Part type
Cooler
Keeps the CPU (and sometimes GPU) in its boost range. A weak cooler means the chip slows itself down the moment you load a game or export.
Cooler2014
Noctua NH-D15
The air cooler that still beats many 240 mm AIOs. Huge, quiet, beige.
Cooler2024
Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360
The AIO to beat on value — 360 mm of radiator for hot 16-core chips.
Cooler2022
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
Near-D15 cooling for a fraction of the money. The budget air king.
Cooler2021
Cooler Master Hyper 212
A 65–125 W air cooler. Fine on a 7600; not enough for a 14900K.