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Best CPU Cooler Performance: Intel Q3-2010
End results:
High-Performance Overclocker Heatsinks
These heatsinks are suggested based on quality, value, and cooling potential:
1.
Thermalright Venomous-X RT: The new 'Pressure Vault' mounting system offers incredible contact pressure, and pairs a polished contact surface to densely packed heatsink that supports two 120mm cooling fans. The Venomous-X RT kit costs $68, and includes universal Intel and AMD AM2/AM2+/AM3 mounting hardware along with a 120mm cooling fan. As a standalone CPU cooler Venomous-X delivers on its years of past design experience, and placed at the top of every single test we performed on it.
2.
Scythe Mugen-2 SCMG-2100: Just barely trailing behind is the $40 Mugen 2 CPU cooler, which already includes AMD mounting hardware and a premium Scythe Kaze-Jyuni Slip-Stream fan... all for only half the cost of most high-end options. The Mugen 2 heatsink has already received our Editor's Choice Award honorable mention pertaining to value, and it consistently finishes at the very top. The Scythe Mugen-2 Revision B model SCMG-2100 heatsink is identical to the first version, model SCMG-2000, but SCMG-2100 includes a newly developed F.M.S.B. (Flip Mount Super Back-Plate) for more convenient mounting onto the motherboard and the thermal paste has been replaced by SCYTE-1000.
3.
ProlimaTech Megahalems: Using the best mounting system we've ever tested this heatsink delivers extraordinary contact surface pressure between the processor and polished base. The results produce the best cooling performance we've seen, even beating their new Super Mega heatsink. As of November 2010 the ProlimaTech Megahalems was available for $62 at FrozenCPU and NewEgg. AMD users will also want the AM2/AM2+/AM3 mounting kit from FrozenCPU for an extra $10. Of course, adding two high-output cooling fans will make Megahalems unstoppable.
4.
Zalman CNPS10X-Performa: Finishing second in stock results, third with dual silent fans, and fifth when a high-output fan is attached, this inexpensive heatsink really delivers excellent bang for the buck. Priced for only $40 at NewEgg, this could be the poor man's answer to the more expensive Megahalems and Venomous-X while being half as large as Scythe's Mugen 2. The Zalman CNPS10X-Performa fits nearly all Intel and AMD sockets, and comes with a pouch of Zalman Super Thermal Grease ZM-STG2M.
5.
Cogage TRUE-Spirit: Priced at $40, this heatsink takes the Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme (TRUE) design essence and fits it into a smaller more affordable CPU cooler. Our tests of the Cogage TRUE Spirit has always delivered impressive performance, and although only Intel LGA1156/1366 sockets are supported, an optional AMD AM2/AM2+/AM3 mounting system is available for $10.
Best CPU Cooler Performance: Intel Q3-2010
End results:
High-Performance Overclocker Heatsinks
These heatsinks are suggested based on quality, value, and cooling potential:
1.
Thermalright Venomous-X RT: The new 'Pressure Vault' mounting system offers incredible contact pressure, and pairs a polished contact surface to densely packed heatsink that supports two 120mm cooling fans. The Venomous-X RT kit costs $68, and includes universal Intel and AMD AM2/AM2+/AM3 mounting hardware along with a 120mm cooling fan. As a standalone CPU cooler Venomous-X delivers on its years of past design experience, and placed at the top of every single test we performed on it.
2.
Scythe Mugen-2 SCMG-2100: Just barely trailing behind is the $40 Mugen 2 CPU cooler, which already includes AMD mounting hardware and a premium Scythe Kaze-Jyuni Slip-Stream fan... all for only half the cost of most high-end options. The Mugen 2 heatsink has already received our Editor's Choice Award honorable mention pertaining to value, and it consistently finishes at the very top. The Scythe Mugen-2 Revision B model SCMG-2100 heatsink is identical to the first version, model SCMG-2000, but SCMG-2100 includes a newly developed F.M.S.B. (Flip Mount Super Back-Plate) for more convenient mounting onto the motherboard and the thermal paste has been replaced by SCYTE-1000.
3.
ProlimaTech Megahalems: Using the best mounting system we've ever tested this heatsink delivers extraordinary contact surface pressure between the processor and polished base. The results produce the best cooling performance we've seen, even beating their new Super Mega heatsink. As of November 2010 the ProlimaTech Megahalems was available for $62 at FrozenCPU and NewEgg. AMD users will also want the AM2/AM2+/AM3 mounting kit from FrozenCPU for an extra $10. Of course, adding two high-output cooling fans will make Megahalems unstoppable.
4.
Zalman CNPS10X-Performa: Finishing second in stock results, third with dual silent fans, and fifth when a high-output fan is attached, this inexpensive heatsink really delivers excellent bang for the buck. Priced for only $40 at NewEgg, this could be the poor man's answer to the more expensive Megahalems and Venomous-X while being half as large as Scythe's Mugen 2. The Zalman CNPS10X-Performa fits nearly all Intel and AMD sockets, and comes with a pouch of Zalman Super Thermal Grease ZM-STG2M.
5.
Cogage TRUE-Spirit: Priced at $40, this heatsink takes the Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme (TRUE) design essence and fits it into a smaller more affordable CPU cooler. Our tests of the Cogage TRUE Spirit has always delivered impressive performance, and although only Intel LGA1156/1366 sockets are supported, an optional AMD AM2/AM2+/AM3 mounting system is available for $10.