Coolers

[SpellowHouse]

About four years ago, I ditched water cooling for a more traditional cooler, and currently am using a Noctua NH-U12A.

This performs very well, but recently some games have appeared that are pushing the cooler to it’s limits. Short-term temperatures have been bordering unacceptable, and later this year I want to get a new CPU so will be pushing 25% more heat, so I am figuring that the temperatures will cause temporary throttling.

In passing, the temperature spikes are for shader building. This seems to stress the CPU more than any test.

So, my question is, what are the best air coolers and AIO’s?

I am not concerned about price but I am concerned about the best performance and lowest noise.

I would prefer an air cooler but will move to an AIO if necessary.

My case can accommodate any size cooler. Including a 420mm AIO.

 

[Glanza]

If cost not an issue Noctua D15 G2 for air cooler.

AIO Arctic liquid freezer iii 420.

 

[mickyflinn]

Echo the above if you can fit a 420 then the Arctic Freezer is a no brainer.

It has a thicker rad than most so check clearance to motherboard if fitting in the top of your case.

 

[freddie64]

What case have you got and what CPU are you getting?

 

[Tetras]

In passing, the temperature spikes are for shader building. This seems to stress the CPU more than any test.

This is so bad it destroyed Intel's latest CPUs, so honestly: I wouldn't care about the temps in these moments if your CPU doesn't crash.

The Noctua UH12A should be perfectly fine for AMD's CPUs and I assume you're not going for an Intel build.