Air Cooler Type — 4 CPU Coolers Compared

Decision table

Air Cooler Type: which one for what?

The 4 models on this page are scored only against each other, for the use you pick. Scores come from the spec sheets; no price and no advertising go in.

What will you use it for? Gaming Quiet operation Content Creation

Leads for Gaming: Corsair A11563%

Leads for Quiet operation: Noctua NH-D15 G276%

Leads for Content Creation: Corsair A11563%

#1#3#1
Corsair A115Corsair
Air Cooler · 33.9 dB(A) · 164.8 mm
63% 50% 63%
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Gaming
Why it ranks here
Nothing stands out for this use; the score comes from overall balance.
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Content Creation
#2#1#2
Noctua NH-D15 G2Noctua
Air Cooler · 24.8 dB(A) · 168 mm
51% 76% 53%
Why it ranks here
Nothing stands out for this use; the score comes from overall balance.
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Quiet operation
- 24.8 dBA maximum noise
Why it ranks here
- 6-year warranty
#3#4#3
Arctic Freezer 36Arctic
Air Cooler · 159 mm
46% 45% 48%
Why it ranks here
- 31 months on the market — a successor may be near
Why it ranks here
- 31 months on the market — a successor may be near
Why it ranks here
- 6-year warranty
- 31 months on the market — a successor may be near
#4#2#4
be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5be quiet!
Air Cooler · 270 W · 32.3 dB(A)
45% 64% 45%
Why it ranks here
- 35 months on the market — a successor may be near
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Quiet operation
- 32.3 dBA maximum noise
- 35 months on the market — a successor may be near
Why it ranks here
- 35 months on the market — a successor may be near