There are a lot of choices in today's quiet CPU market. Many manufacturers are jumping on the quiet computer bandwagon. But just as is the case for "quiet" appliances - actual silence varies.
All of our silent CPU coolers are truly silent and cool effectively. You may choose one over the other because of brand name, reliability, style, dimensions that work with your computer, or the ability to get just a little bit quieter (the difference of less than a few decibels). All of our quiet coolers won't be heard unless you put your ear right up to your computer, but some of these coolers, because of their huge dimensions and ideal design, cool better than others.
The weight and size of the most powerful coolers might be a plus for you, due to increased cooling. Or, it may be a downside for you, especially if you move your computer around a lot because the large coolers are usually over the manufacturer's CPU weight limit. Here we give you dimensional and compatibility information about our coolers in a nutshell.
| CPU Cooler Name |
Picture |
Price |
Weight |
Dimensions |
Compatibility |
dB Rating, Details |
| Scythe Mugen 3 |
 |
$49.95 |
826g |
130 x 108 x 158 mm
|
Intel
- Socket 1366
- Socket 1156
- Socket 1155
- Socket 775
AMD
- Socket AM3
- Socket AM2+
- Socket AM2
|
20 - 32 dB |
| Zalman CNPS5X |
 |
$29.95 |
320g |
127(L) x 64(W) x 134(H)mm
|
Intel
- Socket 1156
- Socket 1155
- Socket 775
AMD
- FM1
- Socket AM3
- Socket AM2+
- Socket AM2
- Socket 940
- Socket 939
- Socket 754
|
20 - 32 dB |
| Zalman CNPS7X |
 |
$42.95 |
360g |
90(L) x 127(W) x 135(H)mm
|
Intel
- Socket 1366
- Socket 1156
- Socket 1155
- Socket 775
AMD
- Socket AM3
- Socket AM2+
- Socket AM2
|
17 - 20 dB Quiet Mode |
| Nexus LOW-7000 |
 |
$49.95 |
475g |
138 x 123 x 70.3 mm
4.84 x 5.43 x 2.77 in
Heatsink Only
|
Intel
- Socket 1366
- Socket 1156
- Socket 1155
- Socket 775
AMD
|
15 - 24 dB |
| Zalman CNPS10X Flex with Dual Fan Options |
 |
$44.95 |
700g |
133(L) X 74(W) X 151(H) mm
Heatsink Only
|
Intel
- Socket 1366
- Socket 1156
- Socket 1155
- Intel Socket 775
AMD
- Socket AM3
- Socket AM2+
- Socket AM2
- Socket 940
- Socket 939
- Socket 754
|
Uses all 120mm case fans.
Our top pick 120mm Nexus Silent Fan for true 22.8dB and great airflow. |
| Nexus AXP-3200 Quiet Athlon XP CPU Fan |
 |
$29.95 |
331g |
Not Available |
AMD
- Socket A/462, up to XP 3400+
Intel
- Socket 370, PIII 1.13GHz and up
- Socket 605, MP 2800+ or higher
|
19dB |
| Nexus P4 Quiet CPU Fan |
 |
$24.95 |
385g |
Not Available |
Intel
- Socket 478, up to P4 3.2 GHz
|
19dB |
| Nexus FLC-3000 Universal CPU Cooler |
 |
$54.95 |
450g |
128(L) x 105(W) x 119(H)mm
5.04(L) x 4.13(W) x 4.69(H)inches
|
Intel
- Socket 775 (P4)
- Socket 1366 (Xeon, i7, i5)
- Socket 1156 (i5)
AMD
|
15-24 dB
Smoother Airflow |
| Noctua NH-U12DX 1366 Xeon |
 |
$67.95 |
770g (With Fan) |
155(L) x 126(W) x 65(H)mm
6.10(L) x 4.96(W) x 2.56(H)inches
Heatsink Only |
Intel Socket 1366 |
12.6dB - 19.8dB |
| Noctua NH-U12DX |
 |
$64.95 |
770g (With Fan) |
155(L) x 126(W) x 65(H)mm
6.10(L) x 4.96(W) x 2.56(H)inches
Heatsink Only |
Intel Xeon (Intel LGA 771 and mPGA 604 -10mm mounting-holes only) |
12.6dB - 19.8dB |
| Noctua NH-U9DX 1366 Xeon |
 |
$64.95 |
500g (With Fan) |
122(L) x 96(W) x 65(H) mm
4.80(L) x 3.78(W) x 2.56(H) inches
Heatsink Only |
Intel
|
12.6dB - 19.8dB |
| Noctua NH-D14 |
 |
$74.95 |
900 g |
160(L) x 140(W) x 158(H)mm
Heatsink & Fan |
Intel
- Socket 1366
- Socket 1156
- Socket 1155
- Socket 775
AMD
- Socket AM3
- Socket AM2+
- Socket AM2
|
12.6 - 19.8 dB |
| Noctua NH-U12P SE2 |
 |
$64.95 |
600 g |
158(L) x 126(W) x 120(H)mm
Heatsink & Fan |
Intel
- Socket 1366
- Socket 1156
- Socket 1155
- Socket 775
AMD
- Socket AM3
- Socket AM2+
- Socket AM2
|
16.9 dB (Low Noise Adapter) |
| Scythe Ninja 3 Rev. B |
 |
$54.95 |
1040g |
120(L) x 120(W) x 160(H)mm
4.72 x 4.72 x .98 in
Heatsink Only |
Intel
- Socket 2011
- Socket 1366
- Socket 1156
- Socket 775
AMD
- Socket FM1
- Socket AM3+
- Socket AM3
- Socket AM2+
- Socket AM2
|
7.05 - 27.3 dB Min. Band |
| Thermalright Ultra120 eXtreme AM2 BP |
 |
$44.95 |
790g (Heatsink Only) |
63.44(L) x 132(W) x 160.5(H)mm
2.50(L) x 5.20(W) x 6.32(H)inches |
AMD |
Uses all 120mm case fans.
Our top pick 120mm Nexus Silent Fan for true 22.8dB and great airflow. |
| Zalman CNPS7000C-ALCU |
 |
$24.95 |
430g |
109(L) x 107(W) x 63(H)mm
4.30(L) x 4.21(W) x 2.50(H)inches |
Intel
AMD
- Socket AM2 - Most Speeds
- Socket 754 - Most Speeds
- Socket 939 - Most Speeds
- Socket 940 - Most Speeds
(See Product Page)
|
17.0dB ~ 24dB ±10% |
| Zalman CNPS10X |
 |
$57.95 |
750g |
135(L) x 100(W) x 160(H)mm
5.31(L) x 3.94(W) x 6.30(H)inches |
Intel
- Socket 1366 (i7, Xeon)
- Socket 1156 (i7, i5)
- Intel Socket 775
AMD
- Socket AM3
- Socket AM2+
- Socket AM2
- Socket 754
- Socket 939
- Socket 940
|
~26dB ± 10% |