CPU Coolers are extremely important, but you can still purchase a decent cooler on a 50 dollar budget. These CPU Coolers will provide better cooling performance compared to the standard stock coolers Intel & AMD provide. If you’re interested in a CPU Cooler buyer’s guide, you can find that here.
If you fancy some RGB lighting in your build, follow this link to check out the Best RGB CPU coolers on the market.
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Best Budget CPU Coolers Under 50 Dollars
In this list, we will have affordable CPU Coolers under 50 dollars. They will be compatible with Intel & AMD processors and provide the best cooling performance for the price.
Using these coolers may give you slight overclocking potential with the latest Intel & AMD Chips. For example, you may be able to get away with mild overclocking with the Hyper 212.
But if you just want to run your processor at stock speed, all these CPU coolers are capable.
Hyper 212 Evo
| Intel Compatibility List | 2066 / 2011 / 1366 / 1156 / 1155 / 1151 / 1150 |
| AMD Compatibility List | AM4 / AM3+ / AM3 / AM2 / FM2+ / FM2 / FM1 |
| Number Of Fans | Up to 2 |
| Noise Levels | 30 dBa |
| Weight | 1210grams |
| Cooling Methodology | AIR |
| Lighting Technology | n/a |
First on the list, we’ve got the Hyper 212 Evo by Cooler Master. This is one of the most popular budget CPU coolers because it is simple, and it gets the job done. It is perfect if you don’t have any intentions on extreme overclocking. Even if you’re experienced at building PC, it’s nice to have one of these around, perhaps for test builds.
Design
This is a very standard design, no RGB & no eccentricity. You get what you pay for, a CPU cooler with all the necessary components that perform well.
Performance
You will get much more cooling performance out of this cooler than the stock coolers you get with Intel & AMD Processors. You get a lot of bang for your buck as cooler master focused on efficiency when building this cooler. The heat block has 4 direct contact heatpipes & CDC (Continuous Direct Contact) for the best heat conduction.
You can also install a second fan, and use it in a push/pull configuration to further enhance the cooling performance.
Installation
The installation of this product may be tedious if you haven’t done it before. But as long as you follow the instructions carefully, then installing this cooler shouldn’t be an issue. If you’re installing this on an already built system, you may have to remove the motherboard to install the backplates.
Hyper 212 Evo – PROS & CONS
Noctua NH-L9i
| Intel Compatibility List | 1150 / 1151 / 1155 / 1156 |
| AMD Compatibility List | AM4 (Mounting Kit Needed) |
| Number Of Fans | 1 |
| Noise Levels | 23.6 dBa |
| Weight | 385 grams |
| Cooling Methodology | AIR |
| Lighting Technology | n/a |
The NH-L9i is a top-down premium CPU cooler that comes with a low profile build. If you are building a small factor build, then this CPU cooler is ideal for you. It works well in slim cases thanks to its 95×95 footprint, and it has no RAM clearance issues.
Design
Noctua has made a budget, low profile CPU cooler that goes perfect with most small form factor builds. It is quiet and has been made to be compatible with ultra-tiny builds.
Performance
Performance-wise, you get decent cooling performance for the size, although there are better coolers if you’re using a normal-sized PC. SFX builds can benefit from the cooling performance this cooler offers, just make sure that the overall system is properly ventilated, and you shouldn’t have any noticeable issues.
Installation
If you’re building a new PC, the installation should be near painless. However, if you’re installing this in a pre-built system, you may have to remove the motherboard. You need access to the back of the motherboard to install this cooler.
Noctua NH-L9i – PROS & CONS
DEEPCOOL GAMMAXX GT BK
| Intel Compatibility List | 20XX / 1366 115X |
| AMD Compatibility List | AM4 / AM3+ / AM3 / AM2+ AM2 / FM2+ / FM2 / FM1 |
| Number Of Fans | 1 |
| Noise Levels | 27 dBa |
| Weight | 870 grams |
| Cooling Methodology | AIR |
| Lighting Technology | RGB |
This is a beast CPU cooler that works with most AMD and Intel sockets. It also features RGB, so if you’re going for an RGB orientated build, this cooler may appeal to you. It also has high-quality CPU cooling optimized for heat dissipation. Overall a solid all-rounded CPU cooler, you have the aesthetics, compatibility, and performance.
Design
The heatsink is quite robust, it features 0.5mm thick aluminum fins and 4 heatpipes on both sides, 8 total. Also, the copper heatpipes continue upwards through the heatsink, evenly distributing heat.
Turning on this CPU cooler shows bright & vivid RGB lighting, you can see the lights illuminating the fans. Also, On top of the heatsinks, there is a cool logo that lights up with the RGB lighting. With the cooler, you have a controller that allows you to cycle through the RGB presets. Or if you have an RGB compatible motherboard, you can sync it to everything else.
Performance
You are able to get decent performance out of this CPU cooler due to its efficient & effective heatsink design. You may be able to get away with slight overclocks. Also, the fan is decent, but there are definitely better fans out there. You can get decent performance out of this budget CPU cooler, for the price, it’s worth trying.
Installation
Installation is fairly simple, you just need access to the back of the motherboard to install the cooler. If you’re installing this CPU cooler on a fresh build, then it should be pretty straight forward.
Beginners also shouldn’t have an issue installing this cooler, although the brackets can be annoying.
DEEPCOOL GAMMAXX – PROS & CONS
ARCTIC Freezer 34 eSports DUO
| Intel Compatibility List | 115x / 2011-3 * / 2066 |
| AMD Compatibility List | AM4 |
| Number Of Fans | 2 |
| Noise Levels | 28 dBa |
| Weight | 764 grams |
| Cooling Methodology | AIR |
| Lighting Technology | n/a |
Arctic Freezer has presented us with a dual-fan tower CPU cooler. It features two pressure optimized fans, these fans increase airflow significantly. The fans are also pretty quiet, even with the fans at full RPM, there is very little vibration generated. This CPU cooler also surpassed many competitions, even expensive ones which makes this one of the best budget CPU coolers.
Design
The design is pretty neat, it has been designed to dissipate heat efficiently. Taking a look at the fans, they’ve clearly been designed to promote high static pressure. High static pressure is wanted for better cooling performance.
Arctic Freezer has taken RAM compatibility into consideration, this cooler will have minimal clearance issues with the RAM slots. Tall RAM sticks shouldn’t be an issue due to the build of the cooler.
Performance
You get crazy performance for the price with this cooler. Not only is the cooling great, but the noise levels are also very bearable. The fans have a zero RPM feature which means the fans completely stop when the processor has met a certain temperature. This feature is beneficial if you care about a quiet PC.
Installation
Installing is pretty straight forward too. Just install the assigned mountain brackets behind the motherboard. Then attach the cooler via the assigned thumb screws. A very simple installation process and beginner builders should not have an issue.
ARCTIC Freezer 34 eSports DUO – PROS & CONS
darkFlash Shadow PWM
| Intel Compatibility List | 1151 / 1150 / 1155 / 1156 |
| AMD Compatibility List | AM4 / FM2 / FM1 / AM3(+) / AM2(+) |
| Number Of Fans | 1 |
| Noise Levels | 29.6 dBa |
| Weight | 357 grams |
| Cooling Methodology | AIR |
| Lighting Technology | Addressable-RGB |
A very unique looking CPU cooler, it features a top-down design, and it looks unique compared to other coolers on this list. It has addressable RGB meaning you control every LED individually. The cooler is also decent for SFX builds due to its top-down nature.
Design
Design-wise, there’s not many CPU coolers that look like this, it’s unique look will attract many people. The ring RGB design really goes well, and since the LEDs are addressable, you can create some cool effects with the lights.
Performance
While there are better budget CPU coolers that can cool better than this, this cooler appeals more to slim, small form factor builds. You can definitely run your processor at clock speeds, or maybe get away wit ha slight overclock depending on your overall cooling.
Installation
Installation wise, it can get tedious. You definitely need to remove the motherboard before attempting to install this, and an extra hand can make this process easier.