This article contains the best CPU Cooler Picks. We created these lists after years of testing and will continue enriching the corresponding lists and graphs with coolers.

Update Date Changes
18 September 2023 Initial article

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Test Methodology

We first install the cooler into a hemi-anechoic chamber, and with the help of a highly sophisticated sound analyzer, we take all necessary noise measurements required for the testing. Afterward, we install the system inside a giant climate chamber, where the ambient temperature remains steady at 25 degrees Celsius; this way, We don’t have to take the delta difference into account since we can evaluate all coolers under the same ambient temperature.

Climate Chamber Technical Specifications:
  • Manufacturer: Giant Force
  • Model Number: GTH-800-20-CP-AR
  • Temp Range: -20℃ ~ +100℃
  • Humidity Range: 20% ~ 98% RH
  • Temp/humidity Constancy: ±0.2℃; ±2.5%RH
  • Temp/humidity Uniformity at center: ±0.5℃; ±4%RH
  • Indication Resolution:
  • Internal Dimensions (WHD): 100 x 100 x 80 cm
  • External Dimensions (WHD): 145 x 190 x 135 cm
  • Net Weight (approx): 450 kgs
  • Heat-up Time (No load, no linear): (from 20°C to +100°C) 30min
  • Pull-down Time (No load, no linear): (from 20°C to -20°C) 50min
  • Cooling System: Airtight compressor + evaporator fins + air-cooling condenser
  • Power Source: 3Φ AC 380V ±5%, 50Hz±1% 10KW
  • Based on Standards: ISO 5801-2007, AMCA 210-0, ASHRAE 51-2007, IEC 61591-2005, GB/T 1236-200

Besides the Giant Force climate chamber, I also use the following equipment.

Testing Equipment:
  • Noise Test Environment: Hemi-Anechoic Chamber with 6 dB(A) noise floor
  • Conditions: 25 (+-2) degrees Celsius, 40-50% humidity
  • Sound Analyzer: Bruel & Kjaer 2270-S G4
  • Microphone: Bruel & Kjaer Type 4955-A
  • Mic Calibrator:  Bruel & Kjaer Type 4231
  • Data Logger: Picoscope TC-08

To evaluate the coolers, we use a superpower-hungry Intel i9-13900K. This beast reaches 360W of sustained load, which we measure accurately using a Powenetics v2 system. Below are all the parts of the CPU cooling station test system. The thermal paste we use is Arctic Cooling MX-4. We run at least two test sessions and take the average results. In all tests, the applied conditions are the following:

  • Ambient Temperature: 25°C ±0.5°C
  • Humidity: 30% ±4%RH

Intel Test System Specs

Mainboard Asus Prime Z690-A
CPU Intel 13900K Package Power Limit (PL1, PL2) set to 250W
GPU NVIDIA 1070 Ti
NVMe XPG GAMMIX S50 Lite 1TB
RAM XPG Lancer DDR5 (2 x 16GB) 6000MHz
Power Supply Seasonic Vertex 1200W
(Cybenetics Platinum)
CPU Cooler What is under test!
Case DimasTech Bench

We also use an AMD system to evaluate the cooler’s performance. This processor’s maximum actual TDP is 195-200W.

AMD Test System Specs

Mainboard Asus TUF GAMING X670E-PLUS
CPU AMD Ryzen 9 7900x
GPU Embedded
NVMe XPG GAMMIX S50 Lite 1TB
RAM XPG Lancer DDR5 (2 x 16GB) 6000MHz
Power Supply Seasonic Vertex 1200W
(Cybenetics Platinum)
CPU Cooler What is under test!
Case Cooler Master Test Bench

The load application is no other but the notorious Prime95 (small FFTs), which applies a tremendous load to the processor. We run each test for 20 minutes, allowing for a 10-minute cool period between each test. The whole procedure is fully automated thanks to a particular application that we made for this purpose. In AIOs, the pump runs full speed during the entire testing duration.

The critical point in our methodology is that we consider the CPU’s average frequency during testing because it doesn’t remain steady throughout the tests. It constantly changes according to the load and operating temperatures. Moreover, we have the Powenetics system to continually measure the CPU’s power consumption, which is way more accurate and faster than a software solution like HWinfo (don’t get us wrong—HWinfo is still a great tool).

Overall Performance Calculation

To calculate each cooler’s overall performance, we take into account three factors, the CPU’s temperature, wattage, and frequency, by using the following equation:

(Wattage / Temperature) x Frequency

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2 thoughts on “Best CPU Cooler Picks 2024

  1. I think you should add Asus Rog and Lian Li (Performance variations) products to this list because their AIO coolers have real good tech specs.

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