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A Low Profile CPU Cooler is thoughtfully designed to provide the ultimate cooling performance packaged into the smallest unit possible while remaining whisper-quiet and maintaining optimal power efficiency. These coolers are ideal for small form factor builds that focus on minimal footprint. If you want to get such a cooler for your build, you’re in luck: I tested a variety of low-profile CPU coolers and picked my top 6 options.
Our Top Picks And Comparison
Take a look at my selections for the Best Low Profile CPU Coolers:
Best Low Profile CPU Coolers
Here are my picks:
- Best Overall Low-Profile CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9X65 chromax.black
- Best AM5 Low Profile CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9a-AM5 chromax.black
- Best AM4 Low Profile CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9a-AM4
- Best Low Profile CPU Cooler For Intel: Noctua NH-L9i Chromax.Black
- Best Budget Low Profile CPU Cooler: ID-COOLING IS-40X V3
- Best Low-Profile AIO Cooler: SilverStone VD240 SLIM Liquid Cooler
Noctua NH-L9X65 chromax.black
Best Overall Low Profile CPU Cooler
Specifications: Type: Single-fan Low Profile Air Cooler | Fan: NF-A9x14 HS-PWM chromax.black | Fan Speed: 600-2500RPM | TDP: 140W | RGB: No | Dimensions: 95 x 95 x 65mm | Socket Support: Intel 1851/1700/1200/115x/20xx, AMD AM4/AM5
Pros
- Great thermal performance
- Low noise output
- Striking chromax.black theme
- Excellent clearance and installation
- Tough build quality with 6-years warranty
Cons
- Slightly pricey
Cooling Performance: The NH-L9X65 chromax.black showed impressive thermal performance in my testing, keeping the overclocked i7-13700K at 90แตC at 125W. For this, we can thank its superb design with 49 aluminum fins and 4x copper heatpipes. The fan used is the NF-A9x14 HS-PWM (high-speed) chromax.black.
Build Quality: Yet again, I have to hand it to Noctua. Despite its low-profile weight and just 314g of weight, it shows a very well-built design. Its assembly with the aluminum heatsink soldered with 4 copper heat pipes shows great durability, while the fan also shows high-quality construction.
Aesthetics: With a small footprint and an all-black design, the NH-L9X65 chromax.black nails minimalism with its design. Its NF-A9x14 HS-PWM fan adds to its looks and makes it an overall great choice for black-themed builds.
Here’s what our senior reviewer Nauman Siddique had to say about its performance:
“While The NH-l9X65 chromax.black excels in moderate gaming and general use, handling loads up to 140W, itโs not suitable for high-intensity tasks.”
Buy It If:
Here are some more images of the cooler from our review:
โ You’re seeking an ideal cooling-noise ratio: My testing showed the CPU keeping the i7-13700K at 90แตC (although, at 125W) while maintaining relatively quiet operation.
โ You want straightforward installation: The cooler’s installation process was one of the easiest I’ve seen, even for low-profile coolers.
Don’t Buy It If:
โ Budget is limited: For a low-profile cooler, the NH-L9X65 is still somewhat pricey.
What Makes It The Best Overall Low-Profile CPU Cooler?
The NH-L9x65 is just another addition to Noctua’s trophy cabinet of high-performance low-profile CPU coolers. It impresses in all aspects that most people consider, including performance, noise, aesthetics, and build quality. The 6-year warranty was a cherry on top for me, making it my undeniable choice for the Best Overall Low-Profile cooler.
| Performance: 8/10 | Value: 8.5/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Design: 9/10 |
Noctua NH-L9a-AM5 chromax.black
Best AM5 Low Profile CPU Cooler
Specifications: Type: Single-fan Low Profile Air Cooler | Fan: NF-A9x14 PWM fan | Fan Speed: 600-2500RPM | TDP: 100W | RGB: No | Dimensions: 114 x 92 x 37mm | Socket Support: AMD AM5
Pros
- Low Noise
- Aesthetic Black design
- Provides adequate clearance for RAM and PCIe
- 6-years warranty
Cons
- No RGB
Cooling Performance: Despite its slim 23mm heatsink, the NH-L9A-AM5 is a cooling beast. We can thank the NF-19×14 fan for this, which has a maximum speed of 2500 RPM and a maximum airflow of 57.5mยณ/h. Using the Cinebench multi-core to test the Ryzen 7 7700X, the cooler managed to keep the CPU under 85ยฐC in my testing.
Build Quality: The Noctua NH-L9A-AM5 showed sturdy build quality in my review which only adds to its overall appeal. Its 6mm copper heatpipes and densely-stacked fins stood out for me, and the fan with its SSO2 bearing was also impressive.
Aesthetics: First things first, if you’re a fan of RGB, you will have to look elsewhere. But, if you want an elegant-looking all-black CPU cooler, then you should buy this cooler, by all means. Personally, I like the touch it added to several all-black builds I used the NH-L9a-AM5 in.
Read what Awais Khan has to say about the cooler’s design:
Standing at just 37mm tall, the Nh-l9a-am5 rocks a proven heatsink design and an NF-A9x14 PWM fan for solid performance, quiet vibes, and total RAM and PCIe compatibility.
Buy It If
I’ve attached some more images of the cooler below, straight from our review:
โ You prioritize extremely low noise output: The NH-L9a-AM5 chromax.black shows excellent cooling performance while keeping noise to a minimum.
โ You’re seeking all-black aesthetics: Its stealthy all-black look is a great addition for all black PC builds.
Don’t Buy It If
โ RGB lighting is a must-have: Users who prefer RGB lighting may consider its absence as a drawback of this cooler.
What Makes It The Best AM5 Low-Profile CPU Cooler?
With its low-profile design, excellent thermal performance, and quiet operation, Noctua NH-L9A-AM5 represents a compelling Best AM5 Low Profile CPU Cooler option for anyone looking to build a small system without sacrificing the high performance.
| Performance: 8.5/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Features: 8.5/10 | Design: 9/10 |
Noctua NH-L9a-AM4
Best AM4 Low Profile CPU Cooler
Specifications: Type: Single fan Low Profile Air Cooler | Fan: NF-A9x14 PWM fan | Fan Speed: 600-2500RPM | TDP: 95W | RGB: No | Dimensions: 114x92x37mm | Socket Support: AMD AM4
Pros
- Compact design
- Quiet Operation
- Excellent build quality
- Wide socket compatibility
Cons
- No RGB
- Relatively Expensive
Cooling Performance: With the NH-L9a-AM4, we get a 92mm fan that is designed to be powerful and quiet. It supports a maximum RPM of 2500 and low noise levels of up to 23.6 dbA, and, combined with its copper pipes and aluminum fins, kept my Ryzen 5 3600 under 80ยฐC while the CPU boosted to 4.2GHz under load.
Build Quality: The L9a-AM4 is just another product from Noctua that impressed me with its excellent build quality. All the materials used in the cooler are high-quality, including the copper base, heat pipes, and aluminum fins, and this certainly showed in my review.
Aesthetics: Talking looks, the cooler features Noctua’s old and signature brown color theme. You may not be a fan of the colors, but with its slim and compact design, the cooler still looks beautiful and will fit right in with most builds.
Our editor-in-chief, Sajjad Hussain, praised the cooler’s performance offered by the cooler’s low-profile design:
“Despite its small size, this cooler excels in noise-to-performance ratio, boasting a sturdy build with 64 aluminum fins, two 6mm copper heat pipes, and a nickel-coated copper base.”
Buy It If
Check out some more angles of the Noctua NH-L9a-AM4:
โ You value quiet operation: The Noctua NH-L9a-AM4 showed quiet operation in my testing, even under heavy loads.
โ You prioritize build quality: Exceptional build quality makes the NH-L9a-AM4 a durable and reliable CPU cooler choice.
Don’t Buy It If
โ You desire RGB lighting: The NH-L9a-AM4 lacks RGB lighting and may not meet the aesthetic preferences of some users.
โ You have budget constraints: Its relatively high price point may not be suitable for users with limited budgets.
What Makes It The Best AM4 Low-Profile CPU Cooler?
Overall, NH-L9a-AM4 is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a low-profile air cooler for their AMD AM4-based system, and all the features that it comes with make it an outstanding value for the price.
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Design: 9.5/10 |
Noctua NH-L9i Chromax.Black
Best Low Profile CPU Cooler For Intel
Specifications: Type: Single-fan Low Profile Air Cooler | Fan: 1x NF-A9x14 HS-PWM Chromax.Black | Fan Speed: 600-2500 RPM | TDP: 95W | RGB: No | Dimensions: 95 x 95 x 37mm | Socket Support: Intel LGA 1200, 1156, 1155, 1151, 1150 & AMD AM4 (with NM-AM4-L9aL9i)
Pros
- Best-in-class performance
- Sleek all-black aesthetic
- Superb build quality
- Virtually inaudible with Low Noise Adaptor
- Unmatched RAM & PCI-e slot clearance
Cons
- Slightly limited compatibility out of the box, especially for AMD users
- Little to no overclocking headspace
Cooling Performance: Noctua has gone ahead with a slim 23mm heatsink (with 55 aluminum fins), comprising of a pair of U-shaped copper heatpipes, which make direct contact with the nicek-plated copper baseplate. It uses the NF-A9x14 HS-PWM fan, and in my testing, kept the i9-12900K at roughly 67ยฐC under stress.
Build Quality: The Noctua-NH-L9i Chromax.Black shows solid build quality with the combination of copper, aluminum and nickel used in it. Furthermore, Noctua has further improved on the industry-leading SSO2 bearing, and the fans have an MTTF of more than 150,000 hours, something that blew me away.
Aesthetics: With Noctua’s chromax.black theme, the cooler presents another sleek-looking design. Its NA-EC1 cable is also black and fully sleeved. What’s more, I liked the fact that Noctua sells a variety of colored NA-EC1 cables in case you want to mix and match colors in your PC.
The NH-L9i’s chromax.black variant left a positive impression on reviewer Awais Khan:
“With an all-black aesthetic, including heat pipes, fans, vibration cushions, and screws, the nh-l9i chromax.black offers a sleek and stealthy appearance.”
Buy It If
Take a look at some more of our clicks from the review:
โ You value sleek aesthetics: The Noctua NH-L9i Chromax.Black offers a stealthy black aesthetic that can blend well with various PC builds.
โ You prioritize premium build quality: Noctua also won me over with the premium and rugged build quality of this cooler.
Don’t Buy It If
โ You plan heavy overclocking: The NH-L9i Chromax.Black struggles to sustain temperatures beyond 5.0 GHz when overclocked, but that’s understandable since even many liquid AIOs struggle with that kind of load.
What Makes It The Best Low-Profile CPU Cooler For Intel?
Thereโs a lot to love about the NH-L9i Chromax.Black. It shows unparalleled performance while maintaining an inaudible signature sound profile combined with an exotic all-black aesthetic, right down to the screws holding the heatsink and fan together, the Noctua NH-L9i Chromax.Black is one complete package for all your needs, tailored to deliver jaw-dropping performance in a small form factor PC, proving itself as the Best Mini-ITX Cooler to me.
| Performance: 8/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Design: 9/10 |
SilverStone VD240 SLIM
Best Low-Profile AIO Cooler
Specifications: Type: 240mm AIO Liquid Cooler | Fans: 2x 120mm digital RGB | Fan Speed: 300-1800 RPM | TDP: – | RGB: Yes | Dimensions: 120mm x 22mm x 275mm (Radiator) | Socket Support: Intel LGA 115X/1200/1700/2011/2066
AMD Socket AM4/AM5
Pros
- Good performance
- RGB lighting
- Impressive noise output
- Easy installation
- Wide socket support
Cons
- Low warranty period
- Pricey
Cooling Performance: The VD240 SLIM features a 22mm thick radiator with an FPI count of 18, along with 18 coolant flow channels. To dissipate the heat are 2x 120mm fans rated at 1800 RPM, and the result was that the Ryzen 7 7700X in my HWInfo64 test peaked at 84ยฐC while clocked at 5.2GHz; impressive!
Build Quality: We have a very solid design, with an all-aluminum radiator and an aluminum alloy cavity design for the pump housing. The rubber tubing is 400mm long and and showed good flexibility in my review.
Aesthetics: It showcases beautiful aesthetics with a relatively slim black aluminum radiator, plus we get RGB on both the base housing and the fans. Also, the pump housing showcases a unique cutout design with what appears to be a frost. This vibrant RGB looked gorgeous in my testing.
Our reviewer Awais Khan was so impressed that he decided to install the cooler in his personal build:
“I recently upgraded to the SilverStone VIDA 240 SLIM, and itโs a game-changer for my compact PC.”
Buy It If:
Here are more pictures of the cooler from our review:
โ You’re an RGB enthusiast: The VD240 SLIM features vibrant RGB lighting on the fans and inside the base housing.
โ You prefer wide socket compatibility: Currently have an AMD build and plan on switching to Intel or vice versa? You will have complete peace of mind with this cooler.
Don’t Buy It If:
โ You’re on a budget: While the performance and aesthetics are nice, the cooler approaches the price of some 360mm AIO coolers as a consequence.
โ A longer warranty is important: SilverStone only offers a 1 to 2-year warranty with this cooler, which may not meet your demands.
What Makes It The Best Low-Profile AIO Cooler?
Several aspects of the cooler led me to pick it as the Best Low-Profile AIO Cooler. From its lightweight build, to the impressive socket compatibility, to its powerful motor, the cooler presents itself as a top 240mm AIO cooler choice. Plus, there’s plenty of RGB if that’s your cup of tea. My only problem with it is that its slightly too expensive for all of these features.
| Performance: 8.8/10 | Value: 7.5/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Design: 9/10 |
ID-COOLING IS-40X V3
Best Budget Low-Profile CPU Cooler
Specifications: Type: Single Fan Low Profile Air Cooler | Fan: 1x 92mm | Fan Speed: 600-2500 RPM | TDP: 95W | RGB: No | Dimensions: 101 ร 94 ร 45mm | Socket Support: Intel LGA 115X/1200/1700, AMD AM5/AM4
Pros
- Pocket-friendly
- Performs well
- Great design
- 100% RAM clearance
- Supports both LGA1700 and AM5, and even Intel LGA 1851
- Available in black and white colors
Cons
- No room for overclocking
Cooling Performance: The ID-cooling IS-40X V3 has a very slim and compact design but still steps up with decent cooling performance. It features densely packed fins and improves on its predecessor with 4 copper heat pipes. In my testing, it kept the Ryzen 5 3600 (stock) under 90ยฐC during the Cinebench Multi-core benchmark.
Build Quality: This compact CPU cooler shows great build quality, especially considering the price. Its heatsink, with its evenly packed aluminum fins, is as solid as they come. I also separated the fan of the ID-cooling IS-40X V3 and noticed good quality in the fan blades and the frame itself.
Aesthetics: The cooler is available in both black and white themes which was great to see. I reviewed the black variant, and it looks absolutely stunning with its polished-looking heatsink, heatpipes, and fan blades. Though, there’s no RGB, which was expected at this price point.
Buy It If:
โ You need a budget-friendly cooler: It comes at a super-affordable price point while offering decent performance.
โ Both Intel and AMD compatibility is required: The ID-Cooling IS-40X V3 supports both AMD and Intel’s latest CPU socket as of 2024.
Don’t Buy It If:
โ You’re looking to overclock: Its TDP rating is limited to 95W, so there’s no room for overclocking on mid-range, or beyond, CPUs.
What Makes It The Best Budget Low-Profile CPU Cooler?
In the budget section, there is simply no low-profile CPU cooler better than the ID-cooling IS-40X V3. It showed impressive thermal performance, while its fan with anti-vibration pads and improved hydraulic bearings minimized the noise output. But if that’s not enough, try its low price, socket compatibility, 100% RAM clearance, or the fact that its available in both black and white options!
| Performance: 8/10 | Value: 10/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Design: 9/10 |
Our Tested Thermal Benchmarks
To check just how well these low profile CPU coolers compare against each other, our hardware experts tested all of them to bring you their individual results. Take a look:
How We Tested And Picked These CPU Coolers
For your convenience, I’ve mentioned and explained a couple of crucial points to brood over while attempting to complete your quest for handpicking the Low Profile CPU cooler in accordance with your unique workflows:
- Budget: Itโs essential to keep a specific budget in mind, as every Low Profile cooler will introduce itself at a unique price point, determined by its relative cooling performance, build quality, general design, and aesthetics (including RGB capabilities, if any), not to forget manufacturer support and bundled accessories.
- Performance: An essential aspect of a Low Profile cooler would be the relative performance it offers. The fanโs specs, including the max RPMs (including pump speed for low-profile AIO coolers) alongside the amount of airflow it produces, are of utmost importance, not to mention the size of the heatsink and the FPI (Fins Per Inch) count (the higher, the better).
- Efficiency: Even the Best Low Profile CPU Coolers will differentiate from each other in terms of operational efficiency. Thatโs why it’s crucial to choose a CPU Cooler with the capacity (and some extra clearance) to capably cool down your entire PC alongside the CPU without needing to induce thermal throttling to maintain satisfactory temperatures.
- Noise: Smaller fans have a tendency to be noisier, so itโs for the best if you choose a Low Profile cooler with a larger fan since itโll be able to spin at lower speeds but produce the same amount of airflow, albeit with far less noise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Low Profile CPU Coolers will generally outperform Stock CPU Coolers from Intel and AMD.
You should only splurge on one of the Best Low Profile CPU Coolers if youโre fully geared towards building a Mini-ITX gaming system.
Recent Updates
- February 23, 2024: Added thermal benchmarks from our in-house tested individual cooler reviews.
- March 9, 2024: Few text changes to improve readability. Added some image galleries. be quiet! Shadow Rock LP and Enermax Aquafusion 120 were replaced by Noctua-NH-L9X65 and SilverStone VD240 SLIM as we found them more suitable for the respective categories after thorough testing. A new category “Best Budget Low-Profile CPU Cooler” was also added.
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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.
Get In Touch: hayyan@old.tech4gamers.com
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