Keeping your gaming or workstation computers cool is very essential if you want them to operate flawlessly. Though stock coolers are okay, there are many types of CPU coolers that you can choose from, even on a tight budget. There are some great CPU coolers that go for as little as $50.
Due to the huge number of the best CPU coolers under 50, you’re guaranteed to find one that suits your needs just fine. These coolers are great and have features, and are pocket friendly. Some of the best CPU coolers under 50 include the following:
The Top List of Products
- Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition CPU Air Cooler – Best Compact CPU Cooler
- Vetroo V5 White CPU Air Cooler – Great for High Count Core Processors
- ARCTIC Freezer 34 eSports Duo CPU cooler – Best Duo Fan CPU Cooler
- Noctua NH-L9i Chromax Low-Profile CPU Air Cooler – Great for Small Builds
1. Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition CPU Air Cooler
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition CPU Air Cooler
Number one on our list is the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition CPU air cooler. It’s a great and highly effective CPU cooler that can handle both low and high-profile systems. This CPU cooler is not only aesthetically pleasing but also a bargain, given its level of performance.
Pros: Cons:
It’s compatible with a lot of processors manufactured by both Intel and AMD. If you’re using a less powerful processor, you can overclock it using this CPU cooler to improve its performance. The design of the fan blades helps pack more force when it rotates. The proprietary Silent Drive IC tech used helps to reduce power output and noise.
Highlights
Nickel-plated base: The Cooler Master Hyper 212 has 4 direct-contact copper heat pipes and a nickel-plated base. This helps to ensure that the heat generated gets a uniform transfer and your processor has maximum coverage.
Snap and Play: The fan bracket of the Cooler Master Hyper 212 has such an intuitive design that makes installing it quite easy. It also has a socket that is compatible with numerous types of Intel and AMD processors.
2. Vetroo V5 White CPU Air Cooler
Vetroo V5 White CPU Air Cooler
The Vetroo V5 CPU air cooler is currently one of the most popular CPU coolers under $50 on amazon. It’s a single tower air cooler with a 120mm RGB fan that keeps everything cool. This is because of the 48 aluminum heat pipes in the heat sink. It also has five copper heat pipes that improve its performance.
Pros: Cons:
To ensure your system remains cool at all times, the 120 mm fans of this CPU cooler can rotate at speeds of anywhere from 800 – 1700 RPM. The speed of the fans will determine the rate of airflow from the cooler. At maximum speeds, Vetroo V5 only produces a maximum noise output of 30.8 decibels.
Highlights
Five Direct Contact Heat Pipes: This is a unique feature, especially for budget CPU coolers and it helps improve the cooling functionality. These pipes are coated with a thermal paste and are installed in an effective setup.
PMV Smart Control: Vetroo V5 has a 4-Pin PWM control that offers active speed adjustments. The rotations adjustments range from 800 – 1700 give or take 10% RPM. This control helps improve airflow and minimize the noise made by the fans.
3. ARCTIC Freezer 34 eSports Duo CPU Cooler
ARCTIC Freezer 34 eSports Duo CPU Cooler
The ARCTIC Freezer 34 eSports Duo is a great CPU cooler for gaming computers. If you use your system too much and are concerned about the heat, you should look into an ARCTIC Freezer as it’s one of the best CPU coolers under 50.
Pros: Cons:
It’s a great cooling system for anyone looking to purchase a CPU cooler on a budget. It has a dual fan and four different copper pipes coated with a unique thermal coating to prevent heat transference. Since the setting conducts heat easily, it’s designed as a good insulator to protect the processor.
Highlights
Thermal Coating: This CPU cooler has a unique thermal coating that helps improve its heat dissipation compatibility. Other than the thermal coating, this cooler also has a heat sink with 54 cooling fins and heat pipes that produce the best heat dissipation system. Using thermal coating and offset heat pipes improves the cooling performance of the CPU cooler.
Dual-Fan Technology: The ARCTIC Freezer comes with dual fans that are set in a push-pull configuration. They are 120 mm PWM fans and they help improve the performance of the cooler such that it can easily keep your gaming system even when you use it for a long time.
4. Noctua NH-L9i Low-Profile CPU Air Cooler
Noctua NH-L9i Low-Profile CPU Air Cooler
Noctua NH-L9i is one of the smallest CPU coolers on the market and it can fit in all kinds of systems. It’s 37 mm, with a 95×95 mm footprint, ensures that it works efficiently with either Micro-ATX or ITX motherboards.
Pros: Cons:
Though this low-profile CPU cooler has a compact design, its fan doesn’t make noises even when you’re pushing your systems at full speed. This is thanks to the inbuilt SSO bearing that decreases the sound decibels being produced.
Highlights
100% RAM Compatibility: This cooler’s compatibility with RAM is great as it prevents any issues with chipset coolers. It also ensures your RAM slots function properly, improving their compatibility with tall memory modules.
Ultra Compact: Noctua NH-L9i Chromax is one of the most compact CPU coolers on the market. At a height of just 37 mm, this CPU cooler consists of a low-profile A9x14 fan and a slim 23 mm heatsink.
Buying Guide
There are several factors that you should consider before purchasing a CPU cooler. These factors help ensure that you get an ideal and effective model for your specific type of computer. Some of them include:
• CPU Cooler Size
First, you need to consider the size of your computer case. This will help you narrow down your search by eliminating any CPU coolers that don’t fit properly in your laptop. In case you have a small computer, you should go for a compact CPU cooler.
When purchasing your cooler, ensure it has enough space to keep the memory stick far from the cooler itself. You should also check the height of the CPU cooler you want to buy and ensure that it fits properly in your computer case.
• Socket Type
Secondly, you need to check the type of socket that is compatible with your computer. The socket plays an important role as it connects the CPU cooler to the processor. There are two main types of sockets depending on the manufacturer.
Your computer will either have a processor manufactured by Intel or AMD. These two manufacturers use different socket designs, so ensure you know who designed your processor before purchasing a CPU cooler.
• Thermal Design Power (TDP) Rating
The next factor you should consider is the TDP rating as it tells you whether a CPU cooler is an ideal choice for your computer. To ensure that your computer is functioning optimally, you need to buy a CPU cooler with a higher TDP rating than your processor.
The best CPU coolers under 50 tend to have a TDP rating that ranges from 90 – 150 W. This amount of power is enough to keep a mid to high-end processor cool enough to function properly. If you choose the right cooler, it will be able to blow out all heat that comes from the graphics or central processor.
• Noise
The noise that comes from a CPU cooler is made by the fans that spin super-fast to ensure the processor doesn’t overheat. The sound of the fans will depend on their size and speed; big fans rotate slowly and don’t make lots of noise, whereas smaller fans are likely to make a lot more noise.
Some of the best CPU coolers under 50 are capable of great performance with minimal to zero noise output. The noise is normally unnoticeable unless you’re working or gaming in a quiet room. Freeing up RAM by shutting down some programs can be a short-term solution to reducing the fan’s noise.
FAQs
1. How many types of CPU coolers are there?
There are several types of CPU air coolers that you can choose from and they include dual-tower air coolers, single-tower air coolers, and low-profile coolers. Low-profile coolers are great for compact systems.
2. What are single-tower and dual-tower CPU coolers?
Most of the best CPU coolers under 50 fall under the single-tower air coolers category. They are the most common as they cost less to produce. Though they only have one fan, they come with extra fan clips if you need an additional cooling fan.
There aren’t many dual-tower air coolers in the $50 range. They consume extra power due to an additional fan; dual fans also double the noise output of your system, especially when you’re running at full speed.
Conclusion
If you want to get your hands on the best CPU coolers under 50, you need to consider the factors we’ve provided in this article. Ensure that the CPU cooler you want to purchase is compatible with your PC, and go for a cooler that will fit in the chassis of your computer. Though fan noise might not be audible in a quiet environment, you should still look for coolers that produce minimal to zero sound.
Picking the ideal cooler also depends on your taste and the type of system you might be assembling. If aesthetics are important to you, go for a cooler that comes with RGB. You need a cooler that will be capable of working efficiently without draining your power. You can even go for one that can overclock your current processor to improve efficiency.
