with the True Spirit 140 Direct; long name, exceptional results. This ultra-quiet tried and "True" design now utilizes HDT technology for improved cooling performance.
Scythe is looking to slice through the competition like a samurai on horseback with the Kabuto 3. Utilizing a top-flow design that's more compact than similar offerings, it delivers excellent noise levels paired with a good price/performance ratio and simple installation.
CRYORIG looks to improve their share of the all-in-one liquid cooler market by dominating the competition with the A80. Featuring their unique Hybrid Airflow Fan paired with a large 280 mm radiator, this interesting design might just turn a few heads.
CRYORIG seeks to impress with the A40 Ultimate. Utilizing a unique design and features such as its hybrid airflow fan, it not only cools the CPU but other components as well. At first glance it is indeed much the same yet different enough to stand out in an otherwise crowded market.
MSI looks to break into the CPU cooling market with the Core Frozr L. Offering their distinct GAMING series looks with solid performance and exceptional build quality, it looks to give the competition a serious run for their money.
The Predator 280 from EKWB aims to eat the competition alive. Offering top-tier performance, low noise levels, and easy expansion thanks to its QDC fittings, it offers users near custom watercooling performance without the headaches of doing it all yourself.
Thermalright's Le Grand Macho RT is massive in size, weighing in at 1060g with the fan. Capable of being used passively, it offers users a near-silent operation and top-tier performance when paired with the TY-147B fan. The competition should take note as Thermalright looks to steal the air-cooling crown.
Cooler Master looks to redefine all-in-one liquid coolers with the MasterLiquid Maker 92. Offering a completely unique design that has more in common with a traditional tower cooler than a liquid cooler, it manages to stand out in a crowded market. However, the question is whether it can keep your CPU cool?
Top-flow cooler designs tend to come across as a little stale these days, but be quiet! must have missed the memo with the Dark Rock TF. Rather than boring and bland, this new sleek, dark nickel-plated offering also looks aggressive. Offering ultra-low noise levels and a surprising level of performance, it might just be what you are looking for.
Cooler Master is updating the Hyper line of CPU coolers with the Hyper 212X. Featuring a time-tested, single-tower design much like its predecessors, the Hyper 212X looks to build upon their success. Bringing better performance and lower noise levels to the table, this evolution on the 212 EVO could very well become the next go-to budget cooler.
Alphacool looks to change the way we think of all-in-one liquid CPU coolers with the Eisbaer 240. Offering expandability at closed-loop prices, it takes things a step further with its all copper design. With good specs and extra features, Alphacool may have just what it takes to sink the competition.
Noctua is resurrecting the down-draft coolers of old with the new NH-C14S. Featuring an offset design for better PCIe clearance, this cooler also brings extra versatility to the table, including great memory clearance and a low-profile option, which appears to make it an interesting jack of all trades.
SilentiumPC is on top of their game with the release of the Fortis 3 HE1425. Available in both a standard and Malik Customs edition, it offers exceptional bang-for-the-buck performance with the option of extra customization.
With a simple design change, Noctua has reinvented the NH-D15. The new NH-D15S has that same awful color scheme, but now features better memory and expansion-slot clearance, all thanks to its new asymmetrical design.
While Swiftech launched their all-new Prestige AIOs, they have not forgotten the more value-oriented market either. Enter the H220 X2, which offers enthusiast quality water-cooling at a more attractive price. Having exceptional performance and expandability, it is definitely an attractive option.
A new year, a new custom all-in-one liquid cooler from Swiftech. The H220 X2 Prestige looks to one-up the competition by not only offering exceptional performance but more customization options. The only question is whether you can you overlook its price.
Reeven has a solid contender on their hands with the Ouranos CPU cooler. Offering an offset design for better memory compatibility, it makes a compelling case for itself. Granted, it doesn't hurt that it performs well and is nearly completely silent in most situations.
CRYORIG looks to shake things up in the entry level CPU cooler market with the M9 series. It is available for Intel as the M9i and AMD as the M9a. Don't let its tiny size fool you as it is as good as it gets and then some.
CRYORIG offers something unique with the C7. It features a fit-anywhere compact design that should be right at home in many a small form-factor system. The only real question is if it's too niche to be noticed.
Silverstone looks to one up the competition with a more affordable 240 mm all-in-one liquid cooler, the Tundra TD02-LITE. What it lacks in visual appeal it more than makes up for with its lower cost of entry and solid performance.
Scythe is looking for a stealth kill on the competition with their new Ninja 4 CPU cooler. Featuring a massive Tower, it can run semi-passive or with dual fans. Versatile and deadly, it looks to beat the heat and the competition.
EKWB has burst onto the all-in-one liquid cooler scene with their Predator 240. Like its name-sake, it eats the competition alive, redefining what one should expect from a pre-filled liquid cooler. Elegant and functional, it is for those who can't be bothered with a custom loop.
The Silverstone Tundra series has a new addition with the TD03-LITE. This new standard 120 mm all-in-one liquid CPU cooler packs a pretty good punch, which is in part to its solid performance and affordable price. It has some serious potential.
With Mini-ITX becoming ever more popular, the demand for low-profile heatsinks has exploded. Enter be quiet!'s Shadow Rock LP with a maximum height of just 75.4 mm. Its low-profile design allows it to fit where traditional tower coolers cannot.
With the FI-REEX Deluxe, ID-Cooling is a new contender in the CPU-cooler market. This heavy weight monster combines vapor chamber and vapor pipe technology with traditional heatpipes and soldered fins. New and unique, it might be what you are looking for if you can stomach the price.
Pint-sized and full of pep, the Noctua NH-L9x65 takes an already solid design and scales it up. Made with compatibility in mind, it keeps clear of memory and first expansion slot while offering a quieter alternative to stock coolers. With the quality you expect and the low noise output you desire, can the NH-L9x65 deliver on performance?
Corsair revamped the Hydro Series of all-in-one liquid CPU coolers once again with the H80i GT. This new design takes the thick 120 mm radiator design a step further with an ultra-thick radiator. Add in a new look, full Corsair Link support, and exceptional performance, and it is another top AIO from Corsair.
Thermalright looks to improve upon the ever-popular Macho series with the new Macho Revision B. This revision offers an offset design for better memory compatibility while sticking with a massive single tower. Offering fantastic performance for the price when compared to ultra high end solutions, it could very well be just what you are looking for.
CRYORIG continues to push ever forward with, this time, the H7 Universal. Poised to take the entry level market by storm with an affordable price and exceptional features, this smaller sibling to the H5 Universal proves more than a match for the competition, its performance packing a serious punch considering its size.
be quiet! looks to take over the entry level cooler market with their new Pure Rock heatsink. Offering the exceptional build quality you know and love and a top-notch silent fan, it has the specifications and features you'd expect. Its relatively tame price just improves its value for those looking for good, quiet, and affordable cooling.
Raijintek is upping their game by entering the all-in-one liquid CPU cooler market with the Triton. Not content with off-the-shelf, self-contained units, they have instead entered the market swinging with an expandable system. Customizable and to be had for a sweet price, the competition might be in for a world of hurt.
CRYORIG's H5 Universal is an interesting design as it offers 90% of the R1 Universal's surface area with a single 140 mm x 13 mm fan. While it may seem a bit silly to pair such a slim fan with a large heatsink, the results don't lie. The H5 Universal offers maximum memory clearance, low noise levels, and solid performance.
Thermalright is shaking things up with the Silver Arrow ITX. It features a tweaked design that offers better compatibility with Mini-ITX motherboards, especially the ASUS ROG line. With solid performance, exceptional style, and near-silent operation, the Silver Arrow ITX manages to hold its own against the competition.
All-in-one liquid coolers are proving to be ever more popular. In response, Deepcool is setting themselves apart with their all new Gamer Storm Captain 360. Featuring a unique LED-illuminated, reactor-style pump with a visible coolant channel and a 360 mm radiator, it has some serious specifications, and style.
Reeven looks to impress with their small-form-factor friendly Steropes low-profile CPU cooler. At just 60 mm tall, this diminutive cooler may lack size, but it certainly doesn't lack style. Offering solid performance and low noise, it might be just what you need for a SFF or HTPC.
SilentiumPC hits it out of the park with the Grandis XE1236, bringing top-tier performance and low noise levels to an unheard-of budget friendly price. With the ability to improve performance even further using a third fan, this heavy-weight CPU cooler towers over its competition.
Fractal Design is breaking into the all-in-one liquid cooler market with the Kelvin S24. Featuring anti-kink coils for the tubing along with G 1/4" fitting support, this fully expandable pre-filled water cooler is shaking things up.
They say bigger is better, and it seems as though Swiftech is following through on that mantra with the H240-X. Similar to its smaller sibling, the H220-X, this new version offers a larger 280 mm radiator. Though is the increase in surface area enough to place this Swiftech cooler firmly at the top of the charts?
Feature rich, the LIQMAX 120S from Enermax is an AIO CPU cooler ready to rock. Utilizing a 120 mm radiator and single-fan design, it makes up for what it lacks in specs with its features. Offering exceptional mounting pressure, an adjustable PWM RPM range, and removable fan blades for easy cleaning, it might just be the cooler you have been looking for.
Deepcool looks to grab a share of the all-in-one liquid CPU cooler market with the affordable Maelstrom 120. It features a red and black theme, a single fluid dynamic bearing 120 mm fan, and solid performance. So if looks, memory clearance, or space are an issue, the Maelstrom 120 from Deepcool has you covered.
Reveen might be a relatively unknown manufacturer, but their Okeanos has proven to be a true contender. Offering bold looks and exceptional performance, it rivals some of the best high-end air coolers on the market today. Then again, such is not surprising considering it features dual-cooling towers, two fans, and six heatpipes.
The ETS-N30 from Enermax might not blow you away with top-tier performance, but its affordable price will certainly be easy on your wallet. It even offers up lower noise levels and better performance compared to the stock heatsink bundled with today's processors. If you want lower noise levels with a bit more cooling power, the ETS-N30 might be just what you need.
Enermax seeks to make a name for itself in the AIO liquid-cooling market with the Liqtech 240. Taking the top spot in the Liqtech series of coolers, this 240 mm AIO offers adjustable peak-fan-speed options and a unique design. The Liqtech 240 is not all show either as it performs admirably as well.
When it comes to all-in-one liquid CPU coolers, the Reserator 3 Max Dual sets itself apart. If you want unique looks, solid performance, and have a love for blue LEDs, Zalman has you covered. There is nothing quite like the Reserator 3 Max Dual with its unique radiator design.
Swiftech's new H220-X is a fully customizable and expandable all-in-one liquid CPU cooler with nothing but high-end components to offer enthusiasts the very best in terms of quality. As such, class-leading performance was a given, but with low noise levels and a plethora of fantastic features, it could also stand alone at the very top.
Thermaltake is shaking things up with their non-interference line of CPU coolers which includes the NiC C5. This single-tower, dual-fan offering not only beats the heat, it also offers unobstructed access to all DIMM slots. So if you like stylish memory kits with tall heatsinks, Thermaltake's NiC C5 has you covered.
Deepcool is jumping into the sea of all-in-one liquid CPU coolers with the release of the Maelstrom 240. Featuring stunning looks, solid performance, and high quality fans, it has the specs and features that enthusiasts not only expect, but demand.
The Gamer Storm Lucifer from Deepcool is an affordable CPU cooler that packs a punch. Featuring six Ø6 mm heatpipes, a 140 mm fan, and its single monolithic tower design, this cooler is quiet and performs extremely well.
With the NH-D15, Noctua once again takes their place, leading our charts. This cooler offers unprecedented cooling performance that makes all-in-one liquid coolers seem weak, especially considering that it does so while remaining whisper quiet.
be quiet! released their new flagship cooler, the Dark Rock Pro 3. Improving upon its predecessor, it is quieter, lighter, and just as stylish. With solid cooling performance and the best noise profile to date for a high-end air cooler, the Dark Rock Pro 3 sets the bar when it comes to performance versus noise.
The Corsair Hydro Series H105 has redefined what one can expect from an AIO liquid CPU cooler. Making use of a thicker 38 mm radiator and Corsair's own SP fans designed to deliver high static pressure, this well-engineered cooler makes quick work of the competition.
CRYORIG and their R1 Universal have redefined what makes a high-end air cooler. Packing some serious features and never before seen memory clearance on a cooler of this size, it not only performs like a champ, it could make the competition appear obsolete in comparison.
be quiet!'s Dark Rock 3 is a great single-tower cooler as it offers up stylish looks with the performance to back it up. Take into consideration its exceptional build quality and warranty and you have a cooler that might just be best in class.
SilentiumPC looks to shock and awe with the affordable Fera 2 HE1224 CPU cooler. Do not let its generic appearance fool you - it has much to offer. Featuring exceptional memory clearance and amazing performance, it sets the bar for what budget coolers should offer.
Enermax seeks to ruffle the feathers of their competitors with the ETS-T40 Black Twister. They do so by combining solid performance with low noise output; all without compromising on quality and style.
The Katana 4 from Scythe is a cooler that changes what one can expect in terms of performance at such a small size. It proves itself by offering good cooling at low noise levels and an affordable price, but can it cut through the competition like the sword it is named after?
The Dragonfly 4 by Titan has proven to be unique. Near silent when in use, this slim tower design with a slim fan delivers unrivaled clearance around the CPU socket. Featuring a solid list of features and an affordable price, it still packs a punch with the ability to cool up to 160W.
The Ashura is breathing new life into Scythe's CPU cooler lineup. Featuring an offset single tower design, this heatsink offers enough clearance even for the tallest modules in all four memory slots. With a price below $50, it is also quite affordable, while providing decent noise levels and good cooling.
Prolimatech looks to beat the competition with the Black Series Genesis CPU cooler. Utilizing a unique design out of ninety matte black fins and being whisper quiet as tested, this stylish heatsink keeps more than just the CPU cool.
Scythe has once again revamped the Mugen series with the Mugen 4. Utilizing a unique design and six 6 mm heatpipes, it has all the markings of a typical Tower-style heatsink. What truly sets it apart is the near silent operation that steals even Noctua's thunder.
The Gamer Storm Assassin from Deepcool looks to be a beast in its own right. Weighing in at a massive 1378 g, this dual tower design seeks to silently dispatch the competition. With its unique appearance and near silent operation, the Assassin may very well succeed.
Raijintek's Aidos is one of a trio of CPU coolers the company recently released. Do not let its small size fool you: This pint-sized tower cooler packs a punch. Featuring four 6 mm heatpipes, a 92 x 25 mm fan, and stylish good looks, it even managed to beat out the heftier competition.
be quiet! seeks to take the competition out from the shadows with the Shadow Rock 2. Offering up four 8 mm heatpipes, 51 aluminum cooling fins, and a unique feature in the freely selectable fan mount, it brings quiet and quality together at an attractive price point and with a unique design.
Raijintek's Themis CPU cooler is muscling in on the competition in the budget sector. Featuring three 8 mm heatpipes, fifty-four aluminum fins, and a single 120x25 mm fan, it has some nice specs for a traditional tower-style CPU cooler, but does it have what it takes to become the new budget king?
be quiet! looks to dominate the CPU-cooling market with their Dark Rock Pro 2, having armed this behemoth with two SIlentwing fans, dual cooling towers, and seven 6 mm heatpipes. But whether it will live up to the be quiet! name or falters in the face of stiff competition remains to be seen.
Raijintek, being a newcomer to the PC DIY market, seeks to flex its cooling muscles with the launch of the Ereboss CPU cooler. It features a massive single tower design with six 6 mm heatpipes and a 140 mm x 13 mm fan. Add it all up and you get a design that will turn more than a few heads.
The Zalman CNPS14X continues Zalman's trend of offering unique and varied products. The dual-tower design makes use of six 6 mm heatpipes and offers support for up to three fans, but is that truly enough to take on the competition?
The NZXT Respire T40 packs a punch with four 8 mm heatpipes and 48 aluminum cooling fins. As an "easy to install" and "easy on the wallet" option, it could be a force to be reckoned with in the budget cooling arena.
The NH-U14S from Noctua continues their well-known tradition of exceptional quality. Offering low noise levels and exceptional cooling performance, the NH-U14S looks to give the competition a serious beating.
Noctua seems to have a mantra of silence, quality, and excellent support, and this mantra is enjoyed by enthusiasts the world over. Today, we put this mantra to the test again as we review their latest cooler the NH-U12S. This single tower design offers ultra low noise levels and 100% RAM compatibility.
Silverstone has expanded their portfolio of CPU coolers with the all new Argon series AR03 cooler. Featuring a blue and white fan and six heatpipes, this traditional tower cooler serves up exceptional cooling performance with solid acoustics.
Phanteks seeks to beat the heat with the PH-TC12DX. Comprised of two fin stacks, each made up of 49 anodized aluminum cooling fins, and paired with a nickel-plated copper base and heatpipes, This U-type cooler might just have what it takes.
The Phanteks PH-TC14PE is a behemoth of a CPU cooler that looks ready to maul the competition. This anodized aluminum and nickle-plated copper beast has twin cooling towers and five 8 mm heatpipes. Are the giant towers and fleshed-out pipes enough to deliver top tier performance?
Silverstone's Heligon series HE01 is a truly monstrous and unique cooler. The insane 140 mm x 38 mm 171 CFM fan really serves up some big air flair. Will the Heligon HE01 deliver blistering performance or is its big fan just for show?
GELID Solutions are experts when it comes to keeping components cool. Their Black Edition CPU cooler looks to make its mark with impressive cooling performance and ultra-low noise levels.
Corsair's new Hydro Series H110 is a monster of a cooler with its 280 mm radiator, but is bigger always better? It is time to put the H110 to the test and see what all the hype is about.
In a crowded market where everyone is releasing all-in-one liquid CPU coolers, is Cooler Master's Seidon 120XL different enough to distinguish itself from the competition? The low price point of $89 is certainly enough to attract attention.
With more and more of today's CPU coolers getting ever larger, Noctua has released the NH-L12. This small, versatile, low-profile cooler gets put to the test as we find out just what it offers today's PC enthusiasts.
The Coolink Corator is a competitively priced cooler for Intel's LGA2011 socket. Not only pricing is good, but it also provides decent cooling performance at relatively low noise levels.
Corsair is once again expanding their lineup of CPU cooling solutions. This time with the Hydro Series H90, pairing good cooling and low noise levels up in one attractive package. At less than $100 it is also priced competitively to go head-to-head with high-end air coolers.
Currently tower-type coolers are known offer the best cooling performance, so it surprised us a bit to see a new top-flow CPU cooler from Noctua. We were even more surprised by the performance delivered which is better than any other cooler we tested before, including tower-type models.
Evercool sent us a cute little heatsink to toy around with. But as we unpacked it, the low-profile HPK-1002EA heatsink looked bigger than we imagined. We strapped it on to our LGA1366 test-bed right away. Do small-sized "LGA1366 compatible" heatsinks cut it?
Zaward drew inspiration from the golf ball to enhance air-flow using a "heatsink breathing design", as well as heat dissipation with its Vapor 120 CPU cooler. In the process, it came up with a rather slim-looking 120 mm tower-type heatsink. Will Zaward's golf ball-inspired CPU cooler click?
Akasa made an attempt to spice up product design by giving one of its latest CPU coolers a mean toxic-yellow color scheme, backed by a well-equipped heatsink design. Can the Akasa Venom strike a sweet-spot between looks and performance?
Zalman and its unique fin-ring type heatsinks ruled the roost once upon a time, but things changed with the advent of tower-type coolers. Zalman continued to innovate with a redesigned CNPS9900 MAX, even after going tower-design with the CNPS 10 series. Exactly what made Zalman go back to its traditional design?
Xigmatek makes sure each new product has a little something new to look out for, often these turn out to be as revolutionary as the "Heatpipe Direct Touch" (HDT) itself. With the Aegir SD128264, Xigmatek claims to have taken HDT to the next level (quite literally), and added a second level of heatpipes that draw heat from the CPU. Will this innovation bear fruit?
Falling next in line in the footsteps of its predecessors such as the V8 and V10 coolers, the V6GT aims high to be the cooler everyone wants. With unique features such as "tilted asymmetrical fin design", "DynaLoop bearing technology" and unique "Double-V" heat-pipe setup will the V6GT live up to its expectations?
Its been over a year since Thermaltake came out with their last CPU cooler offering. The Frio is their first dual fan cooler targeted at cooling high performance multi-core processors with high heat output. The Frio incorporates some very promising new features, will they offer any significant benefit?
Noctua has taken their NH-U9B cooler, which already offers great performance, added a second 92 mm fan and upgraded its mounting kit. Noise levels are still at a minimum and push the envelope in silent high performance cooling for modern processors. Today we see if these improvements have made the NH-U9B SE2 even more worthy of your hard earned cash.
Noctua has taken the high performance NH-C12P, which already offers excellent performance, and added a 140 mm fan. Noise level are still at a minimum and push the envelope in silent high performance cooling for modern processors. They all say size matters - let's see if that holds true with the NH-C12P SE14 as well.
Noctua is well known for their line of excellent CPU coolers and silent fans. With the ever growing heat levels of modern processors, the company created the new "twin towers" design. Today we see if the NH-D14 can handle the heat while still living up to Noctua's promise of quiet CPU cooling.
Thermaltake has been around for many years, creating heatsinks for nearly every market imaginable. Thermaltake's first claim to fame was the Golden Orb, a unique cooler that set the computing world on its ear. Thermaltake has not stopped there, and they are still inventing challenging new designs. Today we take a look at highly awarded SpinQ and see what it has to offer.
The CNPS9900 NT is the most recent update to the 9900 series of CPU coolers from Zalman. It features a shiny dark grey look with a sweet green LED fan and a silent adapter. Even with the low noise level the cooler manages to impress at many levels.
The Zalman CNPS10X Quiet takes the CNPS10X Extreme and pairs it with a silent fan for all those users who want the cooling performance of a tower cooler in combination with silence. We crank up the heat to see if the CNPS10X Quiet can stay cool when it counts.
Spire's TherMax II is a new DHT CPU cooler for AMD and Intel CPUs. Its four heatpipes make direct contact with the processor for optimum cooling. Also included in the package is a fan controller which allows you to control the UV reactive fan in any way you want.
The CoolIT Domino A.L.C. CPU cooler is a water cooling unit at the price of an air cooler. It has three fan speed modes and features a blue backlit LCD screen. Installation is simple for a water cooling unit and its performance is exceptional considering its low price of $79.99.
Zalman's CNPS9900 LED is their newest all copper model in the CNPS series. A silent 120 mm blue LED fan has been placed between two arrays of pure copper fins. With exceptional performance and amazing looks, the CNPS9900 LED is a great CPU cooler if you can justify spending $79 for a CPU cooler.
Gelid Solutions’ Silent Spirit CPU cooler is a small, lightweight, high performing heatsink for both AMD and Intel CPUs (including Intel Socket LGA1366). Its four heatpipes connect to a pure copper base and an angled block of fins to cool surrounding motherboard components. The cooler is also extremely silent with Gelid's silent 9 2mm PWM fan attached.
The Evercool Transformer 6 is a cooler made to look good and perform well. The included fan controller allows it to remain very quiet for day to day usage but then give added performance and brighter LED lights for the overclocking enthusiast. With a large 120 mm bright blue LED fan, six heat pipes, a stainless steel coating and performance coming close to the newer HDT coolers, the Transformer 6 is certainly one to please!
Sunbeam's Core Contact Freezer is a cost effective CPU cooler for AMD and Intel CPUs. Its four heatpipes make direct contact with the processor for optimum cooling. Also included in the package is a fan controller which allows you to optimize the acoustics to your usage scenario.
The Zaward Gyre looks quite interesting with the black shroud. Its unique design shows us that it is a competitor to more "known" heatsinks. Featuring a nice finish with blue LED lights, being very easy to install and having great performance, the Gyre lives up to all of its expectations.
The Chipchilla from Coolink manages to decrease chipset temperatures while maintaining a low noise level. It is extremely light-weight being constructed of copper and aluminum all for an decent price. Limited availability and some installation issues are all that hold this cooler back.
The Xigmatek Achilles S1284 heatsink has many improvements over the famous HDT-S1283 cooler. There are now four U-shaped heatpipes, and they are nickel-plated. The fan design is new and unique as well, with its white LEDs that light up the fan's smoke frame and orange blades.
The GlacialTech Igloo 5750 is a price effective alternative to the Intel or AMD stock retail cooler, which is a lot quieter and still offers sufficient cooling performance. Its silver finish and three heatpipes give it a nice look, the dual fan configuration can easily be changed to single for even less noise.
Most HTPC users will find that there are only a limited number of CPU coolers available to use in most HTPC cases because of their smaller size. OrigenAE created the C10 to help fill that void. The C10 has three U-shaped copper heatpipes that come in direct contact with the CPU, and 35 aluminum fins behind a standard size 70mm fan.
Thermaltake's V1 CPU heatsink has a classy, elegant design like no other. The all-copper construction and subtle scrolls make this heatsink stand out from the rest. While the V1 is not Thermaltake's flagship cooler, it still performs very well.
On the heels of the successful NH-U12F CPU heatsink, Noctua has released a newer, more compatible version called the NH-U12P. This version has more clearance below the fins, making it easier to install on many motherboards. It comes with the new, ultra-quiet NF-P12 fan and a tube of the new NT-H1 thermal compound.
The Xigmatek HDT-S1283 is a massive cooler with just as big 8 mm heat pipes. With the heat pipes actually making contact on the CPU this cooler shows us something different in the way of keeping your CPU cool. The cooler is in a line of products from Xigmatek making its way into the rigs around the world.
Gigabyte recently announced its new G-Power 2 Pro CPU heatsink which adds additional airflow to the CPU Mosfets. This airflow helps to provide additional cooling for those Mosfets, making it easier for the motherboard to provide stable power for hungry CPUs. The G-Power 2 Pro has some nice features, including a very quiet 120mm fan.
Zerotherm has just announced an new all-copper CPU heatsink based on their classic "butterfly" design: the BTF92 Overclocker Edition. This heatsink features 92 copper fins, eight effective heat pipes and a shiny copper base. Add a 92mm fan with blue LEDs and a fan controller, and the BTF92 is ready to cool all the latest CPUs from both Intel and AMD.
Today Zerotherm launches the new Nirvana NV120 Premium tower style heatsink, which features a copper base and four U-shaped heatpipes with aluminum fins. Over the entire surface of the Nirvana Premium is a dark gray mirror finish like no other heatsink I have seen. Included is a 120mm blue LED fan with a fan controller to dial in the right noise level for any system. With all this style comes great performance, too.
Akasa has just introduced a new CPU cooler called the Revo, which features their new SilentFlux technology. This cooler utilizes a bubble pump to move the heat from the base through a radiator where it can be cooled by a fan. We put the Revo to the test to see how well this new cooling technology performs.
Next month Zaward will be releasing a new CPU heatsink called the Vivo. This new cooler is based on a 92mm fan and uses exposed heatpipes that contact the CPU heatspreader directly. Add to that the Dimple Technology Golf fan and a unique fan shroud, the Vivo's compact size really packs a punch.
In the quest for silent performance, users are looking toward heatpipes for most of their cooling needs. Today we are looking at the new fanless chipset cooler from Zaward, called the Twin Towers. This chipset cooler has two heatpipes, one of which can rotate around the other to reduce compatibility issues. We put the Twin Towers to the test to see what kind of performance comes with its silence.
Not everyone can afford the latest and greatest heatsink on the market. Some users are stuck with the noisy stock coolers that are lacking in performance. What else can the user do? We take a look at a new entry level heatsink from Sunbeam called the Silent Whisper. At just $19.99, the budget-minded consumer might just have a reason to get rid of the stock heatsink.
Cool Jag's new Falcon 92 Cu CPU cooler comes with wide compatibility for all current sockets. As the name suggests the cooler is made from Copper - a cheaper Aluminum version is available as well. During our testing we came to the conclusion that this extremely quiet cooler has no problems keeping up with the other heatsinks we tested so far.
The Sunbeam Tuniq tower is one of the largest heatsinks around, with a 120mm fan sandwiched between two rows of aluminum fins. The three U-shaped copper heatpipes carry away the heat from the copper base, and the included fan controller allows the user to dial in the fan speed and noise to their liking. The Tuniq Tower goes on the test bench to see what kind of performance this monster can give.
The Max Orb is Thermaltake's new "flagship" cooler, which consists of six heatpipes, a nickel-plated copper base and lightweight aluminum fins. This new cooler is compatible with many current CPU socket types, including Intel's Socket T (LGA775) and AMD's Sockets AM2, 939 and 754. The Max Orb definitely has a lot of good looks, but what about the performance?
I was extremely pleased with the Andy Samurai Master Cooler. The quality of the construction is excellent, the base is very smooth and flat, and the whole cooler is light in weight. The installation was so incredibly easy, it only required a few quick steps, and nothing had to be removed from the case to install it. On top of that, the performance was great. Although fan noise was not completely silent, it was rather low and, in fact, much lower than the three heatsinks tested against it.
Noctua's NH-U12F CPU cooler is a high-performance heatsink that uses eight heatpipes to get the heat off your processor. The included fan is of the 120 mm variant and is fairly quiet. If you need to reduce the fan noise even more you can use the included Ultra Low Noise Adapter which makes the fan almost inaudible.
Ever hear of "the point of diminishing returns", where something gets to the point where you can't improve on what you have unless you come up with a completely new idea? With air coolers, manufacturers are hitting that wall, but recently some companies have devised a new means of heat sink technology. Direct touching heat pipes - Today we take a look at Xigamtek's new cooler using this design.
It is big and it is cool - It's the iCEAGE from 3RSystem. With a 120 mm fan and new heatpipe technology that has the heatpipes as part of the contact base it sure does look promising. Today we will put the iCEAGE to the test and see if it can live up to its name. We'll take a closer look at the Direct Touch Heatpipe design, and see if it does make a difference or not.
Where would computers be without coolers? Nowhere... High-end systems put out heat just like an engine, and they need to be cooled just like an engine. Water cooling is becoming a more popular format to keep these systems in line, but what if you don't want or can't afford a water system? High-end air coolers are the only next option. XIGMATEK is now starting to fulfill this need with coolers like the 055 which we'll look at today.
The Scythe Infinity is a huge high-performance CPU cooler using five heatpipes. The cooler comes with Scythe's ingenious mounting system which makes installation a breeze. Scythe has included mounting kits for the Sockets 939, AM2, 478 and 775. This means that this cooler is a future proof investment for users who are considering a Conroe S775 upgrade in the near future.
With the Katana Cu Scythe has delivered a very solid all copper cooler that has excellent cooling performance. It uses a 92mm fan with an integrated fan speed controller. When the fan speed is turned all the way down the noise is reduced to an inaudible 30% of full speed, yet temperatures under load are only increased by 3°C.
The Thermalright Ultra 90 is a solid performing air cooler with six heatpipes to keep your CPU temperature down. Its unique design allows you to use your own 92mm fan for fine tuning of heat vs. fan noise. A competitive price of 25 USD makes this cooler even more attractive, and if you need more cooling power you can just get the 120mm Ultra 120.
Thermaltake has been around for only seven years, but every one of them has been spent turning the heads of the hardware community. From the original Golden Orb's effective cooling at near silent levels to the current array of water and air coolers, Thermaltake continues to impress with both design and function. When Thermaltake designed the Big Typhoon, they went all out, using six heatpipes and a 120mm fan. Is bigger really better? Let's find out...
Thermalright is one of the foremost cooling companies in the overclocking community. They have been around for many years providing that extra edge needed to keep your system cool. Although their lineup has changed quite a bit recently, many users out there are still cooling their CPUs with the Thermalright XP-90 and the XP-90C. Today we will take a look at the famous XP-90C and see what it can do in a current S939 setup.
The Thermaltake Big Typhoon is known for being one of the top-performing air coolers out there. Now Thermaltake has released a smaller, lighter cooler called the Mini Typhoon which is is supposed to offer the best features of the Big Typhoon at a fraction of the cost. Can six heatpipes and a 92mm fan keep your CPU cool?
Pentagram has been a leading supplier of communication products for the european market in the last years. Now they are entering the CPU heatsink business with a load of new products. The NXC 100-Cu heatsink uses the proven "flower" design in an all-copper approach. The cooler supports all current CPU sockets and comes with an easy to use fan controller.
Japanese heatsink manufacturer Scythe has engineered a nice heatsink with the Samurai Z. It includes mounting accessories for Socket 478, 775, 754, 939 and 940. On all these platforms installation is very easy and can be performed without any tools. While the cooler can not offer the cooling performance of behemoth coolers, it can keep up well with the heat load of our test setup. In addition to that it is remarkably quiet.
Artic Cooling is famous for their video card coolers, but they offer more. The Freezer 64 Pro is the latest addition to their CPU coolers. Clever routing of airflow cools the motherboard voltage circuitry. Another good idea is that the fan is mounted on rubber posts which absorb any vibration caused by the fan. During our testing we learn that the Freezer 64 Pro can not only deliver solid cooling performance but does so without creating a lot of noise.
Under-hyped or Overrated? The Zalman CNPS 9500 LED is Zalman's newest addition to their top of the line air coolers. This full-copper heatsink comes with a fan controller so you can optimize for performance or fan noise. In our testing it even beats a watercooling kit and proves that it is well worth your money. Watch as we put it to the test on the Pentium 4 Prescott 561 at 180 Watt TDP.
When you ask hardcore overclockers about companies who have the best extreme cooling gear, you can bet that Asetek is among the first mentioned. Their Vapochill Extreme Cooling Units are legendary, but come with a hefty price tag. The average user is not willing to pay that much, so Asetek has engineered the Vapochill Micro series. While the principle is the same as the Vapochill, do not expect to reach sub-zero temperatures with the Vapochill Micro, it essentially is a heatpipe cooler, just with some very clever ideas. Asetek's experience in designing high-performance cooling units sure has helped here.
Thermaltake has recently released the Golden Orb II. Now they have the Blue Orb II. This cooler is a good deal bigger than its golden brother, which results in seriously improved cooling performance. Also the fan seems to have been improved - cools better, but not much louder.
Quite some time ago Thermaltake produced the Golden Orb CPU Cooler. Now the successor Golden Orb II is released for Socket939 and LGA775. It features a huge heatsink with a nice looking gold-fin design and two blue LEDs which light up the cooler during operation. Is it as cool as it looks?
