Finding the best CPU cooler for overclocking is essential to boost your PC performance.Overclocking is the process of enhancing the performance of your computer through the use of software and hardware. If you are new to overclocking, you need to read the guide on the best CPU coolers.
The best CPU cooler for overclocking must be powerful and efficient, provide a great cooling performance, and be silent and safe. This guide will help you pick the best CPU cooler for overclocking based on the abovementioned criteria.
At a Glance:
1. NZXT Kraken Z73 Best AIO Cooler for Overclocking
-  Customizable RGB lighting system with a full-color display
-  Compatible with CAM V4
-  Improved pump for better cooling performance
-  Improved LCD
-  Three 120mm fans on the front
3. Corsair Hydro H60 Budget AIO CPU Cooler
- Cooling performance is great
-  It has an aluminum fin design
-  It has a large radiator size
-  Can be easily connected to multiple components
4 Best CPU Coolers for Overclocking
| Design | CPU Cooler | Retailer |
|---|---|---|
|
Best Pick
|
Check Price | |
 |
Check Price | |
|
Staff Pick
|
Check Price | |
 |
Check Price |
1. NZXT Kraken Z73 Best AIO Cooler for Overclocking
Best PickThe NZXT Kraken Z73 is one of the best liquid cooling units Ive ever tested. Its great because its quiet, has incredible cooling performance, and comes with RGB lighting. With a whopping capacity of 90 liters, this CPU cooler is big enough to fill the space between your motherboard and the CPU.
The large, chamfered intake and the two large heat pipes ensure efficient cooling, and the dual fans spin at speeds of up to 2,800 RPM. This means that the Kraken Z73 can keep the CPU at an average temperature of only 43°C while running at stock settings.
It features a fully customizable 2.36†LCD that lets you monitor the temperature, fan speed, and the current mode of the cooler. If youre in the market for a powerful liquid cooling solution, then the NZXT Kraken Z73 is the way to go.
Its a great choice for the budget-conscious, as its only about $40 more expensive than the competition, yet it delivers much better performance. The only downside is that the Kraken Z73 only works with Intel sockets.
Pros
-  Customizable RGB lighting system with a full-color display
-  Compatible with CAM V4
-  Improved pump for better cooling performance
-  Improved LCD
-  Three 120mm fans on the front
Cons
- Pricey
2. Noctua NHD15 Best Air Cooler of All Time
Noctua is a very reputable company thats been around for a while. I first encountered them when they started making fans, and their name has stuck with me since. Theyve become one of the biggest names in PC cooling, and theyve won many awards for their designs. Their Noctua NHD15 is their premium CPU cooler designed for overclocking and near-silent systems.
It features a dual-tower design that incorporates six heat pipes and two NFA15 140mm fans. The fans are extremely powerful and are equipped with a PWM control to allow for automatic speed control and ultraquiet operation.
They also include a low-noise adaptor, so they can operate at lower speeds when needed.This CPU cooler is compatible with Intel LGA1150, 1155, 1156, and 1161 sockets, and its also backward compatible with AMD sockets AM4, FM2, AM3, and AM3+.
It includes a higher thermal compound, NTH1, to provide superior cooling performance, and its also compatible with SecuFirm2, the companys mounting system, for easy installation on Intel LGA1700 sockets.
Overall, this is a great CPU cooler thats designed for overclocking and near-silent systems.I tested this CPU cooler on my Ryzen 7 1700, and it was able to cool it down very well, and it kept the processor stable and safe during all sorts of testing.
I ran Prime95 for 30 minutes, and the processor only reached a temperature of 44°C to handle a lot of stress. The CPU cooler also performed well in Windows and Linux, with minimal fan noise.
Pros
- Large heatsink; perfect for larger processors
-  Dual PWM fan controller for better cooling
-  Low noise, lowRPM fans with the highest possible airflow
-  Automatic speed control
-  Suitable for AMD and Intel CPUs
-  Automatic speed control
Cons
-  No additional fans
3. Corsair Hydro H60 Budget AIO CPU Cooler
Staff PickThe Hydro Series H60 is a great upgrade from my old Corsair H80 and has made my gaming experience more enjoyable. When I first purchased my old Corsair H80, I worried about the noise level because its rather loud, but the Corsair Hydro Series H60 is quieter. Its less than half the noise compared to the H80.
One of the reasons why its so quiet is because of the PWM fan. The PWM fans are designed to provide better airflow without generating unnecessary noise.
Another reason why the Hydro Series H60 is so quiet is because of the new radiator. The old Corsair H80 had a 120mm radiator, but the new Corsair Hydro Series H60 has a 120mm high-density radiator. This means the radiator has much more surface area, allowing for better heat dissipation.
The new radiator also has a 120mm slim profile, which makes it look sleek and modern. Another reason why the Hydro Series H60 is so quiet is because of the new pump. The older Corsair H80 had a 120mm high flow pump, but the new Corsair Hydro Series H60 uses a 120mm low flow pump. This means that the airflow of the Corsair Hydro Series H60 is more than twice the amount of the Corsair H80.
Another reason why the Hydro Series H60 is so quiet is because of the new LED lighting. The new Corsair Hydro Series H60 has white LED lighting, making the pump head look more futuristic and modern.The Corsair Hydro Series H60 is a great upgrade from the Corsair H80 and a great purchase.
Pros
- Cooling performance is great
-  It has an aluminum fin design
-  It has a large radiator size
-  Can be easily connected to multiple components
Cons
-  It was a bit expensive
4. Cooler Master MLR360 Best 360 AIO Cooler
If youre looking for a good, affordable, reliable cooling solution, look no further than the MasterLiquid ML360R. This isn’t as effective as a closed-loop liquid cooler as other custom-loop coolers, but it has a lot going for it.
The pump is a dual chamber design, which means two separate chambers inside the radiator to ensure the water flows smoothly. It also has a larger surface area than the typical 360 radiators, which will help it dissipate heat more efficiently.
If youre looking for something easy to set up, then the MasterLiquid ML360R is a great option. Its compatible with both Intel and AMD motherboards, and its easy to install. The only drawback is that the pump is powered by a 120mm fan, which is not the best for high-end CPUs. But it might be for you if youre looking for a budget cooling solution.
Pros
- Suitable for desktop systems
-  It can be easily upgraded to support upcoming CPUs
-  Low power consumption
-  Extremely quiet operation
-  It has a dedicated power switch
Cons
-  The pump might not be able to pump enough water for overclocked CPUs
-  The pump might not work well with certain water blocks
-  Some users reported that the pump is hard to turn on
Best CPU Coolers for Overclocking
There are a lot of factors to consider when you’re choosing the right CPU cooler for overclocking. We’ll run through them here.
Price
If you’re looking to save money, you’ll want to stick to budget-friendly models unless you have a ton of cash. Otherwise, you’ll be better off with something a little pricier, as it will last you longer.
Performance
If you’re serious about overclocking, you’ll need a decent cooler to keep up with your CPU. In other words, it needs to be able to pump out some decent heat.
Size
Most overclockers don’t use large CPU coolers, so make sure you choose one that’s small enough to fit your system.
Warranty
If you’re buying a used CPU cooler, you’ll want to ensure it has a warranty. In some cases, you may even get a rebate for the warranty.
Thing To Consider Before Buying
Here are some things you should consider before buying a CPU cooler.
Thermal Efficiency
Undoubtedly, having a great cooler will keep your CPU from overheating, but there are different types of coolers, each of which will have varying thermal efficiency.
Topping the list is the liquid cooling variety, which can reach upwards of 90 percent efficiency but will require a water pump and a radiator.In the middle is the air cooler, which can reach up to 70 percent but will need to run a fan to circulate the coolant.
At the bottom are the air coolers, which can only reach 30 percent or less but will still function without a fan. As you can see, air cooling is the most cost-effective option, but you won’t be able to reach the same temperatures as liquid cooling.
Cooler Size
The next thing to consider is how big your cooler needs to be. Most overclockers use a small, compact cooler, so make sure you choose something that’s not too big.
Other Features
Finally, you’ll want to look at the features of your cooler. Some models come with USB and audio ports, which are useful. Others come with RGB lighting, which can add a nice touch.
Bottom Line
There’s no denying that a good CPU cooler is important for keeping your CPU from overheating, but the type of cooler you choose depends on many factors. You can choose from air, liquid, or hybrid coolers, all of which have different characteristics.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are interested in overclocking your CPU, there are four factors to consider before buying your CPU cooler: size, airflow, noise, and design. All of these have a huge impact on the overall performance of your PC. Keep that in mind when looking for the best CPU cooler for overclocking.
![9 Best RGB CPU Air Cooler [2023]](https://pcedged.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Best-RGB-CPU-Air-Cooler-450x253.webp)
![9 Best CPU Cooler [2023]](https://pcedged.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Best-CPU-Cooler-450x253.webp)
![5 Best CPU Coolers For i7-12700K [2023]](https://pcedged.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Best-CPU-Coolers-For-i7-12700K-450x253.webp)
![5 Best CPU Cooler For i9 9900k [2023]](https://pcedged.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Best-CPU-Cooler-For-i9-9900k--450x253.webp)
