In March 2022, SilentiumPC (now Endorfy) released the Spartan 5 MAX cooler, which cost about PLN 100 at the time, and it won the heart of our editorial colleague, Łukasz. In our review, we praised it for its very high performance, high work culture, high-quality FDB Fluctus 120mm fan, pre-applied thermal paste that performs well, wide compatibility with popular sockets, and a long 6-year warranty.
At that time, we believed that we would not find anything better on the market for up to PLN 100. So, if you’re looking for a really good cooler for a less power-hungry processor and don’t plan on spending more, the Endorfy Spartan 5 MAX won’t disappoint you.
Endorfy Fera 5 – the newcomer that sweeps everything aside
Fera 5 appeared on the market in 2021, but since it is still available in stores under both the SilentiumPC and Endorfy names, we couldn’t overlook it. In our review, this cooler received almost all the accolades we could give. We praised it for its high performance, good work culture with the option for semi-passive operation, high-quality Fluctus 120mm fan (dual fans version), low price, and a 6-year warranty. We had to pay about PLN 119 for this set, and although today we’ll have to spend a little more, about PLN 125-135, it’s still worth it if you want to buy a quiet and efficient cooler.
Fera 5 is a small (155 x 127 x 77mm) piece of cooling, consisting of a densely finned radiator (56). In this case, four 6mm heat pipes are responsible for heat transfer, and a high-quality Fluctus 120mm PWM fan is used to dissipate the accumulated heat. At 38 dBA (Core i9-9900K 4.3 GHz 1.1V in Prime 95), Fera 5 was able to outperform even such setups as the Arctic Freezer eSports DUO, SPC Grandis 3, or even the much more expensive Dark Rock Slim.
be quiet! Pure Loop 2 240mm
be quiet! is known for producing high-quality cases, power supplies, and computer cooling solutions. Our recommended Pure Loop 2 240mm offers quite a lot for this type of setup. This liquid cooler will even work well with slightly more power-hungry central processing units (CPUs). Two 120mm fans provide optimal airflow and good work culture, while the ARGB lighting on the block adds an excellent look that complements the overall design.
The be quiet! Pure Loop 2 240mm is compatible with Intel sockets 1700, 1200, 1155, 1151, 1150, and AMD sockets AM4 and AM5. It measures 140mm x 321mm x 240mm, making it suitable for even more compact computer cases.
Noctua NH-D15 – the monster still reigns
The Noctua NH-D15 is the direct successor to the dual tower NH-D14 model. It is not a new product anymore, as it has been on the market for several years – which of course doesn’t detract from its value. As we know, a successor to a legend can only… create a new legend. And so, the NH-D15 has a slightly larger heat dissipation surface and an extra heat pipe. The fan configuration has also changed a bit – the previous model had one 120mm fan and one 140mm fan. Now, both fans are 140mm (oversized type with 120mm mounting holes).
For some, what may be important is that they are also faster and spin at a declared speed of 1500 RPM (actually slightly faster), with a 4-pin PWM connector. So, there is no need to use any adapters to slow them down – the motherboard itself can provide very quiet operation. Nevertheless, the manufacturer includes such adapters, as is tradition. They slow down the fans to 1200 RPM. The Noctua NH-D15 is currently one of the best “tower” type cooling solutions. It is expensive, yes, but incredibly efficient and quiet.
Arctic Liquid Freezer II 240 – efficient mid-range AiO
The first All-in-One (AiO) cooler in our compilation appeared in 2021, but because it performs very well even against newer competition, it couldn’t be missing here. We had the pleasure of testing the Arctic Liquid Freezer II 240 RGB, and in our review, we praised it primarily for its high build quality, performance, quiet operation, good fans, attractive RGB lighting with support for popular ecosystems like Aura Sync or Mystic Light, additional features such as thermal paste, easy installation, and a 6-year manufacturer’s warranty. The RGB version is available for about PLN 450, which seems like a very reasonable price considering its overall capabilities, although it is rarely available in stores anymore. That’s why this time we decided to include the regular version without lighting.
The Arctic Liquid Freezer II 240 RGB is a compact AiO solution with dimensions of 298mm x 121mm x 38mm, and the depth increases to 63.4mm after installing the fans. Therefore, it’s worth ensuring that you won’t be surprised by a potential collision with memory modules installed on the motherboard before making a purchase.
FAQ
What is CPU cooling?
CPU cooling is a computer component responsible for maintaining the appropriate temperature of the processor. This is important because high temperatures can lead to a decrease in performance and hardware failures. CPU coolers can be made of various materials and equipped with fans or liquid cooling systems.
What is All-in-One (AiO)?
All-in-One (AiO) is a type of CPU cooling solution that consists of a closed-loop liquid system. Unlike traditional coolers, AiO does not require separate assembly and maintenance because the entire system is ready to use and does not contain components that can be adjusted or replaced.
Sources:
– Ceneo.pl
The source of the article is from the blog foodnext.nl