We created these CPU cooler comparison charts as an easy way to compare the best low profile coolers across different CPU’s and/or platforms. We’ve included some tower coolers and AIO liquid coolers for reference.
TESTING
- NOCTUA NH-L9A (37MM)
- IDCOOLING IS-47-XT (47MM)
- THERMALRIGHT AXP90-X47 FC (47MM)
- IDCOOLING IS-55 (55MM)
- SCYTHE BIG SHURIKEN 3 REV.B (67MM)
- THERMALRIGHT AXP120-X67 (67MM)
- NOCTUA NH-L12S (70MM)
- NOCTUA NH-C14S (115MM)
- SILVERSTONE VIDA 240 SLIM (240x20MM)
- COOLERMASTER ATMOS (240x28MM)
- THERMALRIGHT AXP90-X36 (37MM)
- ALPENFOHN BLACK RIDGE (47MM)
- THERMALRIGHT AXP90-X53 FULL (53MM)
- NOCTUA NH-L12 GHOST (66MM)
- DEEPCOOL AN600 (67MM)
- IDCOOLING IS-67-XT (67MM)
- THERMALRIGHT SI-100 (100MM)
- NOCTUA NH-U12A CHROMAX (158MM)
- DEEPCOOL LS520 SE (240X28MM)
- EK-AIO 280 D-RGB (280x27MM)
TESTING
Testing is carried out on the BC1 Mini (open testbench) in 20°C ambient room temperature. We noise normalise cooler fan speeds to 35dB(A) at distance of 50cm to best of our ability. This helps eliminate brute force cooling from higher RPM fans. If there are any optimisations made to stock CPU performance, this will detailed in individual charts.
We run Cinebench R23 multicore (stability test) for period of 30 minutes. This provides worse case scenario and is consistent for a given CPU. Coolers are typically tested across range of CPU’s for data validation and to reduce errors. This helps account for variables between CPUs and/or platforms. We do our best to ensure testing is as consistent as possible. Unfortunately, this isn’t fool proof. Our findings should be used as guidance only.
FAQs
Thermalright AXP90 series coolers perform better in one orientation vs. the other. This is particularly important on Intel as the cooler can be mounted in both orientations.
Case, motherboard, GPU installed directly in the PCIe slot, distance from the side panel, and environment are factors that can impact cooler performance and behaviour. This is means that one users results may not be directly comparable to another’s; even with same CPU and cooler.
CPU load may affect cooler scaling. The lower the load, the more the lines blur between different performance classes. The thermal gap typically widens at higher loads between coolers of different capabilities.
Gaming thermals for given CPU will typically be substantially lower than multicore temperatures, but this isn’t always true.
We are not experts, so please take our results for what they are, one users findings, and experiences.