What is the BEST CPU Cooler on the Market at the moment??

[Joss Rushton]

Just wondering,

What is everyone's thought on what CPU cooler that is out at the moment that is the best of the best?? Fan, Fanless Liquid Cooler, whatever!

 

[rolli59]

http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=productview&products_id=34&lng=en&set=2

 

[lowriderflow]

a custom water loop is of course the best... but for consumer grade, I'd say the Corsair H100i

 

[RobCrezz]

Custom loop is best.

I like the H105 best for the AIO liquid coolers.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

http://www.vortez.net/articles_pages/phanteks_ph_tc14pe_cpu_cooler_review,14.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5lAbnPml4o

Big 3 Air coolers .... in order of thermal performance, best to last .... Phanteks is also cheapest and best aesthetics.

$ Phanteks PH-TC14-PE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835709001
20% off w/ promo code EXLEMCPEPB35, limited offer

$87 - Thermalright Silver Arrow
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/11676/cpu-tri-77/Thermalright_Silver_Arrow_Dual_160mm_x_140mm_Fan_Universal_CPU_Cooler_Sockets_775_1156_1366_AM2_AM2_AM3.html

$78 - Noctua DH-14
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608018

AIO Coolers - Do ya noise homework here. personally I haven't seen an AIO I would take over the Big 3 above. Simply put, at comparable noise levels they have no thermal advantage. The Corsair H110 is on I could put up with as it has comparable noise and performance to the Noctua. But it's a lot more money and introduces the risk of water in the system for no corresponding benefit. You can listen to the vaccum cleaner like sound of a H100i here

http://martinsliquidlab.org/2013/03/12/swiftech-h220-vs-corsair-h100i-noise-testing/

$100 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181035

Custom Loops - Of course custom water loops sit at the top.....An Alphacool X45-280, EX Supremacy Water Block, EK Res-3 and any D5 pump will do very well on a CPU .... all of which can be found below

http://www.frozencpu.com/

 

[RobCrezz]

Yup the best air coolers are up there with the best AIOs. The main benefit for the AIOs is aesthetics if you have a windowed case - main reason I got the H105.

 

[Dblkk]

custom loop is best. Price based on what you want. CPU block goes $75-100. Depending on how many radiators you want and what size figure about $75-125 a piece, pumps depending how many and how good factor $50-250, reservoir depending what size and style I guess $20-100, fittings about $5-10 a piece x how many you need ( I needed about 20, tubing depending what size, total length, and colars $20-50, fans depending how large you radiators are $20-30 a piece, then add in extras such as lighting, thermostat, monitors, fill/drain valve ect can run you another $100, if you want ridged tubing that could run $100-300, gpu water blocks around $50 for universal or $100-150 for full water blocks.