Now it is very difficult to imagine life without using computers and various gadgets, because with their help almost everything is available to us. For some it is entertainment, for others it is a way of communication, for others it is a place of work and getting a good income. Since there is demand, then there is progress, today the average personal computer has the performance that prestigious institutions dreamed of just a few years ago. Yes, we ourselves notice that more and more powerful computers appear every year.
High power has a huge disadvantage - heat dissipation. If the load on the processor is high enough, then it consumes more power, and therefore generates a large amount of heat. And heat is a problem, because its excess leads to system malfunctions, and frequent and prolonged overheating of the processor can lead to the rapid destruction of the latter, since the processor requires constant cooling, especially if you overclock it heavily. That is why the cooler has become almost the most important part of a computer, though not the most expensive.
How to choose a good cooler for your computer by parameters (4 important points)
Above were listed the most basic aspects, knowledge of which is necessary when buying a cooler. We can only advise that when buying a cooler, touch its blades: they should not have any backlash, and they should also spin easily. Do not forget about the material from which the cooling radiator was made, best of all if it is aluminum.
Now on the market you can find just a huge number of coolers, but the best ones are from THERMALTAKE, COOLER MASTER and XILENCE. Of course, coolers from other companies may not be inferior in quality, but this particular trio is the most famous, and also these companies take care not only about cooling the system, but also think about the problem of excess dust. The aforementioned products from these firms collect less dust on themselves, and all because the coolers are covered with a special coating and made of a special material. This repels dust, which affects the operation of the cooler, and because of this, the temperature of the system, since the more dust accumulates, the more difficult it is for the computer to work.
- Almost silent and quite efficient processor cooler with two fans; 2 - Three-fan model with an eye-catching design; 3 - Budget model with two fans providing high-quality computer cooling. 1 - Virtually silent cooling system; 2 - Simple and stable system; 3 - This model has no analogues in its price segment in terms of cooling.
Computer components heat up during operation. The temperature of some parts rises slightly, while others get very hot. This applies most of all to the video card and processor. And if the first one was initially equipped with a cooling system, then the situation with the CPU is different. A running cooler protects the processor from overheating. Due to the rotation of the fan blades, an air flow is created, they can also remove heat. This is how the processor is cooled.
Without a cooler, the temperature on the CPU can reach critical values, so it runs the risk of failure. Liquid can also be used to cool the processor. Water systems are more expensive but also more efficient.
There are many parameters to consider when choosing cooling for your computer. And not only its effectiveness, but also compatibility with computer components. These parameters will be discussed in more detail in the list of the best cooling systems for the processor.
Top CPU coolers with one fan
Assessment (2018):4.5
Benefits: Popular cooler from a world famous company
Manufacturer country: China
Zalman CNPS10X Optima took the third place in the top coolers. This is a very popular single fan model. She found it due to its low cost with a fairly high quality. Supports a large number of processors.
The radiator, due to the material of execution, provides high thermal conductivity. The fan has wide blades, it can produce more than 1500 rpm. The noise level at maximum rotation reaches 28 decibels. The assembled weight is 630 g.
Assessment (2018):4.7
Benefits: Very reliable model
Manufacturer country: China
The second place in the rating is taken by the Noctua NH-U14S cooler. According to the assurances of the creators, the model is able to work flawlessly for more than one hundred thousand hours. The cooler is compatible with sockets: LGA2011-3, LGA1150, AM2 +, FM2 + and many others. Simply put, this model is suitable for cooling the latest and previous generation processors.
The cooler is equipped with six heat pipes. This increases its efficiency. The rotation speed can reach 1500 rpm. The fan's noise level does not exceed 25 decibels at peak. The cooler is quite large in size, it weighs 935 g.
Useful information block
When choosing a quality cooler for a processor, first of all, it is necessary to take into account several significant characteristics. They will determine not only the efficiency of the cooling system, but also its compatibility, as well as the overall reliability of the computer. Thanks to the right choice of cooler, it will be possible to fully unleash the potential of the central processor, bringing its performance to the maximum level.
- Socket. It should be borne in mind that processors from Intel and AMD have different connectors for connecting to the motherboard. Moreover, the sockets of the same company, depending on the model range, will be different. This is a very important point when choosing the right cooling system. After all, the connectors differ in the structure of the fasteners. And a cooler is already connected to them. Therefore, it is necessary to select a cooling system that is compatible with the socket on the motherboard. Otherwise, its installation is significantly complicated or becomes completely impossible. And attempts can lead to damage to the motherboard.
- Cooler dimensions. When the socket is selected, it remains to decide on the model of the cooler that is compatible with it. There are a lot of cooling systems on the market. They can differ in many characteristics, including in size. And here it should be borne in mind that the dimensions of the product differ depending on the purpose of the system. If a gaming computer is equipped, then a larger cooler is preferable for it. When the system is intended for office work, then a smaller cooling system is installed.
- Rotational speed. The quality of the cooler is determined by the final cooling of the processor. And the higher the rotation speed of the blades, the better the heat dissipation. This parameter is calculated as the number of blade revolutions per unit of time (usually per minute). In modern systems, the rotational speed of the cooler is automatically controlled. It will depend on the load on the computer. Therefore, the processor temperature will be kept at the same level.
Assessment (2018):4.8
Benefits: Quiet and high-quality computer cooling
Manufacturer country: China
And the first place in the rating is taken by the Thermalright Macho Rev.A. Reviews from a large number of users indicate that this is the best single-fan cooler in its price segment. This is also confirmed by numerous reviews.
The model is suitable for the latest processor lines. It provides excellent cooling performance even for gaming computers. The speed of rotation is adaptively selected by the system from 900 to 1300 rpm. And at the peak of the load, the noise produced is below 21 dB. The weight of the model is 870g.
Top CPU coolers with multiple fans
Assessment (2018):4.7
Benefits: Budget model with two fans
Manufacturer country: China
Opens the top best coolers for CPU with multiple fans Deepcool Maelstrom 240T. This is a very serious water cooling system with an aluminum radiator. This model is compatible with the most powerful new generation processors.
The cooling system is equipped with two fans, the rotation speed of which can reach 1600 rpm. At the peak of the load, the noise level reaches 34 dB, it will be clearly audible. According to the representative of the Deepcool company, the cooler will be able to work without fail for 50 thousand hours.
Assessment (2018):4.7
Benefits: Three-fan model with eye-catching design
Manufacturer country: China
The cooler got the second place due to a special system for changing the rotation speed, depending on the load on the processor. Thus, it turns out to maintain a constant temperature. This cooler weighs one kilogram.
Assessment (2018):4.8
Benefits: Almost silent and quite efficient CPU cooler
Manufacturer country: China
How to Choose a CPU Cooler | The basics (why more is better)
Any electrical circuit has resistance, and it is the principle of electrical resistance that is embedded in both the CPU and toasters. Electrical semiconductors have the unusual characteristic that they can change resistance from low to high when electrical current is applied in a certain way. These states are represented in the logic diagram as ones and zeros. Although the logic circuits in the CPU are not designed to heat anything, in fact we use small hotplates in computers.
Logic groups get very hot while processing data. Therefore, developers are faced with the task of preventing the melting of small pieces of glass on which these circuits are etched. To do this, they came up with heat sinks in the form of massive metal radiators - these are the key elements of the processor cooling system.
And yet the term "heat sink" means something that absorbs heat. Radiators help to dissipate a large amount of heat into relatively cold air by their fins, which increase the area of \u200b\u200bthe dissipating surface. Thanks to these fins, a standard CPU heatsink turns into a special type of heatsink, if you ignore the terminology. As with most radiators, their main principle of heat transfer is convection (and a little - thermal radiation), this is when heated air rises upward, being replaced by cold air from below.
The heat dissipation of a processor depends on its clock speed, voltage, circuit complexity, and the material on which the circuit is engraved. Some low-power processors require low-fins heatsinks to cool some low-power processors, but most desktop users want more performance, resulting in more heat that must be dissipated.
When natural convection does not quickly replace warm air with cold air, the process must be accelerated, which is achieved by installing a fan. The photo above shows a rare, all-copper cooler. Copper transfers heat faster than aluminum, but it also weighs more and costs more. To achieve the best price-to-cooling ratio and cooling-to-weight ratio, manufacturers often use a copper bar surrounded by aluminum fins.
Additional fans and increased surface area of \u200b\u200bthe heatsink increase the efficiency of the CPU cooler. Liquid cooling allows you to install huge radiators that are not attached to the motherboard, but to the computer case. A so-called water block is installed on the CPU, which transfers heat to the liquid. The pump is installed on the side of the radiator (as in the photo above) and pumps water (or refrigerant) through the channels of the radiator and water block.
Any of the solutions described above will maximize contact with the circulating air, but they will not work effectively if there is no good contact between the CPU and cooler surfaces. To fill the space between surfaces, use heat-conducting material , it displaces air, which acts as an insulator. Most CPU coolers come with it. In many models, it is immediately applied to the contacting surface. But enthusiasts often opt for third-party heat transfer compounds instead of factory-made materials, although our tests have shown that the difference between them is quite small .
For extreme cooling, refrigerant compressor units are used. Such systems are capable of lowering the CPU temperature much lower than the ambient temperature. But, as a rule, they use much more power than the processor itself. There are versions that compress and cool air to produce liquid nitrogen. However, serious concerns are caused by condensation around cold components, so even the simplest "refrigerators" are usually used only at exhibitions and competitions.
The bigger is better rule for coolers is limited in this case by the size of your case, but there are several other factors to consider. Since this article is written for beginners, we will only consider models from our list of the best cpu coolers ... It includes large air coolers (over 150 mm in height), low-profile coolers (up to 76 mm), medium-sized coolers (76 to 150 mm), and ready-made liquid cooling systems.
How to Choose a CPU Cooler | What about boxed coolers?
"Boxed" or "boxed" coolers are coolers that are supplied by CPU manufacturers with their products. They are usually not designed for increased processor heat dissipation during overclocking or for installation in the limited space of narrow computer cases. The motherboard typically lowers the fan speed to reduce noise and is the first to respond to a rise in CPU temperature by increasing the fan speed to its maximum. If, at maximum fan speed, the cooler is unable to lower the CPU temperature to an acceptable level, the system reduces the clock speed and CPU voltage. We call this process thermal regulation (throttling) or throttling. In the worst case scenario, you can see a picture where a droning computer is not able to provide the required level of performance.
Third-party coolers typically have a larger dissipation surface area, as well as larger fans that allow you to pump more air with less noise. The photo above shows from left to right: a water cooling system with a radiator for two 140mm fans, a large air cooler with two radiators, two generations of stock or boxed Intel coolers, and a wide low-profile cooler designed primarily for HTPC systems.
Included with the FX-8370 processors, AMD provides cooler Wraith , which is another attempt to raise the cooling efficiency of box coolers.
Temperature change during processor heating
Despite the good performance of AMD's new cooler, buyers are sometimes forced to buy third-party coolers as some high-performance CPU models ship without them.
Recently, AMD and Intel have begun supplying compact liquid coolers to meet the cooling requirements of very hot processors, and buyers do not need to turn to alternative brands. The growing popularity of mounts for 120mm fans in modern cases allows small SVOs to be installed in cases of different shapes and sizes, which compares favorably with air coolers of similar dimensions.
Heat dissipation of the processor is one of the main parameters that you should pay attention to when assembling a computer. The CPU is a key component that the entire system depends on. If it overheats, the forced cooling mode will begin, which results in skipping cycles, that is, the appearance of problems with the computer's performance. When the processor cannot cool down even in this way, it starts to shut down automatically so as not to permanently fail. It's probably not worth talking about the dangers of an abrupt shutdown of the computer, moreover, when it happens in an emergency mode of the central processor.
In order for the CPU to maintain an acceptable temperature, it needs additional cooling. That is why it is important to choose the right CPU cooler. There are many nuances that you need to pay attention to when choosing a processor fan, and it is also important not to forget about the main parameters when choosing it.
Why change the included cooler
On sale you can find central processors in OEM and BOX trim levels. In terms of performance, there are no differences between these CPU versions of the same model, and they differ only in the package bundle. The OEM version is only the central processor itself, while the BOX package includes a cooler.
Many users who do not have much experience in assembling a computer may get the impression that the ideal solution is to buy a BOX with a processor package, but this is not always the case. The coolers that come with the processor are often of mediocre quality, and they are not able to provide cooling of the "stone" under its high load. That is, if the CPU is purchased for an office computer, where it will not face more difficult tasks than working with a browser and a text editor, then there will be no problems with cooling the processor with a cooler from the BOX package. But if the "stone" is planned to be used in games and other resource-intensive applications, then you need to attend to the purchase of a more powerful cooler.
Modern processors have more than 500 million transistors, each of which heats up during operation. Due to the small area of \u200b\u200bthe CPU, such serious heat cannot be dissipated on its own, and an additional cooler is required to remove it. The more complex tasks are presented to the processor, the more efficient cooling is required.
How to choose the right CPU cooler
The most important thing when choosing a cooler is to match it to the characteristics of the processor. Obviously, the more powerful the processor, the more heat it generates under high load. Accordingly, he needs more cooling. The heat dissipation parameter of the processor is usually denoted TDP, and it is measured in watts. Paying attention to the heat dissipation of the processor, we must not forget that the models also differ from each other in the type of socket. Now let's consider the selection for each of the parameters in a little more detail.
Processor socket
A socket is a processor size, and it is designated: AM3 +, 1150, 2011-3 and other combinations of letters and numbers. Manufacturers are trying to standardize CPUs for certain sizes, but due to changes in production technology over time, there are already about a dozen of them available. A socket is the size of the connector on the motherboard where the rock itself is inserted.
Thus, when choosing a cooler for a processor, you should initially find out the processor model and check on the manufacturer's website in what standard size it is made. Coolers often fit multiple sockets due to the versatility of the mounts.
Heat dissipation of the processor
Having decided on the standard size, you need to look at the heat dissipation of the processor. You can find out information about the TDP parameter of a particular processor on the manufacturer's official website.
Choosing a cooler based on the heat dissipation parameter for a specific processor model is a little more complicated. The fact is that in online stores and on various sites it is quite rare to find accurate information about which cooler is suitable for processors with which TDP. However, renowned processor fan manufacturers, for example, Noctua, do not hesitate to provide such information.
If you cannot find information about a specific cooler model, you can use the data from the table below. Please note that the information in it is very approximate, and it is better to choose a fan option for the processor "with a margin".
How to choose a quality cooler
After selecting the cooler models by processor parameters, there will still be dozens or even hundreds of fan options that can be purchased. In such a situation, you should look at the reviews about the quality of this or that cooler, left by their owners. But it is better to independently reject the least quality ones from the available options by evaluating the fans according to the following parameters.
Cooler base
The area the cooler touches the processor plays an important role in cooling. Since the dimensions of the "stone" are fixed, it is practically impossible to increase this contact area. At the same time, some cooler manufacturers, in search of innovations, partially remove heat pipes based on the fan. Because of this, the contact area and efficiency of the cooler are reduced.
It is also important that the base is made without various patterns. It should be copper polished to a mirror finish. Before purchasing it is necessary to inspect the cooler so that there are no cuts, irregularities and other defects on its base.
Please note: In most cases, the cooler base is made of copper. This material is cost effective and efficient in terms of heat transfer. There are aluminum options, but they are significantly less effective. In this case, the copper can be coated with nickel, which makes it silver in color.
Heat pipes
On almost every modern cooler, you can see several heat pipes, whereas previously they were not used. The fact is that with an increase in the power of processors and an increase in their heat release, the existing cooling standards are no longer enough, and the manufacturers decided to use a proven option - the installation of heat pipes.
The copper tube is filled with liquid and sealed on both sides. When heated, the liquid heats up and turns into a gaseous state. The gas moves to the other side of the tube and thereby removes heat. The steam then cools down, turns back into water and returns to the base of the tube. In computer coolers, the process happens in much the same way, except that there is also a porous material inside, which is necessary for the liquid to return back, even when the pipes are in a horizontal position.
When choosing a cooler for a processor, you need to pay attention to how many pipes are installed. According to their properties, they do not differ much, depending on the size, therefore the quantity becomes the main criterion. The minimum allowable amount for cooling a modern powerful processor is 3-4 pipes, but the more the better.
Radiator
From the base of the cooler, the heat is transferred to the heatsink, which is made up of dozens of fins fitted over heat pipes.
A radiator can be of any shape, but it is important to remember some rules that distinguish a good option from a bad one:
- The larger the radiator area, the better;
- The plates should be thin, but abundant;
- Better when the radiator is made of copper.
Since the heatsink on the cooler is partially visible in an open computer, some firms try to make it the best possible from a design point of view. It can be of different colors, shapes, plates are made at unusual angles. If the above rules are followed, the design decisions have little effect on the quality of the cooler.
Fan
Some time ago, in pursuit of quiet computer operation, manufacturers did everything to abandon the active cooling element, that is, the cooler itself. However, a radiator without a heat dissipation element cannot cope with powerful processors, and fans in a processor cooler have not yet been abandoned.
When choosing a fan, it is necessary to pay attention to its size and, accordingly, to the size of the blades. Coolers with large blades are not only more efficient in terms of removing heat from the radiator, but also quieter. There is a misconception that the rotational speed of a cooler is much more important, but this is not so. Speed \u200b\u200bis an important parameter, but the diameter of the fan itself is more important. If you install a cooler with a small diameter of blades, but a high rotation speed in your computer, such a PC will make a lot of noise even when performing "office tasks".
Also, when choosing a cooler, you should pay attention to the type of bearing on which the fan is mounted. On sale you can find options made on rolling bearing (Ball Bearing) or sliding (Slide Bearing). Roller bearings, which are less noisy and have a longer service life, perform better.
How to install a cooler on a processor
Having chosen the right cooler, there should be no problems with its installation. Using special fasteners, the fan is installed over the processor, which is inserted into the slots of the socket. Most often, along with the cooler, there is a detailed instruction for its installation, which allows you to understand in general terms the principle of the fastening mechanism.
Important before installing the cooler. It is necessary to eliminate irregularities between the base of the cooler and the processor for maximum heat transfer. The processor will not be able to work for a long time without thermal paste, therefore it is forbidden to neglect this step.
Any computer enthusiast, and there are most of them on our site, should know– What parameters should you pay attention to when choosing a cooler for and how do these little turntables differ from each other? Should you buy a tower cooler or is the boxed version enough? FROMshould I put dropsy and what is Dissipated Power?I will try to answer all these questions today.
So, having come to the store to choose a little spinning friend for their processor, many users start to get their eyes running. And this is not surprising, today the market offers a huge number of models at a wide variety of prices. Coolers can be conventionally divided into three categories.
Boxes and coolers without heat pipes
The simplest models on the market, consisting of an aluminum plate with fins and a fan attached to them. Almost every processor model has two versions for sale.
The first one is BOX version (hence the name of boxed coolers), which includes the processor itself and a simple cooler without heat pipes included.
Second version - OEMwhich includes a bare processor. By the way, for boxed versions, as a rule, the warranty for the goods is much higher, but this is not the question today.
(BOX cooler DEEPCOOL THETA 9 for CPUIntel Pentium G4560)
As we can see, in this case the price is slightly different, and it differs precisely because of the cooler in the kit and the increased warranty.
And the first question that I am often asked: Should I take the BOX version or buy the turntable separately? It all depends on the price and purpose of your PC. In this case, the difference is 1250 rubles, which is quite noticeable. I advise you to take a boxed version of the processor if the difference does not exceed 400-500 rubles. Plus the bonus in the form of a big guarantee is never superfluous. As for the purpose of your computer, everything is simple, if your gaming or workstation is from the entry and middle price segment, then the boxed version will be enough for you. If your system is closer to the top-end options, or if it will undergo overclocking (during overclocking, the amount of heat generated by the processor increases greatly due to an increase in voltage on the stone!), Then you need to buy a more advanced fan model separately. The advantages of boxed coolers include low price and compactness. Of the minuses, they are not suitable for powerful machines and, due to their small size, they often work quite noisy. So we figured out the boxes, let's move on to the next category of turntables.
Liquid cooling systems or, more simply, "dropsy"
They are a copper base that is installed on the processor cover, a small pump that drives water, a pair of pipes and a radiator with fans.
The next question I am asked about cooling is whether to put dropsy? I will answer right away that no If we analyze all the pros and cons of these systems and compare them with the pros and cons of tower coolers, it becomes clear that the latter are much more expedient to purchase.
Tower coolers with heat pipes
The next category of processor cooling is tower coolers with heat pipes. They are a copper or aluminum base, from which there are several heat pipes, to which a radiator is attached. A cooler is already attached to the radiator.
If you compare them with water cooling systems, the first thing that catches your eye is the price. Dropsy is always much more expensive. This is the first reason why I advise against using them. Yes, they run a little quieter and cool a little better, but is it worth the double overpayment? Everyone decides for himself. The second reason is the complexity of operation and mandatory additional care. For the average user, checking the pump and water pipes every day is unnecessary hemorrhoids. In general, the final decision is yours, but I have outlined my position.
CPU cooler parameters
So, after you have decided on the choice of the type of cooling, you can proceed to the parameters on which the final choice of a certain model will be based. The first thing to look at is the type of sockets supported. Almost any online store has this characteristic. If not, then you know where to look - the manufacturer's website. I will analyze everything using my processor (i5 6400) and my cooler (DeepCool Gammaxx 400) as an example.
My pebble has 1151 sockets, respectively, and the cooler should be installed on the same socket.
Go ahead and look at the size of the turntable. It should fit into the case so that the side cover of the case closes quietly. By the way, I am often asked whether to close the case completely or leave it open. You definitely need to close! If the case is open, the air flow inside the system is disrupted and the cooling of the components becomes worse. It is also easier for dust to penetrate inside, and dust, along with high temperature (I never tire of saying this) is the main evil of computer hardware! I digress a bit, let's go back to the height of the turntable. The specifications for any case contain the maximum possible height of the processor cooler,
and in the characteristics of the cooler its height, length and width. I think it will not be difficult for anyone to compare these data.
The next very important parameter is power dissipation. The processor specifications always indicate the amount of heat generated by the processor itself.
It is heat dissipation that is the sworn enemy of our cooler, and it is with it that it fights every day to ensure the stable operation of our pebble. In general, a cooler should be able to dissipate all the heat generated by the processor. To do this, we look at the power dissipation column indicated in the characteristics of the turntable.
But in no case take a cooler with a power dissipation equal to the heat dissipation of the processor. The thing is that cooler developers often overestimate this parameter, so I recommend taking a cooler with a small margin. And if you are going to overclock your percent, then boldly multiply the TDP of the processor by 2 and get real heat dissipation. Of course, the amount of heat during overclocking depends on the degree of overclocking itself, but in any case, always take a cooler with a small margin.
Next, be sure to look at the size of the fan. If you read my last article about, then you already know the main rule when choosing cooling. The larger the blades, the better. The point is that small fans need to spin much faster to handle the same amount of air than large ones. And the faster the cooler spins, the more noise it makes and the faster it wears out, as a rule. Therefore, I advise you not to look at the parameter showing the fan speed per minute. It is more accurate to look, but make your choice based more on the size of the turntable. For example, a 120 mm turntable at 1200 rpm will be several times quieter and more efficient than an 80 mm turntable at 2400 rpm.
The next, no less important parameter is the maximum air flow.
The quieter the fan, the better.
