The best CPU cooler for most gaming PCs is a dual-tower air cooler. It keeps mainstream gaming processors well inside their temperature limits, runs quietly and costs far less than liquid cooling.
Cooling is one part of a wider picture, which our guide to PC gaming performance covers from measurement to upgrades.
This guide compares four coolers across air and liquid, then explains how to tell whether you need a new one at all.
As an Amazon Associate, Gamesness earns from qualifying purchases. We have not bench-tested these coolers ourselves. The picks are based on the manufacturers’ published specifications, and each link goes to the Amazon listing we checked for that model.
Do you need a new CPU cooler?
Check your temperatures before you buy. Use the method in our guide to monitoring CPU and GPU temperature while gaming and note the CPU temperature after 20 minutes of play.
A new cooler is worth it if the CPU reaches its limit and slows down, or if the fan noise bothers you. If temperatures are high on a cooler that used to cope, clean the dust out and consider new paste first. Our best thermal paste guide covers that cheaper fix.
CPU coolers compared
| CPU cooler | Type | Fans | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE | Dual-tower air | 2 x 120mm | Most gaming builds |
| Noctua NH-D15 | Dual-tower air | 2 x 140mm | Quiet premium builds |
| ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 | 360mm liquid (AIO) | 3 x 120mm | Hottest high-end CPUs |
| Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black | Single-tower air | 1 x 120mm | Small cases and tight budgets |
The picks
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE: best for most builds
The Peerless Assassin 120 SE is a dual-tower cooler with six heat pipes and two 120mm PWM fans. It supports AMD AM4 and AM5 and Intel LGA 1700, among other sockets.
It became a standard recommendation because it cools about as well as coolers that cost twice as much. It is the default pick for a mainstream gaming CPU.
Check price on AmazonNoctua NH-D15: quiet premium air cooler
The NH-D15 is a large dual-tower cooler with two 140mm fans. Bigger fans move the same air at lower speed, which is why it is known for being quiet.
It is tall and wide. Check case clearance and RAM height before buying, and choose it when low noise matters more than price.
Check price on AmazonARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360: best liquid cooler
An AIO, or all-in-one liquid cooler, is a sealed loop with a pump, tubes and a radiator. The Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 uses a 360mm radiator with three 120mm fans.
It suits the hottest high-end processors and cases with room for a 360mm radiator in the top or front. It is overkill for a mid-range CPU.
Check price on AmazonCooler Master Hyper 212 Black: budget and small-case pick
The Hyper 212 Black is a single-tower cooler with four heat pipes and one PWM fan. It is slimmer than the dual-tower coolers, so it fits more cases and clears tall RAM.
It is a clear upgrade over the small coolers bundled with some CPUs, and enough for mid-range chips.
Check price on AmazonHow to choose a CPU cooler
Match the cooler to the CPU. Mid-range processors run well on a single tower. Mainstream gaming CPUs suit a dual tower. Only the top models need a 360mm liquid cooler.
Check the socket. The cooler must list your socket, for example AM4, AM5 or LGA 1700. Some older coolers need a separate mounting kit for newer sockets.
Measure clearance. Find the maximum cooler height in your case’s specifications and compare it with the cooler’s height. For liquid coolers, check which radiator sizes the case accepts and where.
Think about maintenance. Air coolers need dusting and nothing else. Liquid coolers have a pump that will eventually wear out.
Don’t forget airflow. A CPU cooler can only get rid of heat if the case moves air through. Two intake fans at the front and one exhaust at the back is a sound baseline.
After you install it
Apply fresh thermal paste, connect the fan to the CPU_FAN header and, for an AIO, connect the pump as its manual describes. Then run a stress test or a demanding game and compare temperatures with your earlier reading.
If the CPU still overheats, the problem may be case airflow or a mounting error. Work through how to tell if your PC is overheating, and use the PSU calculator if you are adding fans and pumps to an older power supply.
