On an ITX build, you have very limited space for installing a CPU cooler.
And after testing, we found these four coolers that are worthy of your hard-earned cash.
Best Low Profile CPU Coolers
1.
It is compatible with the latest Intel 13th Gen and AMD AM5 processors, which is great.
And it uses the same backplate as what AMD uses, so another point to ID-Cooling.
And yes, the cooler is pretty straightforward to install.
You get a large heatsink than before, which weighs 450g.
Six heat pipes are included, whichdissipate the heat evenly.
You also get a copper base, which is a nice addition.
The large heatsink and the 120 m fans ace our tests when it comes to cooling.
We tested the cooler by maxing out the CPU, targeting loads at 65 and 95 watts.
The results surprised us, honestly.
The temperatures were62 and 82 degrees, respectively.
As for the noise levels, we measured a quiet38 decibels.
These are excellent results for a cooler that does not cost as much.
You also get ARGB support here, which is fantastic.
This particular cooler uses a 4-pin PWM connector.
Our only gripes lie in the size of the cooler.
Due to the large heatsink, you get a very small RAM clearance of 40 mm.
And if you have a large motherboard IO heatsink, that can cause problems too.
So, better check out the dimensions to stay on the safe side.
And that makes it the best choice for anyone looking for a low-profile CPU cooler on a constrained budget.
Its diminutive size means that it is sure to fit even in the smallest of cases.
This is due to a clearance of 37mm, which is almost half of some of the tallest options.
There are different versions for both Intel and AMD.
Also, you get the mounting brackets and the excellent-performing Noctua NT-H1 thermal paste included in the box.
The fan is a 90 mm NF-A9x 14.
You get PWM control, plus it is super quiet.
To test this, we ran astress testat 65 W loads.
The maximum temperature was recorded at 67 degrees.
The noise during this time was a whisper-quiet 38 decibels.
If you execute the fan at the max speeds, then the average temps drop down below 60 degrees.
These are excellent results considering the very small heatsink that you get.
We even tried gaming targeting a 95W thermal headroom.
The temperatures were a little higher at 69 degrees, with the sound levels never exceeding 38 decibels.
The best thing about Noctua coolers is six years warranty.
Plus, there are numerous add-ons available that make this cooler highly customizable.
We have selected the brown and beige color scheme, which may not be for everyone.
There is a matt black option present, but it costs ten dollars more.
Unfortunately, there is no RGB option present here.
The Noctua L9a is the best small form factor cooler that we have tested.
You get great temps and a silent fan which are paramount for a small form factor PC.
In short, we really this cooler for its useability & compatibility.
It sports the largest heatsink among all the coolers included here, with a length of 150 mm.
There are four heat pipes that dissipate the heat efficiently.
The fan you get is a 92 mm NF-B9.
You get 48 mm of space to fit in your memory module.
As usual, AIDA 64 was how we ran the stress testing, targeting 65 and 95 watts.
The latter is quite higher than what Noctua rates this cooler for.
But that can really reveal the worst-case scenarios during a sustained load.
At 65 watts, the temperatures were at an average of 61 degrees.
When we bumped up thepower limit, we got 85 degrees.
While running a game set with a 95W power limit, we only got 62 degrees which was great.
This is more in line with what you will encounter on a daily basis if you plan on gaming.
The noise levels never exceeded 40 decibels which just showcases how great the included fans are at their work.
Coming to compatibility, you have support for Intels 13th gen and AMD AM5 processors.
Noctua also provides an NT-H2 thermal paste, which is another top-rated product.
The Noctua NH-L12 performs admirably even at higher power limits while keeping noise near silent levels.
This is the best-performing low-profile air cooler, giving tough competition to the full-sized ones.
The pump, too, has a height of 57 mm which provides clearance for your case.
Now, since this is a water-cooled unit, this will perform better than any air-cooled one.
Lets see how it performs.
Upping the power limits to 125 watts got us 72 degrees.
But this is to be expected.
Water cooling needs ramped-up fans to bring temperatures down to a comparable level.
As for the goodies, you get ARGB support with both the pump and the fan.
Deepcool does not provide dedicated software to control these.
For that, you’re free to use any open-sourced app.
You get more cooling and thermal headroom compared to the smaller, low-profile coolers.
It comes at a competitive price too.
Height
For an SFF build, the height of the cooler is extremely important.
Typically the height is less than 70 mm for low-profile coolers.
Socket
Not all coolers will support every processor on the planet.
You have to look at which sockets are supported by it.
Brands such as Noctua have a history of supporting their coolers or newer processors.
They make newer mounting brackets so that older coolers are compatible with them.
But still, do see if your processor is supported by a certain cooler.
Noise
Noise is another critical aspect of an ITX build.
People often build these HTPCs, which need to be super quiet.
And most low-profile coolers focus on operating silently.
Fan speeds play an important part in this.
Do note what RPM each fan can provide to get an idea.
Look for a fan that stays below 40 decibels when running at full speeds.
RGB Support
Maybe you want the CPU coolers to have fancy RGB colors.
Then you would want to look for ones that come with ARGB support.
The included software is also a factor when deciding this.
Because not all manufacturers bundle their products with good software, some fans skimp this feature entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are low-profile CPU coolers worth it?
Yes, they are.
Considering the small form factor, they have significant cooling prowess.
Are low-profile CPU coolers better than stock coolers?
Stock coolers can cool a CPU up to 100 watts, but these are not good at dissipating heat.
A third-party cooler can significantly reduce the temperature by at least 10-15 degrees while remaining silent.
Can I use a low-profile cooler with an overclocked CPU?
This is entirely dependent on how much overclock you are using and what CPUs are being used.
If the cooler is within that range, then it can cool your overclocked CPU.
Are low-profile CPU coolers silent?
Most of them are, actually.
Because of their diminutive size, they are mostly used on small form factor PCs.
So the fans are tuned so that they do not make much noise.
Low-profile coolers normally operate under 40 dB, even under full load.
