CPU Coolers

CPU Cooler Benchmark

Tested Products

BrandModelTypeFan SetupReview Score
NoctuaNH-D15SAir1 x 140 mm90
NoctuaNH-U12AAir2 x 120 mm84.33
CorsairiCUE H115i ELITE CAPAELLIXWater2 x 140 mm84.33
Noctuachromax.blackAirN/A84
CorsairiCUE H150i RGB PRO XTWater3 x 120 mm83.33
NoctuaNH-U14SAir1 x 140 mm83.33
NoctuaNH-L12SAir1 x 120 mm83.33
NoctuaNH-U12S reduxAir1 x 120 mm83
SilverStonePF240-ARGBWater2 x 120 mm82.67
CorsairA500Air2 x 120 mm82.67
NoctuaNH-C14SAir1 x 140 mm82.67
NoctuaNH-L12 Ghost S1Air1 x 92 mm82.33
GELIDSIROCCOAir1 x 120 mm82.33
NoctuaNH-U12SAir1 x 120 mm82.33
GELIDPhantom BlackAir2 x 120 mm82.33
GELIDPhantomAir2 x 120 mm82.33
NoctuaNH-P1AirN/A82.33
CRYORIGR5Air2 x 140 mm82
NoctuaNH-U9SAir2 x 92 mm81.67
NoctuaNH-L9x65Air1 x 92 mm81.67
SilverStoneIceGem 240PWater2 x 120 mm81.67
ThermalrightTurbo Right 240/360 CWater2 x 120 mm
3 x 120 mm
81.33
SilverStoneHydrogon D120 ARGBAir2 x 120 mm80
RAIJINTEKLETO PRO RGBAir2 x 120 mm78.33
SilverStoneAR11Air1 x 92 mm78
RAIJINTEKPALLAS 120 RGBAir1 x 120 mm71.67
  • “Review Score” is an average of the three categories (Unboxing, Performance, Value).

Testing Methodology

To find out how the cooler performs, a total of three benchmarks are included. AIDA64 is used to run a CPU stress test. CPU, FPU and system cache are all stressed to create as much heat output as possible. Also, Cinebench R15 and Cinebench R20 are used to simulate real-world CPU load (like video-editing or rendering). It will be run continuously for three times.

Results will be taken at a 50% and 100% fan speed, controlled via the motherboard CPU PWM header. Stress test will run for at least 15 minutes. Once the CPU has reached the equilibrium temperature, we will record both the average and highest temperatures of the CPU package/hottest core with HWiNFO in the next 5 minutes.

TestbenchVersion 1Version 2
CPUAMD Ryzen 5 1600X @ 3.6 GHz (95W TDP)Intel Core i7-9700K @ 4.80 GHz @ 1.30 V (~150W TDP)
MotherboardMSI B350M GAMING PRO (its review here)ASRock Z370 Killer SLI
Thermal CompoundNoctua NT-H1Noctua NT-H1

Our Benchmark Results

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