A CPU cooler is an important part of a custom PC build. If you want to get more out of your processor, you’ll need a good-quality aftermarket cooler for that purpose. Basic coolers aren’t good enough to handle the huge amount of heat generated as a result of overclocking.
At this point, you need an aftermarket CPU cooler that does fit your budget and keeps your processor temperatures down. However, the cost of cooling the processor is a different price. The quality of aftermarket CPU coolers depends on your budget.
However, there are many top-rated CPU coolers under 50 dollars from brands like Noctua, Cooler Master, ARCTIC, and Corsair so they’re great for gaming PCs.
To help you choose the cheap and the best CPU cooler, we have prepared a list of the cheapest CPU coolers under $50.
A wallet-friendly heatsink can save you a lot of money when building the next generation of gaming PCs. On a low budget, you should avoid water-cooled CPU coolers or water-cooled coolers at all costs.
Here are the 10 Best CPU Coolers under 50 dollars in 2024
1. ARCTIC Freezer 34 eSports DUO
The ARCTIC Freezer 34 is one of the most recommended CPU coolers for anyone on a tight budget. If you are looking for a high-end heatsink for your gaming PC, this is your best choice. It has dual fan technology that promotes excellent airflow. Four copper pipes and a thermal coating are provided to ensure more heat transfer.
It comes with a ruggedly designed heatsink to manage heat more efficiently. Two fans are included in the front and rear to promote high static pressure for better cooling. Also, the fan is quiet under normal workload, but a bit noisy when giving full throttle. When the CPU reaches its ideal temperature, the automatic fan will stop spinning.
This CPU cooler fits most PC cases on the market. However, a 157mm tall CPU cooler can be quite difficult to fit into an SFF case. This cooler will soon be on your shopping list in terms of cooling performance and low noise level. We are faced with the best value coolers and very stylish designs at relatively affordable prices of under 50 dollars.
2. Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO V2
One of the most popular and affordable CPU coolers is the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO. Both AMD and Intel CPU sockets are supported on the cooler. With the AM4 bracket (RR-ACCY-AM4B-R1) you need to contact Cooler Master USA, this CPU cooler also supports the new AMD AM4 socket.
This Hyper LED Cooler Master is 4.7 x 4.7 inches which will fit most PCs. The Cooler Master Hyper LED measures 4.7 x 4.7 inches, the perfect size for optimizing performance. The system exerts a busy cooling system with the cooling system. Only four designs have direct thermal contact to accelerate surface-to-surface heat transfer.
This ingenious solution doesn’t expect some power to be fashionable. This cooler is for those who need an amazing cooler but want excellent service and products. Fans are different from regular products within the purchase price range. The blades are wavy and built to provide excellent airflow.
This outstanding fan design can lower operating temperature by 25 degrees below ambient temperature. This is an outstanding concrete benefit. Not only that, it can accommodate another 120mm cooler to run much more complex games or applications.
Heat adhesive is not included in the purchase, so you must purchase it separately. Due to its advanced blade technology and cost considering the pipe design, the Cooler Master Hyper LED CPU Cooler ranks among the best on the market.
3. Scythe Mugen 5 Rev.B
The Scythe Mugen 5 Rev.B is a high-performance CPU cooler you can get on a $50 budget. The performance of this CPU cooler is equal to or slightly better than others. The Scythe Mugen 5 Rev.B CPU cooler is also very quiet and is compatible with a variety of CPU sockets, including AM4, with native support.
The CPU cooler comes with a heatsink with six copper heat pipes and a copper base plate for maximum heat transfer to the aluminum fins. The asymmetric heatsink design and sloping heat pipes allow for a significant amount of RAM-free space, even with higher heatsinks.
The fan used in this cooler is a Kaze Flex 120 PWM fan, which is a quiet fan with a maximum noise rating of only 24.9dBA. Fans are supplied with Sealed Precision Fluid Dynamic Bearings (FDBs) for longevity and reliability and only spin at relatively low speeds in the 300-1200 RPM range.
You can add another fan if you have enough free space and want extra cooling performance. The CPU cooler is solidly built and doesn’t feel cheap at all in terms of finish.
4. Noctua NH-L9i
Low-profile rigs are mostly limited to stock coolers, which is why they perform poorly in most cases. However, the Noctua NH-L9i is a sub-$50 CPU cooler that easily fits into a small form factor PC. Noctua is known for producing the best CPU cooling solutions. So it’s no surprise that there’s another Noctua processor cooler here. It has a low-profile design suitable for small form factor configurations.
This allows you to make smaller PCs without compromising efficiency. One 92mm fan comes with the cooler, so even a bit of overclocking is enough to keep the 8600K cool. With this CPU cooler, you shouldn’t have any issues with free RAM space. A noise adapter that regulates fan speed and reduces noise is also provided with the cooler.
This cooler is perfect because what you are looking for is noise-free processing. Performance-wise, you’ll get decent cooling for its size, but with a regular-sized PC, there are better coolers out there. SFX builds can utilize the cooling power of this cooler and the entire system should be properly ventilated and there should be no serious issues.
One is the shape of the blade, each of which has a groove, and the textured finish of the blade is also an advantage. If you don’t run out of space above this cooler, you can install a 25mm thick fan using the provided hardware and get a few degrees more. If you’re building a CPU for music production or video editing, this affordable aftermarket cooler might be ideal.
5. Cooler Master MasterAir Maker G200P
Now comes the MasterAir Maker, built for gamers and overclockers who need ultra-low temperature, competitive LED lighting, and complete control over their hardware. Our new 3DVCTM technology not only enhances your system with improved reliability, performance, and durability but also significantly reduces power consumption.
And yes, two bundled top cover layouts are available and you can customize the look by adjusting the fan size, position, or model to accommodate your graphics card or memory card. Cooler Master’s engineers have been working hard for the past five years to find a better way to cool heat-intensive components using patented Vapor
This process cools the hardware quickly and in 3DVCTM, the heat pipes and horizontal bases are interconnected to help increase the performance associated with traditional aluminum-based air coolers.
6. Noctua NH-U12S Redux Air Cooler
The Noctua NH-U12S Redux is the cheapest Noctua CPU cooler and a slimmer or streamlined version of the popular Noctua NH-U12S CPU cooler. The Noctua NH-U12S Redux is inexpensive while retaining almost all the good qualities of the Noctua NH-U12S. In terms of performance, the latest coolers are as good as the Noctua NH-U12S. In terms of size, both CPU coolers have the same height, width, and depth.
The Noctua NH-U12S Redux has four copper heat pipes, one less than the Noctua NH-U12S. The number of fans packed into the Noctua NH-U12S Redux heatsink is very dense, which helps provide better heat dissipation. The Noctua NH-U12S Redux comes with an NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM fan that comes with SSO bearings. The fan is very quiet and has a maximum noise rating of 25.1dBA.
The CPU cooler is 158mm high and can fit almost any mid-tower and higher form factor case. In addition, the CPU cooler is quite slim and offers 100% RAM and PCIe slot compatibility and free space. A cooler with a simple and elegant design looks good. When it comes to cooling performance, it beats almost all CPU coolers in the sub-$50 segment.
The cooler supports almost all popular Intel and AMD sockets, including LGA 1200 and AM4. In addition, Noctua’s SecuFirm2 mounting system allows for easy and convenient installation. The CPU cooler comes pre-applied with NT-H1 thermal compound and comes with a 6-year warranty. So, if you are looking for a premium CPU cooler in the affordable segment, it is one of the best options available.
7. Deep Cool GAMMXXX 400
The DEEPCOOL GAMMAXX 400 is one of the most affordable aftermarket air coolers for gaming CPUs on the market. To be honest, it’s one of the best cheap CPU coolers you can get without breaking your bank account. Like other inexpensive aftermarket CPU coolers, this one also has a 120mm fan and four heatsink pipes to absorb heat from your gaming rig.
To add more color to your custom PC, this cooler comes with a blue LED. Supporting almost all sockets on Intel and AMD platforms, this low-budget cooler is perfect for video editing CPUs. As long as you’re overclocking older Intel and AMD CPUs, you’ll hardly notice a difference in fan noise. However, this works well if you are limited to only 6 cores.
A CPU with more cores will generate a lot of heat and make more noise. Also at 155mm in height, this low-profile CPU cooler is ideal for small form factor PC cases. It’s one of the best CPU coolers you can get for under $50 unless you’re playing high-end games.
8. Cryorig H7 Tower Cooler
CRYORIG may not be a popular name for Cooler Master, but they offer a wide variety of CPU cooling solutions. Here we have the CRYORIG H7 CPU cooler. This is a very affordable aftermarket CPU cooler and supports all major Intel and AMD sockets including AM4 with upgrade kits.
CRYORIG-H7-TOWER COOLER The design of this cooler heatsink features a proprietary hive fin construction that allows for a combination of jet fin acceleration and turbulence reduction and can enhance the structural strength of the fin stack.
It comes with three copper-based heat pipes and also has a powerful and quiet 120mm fan. Another advantage of this cooler is its low 145mm height, which allows it to fit into almost any computer case, including mini-ITX cases.
9. ID-COOLING SE-224-XT
ID-COOLING SE-224-XT Basic is the cheapest CPU cooler. Although the retail price is only $25, a CPU cooler can easily surpass twice the price. The CPU cooler comes with an aluminum heatsink with specially engineered microwave structure fins to increase surface area for better heat dissipation. The heatsink features four 6mm copper heat pipes with direct touch technology for improved heat transfer from the IHS processor to the heatsink.
The heatsink is cooled by a 120mm hydraulic bearing fan that produces a 76.16CFM airflow and 2.16mmH2O static pressure, which is a very good figure in terms of cooling efficiency. Fans are quiet at low and mid-speeds but can be a bit noisy at top speeds. To be honest, the fan’s maximum noise rating is 32.5 dBA, which is very satisfying.
The CPU cooler is rated for a cooling efficiency of 180 TDP and can comfortably run mid-to-high-end processors at its base speed. Then when it comes to results, it outperforms the quiet Cooler Master Hyper 212X, Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo!
Famous big brands with more expensive coolers: Dark Rock Slim and Cryorigh H7. The cooler is compatible with most Intel sockets and AMD AM4 sockets. Installation is easy and hassle-free. On top of the heat sink is a blacktop plate that gives the cooler a luxurious and luxurious feel.
Another cool thing about this best CPU cooler under 50 is that it offers full compatibility with RAM. This means it won’t collide with the surrounding RAM slots, and you won’t have any trouble fitting high-end RAM with high heat spreaders. The height of the cooler is 154mm, so it fits almost all mini-tower cases and all mid-tower cases. So it’s the best choice for a CPU cooler in 2024.
10. FSP Windale 6 CPU Cooler 6
The FSP Windale 6 is arguably one of the best CPU coolers you can buy for under $50. It is also the most powerful CPU cooler on this list. The CPU cooler comes with a black heatsink with 6 copper heat pipes in direct contact with the CPU for better heat dissipation and cooling performance. Comes with a PWM 120mm blue LED fan that spins at speeds ranging from 600 to 1600 RPM. It’s pretty quiet at low RPM but can get louder at full speed (32dBA maximum noise rating).
The fan is mounted to the heatsink using a rubber screw assembly that minimizes vibration and additional noise. The heatsink location is not centered and slightly offset to one side, providing ample free space for RAM with a larger heatsink without interfering with the RAM. Also, the CPU cooler looks quite nice with a black heatsink and white fan blades.
The CPU cooler supports various Intel and AMD CPU sockets including AMD AM4 sockets. The mounting mechanism is very simple and very sturdy. This CPU cooler allows you to comfortably use high-end processors like the Core i7 and Ryzen 2700X without worrying about the temperature.
The cooler is a little bigger and taller with a height of 165mm, so check the PC case specifications and free space before purchasing. You can overclock with a moderate amount, but you need to use a good quality thermal paste. The model of this CPU cooler is AC601 and is also available in a white LED variant with model number AC602.
How to choose the best CPU cooler under 50 dollars?
You should pay attention to most items when your budget allows. A good plan is to use a CPU cooler that is inexpensive and compatible with your existing layout. Here are some things to consider when buying a cheap CPU cooler.
1. Processor:
Most of Intel’s and AMD’s low-end processors don’t require overclocking or more than 4 cores, so older design CPUs can now keep pace with entry-level CPU coolers. The heat generated by extreme processing or overclocking processors requires a high-performance CPU cooler.
2. Speed control:
In some cases, you may prefer to find a cooler with absolute speed control to better control fan speed and overclocking, even if auto-buffs maximize performance.
3. Type of cooler:
In general, PCs have two types of heating systems: liquid and air-cooled. Fans are used for conventional air cooling, which circulates air through the heat sink.
Water-cooled CPU coolers use related cooling or water cooling to cool the CPU. Liquid coolers are more reliable and efficient than air blowers, but they are much more expensive than traditional CPU coolers.
4. PC instance:
It’s important to ensure that any CPU cooler you buy for less than $50 can be used with your current tower instance. Some CPU coolers have wide heatsinks that take up a lot of space.
5. Processor socket:
CPU coolers are manufactured based on CPU sockets from Intel and AMD. Most aftermarket air coolers can accommodate AMD and Intel outlets, but some are made specifically for AMD or Intel motherboards.
6. Design:
A well-designed CPU cooler usually simply installs on your current system and takes up less space. Many people prefer this cooler because of its RGB lighting and design.
Conclusion-Best CPU Cooler Under $50
When looking for a sub-$50 CPU cooler for your gaming rig, you can get a lot of CPU cooler listings. However, you should choose one that fits your budget and doesn’t force you to buy new components. The main purpose of buying a cooler is to keep the CPU warm. Affordable coolers include RGB lighting to add more show to your rig.
However, if your main concern is to reduce the processor’s heat, you can sacrifice additional features like RGB and LED lighting. For under $50, you get a good quality CPU cooler that will last you years of use.
