Best air coolers for the new Intel and AMD CPUs, which one to buy? Tips and recommendations

The high temperatures It is one of the most feared elements in any electronic device.. For example, when using our smartphone, if it reaches too high a temperature, its performance begins to be affected, to such an extent that we can no longer have access to some features, such as the camera. And, although many are not aware of it, a similar thing can happen with our consoles or PC Gaming.

Focusing on the problems that can affect our computer, the first element affected by temperatures is the very “health” of our components. Have our processor or graphics card at an excessive temperature, it can cause these components, or even the motherboard (to which they are connected), to end up damaged, being forced to replace them with new ones.

Although this is the most radical problem we can find, there are others that, without being so extreme, end up affecting our gaming experience. As I previously commented with the example of smartphones, heat can negatively affect performanceto the point that a few degrees above what is recommended translates into a noticeable drop in frames per second, or more severe failures that can cause the device to shut down.

For this reason, keeping our computer well cooled is essential, and in addition to tips such as having a well-ventilated box, as well as different fans distributed throughout it, the main thing is to have a good cooling system, either by air or liquid. But in this case we are going to focus on the best air coolers for new Intel and AMD CPUs.

What to take into account when buying an air cooler for the new Intel and AMD processors?

When choosing an air cooler for our CPU, there are several elements that we must keep in mind, the compatibility of which is undoubtedly one of the most important. However, there are many other aspects that must be considered when investing in an air cooler, and from here I am going to give you some advice on what they are the most relevant aspects when buying an air cooler for any type of processor.

Heatsink Compatibility

Depending on whether we choose AMD or by Intel, it will be crucial that the heatsink we buy is compatible with the model we choose. This is important, since, although the general trend is that most models are compatible with both brands, there are heatsinks that are only compatible with one of them, or with certain sockets. And some will wonder, what are sockets? Well, basically it is the generation of the processor that we have. As we have said that we will talk about the new AMD and Intel models, the compatible sockets will be AM5 and 1700, respectively.

Do I have enough space in my box?

Many users think that any air cooler is compatible with their computer, and the truth is that there are a large number of them who end up returning one of these models due to lack of space. Before choosing a model of this type, it is crucial that we keep in mind the dimensions of our boxso that we do not find ourselves with an unpleasant surprise when assembling our Gaming PC.

The best recommendation in this regard is always to bet on a spacious box, since it is something that will also positively affect the general cooling of the computer. However, if we already have a box and we simply want to update the heatsink, it is crucial to take a look at the dimensions of the product before buying itand measure the distance that exists from our base plate to the side of the tower, to know if it will be able to enter without major problems.

The importance of Thermal Design Power

To control the temperatures of our CPU as much as possible, the most important thing without a doubt is the power that the fan(s) that make up the air sink will have, known as TDP (Thermal Design Power). It is a number that indicates the maximum power that the component is capable of generating, and in this case, for the operation to be optimal, the heatsink we choose must have a higher TDP than the CPU we choose. In the case of falling short, the device will not be able to cool the processor when it is at maximum load.

The power of the fans

In addition to the total power of the device, it is also important to pay attention to the power itself heatsink fan(s). The most important elements to take into account are the air flow (CFM), which is the amount of air the fan is capable of moving; as well as air pressure (mmH2O), which is the force with which the fan blades move the air. In addition, it is also important the rotation speed of the device (RPM).

The recommended values ​​in this sense that the air flow is able to reach at least at values ​​of 60-70 CFM, although the higher it is, the better it will be in total performance. Regarding the air pressure, the data varies somewhat more, but it can range perfectly between 2.00 mmH2O and 4.2 mmH2O. Finally, the rotation speed must be in high data, the recommended minimum being in its maximum rotation about 800-1,000 RPM.

Noise

Although it is not an element that affects the performance of our PC, the noise generated by the heatsink that we purchase can be a nuisance while we play, especially if the computer is close to us. In this sense, the main way to measure noise is by means of decibels (dB), and although there are different recommendations, the ideal thing to have a silent device is that these types of heatsinks do not exceed 30 dB at maximum performance.

The best air coolers for the new Intel and AMD CPUs, which one to buy?

Tempest Cooler 4Pipes

Among those users who are looking for an economic model, this Tempest brand air cooler is one of the most recommended options, due to its good value for money. The device is compatible with both brands, and at the specification level it is very balanced. Its fan offers a maximum performance of 1,650RPM, as well as an airflow of 68 CFM. Although yes, its static pressure remains at 1.75 mmH2O and the maximum noise level is 35.41 dB. In PcComponentes for 32.98 euros.

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB

Another of the economic models that we can find on the market is the one that comes from Thermalright. In recent years, this brand has become really popular, something normal considering its specifications. In addition to having two fans with a maximum power of 1,550 RPM each, its maximum air flow reaches 66.17 CFM and the noise level stays at only 25.6 dB. The only “negative” is the static pressure, which remains at 1.53 mmH2O. On Amazon for 39.90 euros.

Cooler Master Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition

Historically, Cooler Master has been one of the most chosen brands by those looking for a mid-range heatsink. This model stands out especially for the inclusion of RGB lighting, which we can configure to improve the aesthetics of our PC. At the operating level, the maximum power of the fan is 2,000 RPM, with an airflow of 59 CFM, a static pressure of 2.1 mmH2O and a maximum noise of 30 dB. On Amazon for 53.99 euros.

Deep Cool AK500

Despite not being as well known, the DeepCool brand is positioned as the main alternative to the famous Notua heatsinks. Your devices are capable of offer high-end performance at more moderate prices, and this is a perfect example. The AK500 is capable of delivering a maximum rotational speed of 1,850 RPM, as well as an airflow of 68.99 CFM and a maximum air pressure of 2.19 mmH2O. The only thing is that its noise is somewhat above what is recommended, with 31.5 dB. On Amazon for 59.99 euros.

Noctua NH-D15S

Noctua is the most prestigious brand of air coolers today, and this model is a fantastic choice for any CPU. This model has quite a big size, although it has been designed in such a way to avoid problems with RAM memories. In addition, we have the possibility of installing a second 120 or 140 mm fan. And at the specification level it offers a maximum rotation speed of 1,500 RPM, an air flow of 82.42 CFM and a maximum noise of 24.6 dB. On Amazon for 95.85 euros.

Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black

It is the evolution of the previous heatsink, with the addition of having a completely black color, as well as the second fan that could be added additionally to the NH-D15S. This device It is one of the best air coolers that we can find on the market, something that is clear when looking at its specifications. The maximum rotation speed of each fan reaches 1,500RPM, its airflow is 82.52 CFM, and the maximum air pressure is 2.08mmH2O. And to this we must add a maximum noise level of 24.6 dB. On Amazon for 119.90 euros.

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Images | john hreniuc in Unplash, Onur Binay in UnplashTempest, Thermalright, Cooler Master, DeepCool, Noctua

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