A good processor cooler is an important part of the computer. Besides appearance and size, there are two aspects that are important when choosing a cooler: noise production and cooling performance. These are two issues that are in fact at odds with each other, so the best cooler offers a balance between them. Which CPU cooler should you buy then?

Every year, we test a mountain of processor coolers, gathering and processing large amounts of test data into comparative tests of air coolers and water coolers. In this article we will take a different approach and give you specific tips for which cooler to buy, depending on your wishes and budget. Looking for the lowest temperature? The answer is here! Would you rather have a good mix between cooling performance and noise? We have it too! Looking for an affordable model, or a water cooler? In this article we will tell you directly which model a good choice is.