Introduction
Overclocking involves pushing the boost speed past its rated capability in order to gain more performance in games, or in productivity applications. Doing this can be quite a complicated and lengthy task as it requires knowledge of how overclocking works, along with selecting a range of components that allows you to easily reach the speeds that you want.
However, cooling is one of the main areas that consumers tend to forget when it comes to overclocking. Pushing your CPU will involve a higher output of heat, which can pose an issue if you’re not able to supply the cooling output to match it. But what cooler should you use? Are there coolers specifically geared towards overclocking?
In this article we’ll be answering these very questions with a roundup of the best CPU coolers to buy for those overclocking their CPUs. We’ve picked out a range of options for those looking to be a bit more price conscious with their purchases, along with some top-end coolers designed to handle plenty of heat without letting up.
Suggested Article: Best Liquid CPU Coolers Under $200
Our Recommendations
1. Deepcool LS520
👑 The best budget CPU cooler for overclocking.
Introduction
First up in our roundup is the LS520 from Deepcool. This AIO is a 240mm radiator that comes with an infinity mirror cap design. Both fans offer RGB lighting, alongside the CPU block, which provides some additional flair for those that prefer it. This is a cooler we’ve recommended a significant number of times in various buyers guides, because it stands out as an excellent budget option. The LS520 comes in around the $100 mark, with slight variations in the price dependent on the retailer you’ve picked it up from.
This CPU cooler is definitely a worthwhile consideration for those being a bit more price conscious when it comes to their purchases. Whilst this cooler is cheap, Deepcool haven’t sacrificed a mass of features, keeping noise levels down across the board, whilst also retaining support for legacy sockets such as LGA 1151, or LGA 1200. AMD has got the short end of the stick with the legacy sockets, but I’d argue that AM3+ is a bit old fashioned even for today. Either way, this cooler is a solid option regardless of the price tag.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | Deepcool LS520 |
|---|---|
| Max Fan Speed | 2250 RPM |
| Connector Type | 3-Pin PWM |
| RGB | Yes |
| Number of Fans | 2 |
| Socket Compatibility | Intel LGA2066/2011-v3/2011/1700/1200/1151/1150/1155 AMD sTRX4/sTR4/AM5/AM4 |
Things We Like
Awesome RGB design: Despite being a cheaper cooler, Deepcool haven’t sacrificed the overall aesthetic or features. This AIO sports two RGB 120mm fans, alongside an infinity-mirror style RGB pump that can be fully customised using a variety of different RGB software.
Pretty quiet: The LS520 has a max rated noise level of 19 decibels, which has the rated equivalent of something akin to rattling leaves. This means that even when you’re pushing your CPU, it should be pretty quiet, keeping noise levels to a minimum.
Things We Don’t Like
240mm is the minimum: Overclocking can put a lot of stress on your CPU due to there being more voltage passing through the processor. I’d say that this Deepcool AIO is the bare minimum you would want for overclocking, as anything less could result in your CPU taking damage.
Fans can be quite loud: Although the pump of this cooler is pretty quite on the whole, the fans have a max rated RPM of 2250, which will result in some louder whirring and buzzing sounds.
Summary
Deepcool‘s LS520 is an awesome option for those looking to overclock their CPU, but on a budget. This AIO is probably about the bare minimum that we would recommend when it comes to overclocking. Deepcool have clearly focused on providing a solid set of features and great design at a lower price point, making this ideal for consumers looking to keep their overclocked CPU nice and cool.
Features: 4.2/5
Design: 4.3/5
Performance: 4.3/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Pros
- Pump is quiet.
- Awesome RGB design.
- Low price point.
Cons
- The bare minimum for overclocking.
- Fans are somewhat loud under loads.
Where to Buy
Buy the Deepcool LS520 on:
2. ASUS ROG Ryujin II 360
👑 The best looking cooler for overclocking.
Introduction
Next up is the Ryujin II 360 from ASUS, a cooler that we’ve used in a number of builds, and recommended a few times in buyers guides. We’ve picked out this cooler as the best looking option, and I definitely stand by that. Although ASUS have been known somewhat recently for poor quality control on their components, they definitely know how to make an awesome looking cooler, and this applies to their other products available on the market.
This particular cooler is a 360mm design that offers a 7th-gen asetek, alongside a 3.5 inch LCD display that can display systems stats, personalised animations, or memes. The sleek black design across the radiator and the fans looks great, and should blend in pretty well with other darker components. The Noctua fans should also keep noise levels relatively low whilst also providing plenty of airflow to ensure that the heat from your CPU is moved away quickly and efficiently.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | ASUS ROG Ryujin II 360 |
|---|---|
| Max Fan Speed | 2200 RPM |
| Connector Type | 3-Pin PWM |
| RGB | No |
| Number of Fans | 3 |
| Socket Compatibility | Intel LGA2066/2011-v3/2011/1700/1200/1151/1150/1155 AMD sTRX4/sTR4/AM5/AM4 |
Things We Like
Fully customisable LCD display: The LCD display is the fanciest part of this particular model, offering plenty of customisation, and allowing you to view your system stats or a funny gif just by taking a glance at the window of your case.
Excellent performance: The 360mm radiator in combination with Noctua’s fans makes this cooler one of the best options for overclocking. This AIO is designed to handle intense workloads, keeping your CPU nice and cool
Things We Don’t Like
Rather expensive: Unfortunately ASUS ROG products are pretty expensive as a general rule, and this cooler doesn’t seem to be much of an exception. The ROG Ryujin II comes in at an MSRP of around $250, which isn’t particularly ideal for those looking to keep their component costs low.
No RGB: Although there’s a more expensive ARGB variant of this cooler, this particular model doesn’t actually feature any RGB compatibility. If you’re looking for some more flashiness, unfortunately the Ryujin II 360 is a bit weaker on the aesthetic front.
Summary
The ROG Ryujin II 360mm AIO is a unique cooler that offers a cool LCD display that can be fully customised to show system stats or show off some animation. This AIO is a pricier cooler in comparison to some of the other options in this roundup, but I’d say the performance and low noise levels are definitely a huge bonus if you’re willing to shell out the money for this cooler.
Features: 4.1/5
Design: 3.9/5
Performance: 4.4/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Pros
- Awesome LCD display.
- Solid performance and noise levels.
- Great aesthetic.
Cons
- Pretty expensive.
- Doesn’t have any RGB.
Where to Buy
Buy the ASUS ROG Ryujin II 360 on:
3. MSI MEG CoreLiquid S360
👑 The best performing CPU cooler for overclocking.
Introduction
For our third recommendation, we’ve picked out MSI‘s MEG CoreLiquid S360, a top-end geared towards those that plan on pushing their CPU to the maximum. The S360 is one of the best coolers on the market, which is why we’ve recommended it in a plethora of buyers guides geared towards high-end coolers such as the 13900K, or the Ryzen 9 7900X. If you plan on picking up a CPU that demands a strong cooler, the S360 is definitely the one we’d urge you consider picking up.
Features wise, this is another LCD display-based cooler that features a 2.4 inch display, which is somewhat smaller than the previous ROG Ryujin cooler that we’ve looked at in this roundup. The MEG S360 is fully compatible with AM5 and LGA1700, and features a 7th-gen Asetek pump designed to move heat away as quick as possible, but without compromising noise levels. The Silent Gale P12 fans are designed to ensure sufficient airflow to the radiator, whilst maintaining low noise levels, so you don’t have to endure buzzing and whirring from your PC.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | MSI MEG CoreLiquid S360 |
|---|---|
| Max Fan Speed | 2000 RPM |
| Connector Type | 3-Pin PWM |
| RGB | No |
| Number of Fans | 3 |
| Socket Compatibility | Intel LGA2066/2011-v3/2011/1700/1200/1151/1150/1155 AMD sTRX4/sTR4/AM5/AM4 |
Things We Like
Perfect for top-end overclocking: Whether you’ve picked up a 13900K, or a 7900X, this cooler will easily be able to handle the thermals. Definitely a winner for those looking to build an incredibly high performance system.
Near-silent performance: The S360 is one of the few CPU coolers that actually offers quiet performance across the board, even under loads. If you’re trying to avoid annoying buzzing sounds while your cooler is working hard, we’d recommend this cooler.
Things We Don’t Like
Very expensive: As you can imagine, a cooler of this magnitude is not remotely cheap, and you’d be correct. Whilst this won’t be the most expensive way to keep your CPU cool, this AIO is definitely geared towards enthusiasts that have got some extra money to spend on a cooler.
Aesthetic is somewhat boring: Although I do quite like the sleek black design that this cooler offers, it is a bit weak on the aesthetic front, especially if you’re looking for some RGB.
Summary
MSI’s MEG CoreLiquid S360 is an excellent cooler, designed to handle some of the top end CPUs from both AMD and Intel. If you need a strong CPU cooler for a high-end gaming or workstation PC, this is a great option to pickup. This cooler is also guaranteed to keep noise levels low, whilst offering a cool LCD display that can be customised to provide system stats, memes and gifs!
Features: 4.3/5
Design: 3.9/5
Performance: 4.6/5
Value for Money: 4.3/5
Pros
- Near-silent performance.
- Ideal for top-end CPUs.
- LCD display looks great.
Cons
- Rather expensive.
- Somewhat boring on the aesthetic front.
Where to Buy
Buy the MSI MEG CoreLiquid S360 on:
4. Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix
👑 The best 420mm CPU cooler for overclocking.
Introduction
For our final recommendation in this roundup, we’ve picked out Corsair‘s iCUE H170i Elite Capellix. Normally we wouldn’t recommend 420mm coolers, because they’re generally too big. They can cause a lot of clearance problems in mid-tower cases, so you’re essentially required to pick up a full-tower chassis to ensure you can actually install it. However, Corsair’s H170i is too good to not mention. This cooler is an excellent addition to the ‘H100’ range, and provides excellent performance and a great aesthetic across the entirety of the design.
This cooler features three 140mm ML fans, which are part of Corsair’s ‘magnetic levitation’ range, designed to keep fan buzzing to a minimum, whilst also lasting for quite a while due to the actual bearing. Design wise, the H170i is an iCUE compatible cooler, so naturally it comes with all of the fancy RGB extra that you get with Corsair coolers such as RGB fans, and a beautiful RGB CPU block that can also be upgraded with an LCD display if you’re willing to pay for this extra.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix |
|---|---|
| Max Fan Speed | 2000 RPM |
| Connector Type | 3-Pin PWM |
| RGB | Yes |
| Number of Fans | 3 |
| Socket Compatibility | Intel LGA2066/2011-v3/2011/1700/1200/1151/1150/1155 AMD sTRX4/sTR4/AM5/AM4 |
Things We Like
Awesome RGB lighting: Corsair are the kings when it comes to RGB lighting and software. This cooler features three 140mm RGB fans, alongside an RGB CPU block, all of which can be fully customised using Corsair’s iCUE software.
Will provide strong performance: The triple 140mm fan design, coupled with the large radiator, should keep your CPU nice and cool. The larger fans will also keep noise levels to a minimum as well, making this cooler ideal for those that prefer silence.
Things We Don’t Like
Whoa this is expensive: 420mm coolers are some of the most expensive options on the market right now, besides custom loops. Definitely not a good option for those on a budget.
Size may restrict case choices: Unfortunately 420mm coolers are not small, and based on the fact that most mid-tower cases don’t support 420mm options, most consumers picking up this cooler will need to secure a full-tower case to make sure that the cooler can actually be installed.
Summary
Corsair’s iCUE H170i Elite Capellix is a rather large 420mm cooler that offers strong cooling performance whilst remaining pretty quiet while under loads. There are some major caveats such as the price and the size of this cooler, but if you’re willing to put these aside, the H170i is a gorgeous option to pick up.
Features: 4.1/5
Design: 4.6/5
Performance: 4.4/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Pros
- Excellent cooling performance.
- Near-silent under load.
- RGB looks excellent.
Cons
- Very very expensive.
- Size may limit your case choices.
Where to Buy
Buy the Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix on:
Is Overclocking Important?
Overclocking is still a massive part of the PC building space, and thus, is a huge talking point for consumers when new processors release. However, overclocking has become less important in recent years due to the evolving performance in current-gen hardware. CPUs such as the Core i9 13900K, or Ryzen 9 7900X have surpassed the 5GHz mark, and are nearing the 6GHz mark in certain instances. These CPUs also come with a mass of cores, designed to handle workloads that need multiple threads for complex tasks.
So this begs the question, is overclocking still important in today’s market? It honestly depends. Whilst I’d say there is definitely a market still for enthusiast level overclocking, whether you need to push your CPU past its rated clock speeds is entirely down to individual use-cases. Mainstream games won’t need this, so it is highly likely that consumers planning to overclock are likely workstation users dealing with more complicated workloads that demand the highest clock speed that is possible to ensure the best results.
Otherwise, I’d say that overclocking is relatively niche on its own. Many manufacturers still produce top-end motherboards with insane VRM power phases to handle higher voltages, but I’d say that these boards are entirely unnecessary for the vast majority of consumers. The current performance metrics provided by the most recent generation of CPUs are going to be enough for most consumers, making overclocking somewhat redundant unless you drastically need it.
What Kind of Motherboard Do I Need for Overclocking?
Because overclocking is so demanding when it comes to voltages and power, picking the right motherboard is absolutely vital. When overclocking your CPU requires more power in order to push the boost clock past its rated speeds, which in turn demands stronger VRM power phases and cooling on said VRMs. For those looking to overclock their CPU, there are a number of different motherboards that are ripe for the taking that will be ideal for overclocking, and we’ve noted down a few options below:
On the Intel side, you’ll want to look at either the Z690 or Z790 chipset. These are the only boards capable of supporting overclocking, so you have to pick one of these chipsets for CPU overclocking. However, there’s plenty of choices available within these chipsets. As a general rule of thumb, we’d recommend looking at motherboards that have a solid set of VRM power phases. A motherboard like the ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi, or the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX will be perfect for most consumers. Top-end designs like the Z790 Hero from ASUS, or the MSI Z790 Godlike will also be great choices, but rather expensive overall.
For current-gen AMD CPUs, your options are less limited, because Team Red doesn’t restrict overclocking to a particular chipset, which gives you more motherboard options. For top-end overclocking however, we’d recommend the X670E and B650E chipsets. The ‘E’ suffix means that these chipsets are more geared towards overclocking, and thus they’ve got more VRM power phases. There aren’t any specific motherboards we’d recommend looking at, as all of the boards on this chipset should be adequate for overclocking!
Why You Can Trust Us
Before jumping into our recommendations, we wanted to briefly discuss why you can trust all of the components that we’ve picked out today. We have a dedicated team of PC hardware enthusiasts that work extremely hard to ensure all of the components we get into our offices are tested and evaluated thoroughly for gaming and workstation usage. They spend hours with each product evaluating their strengths and weaknesses which we can then relay to you through various different forms of content. For those interested in learning more about our editorial team, head over to the About Us section.
How We Tested the Best CPU Coolers for Overclocking
In order to test and evaluate the best CPU coolers for overclocking, there are a number of factors that we take into account, these are:
- Performance
- Noise Levels
- Size
- Compatibility
- Aesthetic
- Value for Money
Conclusion
Best CPU Cooler for Overclocking: MSI MEG CoreLiquid S360
Finishing up this roundup, we’ve picked out the MEG CoreLiquid S360 from MSI, as the best CPU cooler for overclocking. Time and time again, this AIO stands out to us as an excellent all-rounder that is able to keep up with even the most demanding CPUs during intense workloads. It stays quiet, keeps your system nice and cooler, and has a nice LCD display that you can customise in a variety of ways. Despite being pricey, this cooler is definitely worth it, at its advertised price tag!
Read our full MSI CPU cooler coverage, or Buy the MSI MEG CoreLiquid S360 on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need A Good Power Supply for Overclocking?
We would recommend as a minimum, picking up a gold rated or higher power supply. This ensures even at higher loads that you should be saving money in the long run.
What CPUs Can I Overclock?
On the Intel side, any CPU with a ‘K’ in the name can be overclocked. On the AMD side, any CPU with an ‘X’ in the name can also be overclocked.
Can I Overclock My Graphics Card?
You can, but we would only recommend doing this if you know what you’re doing. Overclocking your GPU can be dangerous especially when it comes to power consumption.
Can I Overclock My RAM?
Yes you can. All current DDR4 and DDR5 DIMMs are overclockable and this will provide a boost in performance when you turn on XMP or EXPO memory profiles.
