Electronic devices are a complex combination of materials, and they mainly consist of conductors. The flowing electrons through these conductors result in powerful computational devices like a computer. As a natural phenomenon, whenever power consumption is increased, heat production is increased. In Computer CPU work in a similar way. Suppose you increase the amount of work that the CPU has to do, like Gaming, encoding, and rendering. It will cause more electrons to flow and subsequently increase heat production. This heat needs to be removed as it can negatively affect your performance, like thermal throttling and hardware damage. To avoid such problems, you need the best low profile cpu cooler.
There are some with huge sizes and designed for extreme overclocking, but they cannot fit every case. SFF cases and HTPC are gaining market share, but they require small coolers for accommodation. The space between the CPU socket and chassis panel is limited. That’s where low-profile CPU coolers come in. They can keep your CPU cool and still occupy a fraction of space than regular full-sized coolers. They are efficiently designed with high heat removal capacity, and some even offer overclocking potential. For overclockers, we have compiled a list of CPU coolers so that you can decide the best low profile cpu cooler for overclocking.
Quick Shopping Tips:
Base Height: It is the height of the cooler that is installed on the CPU. It starts from the top of the CPU socket to the top of the cooler. This height is significant for small form factor (SFF) cases or home theatre PCs (HTPC) as they are designed for small-sized components like a Mini-ITX motherboard and low profile CPU coolers.
TDP: Thermal design power is the amount of heat your CPU cooler can remove from the processor. It is also the amount of heat that a CPU produces. Since it’s the same thing, your cooler should have a higher TDP than the TDP of the processor. If the margin is significantly increased, then there is a lot of overclocking headspace.
Socket: Different manufacturers use different sockets for their processors as it depends on the lithography and heat transfer limitations. Intel has the two most popular socket sizes currently in the market, LGA1200, and LGA1151. AMD has an AM4 socket that has been around for quite a long time. The socket size of your CPU and the compatibility of the CPU cooler should match; otherwise, you won’t be able to fit it properly.
Aesthetics: Coolers come with various visual enhancements that contribute to the overall aesthetics of the component. The most common is the use of RGB. Then there are the color scheme and material selection that make your cooler stand out. If you have a see-through panel on the PC case, then these things become important. The extent to which you can customize the looks makes them more favorable for purchase.
Best Low Profile CPU Coolers at a glance:
- Noctua NH-L9a-AM4
- Cryorig C7-47mm
- Cooler Master MasterAir G200P
- Noctua NH-L9i
- SilverStone NT08-115XP
- Cooler Master MasterAir G100M
- Noctua NH-L9x65
- ID-COOLING IS-60
The Best Low Profile CPU Coolers You Can Buy Today
Noctua NH-L9a-AM4
Best High-End Low Profile CPU Cooler
SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions: 1.45 x 4.48 x 3.62 inches | Base Height: 1.45 inches | Weight: 1.02 pounds | Fans: One | Socket Support: AM4 | Warranty: 6 Years
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Easy to mount
✓ Excellent size/cooling capacity
✓ Extraordinary low 37mm profile
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ AM4 socket only
✗ Odd color theme
Noctua NH-L9a-AM4 is the most effortless CPU cooler to install and takes up a shallow height of 37mm, including the heat sinks and fan; this allows it to fit in any small form factor PC case. It has a TDP of 61 watts and has 100% compatibility with any RAM module in the market. The footprint is so tiny that it does not pose any limitation to the PCIe cards. It results in cooler RAMs and PCIe cards, essential in tightly packed components inside small PC cases. It is the best high-end low profile CPU cooler.
If you search for the best low profile cpu cooler am4, you will not find a lightweight, low noise, and smaller CPU cooler than this. The drawbacks of this cooler are that it has a lower TDP than high-end CPUs that come in AM4 socket size. We are concerned about the low potential for overclocking with this CPU cooler. Most users often dislike the odd color theme, but material and quality make users want it more.
Some coolers have fins protruding above the socket connectors, making it difficult to reach them. This Noctuas cooler has a compact footprint allowing access to all of its components. Noctua uses premium quality components in their products, and they have installed an NF-A9x14 PWM premium fan on this heat sink. Despite being a low noise cooler already, it is included with a low-noise adapter to make the CPU cooler dead silent. It is the best choice for quiet noise operation.
Cryorig C7-47mm
Best Premium Low Profile CPU Cooler
SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions: 1.85 x 3.82 x 3.82 inches | Base Height: 1.85 inches | Weight: 0.78 Pounds | Fans: One | Socket Support: AM4, LGA1200, LGA1151 | Warranty: 5 Years
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Visually pleasing
✓ 100W TDP with low-profile
✓ Upclose chassis compatible
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ No fan replacement
✗ Limited socket support
Cryorig C7-47mm is an impressive-looking low-height cooler that comes in a black and white tone. The entire assembly stands just 47mm tall and compatible with mini-ITX motherboards. It remains clear from RAM slots and provides sufficient space around the PCIe to install big GPUs like the RTX3070. It allows an incredible 100Watt TDP allowing overclocking headspace for some CPUs; this makes it the best low profile cpu cooler for overclocking.
If you are looking for an excellent replacement for your stock Intel or AMD cooler, this is the right way. It is the best premium low profile CPU cooler. It is a great value-for-money product, but there are some drawbacks that you need to consider before purchasing this product. You cannot replace the fan as it is molded into the heatsink; however, it won’t pose many problems with a warranty of 5 years. The socket support is also limited, and the mounting could interfere with some motherboard components.
The shallow power consumption taking just 0.2A and competent fan with speeds varying from 600-2500rpm make it an excellent choice for small form PC cases. The four high-performance heat pipes allow better heat transfer, and the quad air inlet technique used in this CPU cooler will enable it to be installed as close to the PC case panel as possible. The fan is configured to blow air towards the motherboard, and the lightweight of the CPU cooler poses no stress on the board.
Cooler Master MasterAir G200P
Best Overall Low Profile CPU Cooler
SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions: 3.7 x 3.6 x 1.6 inches | Base Height: 3.6 inches | Weight: 1.15 pounds | Fans: One | Socket Support: AM4, LGA1200, LGA1151 | Warranty: 2 Years
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Budget-friendly
✓ Aesthetically pleasing
✓ Thermal paste included
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ No RGB Sync
✗ Small warranty
If you are looking for the best value for money with brilliant aesthetics, then Cooler Master MasterAir G200P is the best overall low profile CPU cooler for your small form factor PC. The selection of products for most users depends on the way the components gel together aesthetically. If you are an RGB fan, then this is the best low profile cpu cooler am4. Decreasing the fins’ surface area reduces the cooler’s performance, but the cooler master remains capable of 100W TDP.
The price at which this cooler is available makes it a great deal but with some consequences. The RGB is standalone and does not feature syncing capability with any motherboard manufacturer. The cooler’s performance takes a hit and lands slightly below the wraith cooler, but if you are a fan of RGB, then this should be your way to go on a budget. The warranty given by the cooler master is low. A two-year warranty period shows their confidence in the product quality. It is the best low profile cpu cooler for overclocking.
Cooler master includes their thermal paste with the product, which users had to buy separately otherwise. The 92mm height is reasonable for any small PC case, and the whole assembly stays clear of RAM and PCIe slots. The two C-shaped coolers keep the temperatures under suitable working conditions and carry heat efficiently from the cold plate to the heat fins. There are no tools provided in the package, but its ease of installation makes it an excellent choice for newbies.
Noctua NH-L9i
Best Flagship Low Profile CPU Cooler
SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions: 3.74 x 1.45 x 3.74 inches | Base Height: 1.45 inches | Weight: 0.76 pounds | Fans: One | Socket Support: AM4, LGA1200, LGA1151 | Warranty: 6 Years
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Ultra-low profile
✓ 14.8dbA with LNA
✓ Premium grade fan
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ Low TDP
✗ Beige-brown color
Noctua lives up to its name in every product. The operation of each product represents the brand image of silent products they have built. Noctua NH-L9i is another brilliant 37mm low profile cooler by Noctua suitable for small form factor PC cases and HTPC. It is the best flagship low profile CPU cooler. It comes installed with an NF-A9x14 PWM premium fan that ensures its low noise operation. NT-H1 thermal compound is also included in the box, which is also a premium-grade accessory.
Compacting everything in such a small space makes the thermal capacity of the cooler take a hit. It has an NSPR of 59, equivalent to TDP in terms of watts; most processors have baseload thermals above this value. There is a limited number of processors that are compatible with such low TDP. The amount of thermal load that this cooler can bear rules out any possibility of overclocking. It is made to run processors at their baseload. It is still the best low profile cpu cooler am4.
Everything from the surface finish, choice of material, coating, and design plays a role in reducing noise and improving efficiency. The size and careful selection of material allow Noctua to keep this product away from RAM slots and allow significant space around the PCIe slot for high-end GPUs like the RTX3080. The low-noise adapter can reduce your noise level down to 14.8dbA, which is whisper silent. It is a premium product for minor cases and HTPC.
SilverStone NT08-115XP
Best Budget Low Profile CPU Cooler
SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions: 3.98 x 1.34 x 3.98 inches | Base Height: 6.81 inches | Weight: 4.58 pounds | Fans: Two | Socket Support: LGA1200, LGA1151, LGA1156, LGA1150, LGA1155 | Warranty: 6 Years
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Affordable price
✓ Small 1.34” Height
✓ Intel stock cooler replacement
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ No RGB
✗ No overclocking
SilverStone takes a slightly different path from other coolers in terms of its design. It is somewhat similar to Intel’s stock CPU cooler. The fins are circular, but the difference is in the fan. The fan has square shape support, while Intel goes for the round shape. It is an excellent replacement for any stock cooler. The budget-friendly price and compatibility with most Intel sockets make it a wise choice. We name SilverStone NT08-115XP as the best budget low profile CPU cooler for Intel CPUs.
The material of the fins is aluminum, in contrast to the use of copper by other manufacturers for their low profile products; this makes the efficiency take a hit. The fan is non-replaceable since it’s a 92mm size. There are not many alternates available. It does produce a lot of noise at full RPM 28.98dbA. It is not recommended for a high TDP CPU as it will result in the fan operating at 100% speed and cause significant noise. It is still the best low profile cpu cooler am4.
It supports a 65W of TDP for Intel PCs. This cooler has a 1.34” total height which is a lower height than the Intels stock cooler 2.4”; this is meant to be the low-height replacement of the stock cooler. It is suitable for HTPC and small form factor cases, with only 292gms of weight thanks to the aluminum heat fins. The CPU cooler is light on your Mini-ITX motherboard. The installation is as easy as it can get. Push and turn is the easiest method in the market.
Cooler Master MasterAir G100M
Best Enthusiast Low Profile CPU Cooler
SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions: 5.7 x 5.7 x 2.9 inches | Base Height: 2.9 inches | Weight: 0.8 pounds | Fans: One | Socket Support: AM4, LGA1200, LGA1151 | Warranty: 2 Years
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Unique heat column design
✓ OC potential with 130W TDP
✓ RGB control with UFO design
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ 30dbA noise level
✗ Tedious installation
Cooler Master MasterAir G100M looks like something from a sci-fi movie, and it’s not popular due to its cooling capability alone. This UFO-looking cooler also has RGB LED illumination, which can be controlled using a controller. It has a unique design in which it uses a heat column right in the middle of the cooler. The liquid-vapor phase change with copper powder allows higher heat transfer capabilities in a smaller size. The unique design makes it the best enthusiast low profile CPU cooler.
At just a 2.9 inch height, this cooler stays clear of RAM slots and PCIe slots. It supports thermal design power of 130W, which covers most CPUs in the market for both Intel and AMD providing slight overclocking potential making it the best low profile cpu cooler for overclocking. However, it does have its drawbacks. The installation of this cooler is a nightmare, according to some users. The final looks are incredible, but it takes time and effort to put it together.
One of the most remarkable features of this cooler is its compatibility with over nine years of industry products across AMD and Intel. Most users have tried to load their CPU to the maximum but still, manage to maintain decent temperatures to avoid any thermal throttling. It is the best choice for people who want aesthetics with performance. The round-shaped CPU cooler makes it a head-turner.
Noctua NH-L9x65
Best Mid-Range Low Profile CPU Cooler
SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions: 12.6 x 5.51 x 1.18 inches | Base Height: 2.5 inches | Weight: 2.16 pounds | Fan: Two | Socket Support: AM4, LGA1200, LGA1151 | Warranty: 5 Years
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Noctua NF-A9x14 fan
✓ High-end material quality
✓ 100% RAM and PCIe clearance
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ Expensive
✗ No overclocking potential
If you are looking for the best low profile cpu cooler am4, then Noctua NH-L9x65 is an excellent choice with 84 TDP. It comes with Noctuas premium NF-A9x14 fan that operates from 600 to 2500rpm. The lowest possible noise level with LNA reaches 14.8 dB(A). The complete CPU cooler comes with high-end material, mainly using copper, and the fan is barely 14mm in height. It provides 100% compatibility with RAM heights and PCIe cards. It is the best mid-range low profile CPU cooler.
Compared with other coolers on our list, this cooler does not offer much overclocking headspace. The price is also higher than others and offers decent thermal performance. Without using the low noise adapter, the fan noise is significantly elevated at 100% power. The users don’t seem to like the color; the beige and brown combination of color is not for everyone. Even though it helps Noctua keep its brand image.
The sockets are easy to access and install for newbies. The mounting system allows compatibility with all current sockets, and its future-proof design makes it compatible with sockets launching soon. The NT-H1 thermal compound is also a premium grade that is included in the box. The 6-year warranty shows the confidence of the company in their product. The four heat pipes keep the CPU cooler working efficiently.
ID-COOLING IS-60
Best Looking Low Profile CPU Cooler
SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions: 18.66 x 5.75 x 7.28 inches | Base Height: 2.5 inches | Weight: 5.34 pounds | Fans: Three | Socket Support: AM4, LGA1200, LGA1151 | Warranty: 5 Years
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Premium material
✓ 130W OC capable TDP
✓ 120mm standard fan size
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ No RGB Lightning
✗ No direct contact Heatpipe
ID-COOLING IS-60 is an ultra-low profile cooler that provides high cooling performance using a six heat pipe design. The cooler is compatible with both Intel and AMD processors. The transparent fin fan looks stunning inside a computer chassis made for PCs with a mini-ITX motherboard. The CPU cooler remains clear of all the RAMs and provides enough space for high-end GPUs. It is the best low profile cpu cooler for overclocking with a TDP of 130W. The looks make it our best looking low profile CPU cooler that is high-end CPU compatible.
This low profile cooler does not come with any RGB lighting. The heat pipe design is also not a direct contact type which might cause a slight delay in the thermal response of the cooler in general. It is a 55mm cooler that allows sufficient space between the CPU cooler and PC case for air to flow sufficiently. The fitting is also on point, and an inexperienced person can do an installation without any difficulty. Users have found this to be suitable for high TDP Intel processors.
It consists of six Ф6mm diameter heat pipes that contribute to the enhanced capability of this cooler at ultra-low profile. The noise level reaches a maximum of 30.2dbA, which is reasonable for such a small CPU cooler. The hydraulic bearing-based fan can vary its speed from 600-1600rpm with 1.36mmH2O static head pressure to allow efficient airflow.
Conclusion
CPU coolers are an essential part of your computer. They keep the CPU temperatures under control so that your CPU life is enhanced and there is no thermal throttling. The electricity flowing through the CPU makes it heat up. If we increase the workload on the CPU, it will proportionally increase the workload on the CPU cooler, causing the fans on the more remarkable to grow and keeping it running cool. The main concern is noise for most users.
We have featured some very low noise low profile CPU coolers that keep the temperatures under control. It’s very complex to incorporate such a design in a small space that provides overclocking potential for CPUs. We have featured some unique UFO-like designs that are not only eye-catching but use complex two-phase phenomenon with copper particles to enhance heat transfer capability and provide enough headroom for overclocking high-end processors. We hope you find the best low profile cpu cooler for overclocking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best low profile cpu cooler?
Cooler Master MasterAir G100M is the best low profile CPU cooler with a high overclocking potential of 183w TDP. The shape and RGB lighting make it attractive. Overall the features are also well balanced. If you own an SFF case with a see-through panel, this CPU cooler will make a great choice. It is the best low profile cpu cooler am4.
What is the quietest CPU cooler?
Noctua NH-L9a-AM4 is the quietest CPU cooler producing only 14.8dbA of noise with LNA connected. You can 61W of heat from your CPU and maintain stable temperatures. It is the best choice for the in-demand 7nm Ryzen processors. It can efficiently run them on their clock frequencies. The choice of material and manufacturing quality is premium.
What is the best cooling for a CPU?
Depending on the user requirement, the best cooler recommended for the CPU is an air-based ID-COOLING IS-60 cooler. It has minimum moving parts and an excellent warranty to back its quality. With 130W of TDP, it also provides decent overclocking headspace for both Intel and AMD processors.
Is liquid cooling quieter than fans?
Liquid cooling is generally quieter than air-based coolers with fans. Suppose we take SilverStone NT08-115XP as an example of a standard air cooler. It has low TDP and is made to remove energy at base clock frequencies. It has a small surface area, but the liquid cooler has radiators with a large surface area that allows higher heat transfer efficiencies and quieter operation with fans running at low speeds on the radiator.
