While it is important to keep your processor cool at all times to avoid issues such as thermal throttling, it is not necessary to spend a ton of money on just the cooler itself. Overspending on a CPU cooler can be easy, especially for power-hungry processors; However, the performance that some budget coolers manage to deliver might surprise you. Picking an aftermarket cooler on a budget can be extremely tricky due to how important they are for the performance of your processor. This is why today we will be looking at some of the Best CPU Coolers Under $50. CPU coolers don’t necessarily have to be expensive in order to provide decent performance. While 50 Dollars might not seem a lot, companies such as Cooler Master, Be quiet!, and DeepCool have great offerings in this price range.
Here are our selections:
Last update on 2023-12-13
The coolers listed below are for people on a budget looking for the best bang for their buck. While stock CPU coolers provided by manufacturers such as AMD and Intel get the job done, upgrading to an aftermarket cooler is recommended to avoid any possible bottlenecks.
Best CPU Coolers Under $50
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition
Best CPU Cooler Under $50
Specifications : Type: Single tower air cooler | Colors: Black , White| TDP: 150W | RGB: No | Dimensions: 123 x 77 x 158.8 mm | Fan: Silencio FP120 | Fan Speed: 800-2000 RPM | Noise: 26 dBA Socket Support: Intel LGA2066, LGA2011-v3, LGA2011, LGA1151, LGA1150, LGA1155, LGA1156, LGA1366, AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2+, FM2, FM1
Starting off with the Cooler Master Hyper 121 Black Edition, this offering from Cooler Master is one of the most popular aftermarket coolers you can buy to date. The Cooler Master Hyper 212 has been around for an extremely long time, and during that time, it has maintained an outstanding reputation in the community. Cooler Master launched the Hyper 212 Black Edition a few years ago; it is a newer version of the already well-received Cooler Master Hyper 212.
The Cooler Master Hyper 212 has dominated the budget market for the past couple of years and continues to do so with the new Hyper 212 Black Edition. While the lack of RGB with this edition might surprise you, the all-black aesthetic completely makes up for it. Moreover, the cooler has a solid black structure and is fairly compact compared to most air coolers.
Cooler Master has used their Silencio FP 120 PWM fan for the Hyper 212 Black Edition, which has a fan speed ranging from 800-2000 RPM with an airflow of 42 CFM. Apart from that, the Cooler Master Hyper 212 runs surprisingly quiet even under load, with a noise level of 26 dBA. In addition, the fan uses Cooler Master’s Silent Driver IC technology which helps reduce the overall noise level. In terms of the clearance, it has a height of 158mm tall, which means it should be able to fit in most cases.
An extra set of clips is available for anyone looking to add another 120mm fan to the cooler. Surprisingly, an extra set of rubber pads and a fan splitter have also been included. However, adding an extra fan can sometimes lead to clearance issues. The heatsink consists of 4 nickel-plated heat pipes in direct contact with the CPU base plate.
Similar to most CPU coolers in this price range, the installation is also quite straightforward.
What We Liked
While the performance of the Hyper 212 Black Edition is almost similar to the previous Hyper 212 Coolers, it still manages to hold its own against some modern budget coolers. The Hyper 212 black edition is compatible with most ATX and Micro ATX motherboards. Compared to the standard Hyper 212, the Hyper 212 Black Edition adds a bit more character to your PC if you want to build an all-black setup. Surprisingly, the Hyper 212 can also be used to overclock some less powerful processors.
What We Disliked
There is not much to dislike about the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition especially considering its price. It is worth mentioning that it comes with no RGB whatsoever; However, a slightly more expensive RGB version of the black edition is available. The only other possible issue with the Hyper 212 can be the ram clearance with the second fan installed; However, that is less likely to happen in most modern ATX boards.
What Sets The Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition Apart From Its Competitors?
The Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition is a CPU cooler one can pick without worrying about compatibility, clearance, and performance. Furthermore, the enhanced aesthetic of the black edition makes it an even better choice for beginners. While the cooler is definitely a huge upgrade from a stock cooler, it also significantly boosts your clock speeds and works silently even under load. Given the number of Hyper 212 coolers available, the Hyper 212 Black Edition is one of the better-looking ones.
Verdict
Looking at the Cooler Master Hyper 212’s performance in real-world scenarios and benchmarks, it is safe to assume that it is one of the best CPU air coolers out there. To sum up, the Cooler Master Hyper 212 provides phenomenal performance out of the box while also being easy on the budget. It offers great compatibility, along with improvised aesthetics. All of these features make the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition the Best CPU Cooler Under 50 dollars.
Pros
- Amazing Cooling Performance
- Great Clearance
Cons
- No RGB
Be quiet Pure Rock 2 Black
Best Silent CPU Cooler Under $50
Specifications : Type: Single tower air cooler | Colors: Black| TDP: 150W| RGB: No | Dimensions: 121.0 x 88.0 x 155mm | Fan: Pure Wings 2 | Fan Speed: 1500 RPM | Noise: 22.8 dBA Socket Support: Intel LGA 2011, LGA 1150, LGA 1151, LGA 1155, LGA 1200, LGA 2011-v3, LGA 2066, AMD | AM3, AM3+, AM4
Be quiet! Is known for their silent coolers that perform extremely well out of the box without breaking the bank. Be quiet focuses on providing quality products that last long, from their PC cases to the CPU coolers, every product has maintained its quality over time. That is also the case with the Be quiet! Pure Rock 2 Black. The Pure Rock 2 is a fairly new addition to be quiet’s pure rock series of CPU coolers and given the popularity of the previous Pure Rock; this one is bound to impress us.
It is also worth mentioning that the only difference between the nonblack and black version is the black colored heat-pipe. Apart from that, both of the coolers are almost the same. The Cooler itself is 121mm long and 88mm wide; it stands at the height of 155mm, meaning there should be no real clearance issues with most ATX cases. As far as the cooler’s base is concerned, it consists of 4 heat pipes in direct contact. The heatsink has approximately 52 fins with a Be quiet! logo on top of them. Furthermore, it has a TDP rating of 150W, which is more than enough for any modern CPU you throw at it.
The Pure Rock 2 Black uses Be quiet!’s Pure Wings 2 fan, which has an RPM of 1500RPM. The 120mm fan has a max airflow of 51.4 CFM and an air pressure of 1.25MM/H20. The overall noise output of the cooler can range from 19.1 to 26.8 dBA, depending on the fan speed.
Mounting brackets for both Intel and AMD are available, and it is compatible with a wide range of sockets. The Be quiet! Pure Rock 2 Black uses an asymmetrical design that is built to provide excellent ram clearance. One thing to note while installing the cooler is that it does come with a separate tube for thermal paste; instead, be quiet has provided pre-applied thermal paste on the base of the cooler. Be quiet! has advertised the Pro Rock 2 to offer great clearance, and it becomes immediately apparent that it does a pretty good job in doing that.
What We Liked
The Be quiet! Pure Rock 2 is an entry-level CPU cooler with great value and thermal performance. It fits in most mid-tower cases and keeps the noise levels low even at maximum speed. One thing that Be quiet coolers especially excel at is the design, which is also the case with the Pure Rock 2. It is no surprise that the Pure Rock 2 is a huge upgrade from the original Pure Rock 2. On top of that, the clean design of the new black version with the black-colored heat pipes makes it an even better pick for anyone looking for a decent budget cooler.
What We Disliked
While the be quiet! Pure Rock 2 will stop your processor from thermal throttling; you are bound to run into thermal issues when the fan operates at lower speeds. It is also important to note that the fan has no rubber pads and the fan. Another minor inconvenience one can face is the easy-to-bend aluminum fins; applying too much pressure on the fins can cause them to bend. Much like its predecessor, the Pure Rock 2 also has no RGB, which can also be seen as a plus for some people.
What Sets The Be quiet! Pure Rock 2 Apart From Its Competitors?
With a noise output of 26.8 dBA, the Pure Rock 2 is one of the most silent CPU coolers one can go for. Given the price-to-performance ratio of the Pure Rock 2, coupled with the low noise levels, it is without a doubt one of the best offerings from Be quiet! Additionally, the Pure Rock 2 is quite compact, with no signs of the fan reaching the ram slots.
Verdict
Ultimately, the Be quiet! Pure Rock 2 offers great compatibility, clearance, and performance even in real-world tasks. Given that it has a TDP rating of 150W, it should perform perfectly well with most modern processors. Due to its silent operation, even with maximum load, the be quiet! Pure Rock 2 is the Best Silent CPU Cooler Under $50.
Pros
- Great Clearance
- Silent operation
Cons
- No RGB
Vetroo V5
Best Cheap CPU Cooler Under $50
Specifications : Type: Single tower air cooler | Colors: Black, White| TDP: 150W | RGB: Yes| Dimensions: 121.0 x 88.0 x 155mm | Fan: Pure Wings 2 | Fan Speed: 1500 RPM | Noise: 30.8 dBA Socket Support: Intel LGA 1700/1200/1150/1151/1155/1156; AMD AM4/AM3/AM3+/AM2/AM2+/FM2/FM2+
Vetroo is a brand that does not get much recognition for most of their products; however, that is not the case with the Vetroo V5. The Vetroo V5 is one of the most popular and well-received coolers on amazon right now, and rightfully so. The amount of performance the Vetroo V5 delivers at an extremely low price point is insane.
Often compared with the Cooler Master Hyper 212, The Vetroo V5 comes in both black and white variants and includes a 120mm RGB fan. The Vetroo V5 is one of the first coolers to feature 5 direct contact heat pipes in this price range. Speaking of the base, it has a smooth finish compared to a rough surface on other budget coolers. Moreover, the heatsink consists of a total of 48 aluminum heat pipes which should be enough for cooling. Aside from the extra heat pipe, the 120mm fan runs at speeds ranging from 800 to 1700 RPM; it has an airflow of 21 – 52 CFM depending on the fan speed and static pressure of 3.61mm H20. It also comes with the standard 4-pin PWM connector and an ARGB connector for the RGB.
In terms of the noise levels, the fan has a noise output of 30.8 dBA at maximum speed.
Additionally, Vetroo also claims that the V5 is capable of cooling CPUs with a TDP of up to 150W, which is especially impressive for one of the cheapest air coolers on the market. Vetroo has also included their vetroo cooling thermal paste in the accessories of the cooler. As expected, mounting brackets for both Intel and AMD sockets are available.
The Vetroo V5 has a height of 148mm, meaning it should fit almost any case you want to install it in. Cut-outs are also on both sides at the bottom of the cooler to provide better ram clearance. This is an excellent inclusion by vetroo to improve the ram clearance as it does not hinder the cooling performance.
What We Liked
The Vetroo V5 is an extremely compact CPU cooler and provides amazing ram clearance. While the V5 is by no means a direct competitor to an AIO liquid cooler, it still provides significantly better performance than most air coolers priced at a much higher point. In addition to that, the heatsink consists of 5 copper heat pipes, making the Vetroo V5 a great choice for processors with a higher core count. Vetroo’s RGB fan comes with an ARGB controller, which is always a plus, it also is not exceptionally loud for the amount of performance it delivers.
What We Disliked
The Vetroo V5 can be a hassle to install, especially for AMD CPUs; however, most problems with the installation can be easily fixed. One thing that is concerning about the Vetroo V5 is the small gap between the heat pipes; while there were no significant performance drops with these gaps, no gaps between the five copper pipes would have been a nice inclusion. Furthermore, the base plate is not made out of copper, Vetroo has used an aluminum base plate for the V5, and while the performance was fine for the most part, a copper base plate would have been nice to see here.
What Sets The Vetroo V5 Apart From Its Competitors?
Most brands fail to include more than 4 heat pipes at this price range; however, the Vetroo V5 consists of five of them and the implementation is done right. Another unique thing about the Vetroo V5 is the higher static pressure of 3.61mm H20, which further improves the cooling performance. Vetroo has clearly focused a lot on the thermal performance of the V5, its ability to compete head to head with a much more expensive cooler is impressive on its own.
Verdict
Ultimately, the Vetroo V5 is a definite upgrade from the stock AMD and Intel coolers. It is simply the best in its price range in terms of cooling performance. Vetroo has done an excellent job in maintaining its performance. Aside from that, the RGB fan and the extra heat pipe were also a nice inclusion. It is also the cheapest and the most budget-friendly cooler on this list which makes it the Best Cheap Cooler Under $50
Pros
- Amazing Value
- 5 heat pipes
- Great heat dissipation
Cons
- Aluminum base plate
- Can get tricky to install
Scythe Fuma 2
Best CPU For Overclocking Under $50
Specification: Type: Dual Tower Air Cooler | Colors: Black | TDP: 125W | RGB Fans: No | Fans: 1x Kaze Flex 120 Slim PWM fan, 1x Kaze Flex 120 PWM fan | Fans Speed: 1200 rpm | Dimensions: | Socket Support: Intel LGA2066, LGA775, LGA115x, LGA1366, LGA2011 / 2011-v3 – AMD AM4, AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, FM1, FM2, FM2+ | Noise Level: 2.7 ~23.9 dBA (Fan 1), 4.0 ~24.9 dBA (Fan 2)
Scythe specializes in the production of cooling solutions for PCs which include a wide variety of fans, CPU coolers, and other accessories for your fans or cooler. The name suggests a scythe famously held by the Grim Reaper in the cartoon. This theme is consistent with all the products Scythe offers because the fans are made absurdly sharp, resembling a real sharp-edged Scythe. This is also integrated into one of the best CPU coolers Scythe has to offer, the Scythe Fuma 2.
The Scythe Fuma 2 quickly impresses us just after being taken out of the box. Upon unboxing, we get a Kaze Flex Slim 120 PWM fan and a standard Kaze Flex 120 PWM fan. These fans can ramp up to 1200 RPM while producing up to 33.86 CFM of airflow and static pressure of up to 0.9mmH20. These fans are also very silent; the larger fan produces a maximum of 24.9 dBA while the slimmer one produces 23.9 dBA.
We also get a lot of essential accessories, including a magnetic screwdriver, a braided fan splitter, and a tube of a thermal compound that will last for three applications. Here’s the best part, the 25 mm is present to ensure that we get sufficient RAM clearance. However, if you have enough clearance, you can use the provided bracket to replace the slim fan with a thicker and higher-performing one. You can also add a third fan to maximize the performance.
As for the heatsink, we get a standard dual tower design with aluminum fin arrays with six heat pipes. It is topped with a black cover that has metal endings of the heatsink pipes, six on each side, without being capped with a cover. The heatsink’s base is machined very well and has no cheap look to it. The elevated heatsink allows the CPU cooler to clear even the tallest of the RAM sticks.
What We Liked
Scythe has made the installation process very easy by providing a system of stand-offs and a crossbar-type mounting plate compatible with every platform. You only have to screw down the mounting bar after installing the stand-offs, and you get the mount ready.
The fans have cutting-edge sharp blades just like a Scythe blade’s edge. The design is very sleek, with the grey case for the fan and the fan being greenish-grey. This pairs well with the shiny aluminum fin arrays and adds a bit of depth to the whole cooler. The CPU cooler appears robust when two of the fans are installed. It still holds a slimmer appearance even when all three fans are installed. This machine has a power rating of above 125W which can easily be hooked onto any powerful processor and overclocked with ease. The fans are fairly silent and perform well, so the overclocking process will also be less noisy.
What We Disliked
Even though the 25 mm fan provides large RAM clearance, the lower fins of the cooler make contact with the RAM mounts. In addition, if you have a motherboard with elevated VRM heatsinks, there isn’t an issue. However, the issue may arrive if you decide to mount a third fan, where the fan needs to be pushed upwards to sit comfortably.
A full-sized second fan can not be installed if all of your memory slots are populated since there is not enough space for it.
What Sets The Scythe Fuma 2 Apart From Its Competitors?
Other CPU cooler fans operate in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction together; however, the Scythe Fuma 2 has a different approach regarding this matter. The front fan in the Scythe Fuma 2 move in a counter-clockwise direction while the middle one runs in a clockwise direction even though both direct the air in the same direction. According to Scythe, this method increases the overall static pressure. The two fans can ramp up to a maximum of 1200 RPM.
The installation of the CPU cooler itself is very easy. Instead of having threaded rods on the crossbars, you get a hole with angled guides that helps the pre-installed screws of the heatsink slide right in ever so easily. This is a method that other brands should adopt, which would make the installation process much easier.
Additionally, Scythe provides six heat pipes on this beast of a CPU cooler. It may feel standard for a mid-range CPU cooler, but for an economical one, it’s a treat.
Verdict
The Scythe Fuma 2 focuses on silence and compatibility but also has incredible performance due to its unique fan setup. The fans we get in the Scythe Fuma 2 have the perfect performance and noise balance. They are fairly inaudible and perform greatly. These fans are better than average fans that we get from other CPU coolers in this price range. Investing a few bucks in obtaining an additional fan would further ramp its performance up. The Scythe Fuma 2 is both budget-friendly and monstrous in performance for its price range, making it the best CPU for overclocking for under $50.
Pros
- Silent Fans
- Sleek and Robust Design
- Suitable for Overclocking
- Slimmer for a 3-fan cooler
Cons
- No RGB
- Can’t install 2nd fan if RAM slots are full
DeepCool GAMMAXX 400 White
Best White CPU Cooler Under $50
Specifications : Type: Single tower Air Cooler | Colors: Black, White | TDP: 130W| RGB: No | Dimensions: 135x80x154.5mm | Fan: White PWM fan | Fan Speed: 1500 RPM | Noise: 30 dBA Socket Support: Intel LGA20XX/LGA1366/LGA1200/1151/1150/1155/LGA775 | AMD AM4/AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2/FM2+/FM2/FM1
DeepCool is known for making excellent air coolers with offerings such as the AK620 and the AS500, which have dominated the market for quite some time now. DeepCool has also continued to provide fantastic cooling solutions with their AIO liquid coolers. While most of these products are priced much higher, Deepcool has a separate lineup of CPU coolers for people on a budget. The GAMMAXX 400 White falls under the GAMMAXX lineup of CPU coolers from DeepCool.
The DeepCool GAMMAXX 400 has a solid white structure with a height of 154mm. It consists of four copper heat pipes in direct contact with the CPU baseplate. For its appearance, it looks similar to most budget coolers but with a white design, which is ideal for anyone going for an all-white build.
Much like most coolers in this price segment, The GAMMAXX 400 White features a 120mm fan, which has a maximum RPM of 1500; however, the GAMMAXX 400 White does come with a 4-pin PWM cable which means that the RPM can be adjusted using different software. Furthermore, it has a max airflow of 74.34 CFM and maximum noise output of 30dBA.
In terms of compatibility, the DeepCool GAMMAXX 400 White is compatible with most AMD and Intel sockets. The ability to add another fan is also present for a push-pull configuration for someone looking for extra cooling performance out of the GAMMAXX 400 White. Due to the relatively small size of the GAMMAXX 400, it provides great RAM clearance, which can also be further improved by moving the clips higher; one thing to keep in mind while doing this is that it might negatively impact your cooling performance but not by a huge margin.
What We Liked
The DeepCool GAMMAXX 400 provides decent thermal performance due to the 120mm fan and the copper heat pipes. While the GAMMAXX 400 does not come with an RGB fan, DeepCool has included a white LED to the fan, which is a nice addition. This semi-transparent fan does a fantastic job of giving the cooler a neat look. Since the GAMMAXX 400 has a height of 154mm, there should be no issues with fitting this inside a Mid-tower PC case. Another feature of the GAMMAXX 400 is the 4-pin PWM fan, allowing you to control the fan speed.
What We Disliked
The only major downside to the DeepCool GAMMAXX 400 White is its noise; under heavy load and at maximum fan speed, it might be a bit louder than most of the coolers mentioned above. However, it is important to note that this will only be an issue when working in quiet environments. Along with that, DeepCool only provides a warranty of 2 years for the GAMMAXX 400, which is not a lot compared to the rest of the competition.
What Sets The DeepCool GAMMAXX 400 White Apart From Its Competitors?
The DeepCool GAMMAXX 400 White has a decent build quality with a white finish at a relatively cheap price range. It manages to provide proper RAM clearance by providing the ability to move the fan up the heat sink. The four copper heat pipes in direct contact with the CPU baseplate have a smooth finish, providing great heat dissipation. The DeepCool GAMMAXX 400 White is rated to have a TDP of 130W for AMD CPUs and 125W for Intel CPUs; while TDP might not be a great measure of how well a cooler performs it still goes to show how capable the GAMAXX 400 is.
Verdict
The DeepCool GAMMAXX 400 White is an excellent pick for someone looking to build an all-white PC. It can be incredibly challenging to find a cooler under $50 that not only comes in white but also performs well. This is why we have we have crowned the DeepCool GAMMAXX 400 White as the Best White CPU Cooler Under $50.
Pros
- Great Clearance
- Smooth finish on the base plate
Cons
- NO RGB
- It can get a bit noisy
Cooler Master MasterAir G200P
Best Low Profile CPU Cooler Under $50
Specifications : Type: Low Profile Air Cooler | Colors: Black | TDP: 95W| RGB: Yes| Dimensions: 95 x 92 x 39.4 mm | Fan: Pure Wings 2 | Fan Speed: 800-2600 RPM | Noise: 28 dBA Socket Support: LGA1200, LGA2066, LGA2011-v3, LGA2011, LGA1151, LGA1150, LGA1155, LGA1156, AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2+, FM2, FM1
Putting together a small form factor can be difficult given the tight space one has to work with. Making sure you have the right components that fit perfectly is essential for a compact build; Cooler Master’s new low-profile cooler ensures exactly that at an incredibly low cost as well. The recently released Cooler Master MasterAir G200P low profile, as the name suggests is a low profile cooler that competes with the likes of the NH-L9a or the NH-L9i from Noctua.
With a height of 39.4mm, the MasterAir G200P is one of the most compact air coolers one can go for. Even if you compare it to stock coolers from AMD or Intel, there is a significant height difference. The 92mm RGB fan has a speed ranging from 800 to 2600 RPM. This is especially surprising given that the fan has a noise level ranging from 6 to 28 dBA depending on the operating speed. In addition to that, the fan has a maximum airflow of 35.5 CFM and a maximum static pressure of 2.4 mm H20.
The cooler also comes with mounting kits, thermal paste, and an RGB controller for the fan. For the heatsink, the CoolerMaster MasterAir G200P features two C-shaped copper heat pipes, aluminum fins, and a copper base plate. It is also rated to have a TDP of 95W and is compatible with most modern sockets. One thing to keep in mind is that installing the MasterAir G200P can get a bit complex given the number of screws present.
The CoolerMaster MasterAir G200P has a width of 92mm, a length of 92mm, and a height of 39.4mm, making it ideal for compact builds. More importantly, there are no clearance issues whatsoever. Heat dissipation on the MasterAir G200P might not be the best, but it should be fine for less powerful processors.
What We Liked
The CoolerMaster MasterAir G200P is perfect for builds that have space constraints. Pairing the MasterAir G200P with a Mini-ITX board should cause no issues.MasterAir G200P offers great aesthetics with a 92mm RGB fan as well; it is also one of the cheapest low-profile coolers currently available. The cooling performance might not be as good as other 120mm or 140mm coolers. However, it is still acceptable and decent enough to avoid any thermal throttling.
What We Disliked
The MasterAir G200P lacks cooling performance because of the small 92mm fan and the low airflow reading of 35 CFM. The number of screws makes the installation process also a bit more complex than most coolers, which is expected from a low-profile cooler like this one, but the process can improve it. The fan tends to get a bit noisy when operating at maximum speeds; this issue can be solved by lowering the fan speeds; however, that might significantly affect the cooling performance.
What Sets The CoolerMaster MasterAir G200P Apart From Its Competitors?
The RAM clearance is where the MasterAir G200P truly shines, with no signs of it reaching the memory slots. The smaller footprint of the cooler at such a low price is what makes it stand out from the crowd. Along with this, the CoolerMaster MasterAir G200P has a solid build quality and a great design. It also comes with an RGB fan controller with three buttons that can be used to adjust the brightness, change colors, and change the style of the RGB lighting.
Verdict
Overall, the CoolerMaster MasterAir G200P is a decent pick if you are going for a compact build; however, you cannot expect too much performance out of the G200P. The performance is underwhelming, but that is expected from such a compact cooler. Other than the performance, it does a great job in terms of the compatibility and clearance, making the MasterAir G200P the Best Low Profile CPU Cooler Under $50
Pros
- Excellent clearance
- Extremely compact
Cons
- Difficult to install
- Performance is a bit lacking
Stock CPU Cooler vs. $50 Cooler
In most cases, stock CPU coolers always hold back your processor because of their low cooling performance. Going with an aftermarket cooler is always recommended, no matter how low your budget might be. Even a $50 cooler manages to perform incredibly well and, in most cases, better than a stock cooler provided by Intel or AMD. Apart from that, it also gives your a unique look and adds a bit more character to it. With the number of coolers that are available under $50, it almost feels like a no-brainer to go with an aftermarket cooler. One thing to keep in mind is that it is possible to use a stock CPU cooler for less demanding everyday tasks without any issues.
$50 vs. $100 CPU Cooler
Generally, spending more will always get you more features, which is also the case with PC hardware, particularly CPU coolers; However, that does not mean that spending less won’t be able to fulfill your requirements. With a less expensive cooler, you will have to sacrifice a few things, such as the design and aesthetic, to get maximum performance. Going with a $100 cooler opens up a lot more options, allowing you to choose between air and liquid AIO coolers in that range; However, with a budget of $50, you are only limited to air coolers. We recommend you going through our CPU Coolers under $100 List.
The TDP of your processor also plays an important part in deciding the type of CPU cooler you should go with; a processor with a higher TDP will always require more cooling performance. Going for a cheap CPU cooler for a processor with a high TDP rating can limit its performance to a certain extent.
Types of CPU Coolers You Can Get Under $50
For such a tight budget, there are not a lot of types to choose from, not to mention that buying an AIO cooler in this budget is completely out of question, with that being said, here are the types of coolers you can choose from.
Single Tower Air Coolers
These are the most common types of coolers one can find in this budget, due to how cheap they are to manufacture. That does not mean that these coolers cannot perform well, when done right, these single Tower Air Coolers are capable of performing just as well as some of the Dual Tower options available. Most Single Tower Coolers come with a single fan; however, an extra set of fan clips is present in some cases to add an extra fan for additional cooling performance.
Dual Tower Air Coolers
Dual Tower Coolers are rather difficult to find in this price range; However, coolers such as the Sythe Fuma 2 are available for under $50. Dual Tower Coolers generally perform significantly better than single tower coolers; however, they also have a larger footprint compared to single tower coolers. Additionally, the extra fan also increases the noise output of these larger Dual Tower Coolers.
Low Profile Coolers
Low Profile Coolers are meant for more compact builds, they tend to focus more on their smaller footprint rather than the performance. The smaller footprint allows them to fit in almost every mini-ITX case available while also providing fantastic clearance. The CoolerMaster MasterAir G200P is an excellent example of a low-profile cooler under $50.
How We Selected The Best CPU Coolers Under $50
Here are a few factors you should consider before buying your next CPU cooler.
Compatibility
You must ensure that the CPU cooler you buy is compatible with your processor. Generally, the sockets that a cooler is compatible with are listed on the website. You also need to make sure that the right mounting brackets are present, although you can also buy proper mounts separately.
Efficiency and Performance
As mentioned previously, processors with a higher TDP require more cooling performance. CPU Coolers under $50 usually have a TDP rating ranging from 90-150W, which should be enough for a mid to High-end processor. Low-profile coolers tend to have a lower TDP rating, resulting in less performance.
Size and Clearance
CPU Coolers are available in different sizes; the dimensions can vary depending on the cooler you end up going with. It is also crucial to ensure that there is a sufficient gap between the memory sticks and the cooler itself, any sort of interference with the ram slots should be avoided. Another thing to keep in mind is the height of your CPU cooler; smaller cases usually don’t have enough space to house larger coolers.
Noise
A few variables affect the noise output of a CPU cooler. Most notably, the fan type used and the fan’s speed. Most air coolers tend to have louder noise outputs, ranging from 25 to 35 dBA. If the cooler comes with a 4-pin PWM connector, then you can simply reduce the noise level by lowering the fan speed; However, that will negatively affect the performance. Another thing to keep in mind is that you should only be concerned about the noise if the environment you are working in has little to no background noise.
Design and Aesthetic
For CPU Coolers under $50, this might not be extremely important as you should always prioritize performance over design; However, that does not mean that you can’t find decent-looking processors in this price range. Offerings from DeepCool and Cooler Master have decent build quality along with ARGB fans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anything ranging from a dual-tower or a single-tower air cooler should provide sufficient cooling performance, for small form factor builds you can get the Cooler Master Master Air G200P.
$50 should be enough for an aftermarket CPU cooler; however, with this budget, AIO liquid coolers are completely out of the question.
A $50 aftermarket cooler not only performs better than stock coolers but also provides low noise levels, better aesthetics, and superior build quality.
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[CPU Coolers & RAM Expert]
Hayyan Serwer is a tech enthusiast, with a love for PC building and article writing. Hayyan specializes in writing about CPU coolers and RAM kits. Hayyan has been familiar with the tech industry for over half a decade now, and has now stepped into providing quality reviews for the latest and greatest tech.
