Best Low Profile CPU Coolers

A Low Profile CPU Cooler is packaged into a small unit which is designed to provide ultimate cooling performance. It is designed to be as quiet as possible and at the same time maintain upmost efficient power.

Low Profile coolers come with tiny heatsinks which is usually combined with smaller fans which runs at higher speed. Moreover, with low profile coolers, its radiator is placed horizontally either on top or just below the CPU cooler which definitely unlike conventional CPU coolers wherein its radiator is placed on a standard vertical mounting.

Small coolers, as mentioned earlier are very efficient especially when it comes to power consumption and noise production. However, keep in mind that these type of coolers could only work on and handle CPUs with specific TDP which means they tend to gulp power in unnoticeable amounts and yet it could maintain inaudible sound profile.

Best Low Profile CPU Coolers

Noctua NH-L9i Chromax.Black

Specifications

• Type: Single-fan Low Profile Air Cooler
• Fan: 1x NF-A9x14 HS-PWM Chromax.Black
• Fan Speed: 600-2500 RPM
• TDP: 95W
• RGB: No
• Dimensions: 95 x 95 x 37mm
• Socket Support: Intel LGA 1200, 1156, 1155, 1151, 1150 & AMD AM4 (with NM-AM4-L9aL9i)

Noctura is well-known in the PC gaming industry. It is well-loved all over the world and it is highly appreciated by many. Noctura has awed a lot of gamers with its products including the Noctura NH-L9i Chromax.Black. The NH-L9i is considered as one of the best low profile CPU cooler due to numerous reasons.

The Noctura NH-L9i Chromax.Black, comes with a thing 23mm heatsink and a pair of U-shaped copper heatpipes which has a direct contact with baseplate. Its baseplate comes with radial finish which is smooth and mirror-like reflection.

Its heatsink has 55 black-coated aluminum fins which comes with a measurement of 18mm height and 95mm in width. These fins are soldered to the heatpipes and are done perfectly which would definitely ensure its thermal dissipation would not be affected even after a long time of usage.

Furthermore, this CPU cooler has integrated its impressive NF-A9X14 HS-PWM Chromax.Black fan. It uses 4 pin connector and it could also be automatically regulated by motherboard. Its speed range is between 600 to 2500 RPM and maximum airflow of 33.9 CFM.

This CPU cooler also comes with Low Noise Adaptor which ensures that noise level is lowered up to 38 percent. It also uses its SSO2 or more known as self-stabilizing oil pressure bearing system. The SSO2 ensures higher precision and longevity. Moreover, it comes with amazing fan MTTF of 150,000 hours which is highly impressive.

Another impressive feature is the flow acceleration channels. Through these channels, the airflow at the outer blade region speeds up which ensures it reduces wasting airflow which would then enhance efficiency and would make sounds lower.

What We Did Not Like

Though we do not have any much complaints about the Noctua NH-L9i Chromax.Black, the only downside that we could say is that its not compatible with some older CPUs of Intel and AMD. Another thing that you must keep in mind is that this CPU cooler does not have overclocking clearance which could be used on more powerful processors.

What Sets Noctua NH-L91 Chromax.Black apart from its competitors?

Noctua-NH-L91 Chromax.Black sets a very high bar when it comes to performance in SFF profile. Its design is definitely aesthetically great with its monochromatic dark look and at the same time it operates quietly.

Cooler Master MasterAir G200P

Specifications

• Type: Single-fan Low Profile Air Cooler
• Fan: 1x Cooler Master 92mm PWM 
• Fan Speed: 800-2600 RPM
• TDP: 95W
• RGB: Yes
• Dimensions: 95 x 92 x 39.4mm
• Socket Support: Intel LGA 1200, 1156, 1155, 1151, 1150, 2011, 2011(-3), 2066 & AMD AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2+, FM2, FM1

The Cooler Master MasterAir G200P is considered as one of the best low profile RGB CPU cooler. Its design looks like a high-end PC with cool PC casing. In fact, it comes with an RGB lighting and it also has a C and U-shaped dual-heatpipe which are made of copper. It looks elegant and it comes with black plastic backplate. Its heatpipes and backplate are placed between 55 fins.

This CPU cooler comes with 92mm 4-pin PWM fan which comes with a low profile height of 15.4mm. Its fan could produce a maximum of 35.5 CFM airflow which for some might find a bit disappointing. Though that is the case, its maximum CFM airflow is expected with this CPU cooler as it is a low profile type. As for the sound profile, on the other hand, this Cooler Master’s varies between 6 to 28 dB(A). This means, its fan could be loud when its speed is at a max level.

The Cooler Master has about 9 white fan blades on PWM fan. It also comes with a 4-pin 12V RGB connection which ensures you would get a lot of benefits in using this type of cooler. Though that is the case, keep in mind that its 4-pin LED cable would not be compatible with 3-pin 5V A-RGB headers on motherboard which is the most popular connection. Do not worry as the Cooler Master as incorporated a proprietary wired RGB controller which allows you to control the brightness of your fan’s RGB. Furthermore, you will also be able to switch into different colors and preset modes.

What We Did Not Like

One of the downsides of this one is its pricing. In fact, it is one of the worst price to performance ratios in the market. Its cable management system is just unpleasant to look. It is complicated to install as well.

What sets the Cooler Master MasterAir G200P apart from its competitors?

The Cooler Master kept us at awe with its RGB setup and its proprietary RGB controller. It is compact as well which makes it very suitable to be used for SFF gaming PCs.

Enermax Aquafusion 120

Specifications

• Type: Single-fan 120mm AIO
• Fan: 1x 120mm Enermax SquA RGB
• FanSpeed: 500-2000 RPM
• Tube Length: 400mm
• TDP: 300W
• RGB: Yes
• Dimensions: 154 x 120 x 27mm
• Socket Support: Intel LGA 1200, 1366, 1156, 1155, 1151, 1150, 2011, 2011-3, 2066 & AMD AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, FM2+, FM2, FM1

The Aquafusion uses aluminum radiator which utilizes channels which puts together thin aluminum fins. This design ensures higher heat exchange.

Its uses a ceramic pump which could handle enhanced heat dissipation. What is more amazing about this one is that it could also reduce noise levels and at the same time ensure longevity. Moreover, its pump’s maximum voltage and current uptake are rated at 12V and 0.7A which makes its performance efficient.

Its waterblock on the other hand, has an implement proprietary dual-chamber design wherein it integrates the CCI or Central Coolant Inlet structure with an SCT or Shunt-Channel Technology on its cold plate. These dual chamber design allows for the cooler to inject coolant at the hottest areas of the CPU which could lead to the lowering of heat up to 30 percent.

This cooler comes with a sophisticated design with its RGB software ecosystem through the 3-pin RGB plus ASUS Aura Sync, Razer Chroma RGB, Gigabyte RGB Fusion 2.0, ASRock Polychrome Sync, MSI Mystic Light Sync and addressable RGB software. Enermax also provides their own RGB control box which allows you to choose from its 10 preset lighting effects, brightness and speed.

This cooler also comes with 400mm tubing which allows you to be able to install the Aquafusion 120 in any PC chassis. However, they are best suited to Mini-ITX based systems. It also has 5-year warranty.

What We Did Not Like

It would have been better if the Enermax have slimmed down its tubing. Its SquA RGB fan design and Aurabelt with its 3D layer design do not appeal everyone. It is also a little bit on the expensive side.