What is the Best Cpu Liquid Cooler of 2023?
Lynne Taylor Apr 1, 2023 10:25 AM
Securing the best cpu liquid cooler can prevent your computer from overheating and guarantee that you receive the maximum performance out of your processor as summer temperatures increase. A CPU cooler is essential if you want to overclock your computer and unleash the full potential of your CPU.
Overview
Heat, the CPUs' archenemy for ages, can be stopped in its tracks by a CPU cooler. If your computer isn't kept cool, the heat it produces could cause your hardware to fail before its time. And more than any other component, your processor, the brains of your computer, is vulnerable to the long-term effects of overheating. Even in routine chores, high temperatures can diminish its lifespan and reduce its performance. You shouldn't undervalue the significance of include one of the best CPU coolers in your system, regardless of whether you're an avid gamer, creating your own home theater PC, or simply want to safeguard the system you work on every day.
To keep your PC alive and functioning properly, you should think about investing in a top-notch CPU cooler if you're building or upgrading it. Any builder may choose a best CPU cooler that suits their system and their budget because they are available in a wide range of cooling systems and price points.
1. EK-AIO Basic 240
Important Specifications
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Item Dimensions LxWxH: 10.83 x 47.24 x 1.06 inches
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Brand: EK
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Power Connector Type: 4-Pin
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Voltage: 5 Volts
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Wattage: 7.8 watts
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Cooling Method: Air
Product's highlights
EK is a name that requires little introduction in the world of liquid cooling. The EK Basic series emphasizes performance and value for the money. Additionally, it has no RGB at all. If you find this interesting, the EK AIO Basic 240 is definitely worth a look. The prices are definitely kept low by its absence.
The build quality of the EK Basic 240 makes it stand out. It just seems substantial and well made. The EK- Vardar fans that come with the kit are excellent and have a large speed range. If you require some high-speed headroom, you should have access to it. It essentially remains silent the most of the time.
We are very impressed by the cooling capacity on offer. It does get noisy if you attempt to push an overclocked Rocket Lake CPU, but then again, pretty much every other cooler does too. We find that it comes very near to 360mm levels of cooling capability.
The EK-AIO basic 240 is ideal for closed-case projects or builds with a stealthy focus where lighting is unimportant. It's a cooler that you can set and forget, out of sight, out of mind, and out of earshot thanks to its excellent performance and solid construction.
Pros
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Cooling performance trails 360mm coolers
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Reasonably priced
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No RGB
Cons
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It is pretty plain-looking if the cooler aesthetics annoy you at all.
2. Deepcool Gammaxx L240 V2
Important Specifications
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Item Dimensions LxWxH: 7.72 x 5.16 x 13.82 inches
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Brand: DEEP COOL
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Power Connector Type: 3-Pin
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Voltage: 12 Volts
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Wattage: 2.04 watts
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Cooling Method: Water
Product's highlights
The Gammaxx L240 V2 is one of the more affordable 240mm coolers on the market. Deepcool is well recognized for their capable AIOs at reasonable costs. As a result, it's an excellent choice for consumers wishing to transition from air cooling to AIO cooling.
The fans and pump head of the Gammaxx 240mm include simple RGB illumination. If you really want it, there is an ARGB version that costs more money. Deepcool frequently mentions its "Anti leak technology," which aims to keep the pressure inside the loop at its ideal balance. which undoubtedly won't harm.
The Gammaxx 240 can also cool the majority of processors, however, like many other chip coolers on this list, it can't handle AMD's Threadripper monsters. One of the key reasons we advise it is because it maintains the rest going while making astonishingly little noise.
The L240 is practically silent when idling. With high TDP processors, especially when overclocked, you will start to notice an increase in temperatures and noise levels as you may anticipate. The highest CPU we'd consider suitable for a 240mm cooler is our 5800X CPU with PBO enabled. The fans can and often do ramp up significantly when under stress.
The Deepcool Gammaxx L240 is a wonderful option if you're looking for a 240mm AIO that's affordable and quiet under less demanding loads. Yes, if you push it hard, the noise levels can reach high, but for the price, it is highly recommended.
Pros
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Fantastic value
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A strong cooling capacity
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At idle, effectively silent
Cons
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Can get loud when the CPU is heavily used.
3. Corsair Hydro Series H60 V2
Important Specifications
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Item Dimensions LxWxH: 14.17 x 6.29 x 4.72 inches
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Brand: Corsair
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Cooling Method: Water
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Compatible Devices: Desktop
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Noise Level: 28.3 dB
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Material: Aluminum, Copper
Product's highlights
The Corsair H60 has been in existence for a while. Its tubing, fan, pump, and mounting have all been upgraded over time. Not everyone will be comfortable with the 120mm AIO form factor, but those who need a small cooler to fit something like a small volume ITX build will find it can perform on par with a respectable mid-range air cooler. Though there is some white lighting around the head, it noticeably lacks RGB.
Processors with less than 95 watts work well with the H60 V2. Although a good tower cooler or AIO with a bigger radiator will likely outperform it, their size frequently prevents them from being used in SFF builds. An SFF system hates heat, so the H60's capacity to expel hot air outside the case will be advantageous to the entire system. Corsair offers its SP PWM fan, which runs at speeds ranging from 600 RPM (when it is virtually silent) to 1700 RPM. At that point, it is audible plainly.
A small system is ideal for the Corsair H60 V2. It is reasonably priced, should outperform the majority of low-profile air coolers, and does so without making excessive noise. It won't work with a processor with a lot of cores or that is overclocked, but you shouldn't expect it to. It's a straightforward recommendation with the correct partnering elements.
Pros
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Stylish and sturdy construction in a small package
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Claret mid-range for incisive dialogue
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Use of a remote
Cons
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Sporadic connectivity
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Only a few sound improvements
4. Corsair iCUE H150i Elite LCD Liquid CPU Cooler
Important Specifications
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Item Dimensions LxWxH: 15.63 x 4.72 x 1.06 inches
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Brand: Corsair
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Voltage: 12 Volts
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Cooling Method: Water
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Compatible Devices: Radiator
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Noise Level: 10 dB
Product's highlights
When nothing less than the best will do, you turn to the Corsair iCUE H150i Elite LCD liquid cooler. Only its remarkable performance can compare to its gorgeous appearance. Even if you overclock and increase the heat of the Intel Core-i9 and Ryzen 9 processors, it has the cooling capacity to manage them at 360mm. (Depending on your needs, Corsair also has a variant with a 420mm radiator for extreme power and a version with a 240mm radiator for less power.)
The iCUE H150i Elite has a stunning 2.1-inch LCD screen that you can personalize to display anything from custom animations to your current temps. Three powerful fans, each with 48 LEDs that can be customized, flank this brilliant display. Through Corsair's iCue setup software, performance and aesthetic settings can be changed. The system's easy-to-use defaults make it simple for novice builders to customize it, but it also allows for extensive modification for more experienced builders with specific preferences.
The H150i is one of many highly respected Corsair coolers, but it could be the most difficult to set up. The additional cabling needed to power the LCD screen and RGB lights is made easier by the fact that they connect to the Commander Core control box that is provided, but the procedure is still challenging. Before tackling it yourself, we advise viewing and rewatching Corsair's detailed installation video. However, the box has additional connectors for installing more RGB fans and light strips, giving you the advantage of future upgrades being simpler.
Pros
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Outstanding cooling performance
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Adjustable LCD display
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Brilliant, powerful RGB fans
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Fan and RGB controller integrated
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Exceptional software customisation
Cons
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Pricey
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Challenging installation
5. Be Quiet! BW006 Pure Loop 240mm All-in-One Liquid Cooler
Important Specifications
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Item Dimensions LxWxH: 12.6 x 5.52 x 9.45 inches
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Brand: Be quiet
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Power Connector Type: 4-Pin
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Wattage: 3.6 watts
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Cooling Method: Water
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Noise Level: 39.5 dB
Product's highlights
The ideal cooler for gamers who prefer to concentrate on their game instead of their PC is the Be Quiet! BW006 Pure Loop 240mm. It can easily cool Intel Core-i7 and Ryzen 7 CPUs because to its 240mm size, and you won't be distracted while it works. All of its components are black, and its minimalist design uses a subdued white LED to indicate power surrounding the processor. What's more, it's as silent as its name would suggest. Be Quiet! emphasizes on creating components and enclosures that blend into the background, and the Pure Loop 240mm is no exception. For 9-series processors, you'll need to upgrade to a bigger size, but even with any mid-high-tier processor, this will keep your CPU operating at peak performance.
The Pure Loop is relatively simple to maintain, which sets it apart from other top-tier liquid cooling systems. Since the majority of liquid coolers are entirely closed systems, they can't be maintained and eventually break down. The entry of air into the pump is one of the main causes of this. One of the few all-in-one coolers that allows you to gradually add coolant to extend its lifespan is the BW006. To keep your system full and functioning at its optimum, all you need to do is add coolant by unscrewing a fill port on the radiator.
Pros
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Dependable cooling
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Minimalist style
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Alternate coolant
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Outstanding cost-to-performance
Cons
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Size is insufficient for Core-i9 and Ryzen 9 processors.
1. How can I pick the best CPU cooler for me?
It depends on your budget and compatibility whether you need an air cooler or a liquid cooler. The first thing to look for is support for the motherboard socket and a suitable mounting option in a cooler. The majority of coolers available today should have the required parts to put them inside the box and be compatible with both the newest LGA 1700 socket from Intel and AMD's AM4 socket. However, some older coolers, possibly used ones, might not support the most recent chips.
A cooler's suitability for your CPU is the other item to keep an eye out for. Your CPU wastes some energy as heat, and that energy needs to be adequately expelled. While a cooler can achieve this, some high-end processors need stronger cooling to maintain low temperatures. TDP numbers on coolers frequently indicate the TDP of CPUs that they can effectively cool, although it's not always that simple. While some CPUs, like AMD's Threadripper chips, require more contact points for adequate cooling, Intel's 12th Gen CPUs frequently demand far more power than their specified TDP.
Basically, if you're intending on overclocking, pay attention to what kind of chip a CPU cooler is rated to cool.
Budget-conscious people today don't necessarily need to think about an aftermarket air cooler. We would never suggest a stock cooler to any PC gamer up until AMD debuted its Wraith coolers (and then took them away again), but they work well as a stand-in when money is short. Even so, it's best to eventually replace these with something more robust. If you have a little extra cash to invest, liquid coolers may provide a lot more, including sophisticated RGB lighting and intelligent software control.
Some of you might be hesitant to place liquid close to your expensive components, but rest assured that all of the coolers suggested in this article are supported by outstanding warranties that will protect you in the event of a manufacturer failure. A massive leakage is uncommon, so there's no need to worry.
2. Is air cooling or liquid cooling quieter?
An integrated liquid CPU cooler often operates more quietly than an air cooler positioned directly on top of the processor. This is so that they can spin more slowly than an air cooler because the fans attached to the cooling radiator are often bigger. Although the water pump is frequently adequately insulated, there may still be some noise coming from this component.
However, there are enormous air coolers that can effectively compete with the noise an AIO liquid cooler produces thanks to their large heatsinks and fans. For instance, the Noctua NH-D15 features two 140mm fans and runs quite quietly. An totally passive cooler with no moving parts would be the quietest of all. However, those can struggle to handle the heaviest, hottest CPUs.
3. How exactly does liquid cooling operate?
In conjunction with the radiator and fan that are also attached to your CPU, the coolant circulates through a closed-loop through a plate and cools the processor. It is straightforward and a thousand times simpler to install than a full water-cooling loop.
CORSAIR iCUE H150i ELITE LCD Display Liquid CPU Cooler-Custom IPS LCD Screen-48 Dynamic RGB LEDs-120mm Fans-360mm Radiator-COMMANDER CORE Smart Lighting Controller
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ASUS ROG Strix LC II 240 ARGB All-in-one AIO Liquid CPU Cooler 240mm Radiator, Intel LGA1700, 115x/2066 and AMD AM4/TR4 Support,2X 120mm 4-pin PWM Addressable RGB Radiator Fans
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Corsair Hydro Series H60 AIO Liquid CPU Cooler, 120mm Radiator, 120mm SP Series PWM Fan
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Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L RGB V2, Close-Loop AIO CPU Liquid Cooler, 240 Radiator, SickleFlow 120mm, RGB Lighting, 3rd Gen Dual Chamber Pump for AMD Ryzen/Intel LGA1700*/1200/115X
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NZXT Kraken X53 240mm - RL-KRX53-01 - AIO RGB CPU Liquid Cooler - Rotating Infinity Mirror Design - Improved Pump-Powered By CAM V4-RGB Connector-Aer P 120mm Radiator Fans (2 Included), Black, X Gen 3
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ID-COOLING FROSTFLOW X 240 Snow CPU Water Cooler LGA1700 Compatible AIO Cooler 240mm CPU Liquid Cooler White LED 2x120mm PWM Fans, Intel 1700/1200/115X, AMD AM4/AM5
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MSI MAG CoreLiquid 360R V2 - AIO ARGB CPU Liquid Cooler - Rotating Cap Design - LGA 1700 Ready - 360mm Radiator - Triple 120mm RGB PWM Fans
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ID-Cooling FROSTFLOW X 240 CPU Water Cooler AIO Cooler 240mm CPU Liquid Cooler White LED 2x120mm PWM Fans, Intel 1700/115X/2066, AMD AM4
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Vetroo V360 White Liquid CPU Cooler, 3X 120mm Addressable RGB & PWM Fans/Pump, 360mm Radiator AIO Water Cooler w/Controller Hub for Intel LGA 1200/115X AMD Ryzen AM4
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Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML120L V2 RGB CPU Liquid Cooler - Brighter Lighting Effects, 3rd Gen. Pump, Superior Radiator and Advanced 120 mm SickleFlow Fan, Black
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MSI MAG Coreliquid P240 - AIO CPU Liquid Cooler - LGA 1700 Ready - 240mm Radiator - Dual 120mm PWM Fans
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ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 - Multi Compatible All-in-One CPU AIO Water Cooler, Compatible with Intel & AMD, Efficient PWM Controlled Pump, Fan Speed: 200-1800 RPM, LGA1700 compatible - Black
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MSI MAG Series CORELIQUID 360R, aRGB CPU Liquid Cooler (AIO): Rotatable Blockhead Design, 360mm Radiator, Triple 120mm aRGB PWM Fans
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Last update on 2023-04-01 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
Since PCs are expensive, maintaining them is crucial to ensuring that they last a long, useful life. You will need to buy a new computer if your CPU performs poorly due to overheating. Adding or updating your CPU cooler is typically a smart investment, whether you're searching for a quick and simple air cooler to conceal inside your case or a high-performance AiO with RGB to spare.