CPU Cooler Roundup 2026: Review of AM5 and LGA1700 coolers

Introduction

Finally, air coolers offer several advantages: The purchase costs are usually much lower and the life expectancy is often significantly higher than that of (AiO) water cooling, as basically only the fan is at risk of a later defect. The market now offers many different air coolers for all possible requirements: With or without RGB lighting, for beginners or for cooling high-end hardware, with one, two or optionally even three built-in fans. In addition, many manufacturers often supply suitable upgrade mounting kits for future CPU sockets years after the air cooler has been released.

Which CPU cooler do I need?

Due to the large number of CPU coolers available on the market, it is often difficult to choose the right model for your requirements and budget. The PCMasters Air Cooler RoundUp 2025 is designed to help you make the right decision. In the following, we will introduce you to popular air coolers from different price and performance classes, highlight strengths and weaknesses and provide recommendations for different price ranges. In the future, the article will be supplemented by further air coolers in order to paint a more comprehensive picture and thus also to work out a suitable solution for everyone - because almost every air cooler tested here also has its advantages, a blanket recommendation is not possible!

The starting point is a total of 17 air coolers without RGB lighting from seven different manufacturers. Alpenföhn provided its brand new Brocken 4 for the comparison test, with the aim of taking the crown in the mid-range. This competes directly with the Mugen 5 in the Black Edition from Scythe, which has been on the market since 2016 and is still worth a look in the latest revision C. Scythe has also provided us with the brand new Fuma 3 as the successor to the popular Fuma 2, which is set to take the crown in the mid-range. The Endorfy Fortis 5 Dual Fan is poaching in the same price range, aiming to take the price-performance crown. One price category higher is the DeepCool AK620 Zero Dark with the aim of attacking the industry leader Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black at a significantly lower purchase price. The test will show whether this is successful, as Noctua is also sending the much more compact NH-U12A chromax.black into the race for the best CPU air cooler in the high-end sector alongside the NH-D15. CPU coolers also have AMD and Intel terminals and most models support both solutions - see table!

This raises the question: Are the premium air coolers from Noctua worth the extra cost compared to the competition? Finally, be quiet! is also involved with the **Dark Rock Pro 4, which is also slightly outdated, but with a fresh socket 1700 kit and AM5 compatibility is still worth a look today if you are looking for a quiet and powerful air cooler. Last but not least, Arctic contributes the Freezer A35, a model with high performance requirements at a fair price. In the future, the article will be supplemented by test results of the Endorfy Fera 5, the NZXT T120, the Arctic Freezer 34 eSports Duo and the be quiet! Shadow Rock 3.

Last but not least, the Arctic Freezer A35 with high performance requirements at an extremely fair price and two popular Thermalright coolers in the form of the Peerless Assassin 120 and the Peer-less Assassin 120 SE compete for the crown in the price range up to 40 euros.

CPU cooler test 2025

Overview of the tested air coolers

On the following pages, we will try to answer your questions regarding performance & volume, quality of workmanship & appearance, as well as compatibility and installation of the various fans on an AMD system.

To really heat up the test subjects, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D is not only one of the most popular CPUs of the past year, but also a real hothead that poses major problems for even the most powerful air coolers without manual tuning.

First, we will briefly introduce you to each of the eight test candidates, examine the scope of delivery, the build quality and the installation on the AM4 socket, before we get down to business on the Ryzen 7 5800X3D for the test subjects.

Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black Test/Review

Pure luxury!

As a specialist for air coolers and fans in the high-end range, Noctua presents two coolers in this test field. First up is the NH-U12A chromax.black, the "all-black version" of Noctua's whisper-quiet, multi-award-winning premium cooler NH-U12A. In the black version, too, the asymmetrical single-tower heatsink with seven 6 mm copper heatpipes and the two black NF-A12x25 PWM fans are said to offer a "unique synthesis" of best-in-class cooling performance, excellent quietness and outstanding memory, case and PCIe compatibility.

Since the NH-U12A comes with a height of around 158 mm, you should still check whether it fits into the case.

As usual, the build quality of the NH-U12A is outstanding, the packaging looks like a shrine and the features, including a 6-year manufacturer's warranty, are the best in the test field. The mounting material is supplied in a tidy box and installation is made easier by separate, well-illustrated instructions for Intel and AMD. In addition, the NF-A12x25 fans make by far the highest quality impression in the test field and there are also 7 V low-noise adapters included in the scope of delivery.

Noctua succeeds in keeping the promise of best-in-class cooling performance mentioned at the beginning and at the same time enables quite quiet operation despite the high maximum speed of 2,100 rpm.

However, this is also offset by the highest purchase price of all test candidates at 129.90 euros (Affiliate): Noctua pays handsomely for the outstanding cooling performance of the NH-U12A in combination with the black stealth look. The Noctua NH-U12A is therefore particularly worth a look for enthusiasts who don't mind the high purchase price and are also looking for a particularly high-quality cooler for a more compact case!

Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black Test/Review

Long live the king!

In addition to the NH-U12A chromax.black, the Austrians also provide their flagship model, first released in 2019, and still the most powerful air cooler for our roundup with the NH-D15 chromax.black. According to Noctua, the "all-black" NH-D15 is said to deliver "outstanding running smoothness combined with a cooling performance that can certainly compete with complete water cooling systems" thanks to its "twin-tower design and proven NF-A15 PWM fans".

The NH-D15 is by far the largest air cooler in the test field with its two 140mm fans and the massive twin-tower heat sink. As with the Dark Rock Pro 4, there are also some compatibility restrictions with regard to the memory banks and the case, as the NH-D15 has a height of 165 mm and a width of 150 mm, so you should also pay attention to the distance to the first PCIe slot for the graphics card on cheaper motherboards.

However, if compatibility is not a problem, you get the usual benefits from Noctua - as with the NH-U12A: The NH-D15 offers outstanding workmanship, a princely equipment including low-noise adapter, PWM-Y cable and it can be easily attached to the CPU despite its size thanks to the "SecuFirm2 Multi-Socket" mounting system.

In the test, the NH-D15 chromax.black goes head-to-head with the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4, which it usually wins in terms of cooling performance. However, it has to make up ground in the volume section, but offers enough reserves to optimize it manually.

Despite its high purchase price of around 115 euros (Affiliate), the Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black still remains the reference in the high-end air cooler sector when it comes to absolute performance!

Noctua NH-D12L Test/Review

The secret star in the portfolio of the premium manufacturer!

With the NH-D12L, Noctua has another extraordinary twin-tower air cooler in its portfolio with an NF-A12x25r 120mm fan specially adapted to the cooler, which is located between the two towers of the heat sink. In the test, the NH-D12L surprises with "only" five 6 mm heatpipes and "only" one fan with an outstanding cooling performance.

The special feature of the NH-D12L lies in its extremely compact dimensions and a height of just 145 mm for a twin tower, as well as maximum RAM compatibility, as the memory banks remain freely accessible with just one fan.

Despite this extremely compact design and only five heatpipes, the NH-D12L with the NF-A12x25r delivers outstanding performance, which fluctuates between the high-end range and mid-range coolers such as the Alpenföhn Brocken 4 in the test. In some cases, the NH-D12L is even on a par with the NH-U12A and beats significantly larger coolers in terms of cooling performance. In terms of loudness, it is in the middle of the tested air coolers with a maximum noise level of 46.7 dB(A) (20 cm distance, open housing).

The usual outstanding scope of delivery including low-noise adapter and fan clips for an additional fan as well as the excellent SecuFirm 2 MultiSocket mounting system round off the excellent overall package of the Noctua NH-D12L. In addition, the NT-H1 thermal paste is included in the scope of delivery and Noctua offers a six-year manufacturer's warranty.

Only the - usual - high purchase price of just under 100 euros (Affiliate) tarnishes the overall impression a little. Nevertheless, the NH-D12L is currently one of the most exciting air coolers in the Noctua portfolio thanks to its sophisticated yet compact twin-tower design and deservedly receives the Gold Award. The NH-D12L deserves a recommendation for all those who are looking for an extremely powerful but at the same time particularly compact air cooler for smaller cases.

Noctua NH-U9S chromax.black Test/Review

Small, elegant and powerful

With its 95 x 95 mm design and the NF-A9 PWM 92 mm fan, the Noctua NH-U9S is the smallest air cooler in the test field. At the same time, it presents itself with the usual high-quality workmanship, outstanding scope of delivery and the particularly elegant chromax.black look from Noctua.

You would expect this compact single-tower cooler with just one 92 mm fan and a height of 125 mm to have no chance in the test field - but far from it. Although the smallest air cooler is, as expected, at the bottom of the field in two out of four tests, it comes surprisingly close to the significantly larger single-tower coolers with 120 mm ventilation - at least at maximum speed.

The NH-U9S chromax.black's excellent cooling performance despite its small size makes powerful systems in a compact design possible. The noise level is also impressive, as the small NF-A9 PWM remains below the 45 dB(A) sound barrier at maximum speed with the housing open. Noctua also equips the NH-U9S chromax.black with additional fan clips, a low-noise adapter and the outstanding SecuFirm 2 mounting system. There is also a six-year manufacturer's warranty and the high-performance NT-H1 thermal compound is included.

The test shows that even the compact NH-U9S chromax.black is capable of cooling a Ryzen 7 5800X3D. It combines an exceptionally high cooling performance in its performance class with quiet operation and maximum case and RAM compatibility in a compact design. Only the high purchase price of around 80 euros (Affiliate) tarnishes the overall impression somewhat, despite the Gold Award.

Be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 Test/Review

With the Dark Rock Pro 4, Be quiet! sends the old champion from 2018 and at the same time the flagship into the battle for the performance crown in the air cooler sector. Despite its age of around five years, the massive twin-tower cooler still impresses today with the typical be quiet! qualities: Outstanding build quality, top cooling performance and particularly quiet operation. Thanks to its seven 6 mm copper heatpipes and Silent Wings 3 fans, the Dark Rock Pro 4 is the quietest twin-tower cooler and the quietest CPU cooler with two built-in fans in the test.

It always competes with Noctua's NH-D15 for the performance crown, but comes with the typical limitations of a massive twin tower: With a height of 162.8 mm, you should check carefully beforehand whether the Dark Rock Pro 4 will fit in your own case. In addition, the memory banks are covered by the front 120 mm fan, meaning that the RAM modules installed there may be a maximum of 40 mm high**.

The outdated and complicated mounting system is cause for criticism: Unlike the other coolers in the test field, the Dark Rock Pro 4 does not have a mounting bridge attached to the heat sink. Both the mounting bridge and the screws required for attachment are loose, meaning that installation requires a little experience and skill and can become a game of patience in a compact case.

However, if you look past this weak point, the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 is an outstanding twin-tower cooler in a timeless design with outstanding cooling performance and very quiet operation at an extremely fair market price of around 82 euros (Affiliate) (RRP 92.90 euros) for the high-end sector. In the overall package, the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 is therefore our silent recommendation and price/performance recommendation in the high-end range!

be Quiet CPU cooler test/review: Shadow Rock 3

Whisper quiet, large and cool, but complicated to install

The Shadow Rock 3 from be quiet! is another somewhat older cooler in the mid-range segment, which is in an exciting duel with the Alpenföhn Brocken 4 and the Scythe Mugen 5.

The advantages of the Shadow Rock 3 clearly lie in the combination of cooling performance and noise: thanks to the specially adapted Shadow Wings 2 120mm fan, the Shadow Rock 3 is the quietest cooler in the test field alongside the Endorfy Fortis 5. At the same time, it delivers very good cooling performance in the mid-range.

The age of the Shadow Rock 3, on the other hand, is particularly noticeable in the complicated mounting of the heat sink: be quiet! also relies on a loose retaining bridge here - similar to the Dark Rock Pro 4. However, mounting the Shadow Rock 3 is much more difficult, as the left screw can only be reached through the heatsink and the asymmetrical design also means that it quickly tilts backwards - patience and calm are required!

The biggest disadvantage compared to the competition, however, is the height of the heatsink at 163 mm. This disqualifies it for more compact midi towers and its compatibility remains limited compared to the Mugen 5 and Brocken 4 despite its asymmetrical design. The workmanship of the air cooler is very good, but does not quite reach the high level of the Alpenföhn Brocken 4 and the Scythe Mugen 5 - it is on a par with the Endorfy Fortis 5.

Therefore the be quiet! Shadow Rock 3 (Affiliate), which costs around 50 euros, is currently recommended above all for fans of the be quiet! brand as well as patient silent fans with a soft spot for the stylish look and the necessary calm during complex assembly.

Alpenföhn Brocken 4 Test/Review

Alpenföhn throws the brand new Brocken 4 in the "standard" version into the ring for the roundup. The Brocken 4 is a classic single-tower cooler "for demanding systems", which "thanks to the new Jetstream fans (...) [is] powerful and quiet".

The tower cooler has six 6 mm thick copper heatpipes and "airflow-optimized fins" which, in addition to the Jetstream fan, also have "decoupling elements". The nickel-plated solid copper base plate ensures that the heat is dissipated quickly.

In the test, the Brocken 4 impressed thanks to its clever, asymmetrical design and low height of just 155 mm, particularly in terms of compatibility with smaller cases. In addition, the memory banks remain freely accessible, so there is no problem even with higher RAM modules.

Above all, it presents itself as a high-quality all-rounder that combines quiet operation, high compatibility, convenient installation and outstanding cooling performance. The pre-assembled backplate for Intel systems is also particularly clever.

The price of around 65 euros (Affiliate) is quite high for a mid-range cooler, but the aforementioned benefits and the outstanding build quality justify the manufacturer's RRP. In addition, Alpenföhn remains true to its design language, so that the new single tower can be directly identified as a "chunk".

This makes the Alpenföhn Brocken 4 our high-end recommendation in the mid-range for all those who want maximum compatibility, outstanding workmanship, quiet operation and good cooling performance!

Alpenföhn Brocken 4 MAX Test/Review

The summiteer as a perfect all-rounder in the high-end range

The Alpenföhn Brocken 4 MAX competes in the high-end sector as a twin-tower cooler with its unusual, asymmetrical design, outstanding build quality and maximum compatibility and achieves the highest rating of all air coolers in the test due to its outstanding all-round qualities.

Like the other candidates, the Brocken 4 Max has six 6mm heatpipes which, thanks to the "large-area" asymmetrical heat sink and the "aerodynamically optimized fin design" as well as the "nickel-plated copper base plate", should ensure "pure performance with almost silent operation".

Due to the compact dimensions of the heat sink with a height of only 158 mm and the front JetStream Slim fan, the Brocken 4 MAX also comes with almost no restrictions in terms of housing and RAM compatibility - almost a unique selling point in the entire high-end sector, as only the Noctua NH-U12A has similarly good compatibility.

As with the Brocken 4, the mounting system is ultra-modern, supports the latest CPU sockets such as AM5 and socket LGA 1700 ex works and the very good Intel backplate is particularly impressive. The scope of delivery is also beyond reproach, as two fans are already included in the box, but a third JetStream 120mm fan can be fitted if required using the fan clips supplied.

In addition to the outstanding build quality and compatibility, the Brocken 4 Max also offers very good cooling performance, just behind the Noctua NH-D15 and the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4, and is the quietest twin-tower cooler in the test after the Dark Rock Pro 4, which is why it receives an unreserved recommendation from the editors.

The Alpenföhn Brocken 4 Max currently represents the perfect symbiosis of maximum compatibility, quiet operation and very good cooling performance with outstanding build quality at a fair price of around 82 euros (Affiliate) in the high-end twin-tower air cooler segment!

CoolerMaster Master Air MA824 Stealth MAX Test/Review

CoolerMaster has provided its own spearhead in the form of the Cooler Master Master Air MA824 Stealth for the CPU cooler comparison test, in order to reach for the air cooler performance crown. The Taiwanese manufacturer has opted for a classic twin-tower cooler with a total of eight (!) 6mm "composite heatpipes", which use "a grooved and powder wick structure with double variable heatpipe thickness for maximum heat transfer efficiency". The copper base is also superbly finished.

For the fans, Cooler Master relies on a combination of a Mobius 135mm and one of the excellent Mobius 120 mm fans, which operate at a maximum of 1,550 rpm and 1,950 rpm respectively. The appearance of the Mobius 120 with its dark blue fan blade takes some getting used to at first, but is then very pleasing when installed.

The workmanship of the air cooler is excellent in every respect, the scope of delivery is in no way inferior to the other models in this price range and even the thermal paste is pre-applied. The current AMD (AM5, AM4) and Intel sockets (1700, 1200, 115x) are supported, but the case must offer enough space for the 166 mm high TwinTower. Thanks to the 120 mm fan on the front of the MA824 Stealth, there is still 42 mm free space for the RAM.

The Master Air MA824 Stealth then shows its strengths on the CPU. It came out on top in three out of four tests, even outperforming the DeepCool Assassin IV and leaving the long-serving top dogs in the form of the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 and the Noctua NH-D15 behind. The Cooler Master Master Air MA824 Stealth is also impressive in terms of noise, as it is the quietest TwinTower among the absolute top coolers in the test field after the Dark Rock Pro 4 with a measured 45.9 dB(A) at full speed.

As the price of 109.90 euros is also fair, the CoolerMaster Master Air MA824 Stealth is our new high-end recommendation in the upper class alongside the DeepCool Assassin IV! If you like the somewhat unusual look and prefer quiet operation with top cooling performance and excellent workmanship, then the Master Air MA824 Stealth is the right choice for you! The CoolerMaster Master Air 824 Stealth therefore receives our Gold Award!

CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Black Test/Review

Unlike the spearhead in the form of the Master Air MA824 Stealth, CoolerMaster's revised Hyper 212 Black is aimed more at the mainstream user who expects high cooling performance at a fair price. To this end, the "classic" has been redesigned with a new SickleFlow 120 Edge fan and a sleeker look that adapts the Hyper 212 to Cooler Master's new design language.

The scope of delivery includes a tube of CryoFuze thermal paste and the necessary mounting material for AMD sockets AM4 and AM5 as well as sockets 1700, 1200 and 115x for Intel systems. As the cooler is screwed directly to the backplate after the corresponding brackets have been fitted to the heatsink, it should only be attached with the mainboard removed for easy installation - otherwise the backplate must be fixed in the case.

With a current street price of around 42 euros, the cooler is competing for the favor of buyers in the 40 euro class. The main reasons for this are the excellent workmanship and the attractive redesign with the stylish all-black aluminum cover.

Looking at the data sheet of the SickleFlow Edge 120, it quickly becomes clear that it generates its good performance values primarily via a high speed and therefore also via the noise level - although Cooler Master has also made improvements here compared to its predecessor.

At a maximum speed of around 2,500 rpm, the new Hyper 212 Black can achieve a remarkable performance, especially at 110 W PPT, and reach the regions of a Noctua NH-U12A or a DeepCool AK 620 Zero Dark. At 125 W and also at only 1,000 rpm, however, it can no longer stand out from the competition in its own price range, but performs significantly better than the Arctic Freezer A35 at 1,000 rpm with only one fan and its four heatpipes and almost reaches the regions of large single-tower coolers such as the Scythe Mugen 5 Black Edition.

Only the noise level of the SickleFlow Edge 120 gives cause for criticism, as the Hyper 212 breaks the 50 dB(A) mark in the test at maximum speed - only the Peerless Assassin 120 SE is louder.

All in all, however, the excellent workmanship, the very good cooling performance in the mainstream sector and the fair price are just enough for the Gold Award! If quiet operation is not a priority, you can buy the revised Hyper 212 Black without hesitation!

DeepCool AK620 Zero Dark Test/Review

The DeepCool AK620 is also one of the twin-tower air coolers in the test field and also fights for the favor of buyers in the upper class. The dimensions of the AK620 Zero Dark in a stylish black design with silver accents are somewhat more compact than those of the competition: With a height of 160mm, it fits into many common PC cases despite its size and thanks to the 120mm fans, there is enough space under the front FK120 for memory modules up to 47 mm high - so the popular G.Skill Trident Z RGB modules at least fit under the cooler/fan.

The almost 1.5 kg twin tower relies on a "precision-manufactured, convex copper base plate and six 6 mm copper heat pipes, which enable improved heat transfer." At the same time, the "dense matrix fin arrangement in a dual-tower heatsink layout (...) should offer better efficiency for high-performance systems".

It is always close on the heels of both the Dark Rock Pro 4 and the Noctua NH-D15 and is particularly convincing at a lower fan speed, as the two FK120s already deliver excellent performance at 1,000 rpm. You should therefore definitely limit the fan speed manually, as the AK620 is the loudest cooler in the test field at maximum speed with around 50 dB(A), but is equally quiet and powerful at 1,000 rpm.

The DeepCool AK620 Zero Dark also impresses in terms of processing, design and installation, which - as with most of the test candidates - is easy to do. Anyone looking for a slightly more compact twin tower with excellent cooling performance, an unusual design and fewer RAM compatibility restrictions at a fair price of around 75 euros (Affiliate) should take a closer look at the DeepCool AK620 Zero Dark.

DeepCool Assassin IV Test/Review

Exceptional design, outstanding cooling performance - the new king!

After the already extremely powerful Assassin III, DeepCool is now sending its successor, the Assassin IV, into the race for the performance crown of the most powerful CPU air cooler. The company has come up with a number of ideas for this, first and foremost an absolutely extraordinary design that is somewhat reminiscent of a Borg cube thanks to the extremely clean, black look with a discreet turquoise DeepCool logo and the cube-like shape - drawn out to assimilate your CPU temperature!

The workmanship is in no way inferior to the competition from Noctua and be quiet! and is at an excellent level, while the scope of delivery is also on a par with the competition, from the fan frame for a third fan to the mounting material and high-end thermal paste.

Despite its enormous size, installation is easy and all current Intel and AMD sockets are supported. The Assassin IV has the advantage over the competition that all memory banks remain freely accessible. However, with a height of 164 mm, you should check whether the Assassin IV fits into the case.

Once the Assassin IV has been installed, it impresses in performance mode with an unprecedented performance for an air cooler and is well ahead of the competition from Noctua and be quiet! and can even outperform the competition in silent mode, which is activated via a small switch on the cooler cover. At around 48 dB(A) (performance mode) and 41 dB(A) (silent mode), the noise level is still at a good level and the Assassin IV has such large reserves that it can be operated at a significantly lower noise level without torturing the CPU with high temperatures.

With all these positive features, the price of around 99 euros (Affiliate) remains fair and the cooler appeals to both silent and performance enthusiasts due to its variability. This makes the DeepCool Assassin IV the new, absolute recommendation in the high-end sector if you are looking for the most powerful air cooler currently on the market.

Arctic Freezer A35 Test/Review

Arctic also doesn't let itself be outdone and provides the Freezer A35 for the review. The single-tower cooler is the minimalist in the test field: In the A35 version, the Arctic Freezer is only compatible with AMD sockets AM4 and AM5, but with a price of 20 euros (Affiliate) and a current street price of just under 20 euros, it is the cheapest cooler in the test field.

It combines the typical strengths of Arctic: a very good cooling performance at a fair price with quiet operation, as it is one of the quietest air coolers in the test alongside the candidates from Endorfy and be quiet! Arctic also dispenses with elaborate packaging and printed instructions in favor of the environment - however, the excellent online instructions make up for this with instructions for fan curves and moving pictures for assembly.

Although the Freezer A35 only has four staggered copper heatpipes, it still impresses in the test with good cooling performance and extremely quiet operation. Arctic relies on Heatpipe Direct Touch and a 120mm fan optimized for the "heatsink", which comes from the popular P-series and is integrated into a matching plastic housing so that the top of the heatsink is also covered.

Thanks to the asymmetrical design, the memory banks remain freely accessible, but with a height of 158.5 mm you should take a close look beforehand to see whether the Freezer A35 fits into the case. However, if you are looking for high cooling performance with decent workmanship and quiet operation at an unbeatable price for a current AMD system based on socket AM4/AM5, you have come to the right place - especially as Arctic also offers a six-year manufacturer's warranty. This makes the Arctic Freezer our savings tip and the absolute recommendation in the entry-level range!

Arctic Freezer 34 eSports DUO Test/Review

chic look, good cooling performance, fair price

The Arctic Freezer 34 eSports DUO is also an established old master in the mid-range in this test field. The compact single-tower cooler with four 6 mm heatpipes and two Arctic Bionix P120s in an extremely attractive, snow-white design impresses with very good workmanship, high cooling performance and still good noise levels at a currently fair market price of less than 45 euros.

With a height of just 157 mm, the compact single tower benefits above all from the high performance of the Arcitc Bionix P120 fans, so that it particularly shows its strengths at high speeds: At maximum speed, it positions itself ahead of significantly more expensive coolers such as the Brocken 4 or the Scythe Mugen 5, despite the small heat-pipe-direct-touch contact surface, but falls behind the competition at only 1,000 rpm.

Although it is basically an older air cooler, Arctic ensures compatibility with AM5 and LGA 1700 sockets ex works. The cooler also comes with the excellent MX-4 thermal compound. As usual, Arctic has also dispensed with a printed manual for the Freezer 34 eSports DUO. However, the excellent online manual, which can be accessed via QR code, makes up for this with ready-made fan curves and moving images to aid assembly.

In terms of volume, the Freezer 34 eSports DUO falls behind the mid-range competition and can only outperform the Scythe Mugen 5. Nevertheless, the Arctic Freezer 34 eSports DUO is a recommendation for those looking for a compact single-tower cooler with two fans due to its stylish white look, the fair price of just over 40 euros (Affiliate) and the six-year manufacturer's warranty.

Endorfy Fortis 5 Dual Fan in test/review

The Polish manufacturer Endorfy (formerly SilentiumPC) has made it its mission to develop PC cooling products with an outstanding price/performance ratio. These products include the Fortis 5 Dual Fan, which is a classic tower cooler with two fans (one 140mm, one 120mm).

Like most of the candidates in the test field, the Fortis 5 also comes with six 6 mm copper heatpipes in an asymmetrical arrangement and also relies on heatpipe direct touch. Thanks to the asymmetrical design, the memory banks of the Fortis 5 Dual Fan remain freely accessible despite its rather large dimensions. With its height of 159mm, it also fits into most PC cases - but you should check beforehand whether there is enough space.

Despite the relatively low maximum speed of 1,350 revolutions per minute of the two Fluctus fans, the Fortis 5 Dual Fan delivers excellent cooling performance in the test and is positioned directly behind the twin-tower range in the test field. The low maximum speed of the fans also benefits it in terms of noise, as the Fortis 5 Dual Fan is only just behind the Dark Rock Pro 4 as the quietest cooler with two fans in the test field.

Although the build quality is not quite at the same high level as Alpenföhn, Noctua, DeepCool, be quiet! or Scythe, the Fortis 5 Dual is impressive in all other areas (noise level, cooling performance, installation) and can even be installed on older CPU sockets such as the Socket 775 on Intel or the Socket AM3(+) on AMD. In addition, the Fortis 5 Dual Fan represents the absolute price/performance recommendation in the mid-range with a purchase price of just under 50 euros (Affiliate)! With a purchase price of just under 50 euros, the Fortis 5 Dual Fan is the absolute silencer recommendation in the middle class

Scythe Fuma 3 Test/Review

Maximum cooling performance, maximum compatibility, a fair price - but loud fans!

The Scythe Fuma 3 fights for both the price and performance crown in the mid-range. For around 50 Euro (Affiliate) Scythe once again offers a very well-made twin-tower air cooler, which offers maximum case, RAM and motherboard compatibility thanks to its asymmetrical design with six curved 6 mm heatpipes and the low height of 154 mm.

At the same time, the supplied mounting material for all common AMD and Intel sockets is also state of the art, meaning that the cooler can be installed quickly and easily. The scope of delivery also underlines the high standards of the Fuma 3, as Scythe also includes a useful screwdriver and additional fan clips for a third fan in the box.

According to Scythe, the "principle of a reverse airflow design", in which the two Kaze Flex II (Slim) fans rotate in opposite directions", is intended to generate "increased static pressure as well as a higher and more even airflow". In terms of cooling performance, Scythe actually succeeds in this, as the Fuma 3 effortlessly performs at the level of high-end air coolers in the form of the Alpenföhn Brocken 4 MAX, the Noctua NH-D15 and the Dark Rock Pro 4 from be quiet! across almost all test areas.

Unfortunately, Scythe once again has to give up in the area of noise, as the two Kaze Flex II fans on the Fuma 3 are quite loud at maximum speed with over 49 dB(A) - but if in doubt, you can do it yourself and throttle the fans to a more pleasant level, as the Fuma 3 also offers sufficient reserves.

Despite this small weakness in the area of noise, the Fuma 3 is the most powerful air cooler in our test field in the price range up to 65 euros and at the same time offers almost no compatibility restrictions. If you're on a budget, looking for maximum cooling performance with maximum compatibility and don't care too much about noise, the Scythe Fuma 3 is the right choice for you! This makes the Scythe Fuma 3 our new mid-range price/performance recommendation!

Scythe Mugen 5 Black Edition Rev.C Test/Review

Old but not outdated!

At its core, the Scythe Mugen 5 Black Edition Rev.C is the oldest cooler in the test field, as the first version of the popular air cooler was launched in 2016 before the Black Edition tested here was launched in 2022.

Even today, the Scythe Mugen 5 is still a popular recommendation in the tower cooler segment, as it still combines almost unlimited compatibility, quiet operation and good cooling performance with easy installation at a fair price.

The Mugen 5 Black Edition Rev.C looks a little like the older brother of the Alpenföhn Brocken 4, as both coolers are somewhat similar in terms of dimensions and appearance. However, the Scythe is slightly more compact and also offers unrestricted RAM compatibility thanks to its height of just 154.5 mm and its asymmetrical design with six 6 mm heatpipes, making it an excellent choice for compact cases and PC builds.

Nevertheless, the Mugen 5 struggles quite a bit in the mid-range test field and has to admit defeat to the Fortis 5 Dual Fan in particular, but also to the Brocken 4, both in terms of cooling performance and noise level. However, compared to the Fortis 5, the Mugen 5 Black Edition Rev. C impresses with its better workmanship and its advantages in terms of case and RAM compatibility.

Since Brocken 4 and Mugen 5 are conceptually very similar, are sold at 64.90 euros for the same price (Affiliate) and the Mugen 5 is only just inferior in terms of cooling performance and volume, the Mugen 5 is still recommended for those who prefer the design of the Mugen 5.

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 (SE) Test/Review

Price breaker with excellent cooling performance, but loud fans

Of course, the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 and the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE should not be missing the No. 1 at Geizhals in the air cooler category. In essence, the two twin-tower coolers differ only in terms of the fans supplied, the lack of a heatpipe cover on the "SE" and the associated slightly lower height of 155 mm (SE) compared to 157 mm on the "normal" Peerless Assassin 120.

Both air coolers from the Taiwanese manufacturer are available from the large Amazon at a competitive price of around 40 euros (Affiliate) and impress with their outstanding cooling performance, which even rivals the Noctua NH-D15 and the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 in the test.

Despite the relatively low purchase price, the build quality is very good and the scope of delivery is fine: Thermalright has dispensed with elaborate packaging and a detailed manual in favor of the fair purchase price and limited itself to the basics: compatibility with AM5 and LGA 1700 sockets included.

Basically, both versions of the Peerless Assassin 120 would be recommended without reservation if it weren't for one significant disadvantage: The Peerless Assassin 120 SE in particular breaks - in a negative sense - the noise record in this test at maximum fan speed of 1,550 rpm and reaches 52.7 dB(A) from a distance of 20 cm with the case open. This is no longer up to date, especially as the cooler brings up the rear in every area tested.

The "normal" Peerless Assassin 120 is also at the bottom of the test field in terms of volume, but is still considerably quieter at around 49 dB(A), which is due to the better fans: Compared to the TL-C12C, the Thermalright TL-C12s at least have anti-vibration pads, which apparently ensure lower operating noise.

The limited RAM compatibility is also a disadvantage: As it is a classic twin-tower design, the front fan covers the memory banks, so the use of ARGB modules over 40mm in height is not possible.

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE Award (Image © PCMasters.de)

As the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 delivers outstanding cooling performance at a high-end level with still acceptable noise levels at a price of only 40 euros, it receives the Gold Award and is the absolute price/performance recommendation for all those who require maximum cooling performance and at the same time are not very sensitive to noise. The Peerless Assassin 120 SE, on the other hand, can only be recommended to a limited extent due to its significantly higher noise level and low savings - despite the Silver Award due to its excellent cooling performance.

Test system and test methodology

First of all, here is an overview of all the components of the test system used:

Test system - PCMasters CPU air cooler RoundUp 2025

• CPU**: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D @1.2V VCore/1.125V Vcore & 110W PPT limit

• Mainboard**: ASUS Crosshair VIII Dark Hero

• RAM**: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2x16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16-19-19-36@1.35V

• Graphics card**: AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
• Sound card**: Creative Sound Blaster X AE-5 Plus
• NVMe**: WD_Black SN850X 1TB
• Power supply: be quiet! Pure Power 11 FM 750W- Case: be quiet! Pure Base 500DX Black- Case fan: 3x be quiet! Light Wings 140mm (2x front, 1x rear) @1000 rpm<div class="article-image"><p>Testsytem Kühler 2023 (Image © PCMasters.de)</p></div>As already mentioned, the **AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D is probably the most popular CPU in PC gaming at the moment, but its single-chiplet design also generates a lot of waste heat, which even surpasses the Ryzen 7 5800X.This leads to the dilemma that in order to compare the different air coolers in terms of their cooling performance, a constant load must be applied to the CPU on the one hand, but this should also deliver clock rates and power consumption that are as constant as possible. However, since the Ryzen 7 5800X3D runs hopelessly into the temperature limit with standard UEFI settings under load with Prime 95 even on an AIO water cooling system and clocks down accordingly, a manual adjustment of the VCore is necessary.For this reason, we use a total of four test scenarios** for this **test in order to be able to draw as comprehensive a picture as possible of the performance of the individual CPU coolers:- First, three temperature tests are carried out in a worst-case scenario with Prime 95: Like our colleagues from Computerbase, we use 12K in-place FFTs and the CPU is heated up for 30 minutes before the average values of the CPU temperature, power consumption and CPU clock are determined via HWiNFO over a further period of five minutes.
• In a first test run, the VCore of the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D is adjusted to 1.2V without adjusting the PPT limit - this remains on Auto. Under load, the VCore of the Ryzen on the ASUS Crosshair VIII Dark Hero thus results in around 1.13 V according to HWiNFO. The fans of the individual test subjects run at maximum speed. However, since this scenario - despite the fixed VCore - still causes the CPU to throttle on most air coolers, a second scenario is required:
• During the second and third test runs, the VCore is fixed at 1.125V and the PPT limit of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is limited to 110W. This results in less heat generation, making it easier to identify temperature differences between the various air coolers. - This test is carried out twice: Once with the maximum speed of the CPU fan at 100% PWM and once with the fan speed fixed at 1000 revolutions per minute. This makes it even easier to compare the individual air coolers at a fixed speed. To complete the temperature test, a gaming test should of course also be included. After all, a gaming scenario is probably the most common area of application for the installed CPU and a powerful air cooler.

Due to the requirement to be able to run the benchmark in a loop, the choice fell on F1 2022 from Electronic Arts and the "Imola" CPU benchmark scene from our colleagues at PC Games Hardware. The benchmark scene initially runs in a loop for 30 minutes before the average values of CPU temperature, CPU clock and power consumption are also determined here via HWiNFO and CapFrameX over five minutes. The CPU runs with an auto PPT limit and a manually adjusted VCore of 1.2V. As the room temperature naturally fluctuates during the measurements on different days and at different times, the temperature difference in Kelvin is determined from the CPU and room temperature and shown in the diagrams to enable a fair comparison. Last but not least, the noise level of the test candidates is determined as best as possible with an open case from 20 cm using a Trotec SL-400 sound level meter at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% PWM despite the lack of a laboratory environment.

These various test scenarios should provide you with a comprehensive picture of the performance of the eight test candidates and ultimately help you make your decision. Ultimately, performance and noise levels will also form the core of the evaluation, as these should always be at the forefront when choosing the right CPU cooler!

CPU cooler temperature tests

If the Ryzen 7 5800X3D works at 1.2V VCore and the standard PPT, all air coolers with the exception of the Noctua NH-D15 and the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 run into the temperature limit despite manually adjusted CPU voltage - the CPU starts to throttle!

Therefore, a table of the average CPU clock rate at this point is much more likely to reflect the actual performance of the individual air coolers, although this value is also closely linked to the room temperature:

Nevertheless, the table shows that the Alpenföhn Brocken 4, for example, is positioned directly behind the twin-tower coolers and the NH-U12A in the CPU clock range despite the supposedly "weakest" CPU temperature (due to the lowest room temperature). The test also reveals that the two Noctua counterparts significantly lose performance when using the 7V adapter, but the NH-D15 is only beaten by the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 even with the 7V adapter.

It should of course be noted at this point that this is an absolute worst-case scenario: As a rule, these temperatures are never reached in normal operation (e.g. gaming, photo/video editing, etc...).

If the Ryzen is slowed down, the differences between the individual coolers in terms of temperature can be seen even more clearly: At maximum CPU fan speed, the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 can even outperform the Noctua NH-D15 at 1.125V VCore and 110W PPT, while the NH-U12A without low-noise adapter, but especially the Endorfy Fortis 5, presents itself strongly. The same applies to the Arctic Freezer A35, especially considering the purchase price of just under 20 euros.

If we take a look at the average CPU clock achieved, the Alpenföhn Bro-cken 4 is once again convincing, suddenly appearing at the top of the table. However, all coolers are within 40 Mhz and each of the eight air coolers tested can easily cool the slowed down Ryzen 7 5800X3D.

It also gets exciting when the fans of the CPU coolers only run at 1000 rpm in the same scenario: The Noctua NH-U12A has to give way here and is narrowly beaten by the Endorfy Fortis 5, which only costs around 40 euros, while the Deep Cool AK 620 Zero Dark reveals its silent potential at reduced speed and comes surprisingly close to both the Dark Rock Pro 4 and the Noctua NH-D15. For the first time, the Arctic Freezer A35 with only four heat pipes also falls well behind the rest of the test field - the Freezer A35 is obviously designed for higher speeds.

While the Alpenföhn Brocken 4 is once again at the top in the CPU clock range, the Freezer A35 also falls slightly in the average clock over the five-minute test period. However, with the exception of the Freezer A35, all coolers are within a range of 50 Mhz - which is within the usual fluctuations during such a measurement.

During the gaming test with the integrated benchmark of F1 2022, the Dark Rock Pro 4 dominates the test field, closely followed by the NH-D15 and DeepCool's AK620. The Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black then positions itself behind the Twin Tower squad, just ahead of the En-dorfy Fortis 5 (Dual). The Freezer A35 performs surprisingly well here, delivering another good performance at maximum fan speed. The Scythe Mugen 5 is also at the bottom of the test field here, but the difference between all air coolers here is only 4K.

This confirms once again that all tested air coolers can cool the Ryzen 7 5800X3D without any problems. All coolers keep the Ryzen at around 55-65°C in the gaming benchmark - an absolutely unthinkable temperature during the benchmark.

In the CPU clock range, on the other hand, the Mugen 5 comes out on top this time, while the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 also delivers the highest performance here. Once again, all coolers are within a range of 50-70 Mhz. Any fluctuations here are also due to the reloading of the benchmark.

Update 10.08.2023:

The seven air coolers that have now been retrospectively tested also fit into the charts according to their performance classes - mostly as expected. Looking only at the maximum cooling performance, Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 and Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE are the winners, as they are always at the top of the charts across all four tests - but always at the expense of a sometimes deafening volume, more on that later.

However, the new star among the high-end/upper-class air coolers is the Brocken 4 Max: Similar to the two Thermalright coolers, it delivers excellent cooling performance across all four tests - always just on a par with the Noctua NH-D15 and the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 and usually just ahead of the DeepCool AK620 Zero Dark (with the exception of the 1000 rpm test).

The Noctua NH-D12L also knows how to please despite its "only" five heatpipes and the compact twin-tower design with only one central fan and fluctuates between high-end and mid-range across all four tests. However, the NH-D12L is also designed for high speeds - at 1000 rpm it falls behind the Alpenföhn Brocken 4 and the Scythe Mugen 5, even in the CPU clock range.

The same is essentially true for the Arctic Freezer 34 eSports DUO: At maximum speed, it achieves success at a fair price of around 43 euros against some significantly larger coolers such as the Brocken 4 or the Mugen 5, but loses ground at only 1000 rpm. However, it clearly outperforms the Freezer A35, which is equipped with only one fan.

In contrast, Be Quiet! delivers the quietest cooler in the test field with the Shadow Rock 3, which is consistently positioned in the midfield and is still a real recommendation if you can overlook the outdated mounting and have enough space for the massive cooler in the case. The Noctua NH-U9S is often at the bottom of the charts, but this is simply due to the fact that it is the smallest cooler in the test field and there are no other comparable competitor models in the test field. However, if you look at the results in more detail, you can see that Noctua has created an excellent, high-performance single-tower cooler for compact builds: At F1 22, the NH-U9S can hold its own against the significantly larger Mugen 5 and is only just behind the Arctic Freezer A35 at 1000 rpm. This means that even the NH-U9S can usually cool a hothead like the Ryzen 7 5800X3D in "normal" gaming use without any problems.

Update 04.09.2023

The DeepCool Assassin IV and the Scythe Fuma 3 shake up the charts once again, as both impress with very good cooling performance. The Assassin IV in particular hits the charts like a comet and leads the assembled competition, including the top dogs in the form of the Noctua NH-D15 and be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4. With the exception of the gaming test at F1 22, the Assassin IV is always at the top of the charts and even operating in silent mode (via the switch on the cooler cover) is usually enough to put it ahead of all other coolers. It also usually achieves the highest clock rates in the test. Especially at 1000 rpm and in the test with standard PPT, the Assassin IV outclasses the competition with a 2K or 4K lead over the other top coolers such as the NH-D15 or the Dark Rock Pro 4 - a world for air coolers!

The Fuma 3 also offers outstanding cooling performance for its price and performance class, as it also competes here with the top dogs such as the NH-D15, the Dark Rock Pro 4 and the Alpenföhn Brocken 4 MAX, which is quite similar in design. However, it is important to bear in mind that the Scythe Fuma 3 is priced in the mid-range and - similar to the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 - can easily hold its own against significantly more expensive coolers in terms of cooling performance. It is always just behind the top coolers and is one of the few coolers to pass the load test with standard PPT without throttling the CPU.

CPU cooler volume comparison in dB(A)

As many buyers also consider the noise level to be a decisive factor, we have also taken a closer look at this for you - with interesting results.

Be quiet! lives up to its name with the **Dark Rock Pro 4, which is by far the quietest twin-tower cooler in the test. The Endorfy Fortis 5 (Dual) is a real **surprise: With only one fan, it is the quietest representative in the entire test field, while with two fans it is only narrowly beaten by the Dark Rock Pro 4.

The Alpenföhn Brocken 4 also presents itself as an all-rounder in the volume category and lands right in the middle of the field. Noctua's NH-U12A works very quietly up to around 50% speed, but then increases significantly, while the NH-D15 is somewhat quieter in the upper speed range.

The DeepCool AK620, on the other hand, is far from a quiet performer, with its 120mm fan becoming very loud at maximum speed. The Scythe Mugen 5, which unfortunately is also not a good choice for silent fans, also comes off badly here.

However, the **Arctic Freezer A35 can also surprise here: In addition to the strong cooling performance, it also presents itself as very competitive in the area of noise despite the low purchase price and the marginal equipment and is one of the three quietest coolers in the test field - especially at maximum speed.

Update 10.08.2023

be quiet! also lives up to its name with the Shadow Rock 3, as it is the quietest cooler in the test field.

Alpenföhn also knows how to surprise with the Brocken 4 MAX**: The two newly developed JetStream fans of the Brocken 4 MAX work together excellently and the noise reduction precautions (anti-vibration rubbers on the cooler and fans) are effective: The Brocken 4 MAX equalizes the noise level of the Brocken 4, is even quieter in places and is also the quietest twin-tower cooler after the Dark Rock Pro 4.

Noctua, on the other hand, delivers no surprises with the NH-U9S and the NH-D12L - both coolers are in the midfield in the volume measurement, whereby the NH-U9S is at least the quietest Noctua counterpart. The Arctic Freezer eSports DUO 34 does the same as the two Noctua coolers and also ranks in the midfield.

In negative terms, however, the two Thermalright twin towers in the form of the Peerless Assassin 120 and the Peerless Assassin 120 SE stand out: The Peerless Assassin 120 SE exceeds the already high volume of the DeepCool AK620 Zero Dark at 100% PWM and reaches a deafening 52.7 dB(A) in our measurement. The Peerless Assassin 120, on the other hand, remains below the 50 dB(A) mark, but is still the third loudest cooler in the test, which would probably mean "inadequate" and "insufficient" according to school grades.

However, one thing is already certain: The new coolers are once again shaking up our recommendations.

Update 04.09.2023:

In terms of loudness, neither the DeepCool Assassin 4 nor the Scythe Fuma 3 can set any particular accents. Quite the opposite: While the Fuma 3 was able to offer an extremely convincing performance in terms of cooling performance, it fails in the volume measurement. 49.4 dB(A) from a distance of 20 cm with an open case and maximum speed is very loud and it is therefore one of the three loudest coolers in the test field despite the rather slow rotating fans - basically noise through volume, although the available power reserves also allow scope for tuning for quieter operation.

At 47.9 dB(A) at maximum fan speed, the Deepcool Assassin 4 is also not a quiet performer, but the fans also rotate at around 1700 revolutions at maximum speed and the performance is beyond any doubt. In addition, things look different in silent mode, because here the loudness at 100 % PWM (approx. 1300 rpm) is around 40.9 dB(A), roughly on a par with the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4, which the Assassin 4 easily outperforms in 3 out of 4 tests, even in silent mode. In addition, the DeepCool Assassin 4 has such massive power reserves that it can easily be operated well below the 40 dB(A) sound barrier, without torturing the CPU with excessively high temperatures.

CPU cooler buying guide 2025

We have been able to test 17 modern air coolers from various price and performance classes over the past weeks and months, and all of the coolers tested have their very own advantages. In a test field that is always within a window of 5-6°C difference in terms of CPU temperatures, everyone can choose according to their own preferences. But which cooler is the right one for whom? To help you with your purchase decision, we have divided the air coolers into categories:

Budget CPU cooler recommendation up to 40 euros

In the entry-level or budget segment, only the Arctic Freezer A35 competes in this test, which immediately secures the recommendation in the price range up to 40 euros: With a purchase price of just 20 euros, both cooling performance and volume are outstanding. The lack of an option to use the cooler for Intel systems can be overlooked at such a fair price and the build quality is very good for such an inexpensive cooler! However, the cooler is no longer available.

The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 is a new addition to the budget segment - sometimes just above or below 40 euros, depending on the daily price: It delivers for around 40 euros (Affiliate) a sensational cooling performance and a still acceptable noise level with good case and RAM compatibility as well as a very good build quality. This makes it a real insider tip if you can live with the higher background noise or simply help out here with UEFI tuning. (While we would rather stay away from the Peerless Assassin 120 SE).

In the mid-range from 40 euros upwards to around 70 euros are the **Alpenföhn Brocken 4 (Affiliate)** (approx. 65 euros), the Scythe Mugen 5 Black Edition (approx. 65 euros), the Arctic Freezer 34 eSports DUO, the Endorfy Fortis 5 Dual Fan (approx. 39 euros) and now also the Scythe Fuma 3 (approx. 53 euros). Here we make three recommendations:

Mid-range CPU coolers: 40 to 70 euros

The Alpenföhn Brocken 4 (approx. 65 euros) (Affiliate), the Scythe Mugen 5 Black Edition (discontinued), the Arctic Freezer 34 eSports DUO and the Endorfy Fortis 5 Dual Fan (approx. 49 euros) (Affiliate) are in the mid-range from 40 euros upwards to around 70 euros. We have two recommendations here:

• The Alpenföhn Brocken 4 represents the perfect symbiosis of good cooling performance, outstanding case and RAM compatibility as well as excellent workmanship and thus presents itself as an excellent all-rounder.

• The Scythe Mugen 5 Black Edition has been discontinued.
• The Endorfy Fortis 5 Dual Fan, on the other hand, is our silent tip in the mid-range, as it impresses with its pleasantly quiet running and excellent cooling performance, which comes close to the high-end air coolers. If you opt for the single-fan version, you can save around another 5-10 euros without losing much cooling performance at even lower noise levels. The Scythe Mugen 5 Black Edition is a good alternative to the Alpenföhn Brocken 4 despite its slightly weaker performance.
• The Scythe Fuma 3 completes our recommendations: Despite weaknesses in terms of volume, it is the new price/performance recommendation, as it combines very high cooling performance with maximum case, RAM and motherboard compatibility with good workmanship and a complete scope of delivery at a fair price of around 39 euros.

Best CPU cooler: High-end from 70 euros upwards

The Endorfy Fortis 5 Dual Fan, on the other hand, is our silent tip in the mid-range, as it impresses with its pleasantly quiet running and excellent cooling performance, which comes close to the high-end air coolers. If you opt for the single-fan version, you can save around another 5-10 euros without losing much cooling performance at a lower noise level. The Scythe Mugen 5 Black Edition is a good alternative to the Alpenföhn Brocken 4 despite its slightly weaker performance.

The Scythe Fuma 3 completes our recommendations: Despite weaknesses in terms of volume, it is the new price/performance recommendation, as it combines very high cooling performance with maximum case, RAM and motherboard compatibility with good workmanship and a complete scope of delivery at a fair price of around 53 euros.

In the high-end/upper class from 70 euros upwards, there are now three recommendations due to the strong performance of the Alpenföhn Brocken 4 MAX and the DeepCool Assassin IV, because here, in addition to the volume, the last bit of cooling performance also counts for overclocking enthusiasts, although RAM and case compatibility are also becoming increasingly important - keyword RGB!

• The Alpenföhn Brocken 4 MAX achieves the highest rating in the test, as it delivers a consistently good performance in all relevant evaluation points (cooling performance, volume, price, scope of delivery & features, compatibility, assembly and workmanship): It is quiet, cools almost at the level of NH-D15 and Dark Rock Pro 4, yet with its height of only 158mm it also fits into more compact midi towers, does not block any DIMM slots thanks to the JetStream Slim fan as well as the asymmetrical design, is equipped with a modern mounting system and offers excellent workmanship at a fair price of around 80 euros, making it the new price/performance and all-round recommendation in the high-end range resp. the upper class of CPU air coolers!
• The Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black (Affiliate) at a price of around 115 Euro is now replaced by the DeepCool Assassin IV as a recommendation for all those who have a lot of space in the case, do not want to accept any restrictions in RAM compatibility and are looking for maximum cooling performance and very good features in an air cooler at a still fair price of around 99 Euro - making the DeepCool Assassin IV our new high-end recommendation! The Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black, on the other hand, is still worth a look for all those who don't want to compromise in terms of workmanship, feel and features - because Noctua is still a tick ahead of the competition here.- The Silent recommendation is secured by the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 at a price of around 80 euros, but has already been discontinued: With its very good build quality, outstanding cooling performance at NH-D15 level and extremely quiet operation, it stands out from the twin-tower test field as the perfect symbiosis of performance and noise. Only the complicated mounting system and the limitations in terms of case and RAM compatibility detract from the overall impression.

• The Noctua NH-U12A (Affiliate) is the compact and maximum performance alternative for those looking for an outstanding dual-fan single-tower cooler with compact dimensions. The performance on offer is still unique in this class, but so is the price of around 130 euros - a high-tech product for enthusiasts who are prepared to pay the piper!- The DeepCool AK620 Zero Dark is a little behind, but at a price of around 75 euros it impresses with better RAM compatibility (up to 47mm) than the two large twin towers and a successful look.
• Due to the high purchase price, the Noctua NH-D12L (€99) (Affiliate) and the NH-U9S (€69.90) (Affiliate) also belong to the high-end range. Both coolers also offer excellent cooling performance for their size with good noise levels and are worth a look if you want to set up a powerful gaming system in a compact case or even - in the case of the NH-U9S - plan an ITX build in a mini tower such as the InterTech IM-1 Pocket. Added to this is Noctua's consistently impeccable build quality and the outstanding scope of delivery, including a flawless mounting system.
  
  

No matter which air cooler you choose:

All test candidates are easily capable of cooling the currently most popular gaming CPU in the form of the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D in all possible everyday scenarios and especially during gaming. With this in mind: **The choice is yours!