3 best budget cpu coolers

Budget CPU coolers are essential components for desktop computers, as they help dissipate heat generated by the CPU during operation. Effective cooling is vital to ensure that the CPU operates at optimal temperatures, preventing overheating and potential damage to the processor. Here are some key points about budget CPU coolers:

  1. Types of Budget CPU Coolers:

    • Air Coolers: These are the most common and affordable CPU coolers. They consist of a heatsink with a fan or multiple fans that dissipate heat from the CPU.
    • Liquid Coolers: While typically more expensive, budget liquid CPU coolers are available and can provide efficient cooling.They use a closed-loop liquid cooling system with a radiator and pump to dissipate heat.

  2. Cooling Efficiency:

    • Budget CPU coolers are generally less powerful than high-end models, but they are still effective at maintaining safe operating temperatures for most CPUs, especially in non-demanding tasks.

  3. Installation:

    • Budget CPU coolers are often designed for easy installation, making them suitable for users who are not comfortable with complex hardware installations.

  4. Compatibility:

    • When choosing a budget CPU cooler, ensure it is compatible with your CPU socket type and fits within your computer case without clearance issues.

  5. Noise Levels:

    • Budget CPU coolers may produce more noise compared to premium models, but many offer a good balance between cooling performance and noise levels.

  6. Cooling Performance:

    • While they may not provide the same level of cooling performance as high-end coolers, budget CPU coolers are generally sufficient for everyday computing tasks and light gaming.

  7. Brand and Model Selection:

    • Some reputable brands that offer budget CPU coolers include Cooler Master, HyperX, Deepcool, and Arctic, among others. Research and read reviews to find a model that suits your needs.

  8. Price Range:

    • Budget CPU coolers typically range in price from $20 to $50, making them an affordable option for most users looking to improve their CPU cooling.

  9. Overclocking Considerations:

    • If you plan to overclock your CPU for improved performance, it's advisable to invest in a slightly higher-end cooler, as overclocked CPUs generate more heat.

  10. Warranty:

    • Check the warranty offered by the manufacturer to ensure you have some protection in case of defects or issues.

In summary, budget CPU coolers provide a cost-effective way to ensure your CPU stays at safe operating temperatures, making them a good choice for most general-purpose computer builds. However, for more demanding tasks like heavy gaming or overclocking, it may be worth considering a higher-end cooler for better thermal performance.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best budget cpu coolers on the market
  

be Quiet! BK008 Pure Rock Slim - CPU Cooler - 120W TDP- Intel 1150 / 1151/ 1155/ 1156 & AMD Socket AM2(+) / AM3(+) / AM4 / FM1 / FM2(+)

be quiet!

Based on 6 reviews Check latest price

Product description

be quiet! Pure Rock slim is particularly applicable to compact and quiet multimedia and graphics systems. Among the features that give it such an excellent price-to-performance ratio are:



High 120W TDP cooling efficiency

full configuration of RAM Memory banks in PC cases with limited space

three high-performance 6mm heat pipes with aluminum caps

a silence-optimized, seven blade 92mm be quiet! fan

pwm variable speed operation to help balance cooling and quietness

compact design for easier and more convenient installation

brushed aluminum finish

3-year manufacturer's warranty

product conception, design and quality control in germany



for famous be quiet! low noise operation (Max. 25.4Db(a)) and cooling performance at entry level pricing, pure Rock slim is clearly your CPU cooler choice.



▪ Intel: 1150/ 1151/ 1155/ 1156

▪ AMD: AM2 (+)/ AM3 (+)/ AM4/ FM1/ FM2 (+)

  • A high 120W TDP cooling efficiency
  • Full configuration of RAM Memory banks in PC cases with limited space
  • Three high-performance 6mm heat pipes with aluminum caps
  • Silence-optimized, seven Blade 92mm be quiet! fan (Max. 25.4Db(a))
  • Pwm Variable speed operation to help balance cooling and quietness
  • Intel: 1150/ 1151/ 1155/ 1156
  • Amd: AM2 (+)/ AM3 (+)/ AM4/ FM1/ FM2 (+)

User questions & answers

Question: Does this come with thermal paste
Answer: It comes with some already applied, yes
Question: This cooler include thermal paste
Answer: The cooler does come with thermal paste reapplied. Be careful not to disturb it with the plastic casing included.
Question: comes with thermal paste
Answer: Paste is on the cooler plate spread evenly. I ran full load test on a Ryzen 5 3600 and the CPU never came close to being overheated.
Question: Is this cooler compatible with AM
Answer: Yes it is. The instructions are not the best. The fan exhausts vertically on the AM4. That irritates some people but heat rises so it works very well. I would buy again.

Product features

Slim and Compact Design

Thanks to its asymmetrical and compact construction Pure Rock Slim is the perfect choice for PC cases that have limited space. Notwithstanding it allows full configuration of RAM memory banks. For this reason, the cooler is compatible with a vast array of equipment and allows many possible installation configurations.

High Cooling Efficiency

Pure Rock Slim is aimed at the essential category of PC systems. With 120W TDP it offers an astonishingly high cooling capacity for this category.

High-Performance Heat Pipes

Pure Rock Slim is equipped with three heat pipes that have aluminum caps. This is the key to its great cooling performance, because they transport the heat to optimum locations on the cooling fins.

Silence-Optimized Operation

The seven-bladed silence-optimized 92mm be quiet! PWM fan with high-quality sleeve bearing facilitates the best balance between cooling performance and silent operation. The fan blades are airflow-optimized to reduce noise-generating turbulence.

DEEPCOOL GAMMAXX400 CPU Air Cooler with 4 Heatpipes, 120mm PWM Fan and Blue LED for Intel/AMD CPUs (AM4 Compatible)

DEEP COOL

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price
  • Supports Intel Socket 130W LGA20XX/LGA1366/LGA115X/LGA775 and AMD Socket 125W AM4/AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2/FM2+/FM2/FM1
  • 120x120x25mm PWM fan with blue LED
  • 4 sintered powder heatpipes directly touch the CPU surface
  • Extra fan clips provided allow adding a second fan
  • Can be easily installed without moving the motherboard

SilverStone Technology Nitrogen Series Low Profile CPU Cooler RL-NT09-115X

Based on 152 reviews Check latest price

Product description

SilverStone Technology's Nitrogon NT09-115X is a slim profile CPU cooler designed for space limited applications that utilizes LGA 1156/1155/1150/1151 platforms. It has an extruded aluminum fins for excellent thermal conductive. In addition, NT09-115X is equipped with a custom PWM 92mm silent fan that is staggered against the aluminum fins for better airflow focus and enhanced heat dissipation. Measuring only 45mm tall, the NT09-115X is a premier choice for slim cases utilizing LGA 1156/1155/1150/1151 processors.

  • Supports Intel LGA1156/1155/1150/1151 processors. Air flow - 47 CFM. Noise level - 32.0 decibels
  • Designed for low profile systems at only 45mm tall
  • Custom quiet 92mm fan for excellent cooling and low noise
  • Extruded aluminum fins for good heat dissipation
  • Reinforced back plate design reduces motherboard bending to provide tighter CPU contact

User questions & answers

Question: Does it come with thermal paste
Answer: Yes it does, but I used Arctic Silver I already had.See: http://silverstonetek.com/images/products/nt07-115x/nt07-115x-5.jpg
Question: under a full gaming load how cool would it keep a unclocked 4690K
Answer: A 4690k will run pretty hot with this small cooler. I wouldn't run it in a gaming machine.
Question: Hello this product is compatible with intel 6th socket
Answer: Yes but, it is only rated for up to 65 watts tdp. However, I am using it on a core i5 6600k rated at 95watt tdp with three 120 mm case fans and the max temp under load has not exceeded 40 deg C.
Question: Will this work with LGA 1151 (skylake) chips
Answer: From what I read Socket 1150; 1155; 1156; and the new socket your talking about the 1151; the heat sink mounting holes are all the same size. Only thing that is different is the CPU socket itself. So yes this should work just fine.

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