Best AM3+ & AM4 air cooler?

[AssemblerX86]

Hi,

I know that water cooling is better overall than air coolers, but I don't really want to use them as I've heard many problems regarding them such as pumps getting broken, liquid drying, etc... And I am considering using a cooler for an AM3+ CPU for a while then upgrading to AM4 while still using the same cooler, so I don't want its MTTF to decrease by much.

In my local store, I have got the following options:
- CM Hyper 212 LED Turbo
- CM MA410P & MA610P (Not many reviews regarding those online)

- I can also buy any cooler available on Amazon.

I do want to overclock my CPU, so I want a decent cooler with good performance.

I know the Noctua NH D15 and CRYORIG H7 are considered the best by many, but they don't support both sockets simultaneously (Not AM3+ and AM4, either this or that), so they don't suit me. My case fits a CM Hyper 212 EVO, so it should fit any cooler.

My budget is $100 (Maximum).

 

[rubix_1011]

I've personally tested both the MA410P and MA610P (actually every cooler linked below):

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cooler-master-masterair-ma410p-cpu-cooler-review,5478.html
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cooler-master-masterair-ma610p-cpu-cooler,5423.html

but if your budget is $100, you can easily do better than either.

If you want to stay with Cooler Master, look toward the MA410M TUF and the MA620P TUF (I literally am putting finishing touches on writing these up, as a matter of fact)

https://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-MasterAir-Addressable-MAM-T4PN-AFNPC-R1/dp/B07CPY316M
https://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-MasterAir-Dual-Tower-MAP-D6PN-AFNPC-R1/dp/B07CPY5LP1

Otherwise, I am a big fan (pun intended) of both the Dark Rock 3 and 4 and Pro models for each - some of the most impressive build quality I've ever seen on a big air tower.

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/be-quiet-dark-rock-4-cpu-cooler,5563.html
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/be-quiet-dark-rock-pro-4-cpu-cooler,5559.html

If you're looking toward the cheaper side of things, the FSP Windale 4 and Windale 6 were good coolers on a budget.

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fsp-windale-6-cpu-cooler,5427.html
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fsp-windale-4-cpu-cooler,5482.html

 

[AssemblerX86]

I've personally tested both the MA410P and MA610P (actually every cooler linked below):

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cooler-master-masterair-ma410p-cpu-cooler-review,5478.html
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cooler-master-masterair-ma610p-cpu-cooler,5423.html

but if your budget is $100, you can easily do better than either.

If you want to stay with Cooler Master, look toward the MA410M TUF and the MA620P TUF (I literally am putting finishing touches on writing these up, as a matter of fact)

https://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-MasterAir-Addressable-MAM-T4PN-AFNPC-R1/dp/B07CPY316M
https://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-MasterAir-Dual-Tower-MAP-D6PN-AFNPC-R1/dp/B07CPY5LP1

Otherwise, I am a big fan (pun intended) of both the Dark Rock 3 and 4 and Pro models for each - some of the most impressive build quality I've ever seen on a big air tower.

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/be-quiet-dark-rock-4-cpu-cooler,5563.html
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/be-quiet-dark-rock-pro-4-cpu-cooler,5559.html

If you're looking toward the cheaper side of things, the FSP Windale 4 and Windale 6 were good coolers on a budget.

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fsp-windale-6-cpu-cooler,5427.html
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fsp-windale-4-cpu-cooler,5482.html

The TUF CM coolers are better than the Dark Rock Pro 4? And how is the Dark Rock Pro 3 better than 4 (According to your tests)? Isn't 4 newer than 3?

What does 250W TDP mean here? https://www.bequiet.com/en/cpucooler/1378

That it uses 250W power from my PSU? Or that its capable to cool 250W processors?

 

[SkyBill40]

What does 250W TDP mean here? https://www.bequiet.com/en/cpucooler/1378

That it uses 250W power from my PSU? Or that its capable to cool 250W processors?

250W TDP means that it is able to adequately handle up to a processor with a thermal output matching that rating (be it stock or OC'd) and effectively cool it. Anything generating more than that would require a larger cooler.

 

[scout_03]

if the h7 comes with this plate it will also support am3 + and am4 http://www.cryorig.com/getam4.php

 

[DavePDX50]

Note that Noctua does a great job of supplying mountings for CPU coolers free of charge. If you do like the Noctua NH-D15 then you can buy the AM3+ version and then provide proof of purchase via an online form (2nd link) and Noctua will send out free of charge the NM-AM4 Mounting kit. It comes from Austria so it takes a while to be delivered. I upgraded my NH-D14 to my Ryzen 2700X system 6 or so weeks ago and it took about 3.5 weeks for the NM-AM4 kit to arrive.

https://noctua.at/en/nh-d15/faq

https://noctua.at/en/nm-am4-mounting-kit

 

[rubix_1011]

There is some minor difference in cooler performance on the test rig in that we're pushing 4.2 ghz on all 6 cores and really stressing coolers. I have re-tested the Dark Rock Pro 3 and it falls in-line with updated adjustments and CPU loads vs. that of the DR4Pro.

I wouldn't regard the TUF coolers better than the Dark Rock coolers...the be quiet! coolers fared better in thermal load testing than any of the CM products listed above while also turning in lower decibel readings.

 

[techNOguy123]

For my Ryzen 7 1700 (3.9GHz@1.344v/140w, prime95 small FFTs), I have used both a Hyper 212 LED Turbo ($20, 28c/55c, 160w TDP) and Masterliquid 240 Lite ($38, 26c/48c, 210w TDP). Both were purchased at newegg while monitoring slickdeals and both included AM3 and AM4 brackets. Performance wise, the 212 is comparable to a 120mm AIO and the ML240L is comparable to a D15/DRP4.