Tower cooling. Cooler location type

Every year more and more new models appear computer equipment and components. However, in pursuit of power and high performance, industry leaders high technology face natural problems. The processor, video card and other parts generate energy during operation, which is converted into heat and contributes to overheating system unit. This, in turn, entails frequent system malfunctions and breakdowns. The way out of the situation is to install a cooling system.

Types of CPU Cooling Systems

A high-quality system will not only avoid failure of seemingly completely new parts, but will also ensure speed, absence of delays and uninterrupted operation.

Currently, there are three types of processor cooling systems: liquid, passive and air. The advantages and disadvantages of each solution are discussed below.

Looking ahead somewhat, we can say that the most common type of cooling today is air, that is, the installation of coolers, while the most effective is liquid. Air cooling for the processor benefits largely due to its loyal pricing policy. That is why the article will pay special attention to the issue of choosing a suitable fan.

Liquid cooling system

The liquid system is the most productive method to avoid processor overheating and related breakdowns. The design of the system is in many ways similar to that of a refrigerator and consists of:

• a heat exchanger that absorbs the thermal energy generated by the processor;
• a pump that acts as a reservoir for liquid;
• additional capacity for a heat exchanger that expands during operation;
• coolant - an element that fills the entire system with a special liquid or distilled water;
• heat sinks for elements that generate heat;
• hoses through which water passes and several adapters.

The advantages of the water cooling method for the processor include high efficiency and low noise performance. Despite the productivity of the system, there are also plenty of disadvantages:

1. Users note the high cost liquid cooling, since installing such a system requires a powerful power supply.
2. The design ends up being quite cumbersome due to the large reservoir and water block, which provide high-quality cooling.
3. There is a possibility of condensation forming, which negatively affects the operation of some components and can cause a short circuit in the system unit.

If we consider exclusively the liquid method, then better cooling computer processor is the use of liquid nitrogen. The method, of course, is not at all budgetary and extremely difficult to install and further maintain, but the result really deserves it.

Passive cooling

Passive processor cooling is the most inefficient way to remove thermal energy. Dignity this method, however, they consider the noise capacity to be low: the system consists of a radiator, which, in fact, does not “reproduce sounds.”

Passive cooling has been around for a long time and was quite good for low performance computers. At the moment passive cooling The processor is not widely used, but is used for other components - motherboards, RAM, cheap video cards.

Air cooling: system description

A prominent representative of the most common air type of heat removal is a processor cooling cooler, which consists of a radiator and a fan. The popularity of air cooling is associated primarily with loyal pricing policy And wide choice fans by parameters.

The quality of air cooling directly depends on the diameter and bending of the blades. By increasing the fan, the number of required revolutions is reduced to effectively remove heat from the processor, which improves the performance of the cooler with less effort.

The speed of rotation of the blades is regulated using modern motherboards, connectors and software. The number of connectors capable of controlling the operation of the cooler depends on the model of a particular board.

The rotation speed of the fan blades is adjusted through BIOS Setup. There is also a whole list of programs that monitor the temperature increase in the system unit and, in accordance with the data received, regulate the operating mode of the cooling system. Motherboard manufacturers often create such software. These include Asus PC Probe, MSI CoreCenter, Abit µGuru, Gigabyte EasyTune, Foxconn SuperStep. In addition, many modern video cards are capable of adjusting the fan speed.

About the advantages and disadvantages of air cooling

The air type of processor cooling has more advantages than disadvantages, and therefore is especially popular compared to other systems. The advantages of this type of processor cooling include:

• a large number of types of coolers, and therefore the ability to choose the ideal option for the needs of each user;
• low energy consumption during equipment operation;
• Easy installation and maintenance of air cooling.

The disadvantage of air cooling is the increased noise level, which only increases during the operation of the components due to dust entering the fan.

Air cooling system parameters

When choosing a cooler for efficient cooling processor, special attention should be paid to technical aspects, because not always pricing policy manufacturer corresponds to product quality. Thus, the processor cooling system has the following main technical parameters:

1. Socket compatible (depending on motherboard: AMD or Intel based).
2. Structural characteristics of the system (width and height of the structure).
3. Type of radiator (types are standard, combined or C-type).
4. Dimensional characteristics of fan blades.
5. Noise reproduction capability (in other words, the level of noise produced by the system).
6. Air flow quality and power.
7. Weight characteristics (in lately experiments with the weight of the cooler are relevant, which affects the quality of the system in a rather negative way).
8. Heat resistance or thermal dissipation, which is only relevant for top models. The indicator ranges from 40 to 220 W. The higher the value, the more efficient the cooling system is.
9. The point of contact between the cooler and the processor (connection density is estimated).
10. The method of contact of the tubes with the radiator (soldering, compression or the use of direct contact technology).

Most of these parameters ultimately affect the cost of the cooler. But the brand also leaves its mark, so first of all you should pay attention to the characteristics of the component part. Otherwise, you can purchase a famous model, which will turn out to be absolutely useless during subsequent use.

Socket: Compatibility Theory

The main point when choosing a fan is the architecture, i.e. compatibility of the cooling system with the processor socket. Under an incomprehensible English term, directly translated meaning “connector”, “socket”, lies a software interface that ensures data exchange between various processes.

So, each processor has a certain space and types of mounting on the motherboard. This means, for example, that cooling an Intel processor will not work for AMD. At the same time, the ruler Intel models represented by both flagship and budget solutions. Cooling the i7 processor needs to be more efficient than for previous versions Intel Core, which is suitable for other processors on Intel based(Pentium, Celeron, Xeon, etc.) requires an LGA 775 socket.

AMD differs in that a standard fan is not suitable for components from this manufacturer. CPU cooling AMD is better purchase separately.

There are also visual differences in the sockets for AMD and Intel, which will somewhat help even an ignorant PC user understand the issue. The type of mount for AMD is a mounting frame to which brackets with hinges are attached. The Intel mount is a board into which four so-called legs are inserted. In cases where the weight of the fan exceeds standard figures, screw fastening is used.

Design characteristics

Not only socket compatibility is an important parameter. You should also pay attention to the width and height of the cooler, because you have to find a place for it in the system unit case so that the operation of the fan is not interfered with by other parts. If the cooler is installed incorrectly, the video card and RAM modules will interfere with the normal movement of air flows, which in this case, instead of cooling, will contribute to even greater overheating of the entire structure.

Type of radiator: standard, C-type or combined?

IN at the moment Fan radiators are available in three types:

1. Standard or tower view.
2. C-type radiator.
3. Combined view.

The standard type involves tubes parallel to the base passing through the plates. These fans are the most popular. They are slightly curved upward and are a more efficient solution for cooling the processor. Flaw standard type consists of what fits to the back or top side of the case along the motherboard. Thus, the air only passes through one circle of circulation, and the processor can overheat.

From this deficiency C-type coolers have been removed. The C-shaped design of such radiators facilitates the passage of air flow near the processor socket. But there are some drawbacks: C-type cooling is less efficient than tower cooling.

The flagship solution is a combined type of radiator. This option combines all the advantages of its predecessors, and at the same time is almost completely free from the disadvantages of the c-type or standard type.

Blade dimensions

The width, length and curvature of the blades affect the volume of air that will be involved in the operation of the cooling system. Accordingly, the larger the blade size, the greater the volume of air flow will be, which will improve the cooling of the laptop or computer processor. However, you should not go all out: cooling for the processor must correspond to other characteristics of the personal computer.

Noise level produced by the cooler

A parameter that cooling system manufacturers are trying to improve by almost any means is the noise level produced by the cooler. According to most users, CPU cooling should ideally be not only efficient, but also silent. But this is only in theory. In practice, it is not possible to completely get rid of noise during operation of the air system.

Small coolers make less noise, which is quite satisfactory for users who are not particularly powerful computers. Large fans create enough sound to be considered a problem.

Currently, most coolers have the ability to respond to the amount of heat generated and, accordingly, work at a higher active mode if necessary. The processor cooling program does an excellent job of controlling the need for active cooling. So, the noise is no longer constant, but occurs only when the processor is working intensively. CPU cooling program - great solution for small models and undemanding computers.

When it comes to adjusting the noise level, you should pay attention to the type of bearing. The budget, and therefore the most popular option, is the sliding bearing, but the stingy pays twice: having already reached half of its expected service life, it will make an obsessive noise. More a good decision are hydrodynamic bearings and rolling bearings. They will last much longer and will not stop coping with the tasks “halfway”.

Point of contact between the cooler and the processor: material

A cooling system is necessary to remove excess thermal energy from the system unit into the environment, but the point of contact between the parts should be as dense as possible. Here, important criteria for choosing a high-quality cooling system will be the material from which the cooler is made and the degree of smoothness of its surface. The highest quality materials (according to users and technical specialists) aluminum or copper have proven themselves. The surface of the material at the point of contact should be as smooth as possible - without dents, scratches or irregularities.

Method of contact of tubes with radiator

If there are visible marks at the junction of the tubes with the radiator in the cooling system, then most likely soldering was used for fixation. A device made using this method will be reliable and durable, although soldering has recently been used less and less. Users who managed to purchase a cooler with soldering at the point of contact of the tubes with the radiator note long term cooling system service and no breakdowns.

A more popular way of connecting the tubes to the radiator is lower-quality crimping. Fans manufactured using direct contact technology are also widely used. In this case, the base of the radiator is replaced by heat pipes. To determine a quality product, you should pay attention to the distance between the heat pipes: the smaller it is, the better the cooler will work, since the heat exchange will become more uniform.

Thermal paste: how often should it be changed?

Thermal paste is a paste-like consistency and can be of various shades (white, gray, black, blue, cyan). By itself, it does not provide a cooling effect, but it helps to quickly conduct heat from the chip to the radiator of the cooling system. Under normal conditions, an air cushion is formed between them, which has low thermal conductivity.

Thermal paste should be applied where the cooler directly touches the processor. The substance should be replaced from time to time, because drying out leads to an increase in the degree of processor overload. The optimal “service life” of most modern types of thermal paste, according to user reviews, is one year. For older and reliable brands, the replacement frequency increases to four years.

Or maybe a standard solution is enough?

Indeed, is it worth purchasing a cooler separately and even thinking about the cooling system? The vast majority of processors are sold immediately with a fan. Why then go into detail and buy it separately?

Factory coolers, as a rule, are characterized by low performance and high ability reproduction of noise. This is noted by both users and specialists. At the same time quality system cooling is a guarantee of long and uninterrupted operation of the processor, safety and integrity of the insides of the computer. The right choice will be the best cooling for the processor, which is not always a standard solution.

Computer technology is developing very, very quickly. Every now and then new versions of components appear, they begin to use innovative technologies and solutions. Modern manufacturers provide that the processor cooling system should also be improved.

Only a few companies now produce high-quality fan designs. Many brands try to distinguish themselves by compatibility with connectors various types, low noise level of their models, design. Top manufacturers of air cooling systems are THERMALTAKE, COOLER MASTER and XILENCE. Models from these brands are distinguished by high-quality materials and a long service life.

— Almost silent and quite efficient processor cooler with two fans; 2 — Three-fan model with eye-catching design; 3 — Budget model with two fans that provide high-quality cooling of the computer. 1 — Almost silent cooling system; 2 - Simple and stable system; 3 — Unparalleled in its price segment model by cooling level.

Computer components become hot during operation. The temperature of some parts increases slightly, while others become very hot. Most of all this applies 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, and heat can be removed by them. 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 they are also more efficient.

When choosing cooling for your computer, there are many parameters to consider. And not only its effectiveness, but also its compatibility with computer components. These parameters will be discussed in more detail in the list best systems cooling for the processor.

Top CPU coolers with one fan

Score (2018): 4.5

Advantages: Popular cooler from a world famous company

Country of origin: China

In third place in the top coolers is the Zalman CNPS10X Optima. This is very popular model with one fan. She found it due to the low cost and quite high quality. Supports a large number of processors.

Due to the material used, the radiator provides high thermal conductivity. The fan has wide blades and can produce more than 1500 revolutions per minute. Noise level at maximum rotation reaches 28 decibels. The weight of the assembled product is 630 g.

Score (2018): 4.7

Advantages: Very reliable model

Country of origin: China

The Noctua NH-U14S cooler takes second place in the rating. According to the creators, the model is capable of working trouble-free 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 processors of the latest and previous generations.

The cooler is equipped with six heat pipes. This increases its effectiveness. The rotation speed can reach 1500 rpm. The noise level produced by the fan does not exceed 25 decibels at its peak. The cooler is quite large in size, it weighs 935 g.

Block of useful information

When choosing quality cooler For a processor, first of all, there are several significant characteristics that need to be taken into account. Not only the efficiency of the cooling system, but also its compatibility, as well as the overall reliability of the computer will depend on them. Thanks to the right choice of cooler, you can fully realize your potential. central processor, bringing its performance to the maximum level.

1. Socket. Please note that processors from Intel and AMD have different connectors for connecting to the motherboard. Moreover, from the same company, depending on model range, the sockets will be different. This is very important point with the right choice of cooling system. After all, connectors differ in the structure of the fastenings. And a cooler is already connected to them. Therefore, it is necessary to choose a cooling system 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.
2. Cooler dimensions. When a socket is selected, all that remains is to decide on the cooler model that is compatible with it. There are a huge variety of cooling systems on the market. They can differ in many characteristics, including dimensions. And here it should be taken into account that the dimensions of the product vary depending on the purpose of the system. If you are equipping a gaming computer, then a large cooler is preferable. When the system is intended for office work, then a smaller cooling system is installed.
3. Rotation 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 calculated in the number of blade revolutions per unit of time (usually per minute). IN modern systems The cooler rotation speed is adjusted automatically. It will depend on the computer load. Therefore, the processor temperature will be maintained at the same level.

Score (2018): 4.8

Advantages: Quiet and high-quality computer cooling

Country of origin: China

And the first place in the rating is occupied by the Thermalright Macho Rev.A model. Reviews large quantity users say 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 even in gaming computers. The rotation speed is adaptively selected by the system from 900 to 1300 rpm. And at peak load the noise produced is below 21 dB. The weight of the model is 870g.

Top CPU coolers with multiple fans

Score (2018): 4.7

Advantages: Budget model with two fans

Country of origin: China

Opens the top best CPU coolers with multiple fans Deepcool Maelstrom 240T. This is a very serious water cooling system with 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 peak load the noise level reaches 34 dB, it will be clearly audible. According to a Deepcool company representative, the cooler will be able to operate without failure for 50 thousand hours.

Score (2018): 4.7

Advantages: Three-fan model with eye-catching design

Country of origin: China

The cooler received second place due to a special system for changing the rotation speed, depending on the load on the processor. This way it is possible to maintain a constant temperature. This cooler weighs one kilogram.

Score (2018): 4.8

Advantages: Almost silent and quite efficient processor cooler

Country of origin: China

The processor is the main element in the operation of a computer and is responsible for all calculations occurring in the system. When the "stone" operates, some amount of heat generation or TPD occurs. Cooling systems help prevent overheating and keep the processor in working condition. Currently, coolers and liquid cooling systems are mainly used - liquid cooling systems, or in common parlance - dropsy, although there is no water there. Cooling with liquid nitrogen has become somewhat widespread, but it is extremely expensive.

A standard cooler consists of a radiator and a fan, the number of which may vary depending on the model. The purpose of the radiator is to transfer heat from the processor cover to all its surfaces, greatly increasing the surface area with which the air comes into contact. The fan brings in cooler air, displacing hot air. Liquid cooling systems are more compact, more expensive, and remove heat better. The working fluid is initially distilled water with many additives and impurities that increase the bactericidal and galvanic effect.

We have selected for you the top 15 best coolers and liquid cooling systems for processors and motherboards.

Best Liquid Cooling Systems

Let's start with the top five best liquid cooling systems. If you want to get low temperatures, immediately pay attention to the 3-section options. It is worth noting that in Russia, unfortunately, prices are greatly inflated and it makes sense to pay attention to foreign sites. The section is represented by both serial and custom models.

5 ID-COOLING FROSTFLOW+ 240

Budget option for last resort
Country: China
Average price: 3782 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.2

If you have very little money, but really want a liquid lubricant, you can take FROSTFLOW+ 240. However, we would not advise taking risks and recommend saving some money and installing a tower cooler as a stopgap. Despite the possibility of cooling Intel processors i5/i7/i9 and the latest Ryzen from AMD, taking a two-section system with 700-1800 rpm is not the best idea.

The maximum power dissipation here is only 200 W with a pump output of 96 liters per hour. Everything would be fine, but its bearing is not hydrodynamic, but ceramic, which affected the price and overall reliability in general. According to the manufacturer, the bearing is guaranteed to work for its factory 50,000 hours at a noise level of 25 dB, which is not bad for this model.

4 Alphacool Eisbaer LT120

The best single-section life support system
Country: China
Average price: 6438 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.4

A copper radiator with thermal conductivity is almost 2 times higher than that of aluminum, and all this happiness will cost you only 6,500 rubles. This is definitely top, and considering that it has a quick locking mechanism for AlphaCool HF, which will allow you to expand the dropsy by adding, for example, a video card outline. However, in this case, the LT120 simply will not be able to simultaneously cool both components, so it is not recommended to take risks. There is no talk of overclocking here.

The system will fit all modern sockets, including Intel i5/i7 and AMD processors along with the new AM4 socket. The rotation speed of the turntable ranges from 550 to 1700 rpm, depending on the mode of use. The noise level is 29 dB, and the pump capacity is 70 l/h.

3 Cooler Master Liquid ML240R RGB

Great look
Country: China
Average price: 8930 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.6

Those who like to have a rainbow in their body will definitely like it Cooler Master Master Liquid ML240R RGB. For special purposes, there are 3 types of fans with different speeds, allowing you to combine components for better effect. The company has learned from the mistakes of the past and the model in the latest revisions leaks only in case of disregard and lack of care in terms of cleaning, and it is better to buy an additional filter altogether.

According to customer reviews, there is no difficulty in installation, which should also be added to the list of advantages. A nice addition There will be a tube of thermal paste included. Parts of the turntable fasteners are completely rubber and are separately screwed to the body, creating minimal background noise.

2 NZXT Kraken X62 (RL-KRX62-02)

Buyers' choice
Country: China
Average price: 12172 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.8

NZXT Kraken X62 (RL-KRX62-02) is one of the leaders in sales, but frankly speaking, 12 thousand is an overpayment, albeit for a beautiful appearance. By installing it in the case, you will get a real mirror inside, since the pump is made using the latest technologies. The radiator length is 240 mm, which eliminates the need to worry about the temperature of the “stone” under heavy loads.

Paired with the radiator are 140 mm fans with good speeds - 500-1800. The contact area with the block itself is rubberized, which significantly helps reduce noise levels and eliminate rattling. Contact pad The pump is completely copper, and on the reverse side there is a microchannel structure for rapid heat dissipation. All hoses are braided, which is good news, and the connection with the pump has an angle adjuster for adjusting it to the features of your unit.

There are several global types of coolers:

Boxing. The radiator is small in height and is made mainly of solid aluminum. The fan acts as a cover. The main advantage is low cost of production and manufacturability, which has a beneficial effect on cost. Manufacturers often use similar designs when selling kits with processors. For “stones” with a heat release of up to 65 W, this solution is considered acceptable. “Boxed” options cannot cope with large indicators. Is a dead-end branch.

Tower. By increasing the height of the fan and adding copper heat pipes to the aluminum bar, heat dissipation can be significantly improved. There are “towers” ​​with both vertical and horizontal fan locations. The first option is more widespread, but fundamental differences no in efficiency. The effectiveness of such a system depends on the diameter of the tubes, their number and indirectly on the size of the turntable. The more, the better the system will cool the air.

1 Arctic Liquid Freezer 360

6 fans – the best serial LSS
Country: China
Average price: 11,705 rub.
Rating (2018): 5.0

By purchasing this dropsy for a very reasonable price, in addition to a pleasant appearance, you will immediately receive 6 coolers in a set. Such a colossus will not fit into every box, so before purchasing, carefully measure the dimensions of your system unit.

The water block is made of copper and has impressive dimensions of 82x82x40 mm. The air is driven by 120 mm fans, creating an air flow of 74 CFM. The radiator is aluminum and does its job well. The maximum power dissipation is 350 W, and the Freezer 360 itself will fit perfectly on any modern processor. There is no backlight or speed control.

The best boxed coolers

Inexpensive, with low power dissipation and allowing you to save a lot of space in the case, boxed coolers. For processors such as i5-8400, i3-8100, i7-7700, they are quite sufficient, because there is complete silence even at night and stability does not suffer.

5 Deepcool CK-11508

For office PCs
Country: China
Average price: 290 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.5

The cheapest and weakest Deepcool CK-11508 in our top is suitable for office machines without overclocking, since it dissipates no more than 65 W of energy, but for such a price you shouldn’t expect more. The 92mm fan produces a modest 40.9 CFM. The noise is appropriate - only 25 dB.

According to customer reviews, the model will easily fit on LGA sockets 1150/1151/1155/S1156. The small contact surface is compensated by a good screw fastening and clamping force, but you should be careful not to overdo it, as it can be easily broken.

4 AeroCool BAS

Lowest noise level
Country: China
Average price: 595 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.6

Received the status of AeroCool BAS gaming cooler. The maximum power dissipation is 100 W; you can’t really drive 95 W processors on it, but it can handle the new Ryzen with a TDP of 65 units. The spinner is unregulated and the number of revolutions is only 1200 per minute. It's not much, but it's enough to complete all your tasks. The noise level is minimal – 19 dB, thanks to the wide 120 mm cooler.

Due to the compact shape, air intake comes from the side cover of the case, creating air sweat up to 55.6 CFM. The radiator is made well, the fins do not spring.

3 Cooler Master C116 (CP6-9GDSC-0L-GP)

For lovers of Intel processors
Country: China
Average price: 590 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.7

According to customer reviews, for 590 rubles you get an analogue of a boxed cooler, which has a copper core and is standard for Intel processors. Only LGA 775/1151 sockets are supported, but 1151 is compatible with 1150/1156/1155. The model can cope with cooling 95 W processors and below, its compactness and component base are excellent and do not need criticism. The kit includes an additional mounting plate, and the cooler itself is secured with screws to the motherboard.

The only thing is that the plate itself is made of plastic, which is why it can sag and eventually crack. Adjusting the speed is possible only with the help of a rheobass. Thermal paste has already been applied to the contact surface itself, which means you don’t have to shell out money for a tube.

2 Cooler Master CK9-9HDSA-PL-GP

Easy installation, high speed
Country: China
Average price: 800 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.8

“The more complex the system, the greater the chance of it breaking,” thought Cooler Master and released an extremely simple model CK9-9HDSA-PL-GP. Despite the modest size of the fan (95 mm), this option can spin up to 4200 rpm, creating a powerful air flow of 64.1 CFM. When using it, several nuances should be taken into account.

This "baby" is only suitable for AMD processors with sockets AM2, AM2+, AM3/AM3+/FM1, most of which are outdated. The presence of high speeds has significantly reduced the durability of the bearing and the guaranteed operating time is only 40,000 hours, and under maximum loads it begins to resemble an airplane turbine.

Liquid cooling systems consist of the following elements:

Water block - heat exchanger;

• Pump
• Tank
• Fans
• Hoses and tubes

When choosing a life support system, focus on dropsy with 3 or more blocks, in which case the differences with conventional tower coolers will be distinguishable. If you are assembling a small gaming PC, then you can purchase a single-section version.

Many people take such systems for beauty, often buying dropsy for 4-5 thousand, which is a waste of money. Such models not only cope poorly with their tasks, but also quickly begin to leak. Cheap options have a higher percentage of defects, but even the most expensive model can leak. The only correct solution is proper operation.

1 Deepcool ARCHER BIGPRO

The best solution for stock processors
Country: China
Average price: 955 rub.
Rating (2018): 5.0

We recommend Deepcool ARCHER BIGPRO as an inexpensive box. A simple and successful design with support for the new AM4 socket from AMD allowed the cooler to establish itself in the market as a popular one. Installation takes about 30 seconds with straight hands. The copper core greatly enhances heat absorption, resulting in a maximum power dissipation of 125W.

A nice bonus is the multi-directional fins of the radiator, which is why the heat is evenly distributed over the entire area of ​​the radiator. The spinner is capable of accelerating to 2000 rpm, pleasing with a low noise level both at the top and at the minimum speed. For your money - definitely top.

The best tower coolers

The most popular and in demand segment.

5 Deepcool ICE EDGE MINI FS V2.0

The most budget tower
Country: China
Average price: 717 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.8

Install ICE EDGE MINI FS V2.0 in your computer and ensure low temperatures for any Intel and AMD processors without overclocking. However, if the overclocking is weak, for example on the new Ryazhenkas, then the cooler can be used, but with extreme caution. In this case, V2.0 will be slightly more efficient than a standard box turntable.

Buyers in their reviews praise the versatility and this is completely deserved, since the package includes mounts for all modern processors. The low noise level is also pleasing, although the diameter of the turntable is only 82 mm. 2 copper heat pipes transfer heat to the radiator, which needs to be cleaned frequently, as it clogs quickly. The connection is made via a 3-pin connector. It is recommended to approach the installation carefully, since the fastenings, especially for AM3+, are a bit tight.

4 PCcooler GI-X6B

Best cooler for Ryzen overclocking
Country: China
Average price: 1700 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.9

Beauty, silence, low temperatures - these are just a small list of the advantages of this model. There are already two fans here, both with a diameter of 120 mm. This is enough to dissipate 160 W of heat, since 5 heat pipes cope with it at once. The only problem is the staple is a bit tight.

The coloring of the blades, heat pipes and lighting caused the price to increase; if beauty does not bother you, you can choose an alternative. In stress tests on the Ryzen 1800x, the temperature slowly rises to 85 degrees over half an hour, after which it does not rise at all. In general, we recommend it for connoisseurs and aesthetes.

3 Thermalright AXP-100R

Top solution for low profile systems
Country: China
Average price: 3770 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.9

Option for low profile systems. It's simply not better now. 6 heat pipes with a 100 mm fan are capable of dissipating 125 W of heat. There is no backlight or speed control. Optionally, it is possible to install a 120 mm turntable. Its height is only 6 centimeters, which greatly saves space inside the case.

The rotation range is also impressive - from 900 to 2500 rpm. This is not a standard, but for everyday tasks and slight overclocking it is quite suitable. The noise level at maximum speed increases to 30 dB, which is basically tolerable.

2 be quiet! DARK ROCK PRO 4

Liquid Cooling Buster
Country: China
Average price: 6700 rub.
Rating (2018): 5.0

2 fans and 7 heat pipes produce a killer 250 W of dissipated power. He sets records and competes with dropsy, showing the closest, and even superior, results of life support. The equipment is rich and matches the price category. A heatsink, turntables, mounting brackets, instructions, a screwdriver, thermal paste and mounts for Intel and AMD - you will find all this inside the package. The body is completely black, there is no hint of backlighting or other frills.

Compared to the 3rd generation, the “four” has become much easier to install without breaking your fingers and motherboard, Ryzen owners will be especially pleased. Each module consists of 42 aluminum plates, the distance between which is only 2 mm, which is the standard. According to customer reviews, this is an excellent device, but the price and weight of almost 1 kg greatly narrow the circle of fans of the model.

1 Thermalright Macho 120 Rev.A

The best professional model for overclocking
Country: China
Average price: 3160 rub.
Rating (2018): 5.0

Very quiet (25 dB), compact and convenient for installation on all modern processors. It will definitely withstand overclocking on all i5 and i7-8700K at 5 GHz. If you are going to buy it for Ryzen, then do not forget about the mounts that you need to buy separately for the AM4 socket. They cost about 225 rubles. There are also alternative option. Write to the company's Taiwanese support and provide a photo of the receipt and documents, after which the missing elements will be sent to you free of charge.

It has almost standard speeds in the range from 600 to 1300 per minute. The number of heat pipes is 5. The massive radiator has negative influence by weight and now it is 754 grams. Be careful when installing it on the motherboard, because PCB is now very thin. A small nuance - there is a “Direct” version on sale with a 140 mm fan, which provides better cooling and costs only 200 rubles more. There is also revision B, already with 6 tubes.

How to choose a cooling system for a processor?

When choosing a cooler, rely on several important points:

• Dimensions. Before purchasing, measure the width of your case if you are going to buy a “tower”. Many powerful cooler models are large and may simply not fit into the case.
• Processor heat dissipation. Choose a cooling system that can handle the heat generated by your stone. If the TDP of the “stone” is 95 W, then you should pay attention to models with a power dissipation of about 110 W. When overclocking a similar processor, you need to consider options from 120 W or more - it all depends on how hard you are going to “drive” the processor.

Let's touch on some nuances when purchasing:

• Distance between plates. The larger it is, the less pressure is needed for air circulation. The optimal distance is 1.5-2 mm.
• The larger the radiator area, the higher the heat dissipation efficiency.

To sum it up:

• If the processor is not overclockable, then choose a radiator 4-5 cm thick, with 3-4 pipes and 120-140 mm fans with a maximum low-speed fan. From 300-400 rpm.
• When the heat dissipation is more than 120-140 W, you need to go with the width of the radiator and no wide radiator can be quieter than a thin one, but this condition is leveled out with larger fan sizes.

To achieve high overclocking results, you need a sufficiently powerful cooling system. In our review we will look at several coolers of different types in different price categories and choose the best models for overclocking.

The temperature of the processor cores should remain at a fairly low level, with a decent margin up to maximum temperature TJMAX to not only protect the processor from overheating, but also provide high overclocking results.

As tests of various CPUs have shown, as core temperatures increase, power consumption also increases, while frequency scaling turns out to be worse than at low temperatures. It is no coincidence that many overclockers prefer to overclock the system on the balcony - in this case they can more effectively cool the central processor.

However, too much heat may accumulate under the distributor, and even the best air cooler in the world will not have time to remove it. In such cases it is required extreme cooling or other measures.

The CPU core itself, according to at least Mass market CPUs have a much smaller heat spreader (source: Intel)

This problem is well known for all Intel processors after the 2nd Core generation called " Sandy Bridge". In particular, the third and fourth generations" Ivy Bridge" and "Haswell", many users complained that Intel began to use less than efficient thermal paste under the heat spreader instead of higher heat transfer solder.

Due to these changes, the processors became hotter than their "Sandy Bridge" predecessors at the same clock speed and VCore, at high frequencies additional heating was 20-30 °C.

But Intel, with the Haswell Refresh generation, decided to meet the enthusiasts halfway by introducing "Devil's Canyon" processors, which featured improved thermal transfer material (TIM) under the heat spreader, which improved temperatures by about 5 °C. But for long work at high clock speeds Enthusiasts still prefer to remove the heat spreader and replace the TIM with liquid metal.

For some processors, heat does not have time to be removed from the chip and accumulates under the heat spreader. Therefore, enthusiasts modify processors (

Hi all. Let's talk about how to choose cooling for a computer, more precisely for a processor.

In general, any weather (in winter - batteries, in summer - sun) is a difficult time for our computer, because the temperature environment(and as a result, computer components) increases significantly, and therefore the cooling systems have to work at full capacity, trying to cool the ardent character of our iron friends.

However, standard coolers do not always cope with their task successfully, which leads to constant reboots, shutdowns and other problems that follow overheating of the computer.

As you probably remember, the article " " will help you identify overheating (and find out the temperatures of components in general), and today I will tell you how to choose the right cooler for, which, as a rule, has the hardest time of all.

Why do you need a separate CPU cooling system?

To begin with, I would like to explain a little why the processor needs cooling and why the cooler that is usually given in addition to the crystal (that is, to this very processor) is bad. No, seriously, there was no way to do without this part, because I am very often asked why the option that comes with the processor is so bad, because, they say, they are not fools and know what to put in the kit. Of course, I don’t argue that the computer works with such a cooling system, but there are a number of nuances here.

To put it very simply, the processor consists of huge amount little ones electrical conductors, each of which needs energy. And, as you know from a school physics course, energy does not disappear from the conductor - it goes from electrical to thermal.

Considering that a modern processor has more than half a billion transistors, the question of the need for cooling disappears by itself: the heat from them is enough to heat a small room. The processor cannot independently dissipate such an amount of energy: the area is too small, and the materials are not the same.

Therefore, with each crystal, manufacturers supply a simple cooler (if, of course, you buy BOX processor version, not OEM). To work on standard frequencies and at normal temperature it is enough, but for extreme situations (long warm-up, i.e., for example, working with a full-fledged processor-dependent application or game, high temperature environment (summer), overclocking, etc.) it is better to look for a more powerful model.

The fact is that under this very simple cooler supplied in the kit, the processor still gets noticeably very hot. No, the temperature does not reach critical, but it is still stable is high, and because of it, some chemical processes that continuously occur in the crystal are accelerated, as a result of which, firstly, it can simply fail faster, and secondly, it slows down and skips cycles. The main problem lies precisely in the fact that with a weak cooling system, the processor has.. mmm.. a small performance reserve. Look at all sorts of results tables on the Internet.

Even in an air-conditioned room, the temperature of the crystal under a standard knob rises to 73 degrees (and this is with the stand open, i.e. without the case). In a case where hard drives, video cards, disk drives, etc. live next door, the air can heat up under 60 degrees and the higher this temperature, the more difficult it is for the cooler, and the hotter the surrounding air, the more performance drops.

However, it’s also not worth going to the store and buying the first cooler you come across. In the world of cooling, sometimes the device is 3000 rubles may well be worse than the model for 1000 rubles and this is due to many factors, which we will talk about now.

Part 1: Cooler Base

Well, let's get started.

The work of any cooler begins... at its base, namely, at the place where it comes into contact with the processor. Here the cooler takes heat from it and transfers it to the cooling area. This process is called heat transfer, and its efficiency depends on two variables - area and surface material.

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It is usually unrealistic to come up with something superb here, because the dimensions of the processor are fixed, that is, the contact area cannot be increased, and there is only one material that is affordable and has high-quality thermal conductivity - copper (there is, of course, also aluminum, but it is less efficient).

It turns out that the maximum that the manufacturer can do is to make sure that, with all other components, heat transfer is carried out as efficiently as possible, namely... the base must be ideally polished.

Therefore, one of the first selection criteria is the “specularity” of the metal in the area of ​​​​contact with the processor, that is, ideally you should see your reflection on the surface, or at least not observe any significant irregularities or, especially, scratches, because they reduce contact area and reduce work efficiency.

Also beware of heat pipes “tearing” the base of the cooler (see photo above), as they also reduce the useful contact area. If you see that the tubes protrude from the total surface area, then it is better to put such a cooler aside and look for something else.

But what you rarely need to pay attention to ( common mistake beginners who believe that color always determines the material), this is the color, because copper is often coated with nickel.

Part 2: Heat Pipes

The next stage of work is the transfer of heat to the cooling surfaces. When the processors were weak and cold, this stage did not exist: the radiator was attached directly to the base and dissipated heat into the air. With the increase in productivity and the amount of energy released, heat transfer began to be taken more seriously - heat-conducting tubes appeared on coolers.

This invention is old and well known to many. U copper pipe seal one end, pour liquid into it, pump out the air and seal the other end. When heated, water absorbs energy and turns into steam, which rises to the upper (cold) part of the pipe, cools, condenses, releasing stored energy, and flows down. And so on ad infinitum.

Everything is the same in coolers, but with one caveat. When installed in the case, the cooling system is in horizontal position, and water cannot flow into the heating zone on its own. Therefore, the tubes are filled with porous material. Due to the capillary effect, liquid can move against the forces of gravity and move in any direction.

It is also difficult to come up with anything new at this stage, because the operation of heat pipes practically does not depend on their physical parameters, and therefore, as a criterion, one must rely on the number of heat pipes. Globally, the more, the better, but in general, three or four will do as a minimum (less is doubtful).

Part 3: body and components

The next phase of the cooler's operation is heat dissipation. This action takes place on the fins of the radiator, namely dozens of plates strung on heat pipes. It is here that the heat taken from the processor will be given to the air and it will be able to breathe more freely. The radiator can look whatever you want - developers are not shy about experimenting with shapes, angles of inclination, materials, and so on, but all this joy is subject to a number of rules, which are the next criteria for selection.

Firstly, the dissipation area should be maximum, that is, there should be as many radiator plates as possible, and the radiator itself should be as massive as possible. Secondly, the thinner the plates, the better, because the heat will be retained less. The requirements for the material of this whole thing are the same - high thermal conductivity, that is, copper should act as it. Some say that copper is not necessary in this phase and it is important to use it exclusively in the base and heat pipes, because given the high dissipation area, the radiator can also be made of aluminum. However, I do not really agree with this statement and I think that even here it is better to choose copper as a material. But see for yourself.

Part 4: active cooling, namely the fan itself

Well, the last stage of the cooling system for the processor is active cooling, that is, the cooler itself. Whatever the manufacturers say, a radiator with powerful processor If you can’t handle it, the limitation of available space and high thermal resistance (temperature drop per watt of heat dissipated) will not allow it.

Again, the use of a heatsink alone is questionable due to the weak release of dissipated heat from the case, which leads to an increase in temperature in the case and heating of other elements inside it.

Naturally, a fan helps overcome such problems: the powerful air flow created reduces the resistance of the radiator and increases the amount of heat removed.

The rule for turntables is simple: you need to look for the largest ones in size (and not, contrary to the opinion of beginners, in the number of revolutions). The larger the diameter of the impeller, the more air is taken in per revolution, which means the required rotation speed and, as a result, the noise decreases.

Tobish, taking the turntable 120 mm With 1200 revs and turntable 80 mm With 2400 and having compared them, we find that the first one is, firstly, more efficient, and secondly, much quieter.

By the way, in addition to the size and speed, you also need to monitor the type of bearing. If it says " Ball bearing"(swings) - we take them because they are quiet and last a long time. If " Slide bearing"(slips) - we put it off, because they make noise and quickly turn sour.

Part 5: choosing thermal paste

When buying a cooler, do not forget about thermal paste. Expensive and good coolers usually have it included or already applied to the surface, but for the rest it’s worth buying separately.

What is thermal paste? This is a layer of paste (just like toothpaste), the purpose of which, when applied to the surface between the processor and the base of the cooler, is to eliminate the unevenness of the contacting surfaces and remove all the air between them. Good thermal paste may well bring the temperature down 5-10 degrees.

Unfortunately, smart comparative tests There are almost no pastes, and those that are made do not correspond to reality. The fact is that to get into working mode, the paste needs about 200 hours, and as you understand, no one will spend that much time on each tube. So you need to choose it according technical specifications. Most important parameter- thermal conductivity. The higher the better.

Globally, it seems that he covered all the main points and did not forget anything. It’s probably impossible to be more detailed :)
As always, if you have any questions, want to add or say something, then write in the comments to this article.

By the way, do not forget that dust often accumulates between the fins of the radiator and it needs to be cleaned, which I wrote about in the article ". By the way, there are also a few words about choosing the right case.

As always, if you have any questions, thoughts, additions, etc., then welcome to comment on this article.

• PS2: I wrote a few words about cooling video cards.
• PS3: Thanks to my favorite magazine for help in writing the article “ Gambling addiction”.