best budget aio cooler 2022

While our thermal measurements indicate that it's integrated voltage regulator fan is little more than a gimmick, great CPU temperatures at ultra-low noise levels prove the Liquid Freezer II 280 far-more-valuable than its far-costlier rivals. Paring the capability of the cooler with a set of user-friendly software tools provides a great deal of value for system builders of any technical proficiency, in real time. This cooler is all about performance and price. However, Threadripper fans seeking excellent cooling performance, and who wish to set up some simple fan-cooling curves, will find just that in the Liqtech 360 TR4 OC. Cooler Master's Hyper 212 series of coolers have been around for a long time and established a reputation as well-known value options. This is the one for you.



I've always sought to learn as much as possible about anything PC, leading to a well-rounded grasp on all things tech today. As far as lighting, the fans RGB lighting can also be adjusted with Corsairs iCUE software, but the unit really raises the bar with the pumps 2.1-inch IPS LCD display. The whole works differs significantly from an air cooler by using liquid-filled tubes and a pump to convey heat away from the CPU's "water block" (the assembly that sits atop the CPU and draws heat away), through the radiator for cooling, and back again in a loop flow. The fan can push air at a rate of 62 cubic feet per minute. Now, the fans are a great deal smaller than the 120mm spinners of the NH-D15, so don't expect this budget model to perform as well. For more on how these tend to perform (and how good they look), check out our Blue Shift build feature. For those without concern for the high price, looking for excellent cooling and endless customization options via the display, the MSI MEG CoreLiquid S36 is worthy of serious consideration. Generally speaking, you can expect bigger coolers of either design to outperform smaller ones, simply because larger coolers generally have more metal within to spread out absorbed heat and can typically mount more or bigger fans. MSI's MEG CoreLiquid S360 delivers top-notch cooling performance, quiet(er) cooling fans and an excellent implementation of a simple-to-use MSI Center UI and a brilliant display above your CPU to deliver system performance stats, or even your favorite photo or animated GIF.

The Corsair iCUE H150i Elite LCD has a large, 360mm radiator to handle the hottest CPUs and the highest overclock speeds. Netflix has quite a few heavy-hitters with Stranger Things 4 Volume 2 and a live-action Resident Evil series. The non-RGB Aer P radiator fans pictured here are built with fluid dynamic bearings that help keep the cooler relatively quiet while still providing strong airflow. While PC fans have been a go-to for a long time, water coolers (and other liquid coolers) are vastly more efficient. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant. AMD: AM4, AM3, AM2, sTRX4, sTR4, Dimensions (length by width by height): 275mm by 120mm by 27mm, Included fans: Two EK-Vardar S 120ER D-RGB 120mm fans. Cooler Master pairs the dual-chamber radiator with two MasterFan MF120 Halo fans (also translucent), which have a total of 24 ARGB LEDs each, and you can customize your look from the included ARGB controller, so you dont need to have motherboard RGB controls to make use of it. Running the most powerful components (or overclocking those parts) can cause them to run hot, which can lead to hardware throttling and even failure. Even with the smallish fans, it should handily outperform a stock cooler, and you'll be hard pressed to find another CPU cooler with three RGB fans at this price.

Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). EVGA rates the fan as producing between 20dBA and 32dBA of noise while in operation, with the water pump contributing up to an additional 20dBA.

By using industry standard G1/4 threaded fittings for all components, the cooling loop almost begs you to add more components to the party. For looks, the Kraken X's infinity mirror pump cap is a showstopper. Noise production is rated at 28.2dBA, which makes it fairly quiet overall.

NZXT took a balanced approach when designing its Kraken X53. Measuring just 58mm tall, the Shuriken 2 is roughly the same size as one of AMD's or Intel's stock coolers, but it features a solid copper base plate and four heat pipes that help to transfer heat through its aluminum heatsink for better cooling performance. Water coolers can perform well in systems like this, but they tend to surpass air coolers in smaller cases that are more congested with restricted airflow. For more. The EKWaterBlocks EK-AIO 240 D-RGB cooler is primed and ready to keep the hottest, high-end gaming rig cool. EVGA's CLC 120mm water cooler is a no-frills thermal solution that's about as basic as it gets: just a 120mm radiator and a pair of tubes connecting it to a copper mounting plate and a pump. It's also worth noting that air coolers tend to benefit more from having extra case fans and strong ventilation to supplement the cooling action of the heatsink and the fan or fans mounted on the cooler. The Vardar S 120mm fans on this beast can produce 2.89 mmH2O of static pressure and 66 CFM airflow to enable the 240mm radiator to handle whatever your CPU can throw at it. If you arent running a flagship CPU with lots of cores and 5GHz-plus speeds and you dont plan on overclocking, a 120mm AIO, which you can usually mount in the rear exhaust fan area of your PC case should suffice. Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks. They provide solid performance at an affordable price, a step up from stock fans. If you love flair, it also features a unique-looking infinity mirror lighting setup, creating seemingly endless rings of RGB light. The Liquid Freezer II also includes a 40 mm fan next to the pump, set to sit over your motherboard's VRM chips. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time. The lack of lighting might turn away some buyers who prefer millions of colors and a software UI. If annoying gurgling noises persist, there could be air cycling in the system.

It uses a 280mm radiator with twin whisper-quiet fans and has beautifully designed LED integration on the water block. The big draw here, however, is the programmable lighting on the fan and block alike, which you can sync up with the rest of a custom build. Supported AMD Sockets: AM4, sTRX4, TR4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2Supported Intel Sockets: LGA 1200, 20xx, 1366, 115x (LGA 1700 bracket sold separately). At around $120, it's cheaper than the 240mm counterpart at NZXT, and the same price as Corsairs ever-popular H100i. And power users building high-end AMD Threadripper or Intel HEDT desktop workstation or gaming systems will have higher budgets, with a different focus than those looking for a more frugal desktop gaming or mainstream PC build. Just know that custom loops are always much more expensive than all other typical cooling alternatives, exponentially more complicated to assemble and install, and they can make future component upgrades much more complicated--especially if you add your GPU into the cooling loop. Socket support is excellent, too, with mounting options for all recent Intel and AMD processors, including Threadripper. Most builds call for a 240mm AIO.

And that, quite simply, is what the Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 360 exemplifies. It bounces light around inside the cap to create the illusion of infinite LED rings. But to make sure you're getting the most efficient thermal transfer between your CPU and cooler plate, check out the many products we thoroughly tested to find the best thermal paste for your CPU. The Corsair H100i RGB PRO XT takes over where the H100i Pro left off by providing enthusiast levels of thermal load management from a 240mm AIO and making use of Corsairs iCUE software suite for RGB lighting control, fan curve configuration and pump performance settings. Like nearly all NZXT products, the Kraken X53 is fully integrated with CAM, allowing you to monitor temperatures and tweak your lighting settings. Looking to level up your CPU cooler beyond the stock fan, to boost airflow, performance, or simply the look? This big, hulking cooler has two aluminum heatsinks perforated by six heat pipes, helping to spread out heat evenly from the CPU base plate.

The Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 360 features a full-cover CPU block sizable enough to fully cover Threadrippers ample surface area, although it supports mainstream sockets like AM4 as well. Still, the Arctic Liquid Freezer II hits a sweet spot that other coolers can't compete with. More exotic are water coolers, also known as closed-loop liquid coolers or all-in-one (AIO) CPU coolers. Youll need to make sure theres room to install an AIO cooler in your case as well, preferably in the top or rear, exhausting your CPU heat out of the case. Tom's Hardware is supported by its audience. In my role at PCMag, I greatly enjoy the opportunity to share what I know. AIO coolers are far more convenient and affordable than custom liquid cooling loops, and can generally deliver lower CPU temperatures with less fan noise than air coolersalthough thats not always the case these days. The good news is that, with liquid cooling, fans usually don't have to work as hard and are less likely to make lots of noise.

(Most of AMD's stock line are dubbed Wraith coolers, while Intel's very newest stock coolers, on its 12th Generation "Alder Lake" chips, are dubbed the Laminar line.). For the price, it's hard to beat the ML240L. If this is your first time installing an AIO model, you should find and follow a guide closely or use the included instructions and pay attention to the details.

When it comes to raw thermal performance, EK beats the Corsairs and NZXTs of the world. Be sure to check your system or PC case manual to make sure your AIO cooler of choice will fit before buying. Although failures are few and far between, every AIO cooler is still putting water dangerously close to your precious PC components, so there's always a risk that the cooler could leak or fail and damage your parts. Without proper surface area on the radiator, most 120 mm coolers just aren't up to snuff when it comes to cooling power. You do get some ARGB illumination in the cooler's water block, which (like that of the NZXT Kraken cooler above) features an ARGB infinity mirror optical-illusion panel.

We've tested dozens of AIO coolers to find the best models to keep your rig cool and quet. With its 92mm fan installed, the cooler has a relatively small physical footprint on the motherboard, too, as it was designed not to overhang the RAM slots on most boards. But even in these tight spaces, you can find better options. Cooling high-power, high-end-desktop (HEDT) processors like Intel's Core X series or AMD's Ryzen Threadrippers with an air cooler is a formidable task. Its toughest competition may come from Corsair's H150i Elite, although we haven't had a chance to test that cooler yet. The Kraken Z63 isnt lacking in power, either, as it comes with a powerful pair of 140mm fans and an advanced Asetek water pump. To that end, we recommend the Corsair iCUE H100i RGB Pro XT, thanks to its slew of lighting options, excellent included fans, and good price tag. Socket compatibility: Intel: LGA 1700, LGA 1200, LGA 1150, LGA 1151, LGA 1155, LGA 1156, LGA 1366, LGA 2011, LGA 2066 On Intel, it supports LGA1200, LGA20xx, LGA115x, and LGA1366, and on AMD, it supports AM2 to AM4, as well as FM2 and FM1. This 240mm cooler has a RGB "infinity mirror" embedded in the water block portion that creates an optical illusion of a bottomless abyss regressing down into the core of your PC. It has 8-bit color depth for millions of color options. The former flair comes in the form of three standard 90mm PWM fans with RGB LED lighting.

Otherwise, it includes three Arctic 120 mm fans to keep air flowing. Paper Girls review: time-traveling, girl-power Goonies is good enough, The best movies on Disney+ right now (July 2022), Dell slashed the price of this 22-inch monitor to only $150 this weekend, This Dell Latitude laptop deal cuts over $500 off the price tag, While socket support is great, may not be compatible with your build, Hefty 360mm radiator for extra cooling cooling power, Automatic adjustment based on CPU performance, Compact, stylish design with mirror pump cap, Extra thick radiator for more cooling power, May require an AM4 bracket for some builds. However, the ML240L clocks in around $50 cheaper than most competing 240mm AIOs. The NH-P1 is best suited for CPUs designed to be more energy-efficient, as any chip that runs too hot will encounter performance issues.

The Alphacool Eisbaer Aurora is a CPU cooler that you can refill.

The best way to mitigate risk is to keep an eye on your cooler to see if there are any signs of leaking and to monitor your CPU temperature to see if the pump is failing. AMD: AM4, Dimensions (length by width by height): 398mm by 120mm by 38mm.

In the Liqtech 360 TR4 OC, Enermax has graced the Threadripper world with a cooler that covers these large enthusiast processors in full, providing performance similar to custom liquid cooling with the easy installation and moderate cost of an AIO cooler. Alphacool Eisbaer Aurora 240 CPU Digital RGB, Alphacool Eisbaer Aurora 240 CPU Digital RGB review, 9. Basically, if you have an Intel processor introduced after 2008, you're fine. Managing the AIO cooler is also simple. This 240mm cooler comes with socket support for the latest AMD and Intel processors, including AMDs Threadripper processors. The fact that AIO coolers are closed makes matters worse because you can't open the loop to see if there are any problems.

Whether you intend to run it as is, or expand into a custom cooling loop, you won't be let down by this versatile piece of cooling kit. Alphacool offers wide range of factory-filled companion parts, from additional radiators to GPU blocks, to suite nearly any expansion need. Both fans sport RGB light rings and the pump includes a transparent window with RGB lighting inside. Mounted atop the cooler block, the Ryujin II's mini-display can show a short video loop of your choosing. Thermal solutions built for this purpose are known as low-profile coolers, and Scythe's Shuriken 2 is an excellent one.

Every CPU cooler is a little different, so you'll need to know what CPU socket your motherboard has to see if the cooler supports it. It doesn't feature any sort of lighting, and the design may not be to everyone's tastes. In this article, we've combined a brief tutorial with a list of some of the best CPU coolers now available. Alphacool's Eisbaer is a factory-filled hybrid design, featuring a closed-loop-style pump and CPU cold plate with open-loop style fittings that including an anti-leak, in-line quick connector. NZXT rates the Kraken X53 for six years of continuous use 60,000 hours, technically which is around what we'd expect for most AIO coolers. Liquid coolers do have some undeniable advantages, but a specific cooler's design is critically important, and some air coolers perform better than some water coolers. The three illuminated fans stack the heatsinks between them like a triple-decker sandwich, and they work to push air at a reported rate of up to 34.5 cubic feet per minute per fan. As an added bonus, they are usually far quieter and take up less room than air cooling components (making them perfect for mini ITX cases). asus x570 pakdukaan In addition to a 240mm radiator, the kit comes with two Corsair ML120 fans. The most recent model supports digital RGB on the fans and CPU block, too, allowing you to trick out your lighting however you want. Sign up for Lab Report to get the latest reviews and top product advice delivered right to your inbox. You can decrease fan noise by keeping them free of dust and monitoring their settings via the BIOS if possible. The Alseye DR900 is the lowest-priced cooler in this group, but its features and value make it an enticing option if you're working on a budget build for which you want equal parts bling and cooling. At ideal temperatures, however, the Elite Capellix is rated for as little as 10dBA, which is practically inaudible assuming the number holds in your specific build. The Corsair iCUE H100i RGB Pro XT is an easy AIO to recommend. As an added bonus for those interested in cable management, the hoses are very flexible , so you can bend them easily to fit even in smaller cases.

To boost performance, it would be beneficial to pair this cooler with some case fans or a third-party fan. Before we dig into the coolers we've chosen, it's vitally important to mention cooler compatibility. And for you Beavis and Butthead fans out there, Beavis and Butthead Do the Universe premieres on Paramount+. Wheres the EK series of AIOs and custom kits? Unsurprisingly, socket support is excellent, with support for TR4 and AM4 on AMD, and LGA115X, 20XX, and 1,200 on Intel. You can expect an AIO cooler from a reputable brand to run for six years without issues, but every cooler is a little different. Its job is to push air directly onto the heat collector, spreading airflow over other important components nearby including the motherboard's VRMs. If you need the biggest, most powerful liquid cooling unit, look no further. Now, as a full-time PCMag staffer, I'm focusing on reviewing processors and graphics cards while dabbling in all other things PC-related. The Gamer Storm Captain 240 Pro makes up for in low noise what it lacks in cooling power compared to Corsair's H100i Pro, to the point that the Captain 240 Pro has a significantly better cooling-to-noise ratio. The EK-AIO 240 is a better option due to the fact that it's inexpensive. These hoses are also wrapped in nylon to make them more resilient than your average rubber tube. If you want to trick out your rig with synced-up RGB, the NZXT Kraken X53 is for you. This gives some much-needed flair to an otherwise rather bland piece of kit. AMD support is a little sparser.

The Cooler Master ML360R RGB is our current 360 AIO thermal performance leader. There's no RGB on this one, either, though you can control fan speed and monitor temperatures through Corsair's iCue software. Cooler Master offers a range of "lite" AIOs, which are basically previous iterations of Cooler Master's MasterLiquid line with increased socket support and double FEP tubing. Best 360mm Closed-Loop Liquid Cooler: CoolerMaster MasterLiquid ML360R RGB, Intel 2066, 2011x, 1366, 115x, 775, AMD AM2(+), AM3(+) AM4, FM1, FM2(+), Best 360mm Closed-Loop Liquid Cooler Alternative: Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 360, Intel 2066, 2011x, 3647, AMD AM4,TR4, sTRX4, sWRX8, Best 360mm Closed-Loop Liquid Cooler With a Display: MSI MEG CoreLiquid S360, Intel 2066, 2011x, 115x, 1200, 1700, AMD AM2(+), AM3(+), FM1, FM2(+) AM4,TR4, sTRX4, SP3, Best 280mm Closed-Loop Liquid Cooler: Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280, Best 240mm Closed-Loop Liquid Cooler: Corsair H100i RGB PRO XT, Intel 2066, 2011x, 1366, 115x, AMD AM2(+), AM3(+) AM4, FM1, FM2(+), TR(X)4, Best 120mm Closed-Loop Liquid Cooler: NZXT Kraken M22, Intel 2066, 2011x, 1366, 115x, AMD AM2(+), AM3(+) AM4, FM1, FM2(+), Best AMD Threadripper: Enermax Liqtech 360 OC TR4, Best Reconfigurable Closed-Loop Cooler: Alphacool Eisbaer Aurora 240 CPU Digital RGB, Intel 2066, 2011x, 1366, 115x, AMD AM2(+), AM3(+) AM4, FM1, FM2(+), TR4, C32, G34, Best Custom Cooling Kit: Alphacool Eissturm Hurricane Copper 45, Intel 2066, 2011x, 1366, 115x, 775, AMD AM2(+), AM3(+) AM4, FM1, FM2(+), TR4, CoolerMaster MasterLiquid ML360R RGB review, 8. Quality-milled components and attention to detail are seen on each and every piece within the kit. Just don't try to strap one to your Threadripper system. Generally a 360mm AIO is your best bet for high-end, overclocked CPUs, to make sure your processor stays reasonably cool while running above its specced speed. Three of these are Noctua IndustrialPPC fans, which are mounted on the radiator portion as you'd expect. Water coolers have their radiators mounted to one of the case walls, and the radiator fans vent or pull air in or out of the system through the radiator, boosting case-wide ventilation and making these cooling systems less reliant on supplemental case fans.

The Wraith Ripper comprises seven heat pipes that pierce two bulky heatsinks, with a 120mm fan sandwiched between them. This is Corsair's first all-in-one liquid cooler with a built-in LCD on the pump block. Several of the coolers recommended below support many of the sockets on the list above (and older ones, too), while others support many sockets out of the box but may have optional mounting brackets sold separately to support others. The most important part of an AIO CPU cooler is the radiator size.

The pump that moves the liquid in the cooler is typically silent or at least inconsequential compared to other PC noises. Get instant access to breaking news, in-depth reviews and helpful tips. They're designed to push air at a rate of 71.6 cubic feet per minute while generating up to 29.7dBA. It runs quietly and efficiently when your CPU is running cool, and it tops out at 37dBA when running at maximum (75CFM). Unlike other AIO liquid coolers, you can swap out the fluid, upgrade the hoses and fittings, and even expand the loop. This is commonplace, especially in the case of newer CPUs and CPU sockets; the easiest way for cooler manufacturers to support new platforms is by releasing a new mounting bracket sold separately from the original-issue cooler. Supported AMD Sockets: AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2+, FM2Supported Intel Sockets: LGA 1200, 20xx, 1366, 115xCooler Height: 154mm. Here are the quick dozen we recommend, selected for the most common cooling scenarios.

To be fair, the cooler can get a bit loud when the fans and pump are operating at full speedwhen everything's revved up, Corsair says, the noise can climb to 37dBA.

If that's not enough system personalization for you, the panel can also show system information such as CPU temperature, utilization, voltage, and clock speed in real time. But that has an upside, too: The Alseye cooler measures a mere 135mm tall versus 165mm for the Noctua. When it comes to liquid CPU coolers, theres a good reason the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240 Illusion stands out. But the finite amount of space and overhead clearance inside a PC case sets limits on how large an extreme air cooler can be. Cable / controller management could be better, Best 360mm Closed-Loop Liquid Cooler Alternative, Dripless disconnects for simple expansion using Alphacool components, Best 360mm Closed-Loop Liquid Cooler With a Display, Boxed unit ships with pump and fans managed by single PWM splitter, Lack of RGB lighting (for those looking for the option), iCUE software suite allows for customized cooler and lighting control, Awkward, small screws used to secure fans to radiator, $99.99 price is higher than other 120mm AIO solutions, RGB controls only apply to CPU block face, CAM software sends data to NZXT cloud services, No RGB or LED lighting on fans (might be a plus, for some), Built with DC-LT pump and copper radiator water cooling components, Tubing length could be longer to allow for more diverse installations, Pump has coolant top-up port, but coolant must be purchased separately, Very good value for a full watercooling kit, We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices.

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best budget aio cooler 2022