Fans

Choosing a CPU Cooler & Fans

CPUs get really hot! Especially high performance CPUs! Now that you have chosen a CPU, you need to choose a method of cooling it!

There are two main types of cooling solutions: Air Cooling and Liquid Cooling. Air cooling came first, and is generally cheaper. Liquid cooling came later, has stronger cooling power, and can be quieter, but is more expensive.

Cooling performance is measured in Thermal Design Power (TDP), which represents the maximum capacity of heat which a cooler is designed to dissipate from a CPU or other components. Make sure that your cooler has a high enough TDP rating for the CPU which you have chosen.

A 120mm AIO (All-In-One/Water Cooler) can generally handle up to 150W of TDP, while a 240mm AIO can handle around 250W and a 360mm AIO can handle around 350W.