Best CPU cooler in 2024: Lian Li, DeepCool, Corsair & more

Looking for a new CPU cooler? We’ll give you all the best ways to keep internal PC temperatures down with this list of recommended coolers, covering both air and AIO liquid cooling.

When CPUs are under heavy load, they can generate a lot of heat, and the more powerful the processor, the more heat it can kick out. To ensure your CPU isn’t suffering from thermal throttling, you will need a good CPU cooler.

For light to moderate use, both Intel and AMD sometimes offer ‘stock’ coolers in the same box as the CPU, but these standard coolers are not built to withstand extremely demanding workloads. For that, you will need something a bit more specialized.

This is even more important if you are planning to experiment with overclocking, which can boost the performance at the expense of generating even more heat. Not to worry, this guide will provide the best options to keep your PC cool.

1. Lian Li Galahad II Trinity

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If money is no object, and you want the best available on the market, then the Lian Li Galahad II Trinity should be top of your list.

Manufacturer Lian Li has made a name for itself by delivering extremely high build quality, and that includes its coolers. The Lian Li Galahad II Trinity is an all-in-one cooling system that has a surprisingly elegant design alongside powerful cooling abilities, thanks to its 360mm radiator.

The three 120mm fans work alongside the copper radiator to keep temperatures down without causing too much noise, and installation is pleasingly straightforward. You can even take advantage of the round RGB status screen to display temperatures or play little gifs, too.

2. DeepCool AK620

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For those who are looking for a powerful air cooler, or if you dont’ want to mess around setting up a radiator and fans into your case, DeepCool has you covered. The DeepCool AK620 is an excellent choice, thanks to its large heatsink and fans.

It has an understated design compared to many other coolers but can match its air-cooling prowess with many much more expensive models on the market, such as Noctua’s NH-D15.

With a range of brackets to suit many Intel and AMD sockets, the DeepCool AK620 is a solid pick for air cooling, though some might not like the lack of flashy RGB.

3. Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE

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Building a PC can be an expensive endeavour, with many components costing hundreds of dollars. So, some PC builders like to try and save money where possible, whilst still getting decent performance. For those who want good performance that won’t break the bank, the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE is an exceptional choice.

Of course, being budget-friendly, it comes with very few bells and whistles but is exceptionally quiet and can keep even the hottest CPUs nice and frosty.

4. Corsair H100x RGB Elite

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Corsair is a trusted brand in the field of PC components and peripherals with good reason, and is probably best known for supplying RAM sticks to PC gamers everywhere. It therefore makes sense that if you are looking to get started with AIO liquid cooling, a Corsair product is a good place to start.

It has a simple install process, and unlike the budget models on this list, is compatible with Corsair’s iCue software to supply a broad range of RGB effects for the full gaming experience, as well as more practical considerations like fan and noise profile controls, making this cooler just as practical as it is attractive to the eye.

5. Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition

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The Cooler Master Hyper 212 has been around in one form or another forever, becoming a staple of many entry-level PC gaming builds thanks to its solid quality and budget-friendly price. It is not as powerful or full-featured as its more expensive brethren, but it can still do the job perfectly well and works just fine on low or mid-tier CPUs.

The Cooler Master Hyper 212 is not flashy, but it has stuck around for so because it does the job well, with no fuss. If all you want is a basic but solid cooler, this is the right pick.

Do you need a CPU cooler?

Yes, even on the most basic of systems. For Raspberry Pis, for instance, a small CPU cooling fan can make a world of difference on an embedded project. Meanwhile, on those massive gaming rigs we all dream about, it can mean avoiding getting throttled by the heat being generated, as your parts try to save themselves from a potential fire.

What is AIO cooling?

AIO stands for All-in-One cooling and is often the combination of air and liquid cooling in one device. The fans push the hot air out, while the liquid moves the heat away from the CPU.

What is liquid cooling?

Liquid cooling is as plain as it sounds, with the liquid used to dissipate heat as it circulates in a radiator loop.

Those just looking for the simplest option aren’t those massive pipes running water around the system anymore. While those still exist, they’re mainly for show and do the same thing as the consumer-level ones.

Now, the liquid is contained within the heatsink area above the CPU, which is then pushed around the pipes, driving the heat away.

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