The CPU is your computer’s brain, and a good cooler is necessary to keep it cool and healthy. But besides the performance, are you looking to add a shiny effect or stunning flare to the air cooler? Well, look no further!
We’ve tested numerous air coolers and found the Cooler Master MasterAir MA620M is the best cooler on this list.
Also, we’ve listed alternatives in this article that can provide exceptional performance and mesmerizing RGB effects to give your PC a spectacular appearance.
So, let’s start.
Best RGB CPU Air Coolers Reviewed
| Award | Model | Max Fan Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Cooler Master MasterAir MA620M | 2000 RPM |
| Best Value | Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB | 1550 RPM |
| Best Looks | Gigabyte AORUS ATC800 | 2000 RPM |
| Best TR4 | Arctic Freezer 50 TR | 1800 RPM |
| Best High-End | Cooler Master MasterAir MA612 Stealth ARGB | 1800 RPM |
| Best Mid Range | DeepCool GAMMAXX GT A-RGB | 1650 RPM |
| Best Budget | ID-COOLING SE-214-XT ARGB | 1500 RPM |
There is a notion that water coolers are better than air coolers in terms of cooling performance. To some extent, it’s true as the water cooling solutions give better output than the air ones. But if you look at the price difference and performance requirement, you’ll realize that not everyone needs an AIO cooler.
You can run games for hours and still get optimal cooling performance through some air coolers.
To give you the best value and meet your PC requirements, we will review some of the best RGB air coolers, which will ensure top-notch CPU air cooling performance and add some flair to your gaming rig. Therefore, let’s not waste a moment and jump right into the review.
Here is the list of the best CPU air coolers for your gaming rig:
1. Best Overall: Cooler Master MasterAir MA620M3
The Cooler Master MasterAir MA620M is a dual-tower unique looking large air cooler, capable of providing excellent performance and illumination.
Key Specifications
Dimension: 135 (L) x 125 (W) x 165 (H) mm
Noise Level: 30 dB
CFM: 57.3
Fan Speed: 650-2000 RPM
- »Dual tower cooler
- »Premium looks
- »Very low noise output
- »Supports addressable RGB
- »Expensive compared to other air coolers on the market
Why We Picked It
This model from Cooler Master is pretty big. Usually, we don’t see air coolers of such size. But it is what it is.
The cooler comes with a considerable height and is also pretty heavy, weighing 1.65 KG.
Cooler Master’s MasterAir MA620M is one of the best CPU coolers with a clean, matte texture on the whole body, which looks impressive. And the only fan that isn’t visible from the outside runs at a maximum of 2000 RPM speed, ensuring smooth airflow. Though it can get a tad noisy at max RPM, that’s tolerable.
About the aesthetics, the black texturing looks fantastic. Apart from that, there is a sort of bling on the cooler’s top with some subtle RGB lighting. There are two fine lines of addressable RGB LEDs, which I found pretty ecstatic. Also, there is an emblem of the Cooler Master logo in between them, which glows like eye candy.
The Cooler Master MasterAir MA620M high-end CPU cooler has a dual tower heatsink with six heat pipes. The new SF120R fan dissipates the heat out of the CPU very efficiently.
We’ve tested the Cooler Master MasterAir MA620M air cooler in different instances. At 165W and full fan speed, it maintains around 64C temperature. While at 260W, the temperature rose to 85C.
At full 2000 RPM fan speed, the cooler produced a 41 dB of noise level, which is pretty good.
Compared to most air coolers, the Cooler Master MasterAir MA620M provides an effortless system to mount the cooler on the motherboard. Also, for its wide range of socket support, you won’t face any trouble installing it to your board.
Who It’s For
The Cooler Master MasterAir MA620M is designed for users looking for minimal RGB lighting with a unique design requiring tremendous maximum thermal power design.
What We Liked Most
When we first unboxed the Cooler Master MasterAir MA620M, the sleek black colour and minimalistic design caught our attention.
What Needs to be Considered
The Cooler Master MasterAir MA620M is a big air cooler. So, you must avoid the SFF build with this air cooler.
Verdict
The outstanding performance and RGB stripe of Cooler Master MasterAir MA620M make it a suitable option for minimalist RGB lovers. It has a bit high price, but if money isn’t an issue, this air cooler is worth a shot.
2. Best Value: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB
Best bang-for-bucks deal, you say? If it should be a combination of performance and affordable price, then it must be the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE.
Key Specifications
Dimension: 125 (L) x 110 (W) x 155 (H) mm
Noise Level: 25.6 dB
CFM: 66.17
Fan Speed: 1550 RPM
- »Capable of handling 200W+ max TDP
- »Very budget-friendly
- »Extremely quiet under pressure
- »404 not found!
Why We Picked It
The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB currently has the best value-for-money ratio in the market. It might be a dual-tower air cooler, but capable of taming the raptor lake 13900K very efficiently.
The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB supports Intel 115X/1200/1700 and AMD AM4, and AM5 sockets, which makes it capable of installing in all motherboards.
The model comes in two different colours, black and white. Both versions look absolutely gorgeous and sleek. The two TL-C12CW-S 120mm fans are equipped with ARGB lighting and provide fast heat dissipation.
It has six 6mm heat pipes and a C1100 Pure copper nickel-plated base for the best cooling performance. Besides the build quality, the mounting process was also very effortless.
Now it’s time for the testing!
We’ve paired the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB with Alder Lake 12900K processor to see its performance and noise level at idle and full potential. After seeing the result, trust me, we all were surprised!
At idle, the CPU was only at 32C. The temperature started to rise when we ran the Cinebench R23. In the whole testing at 200W, the average temperature was just 75C, almost similar to a Noctua NH-D15. Can you believe it?
That’s not the end. At full fan speed, the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB produced only a 34 dB noise level, identical to the Arctic Liquid Freezer II, one of the best 240mm AIO coolers. Unbelievable!
Who It’s For
The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB is designed for enthusiasts who are into both performance and budget. The affordability makes it a top choice even for the mainstream processor user.
What We Liked Most
The most impressive thing about Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB is its value-to-performance ratio. It is well capable of handling the best processor in the market but costs like a budget air cooler.
What Needs to be Improved
Honestly, there’s nothing to ask from the all-rounder Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB in this affordable budget. It excels in every category, and we couldn’t think of a downside in this air cooler.
Verdict
The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB is the best air cooler with RGB you can buy right now. The performance is amazing, and the noise level is very quiet. If you’re looking for the best deal, I suggest you go for the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB any day.
3. Best Looks: Gigabyte AORUS ATC800
If I had to name the top three brands for CPU cooling solutions, Gigabyte would surely be grabbing a place. Now, as an RGB air cooling solution, the Gigabyte AORUS ATC800 model is one of the best under its belt.
Key Specifications
Dimension: 139 (L) x 107 (W) x 163 (H) mm
Noise Level: 31 dB
CFM: 51.7
Fan Speed: 600 – 2000 RPM
- »Big CPU cooler with a huge amount of airflow
- »Top-notch RGB and aesthetics
- »Supports both AMD and Intel sockets
- »Increased airflow than its predecessors
- »Installation is difficult
Why We Picked It
There is a very good reason why the Gigabyte AORUS ATC800 air cooler made it to my list. Starting from the design to the performance, everything is incredible.
It is compatible with a broad range of CPUs from Intel and AMD. It supports Intel 2066, 2011, 1366, 1156, 1155, 1151, 1150, 1200, 1700 socket and AMD AM5, AM4, FM2+, FM2, FM1, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2 socket.
That means almost no issues regarding the socket compatibility and motherboard.
The cooler’s exterior design is unique compared to most ordinary air coolers. After lighting the air cooler, we first noticed its RGB AORUS logo and the Fan/Temp indicator.
As a cooler, it bears some unique elements. Also, the dual-ball bearing structure is something that isn’t prevalent in most RGB CPU coolers.
Now the question is, what’s the secret between such a high-end output from this cooler?
Well, the fan design has a lot to do with this. The blades are unique in shape, which eventually helps in max airflow. The six heat pipes in the Gigabyte AORUS ATC800 quickly dissipate the heat out of the CPU.
Another essential feature that makes this cooler edge over others is its smart RPM/temps indicator. When we tested the rig, we saw the colour change from blue to red or red to blue.
That is when the temps are going up and falling. At lower temps, the light is bluish and red when it’s high. And for RPM, the lighting bar indicates the fan speeds.
Isn’t the whole feature excellent? In my opinion, it actually is.
As for taming the temps, this cooler does the job very well. While overclocking my rig, I was bewildered by its terrific output. It can handle up to 250W TDP, maintaining around 85C temperature and 39 dB noise level.
And on top of that, the lighting effects were outstanding. You can control and customize this lighting with the RGB Fusion 2.0 software and set different effects to colour up the RGB PWM fans.
However, the price might seem high. But if you look at its superb build quality and excellent removal of hot air, the tag is somewhat justified.
Who It’s For
The Gigabyte AORUS ATC800 is for RGB lovers who seek beauty and want an excellent cooling performance while overclocking.
What We Liked Most
The most impressive thing we’ve seen in the Gigabyte AORUS ATC800 is its max TDP capacity. It can handle 250W, which is mind-blowing for an air cooler.
What Needs to be Considered
Due to its unique design, it’s difficult to mount on the motherboard. You might need to do some work while installing on the board.
Verdict
The glowing AORUS logo, fan/temperature indicator, and RGB light make the Gigabyte AORUS ATC800 a top choice for enthusiasts. If you’re searching for a cooler with a combination of performance and appearance, this is the right one!
4. Best TR4: Arctic Freezer 50 TR
If you are looking for a cooler for your AMD Threadripper processor, the Arctic Freezer 50 TR is a very affordable option.
Key Specifications
Dimension: 147.8 (L) x 149.5 (W) x 165 (H) mm
Noise Level: 36.4 dBA
CFM: 70
Fan Speed: 200-1800 RPM
- »Optimized for Threadripper CPUs
- »Dual-tower air cooler
- »High static pressure for increased cooling performance
- »Very affordable price
- »The RGB control module is only included in the premium version
Why We Picked It
It is a high-end solution that can precisely cater to your AMD Threadripper rig. This cooler has a dual-tower design consisting of eight U-shaped heat pipes, which play a big part in heat dissipation in the heatsinks. These heat pipes are the best thing about this air cooler, as they ensure superb thermal performance.
Since it’s an RGB cooler, aesthetics is a significant factor to watch out for.
In the Arctic Freezer 50 TR, the RGB is well-implemented and does offer a striking visual experience. It possesses 13 ARGB LEDs, and they glow like none other.
However, this CPU cooler isn’t devoid of issues. It can cause you a headache when it doesn’t provide enough clearance to the RAM modules. The space for memory DIMMs is only 37.5 mm.
But in the performance section, the Arctic Freezer 50 TR has totally nailed it. The result was very surprising when we tested the air cooler with AMD Threadripper 2990WX in Prime95.
The Arctic Freezer 50 TR maintained around 75C at full fan speed, and the noise level was around 27 dB at 1800 RPM.
The reasonable price and performance make it a top choice for the Threadripper processor in the current market.
Who It’s For
The Arctic Freezer 50 TR is specially designed for the TR4 socket or AMD Threadripper processor. If you own such a CPU, this air cooler is a bang-for-buck choice for your PC.
What We Liked Most
Threadripper processors are very expensive. But to cool down the beast, the Arctic Freezer 50 TR comes at a very affordable price, and that shocked us when we first saw the price.
What Needs to be Considered
Mounting the Arctic Freezer 50 TR correctly is a bit tricky. It will be challenging to secure the fan module if you mount the cooler first.
Verdict
Searching for a budget TR4 socket CPU cooler? Well, there isn’t much choice left in the market then. But among all of them, the Arctic Freezer 50 TR is the best and comes at a very low price, which will serve your Threadripper better and provide good cooling performance.
5. Best High-End: Cooler Master MasterAir MA612 Stealth
What comes to your mind when you see the word stealth? Something very quiet and high-tech, I assume. Well, you’re not wrong here.
Key Specifications
Dimension: 129 (L) x 112.2 (W) x 158 (H) mm
Noise Level: 27 dB
CFM: 62
Fan Speed: 650-1800 RPM
- »Very quiet at normal pressure
- »Stunning looks
- »Supports both AMD and Intel sockets
- »High RAM clearance
- »Expensive compared to other air coolers
Why We Picked It
To be honest, the stealthy design is ridiculously impressive. It is one of the elements that can make you fall in love with this air-cooling solution.
The best part about this cooler is that it will give your gaming rig enough RAM clearance, which is mainly possible due to the heat pipe design. The Cooler Master MasterAir MA612 Stealth has six heat pipes to provide the best heat dissipation performance.
Now, one misconception exists that the coating of this CPU cooler conducts heat. Well, it isn’t true as I’ve tested this air cooler and found no high temps issues.
When we tested the Cooler Master MasterAir MA612 Stealth with 10900K at full load, the result was very satisfying for an air cooler.
At 100% load, the cooler managed to keep the temperature under 85C and the noise level at 39 dB. For a single-tower cooler, the performance is very satisfying. In fact, this model from Cooler Master does pretty well when overclocking, and the result is very pleasing.
The Cooler Master MasterAir MA612 Stealth comes with two SickleFlow 120 fans. The ARGB fans are vibrant and glow when running at full speed.
Besides, the body is scratch-resistant and highly durable. And the compatibility makes it a decent air cooler for any high-end build.
Who It’s For
If you have a mid-tower or larger casing and want an RGB-focused build, the Cooler Master MasterAir MA612 Stealth is perfect for providing performance for your PC gaming.
What We Liked Most
The best thing we have found in the Cooler Master MasterAir MA612 Stealth is its low noise level. We did extensive stress tests, but every time the noise was under 40 dB every time.
What Needs to be Considered
The Cooler Master MasterAir MA612 Stealth is amazingly quiet and supplies excellent performance. But compared to other air coolers, the price is slightly higher.
Verdict
The Cooler Master MasterAir MA612 Stealth is equipped with addressable RGB technology and a decent air cooler around its budget. The support for all AMD and Intel sockets makes it versatile for any build, which definitely makes it well-worthy.
6. Best Mid Range: DeepCool GAMMAXX GT A-RGB
If you’re looking for a single-tower high-performance air cooler with ARGB, DeepCool GAMMAXX GT A-RGB is the perfect choice.
Key Specifications
Dimension: 129 (L) x 86 (W) x 158 (H) mm
Noise Level: 27.8 dB
CFM: 64.5
Fan Speed: 500-1650 RPM
- »Single tower air cooler
- »Addressable RGB
- »Very easy to install
- »Expensive for a single-tower air cooler
Why We Picked It
The DeepCool GAMMAXX GT A-RGB is quite compact, and the small design makes it easily installable in every mATX and ATX PC casing.
The DeepCool GAMMAXX GT has a 120mm PWM ARGB fan and can be controlled with RGB software like the RGB Fusion. Besides the aesthetics, it can cool down your mid-range build efficiently by normalizing the noise level.
The exceptional cooling performance was possible due to its four copper heat pipes which give the best efficiency.
We’ve paired the DeepCool GAMMAXX GT A-RGB with Intel i5-11600K and stress tested in AIDA64. When idle, the cooler was around 30C, but the temperature rose to 85C at full blast.
The cooler also comes with minimal and tolerable noise levels. At 100% PWM, the DeepCool GAMMAXX GT A-RGB made only 41 dB, which is quieter for a mid-range cooler.
Who It’s For
The DeepCool GAMMAXX GT A-RGB is designed for mid-range AMD and Intel processors. The compact design makes it an ideal choice for users with mid-sized PC casing.
What We Liked Most
When we mounted the DeepCool GAMMAXX GT A-RGB on our motherboard, it felt much easier to install, thanks to its brand-new foolproof mounting kit that supports multiple mainstream chipsets.
What Needs to be Considered
The DeepCool GAMMAXX GT A-RGB has only one 120mm fan, which can be insufficient to cool down a high-end processor at intensive pressure.
Verdict
The DeepCool GAMMAXX GT A-RGB is a good choice for mid-range PCs, with no performance left on the table. Its fantastic support and noise control make it a top choice in the current market. Also, if you have a small casing, this air cooler is definitely worth a shot.
7. Best Budget: ID-COOLING SE-214-XT ARGB
If you are looking for an RGB air cooler with a decent cooling performance at a low budget, the ID-COOLING SE-214-XT ARGB might work for you.
Key Specifications
Dimension: 124 (L) x 72 (W) x 150 (H) mm
Noise Level: 30.5 dB
CFM: 68.2
Fan Speed: 500-1500 RPM
- »Very affordable price
- »Single tower air cooler
- »Suitable for a budget build
- »Performance is insufficient for mid-high-range processors
Why We Picked It
The primary reason for picking the ID-COOLING SE-214-XT ARGB for the RGB air cooler is its affordable price. Getting RGB functionalities in this budget is just unimaginable.
The ID-COOLING SE-214-XT ARGB is a single-tower air cooler with just one fan. The fan has ARGB technology and is controllable using RGB software like RGB Fusion or Aura Sync.
The cooler contains four heat pipes to dissipate the heat. It has a PWM controlling system, and the fan can run at a maximum of 1500 RPM, producing a tolerable noise level.
We’ve tested the ID-COOLING SE-214-XT ARGB air cooler with the Intel i5-12400 processor and did stress testing with Cinebench R23. At full throttle, the maximum temperature was 82C, and the noise output was 41 dB louder.
For an entry-level RGB air cooler, the performance and lighting were satisfactory.
The ID-COOLING SE-214-XT ARGB is supported by Intel LGA1700/1200/1151/1150/1155/1156 and AMD AM4, AM5 socket. So there will be no tension regarding compatibility.
The mounting process was very effortless, and the overall build quality is pretty solid at this price range.
Who It’s For
The ID-COOLING SE-214-XT ARGB is for users with low budgets but requires decent cooling and RGB lighting for their entry or mid-level processors.
What We Liked Most
The most impressive thing about the ID-COOLING SE-214-XT ARGB is its low pricing. The performance and features it delivers on this budget are just impressive.
What Needs to be Considered
The ID-COOLING SE-214-XT ARGB is only made for entry to mid-level processors. If you do overclocking or use it for cooling a high-end processor, it will likely be insufficient to deliver the power.
Verdict
The ID-COOLING SE-214-XT ARGB is an entry-level low-budget RGB air cooler. If you want to pair it with a similar range processor, I recommend using it to save some money.
How We Chose the Best RGB CPU Cooler
When choosing the best CPU air cooler with RGB functionalities, we had to ensure it had either RGB or ARGB technology.
In addition, we ensured some factors to provide good performance, better noise control, along with aesthetics. After that, compatibility checking, cooling ability, build quality, and, most importantly, pricing come into consideration while choosing the right CPU cooler for you.
Here are the factors we’ve reviewed while choosing the best CPU air cooler:
Compatibility
Compatibility is the first element when selecting an air cooler for the CPU. Your processor can be from Intel or AMD and contain LGA1200, LGA1700, AM4, AM5, TR4, or another socket.
To give you the best option and versatility, we’ve picked air coolers that support all the current and popular Intel and AMD sockets nowadays.
For example, the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB supports both Intel 115X/1200/1700 and AMD AM4 and AM5 sockets, allowing you to use it with any motherboard and processor.
Aesthetics
When discussing the RGB, aesthetics is the first thing that comes to mind. RGB lighting is meant to increase the beauty and appearance of your air cooler.
So, we’ve kept the aesthetics into our primary consideration and picked the air coolers for you.
For instance, if you look at the Gigabyte AORUS ATC800 or Arctic Freezer 50 TR, you’ll see the obvious changes from ordinary air coolers and would appreciate its unique design.
Cooling Performance
Besides the RGB and aesthetics, you’ll need performance, right? And we aren’t compromising a bit in the cooling ability.
We’ve ensured all air coolers listed here are capable of cooling the processor of their category. For example, the Arctic Freezer 50 TR is mighty and can easily handle the AMD Threadripper processors.
Besides, we’ve looked at their maximum RPM, TDP, and CFM to ensure an optimal temperature level at both idle and intense pressure.
Fan & Heatpipes
The number of fans and heat pipes is crucial for a CPU cooler. They help to create airflow or static pressure and dissipate the heat using heat pipes.
Considering that, we’ve selected various fan sizes—120mm and 140mm, for the air cooler. Similarly, with the heat pipes, we’ve selected air coolers from four to eight heat pipes for each tower.
Noise Level
Noise level is an important factor when choosing the air cooler. No one would prefer to pick a noisy air cooler for a new PC.
The air coolers generally make more noise than AIO. But after long research and testing, we’ve listed the quietest air coolers here to help you concentrate better at work.
Build Quality
For any PC component, build quality is very important. When constantly rotating under heavy pressure, the air cooler must be the best to provide maximum performance.
Thus we’ve focused on the body, fins, and heatpipe metals and provided the best coolers from the market.
Budget
The air cooler price varies considerably based on fan count, quality, and additional functionality. Also, from person to person, the choice differs. Someone would search for an affordable air cooler, and others may look for the most premium and expensive air cooler.
By keeping all the kinds of demand in mind, we’ve chosen the best air coolers from $20 to $100 or more and given you the options to select from.
You can freely choose the coolers suitable for your build or maintain a price range for your budget build.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does RGB increase cooling?
No, RGB lighting doesn’t increase the cooling of your air cooler. It only increases the aesthetics of your cooler.
What is the max limit of RGB?
The RGB air cooler models 8 bits each for red, green, and blue. Each colour also ranges from 0 to 255, which makes a total of 16,777,216 possible colours.
What is the brightest RGB value?
The brightest value for the RGB air cooler is #ffffff. It is the hexadecimal colour code of white.
Final Thoughts
Getting the best cooling option in your budget will go a long way to ensure your gaming PC build puts up with the performance you desire.
We have done an extensive research to choose the best CPU coolers in 2023 with RGB or ARGB support that provide solid cooling performance.
The Cooler Master MasterAir MA620M turns out to be the overall best CPU air cooler with RGB, while the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB is a top-notch product in its own right.
Let us know which CPU cooler you end up buying.
