What does it do?

 True to its name, the CPU cooler helps cool down the CPU during operation. A CPU can build up a lot of heat while working; high enough temperatures can reduce its performance or even damage the part. CPU coolers are especially helpful with maintaining overclocked CPUs, where the heat can get even higher than normal. 

 

 

What specs should you look out for?

• Socket: Just like the CPUs they assist, most coolers are made to fit over specific sockets. Again, this mostly includes AM4 and LGA 1151 sockets as well as most of their predecessors. 
• Type: Coolers are sold as either air or liquid coolers. Air coolers have a heat sink mounted over the CPU that takes the heat from there and sends it to a radiator with a fan there to disperse the heat. Water coolers work much the same way, but have the radiator mounted on the side of the computer case, and tubes full of water or some other liquid to carry heat from the heat sink to the radiator.
• Tower Quantity: important only for air coolers, this shows how many radiator towers it has, and gives an idea of how much space it will take up.
• Fan Quantity/Speed/Size: While a liquid cooler is compatible with almost any case fan, air coolers will have at least one integrated fan, so these specs should be considered when shopping for one.
• Radiator Size: This can mean different things for different types of coolers. For air coolers, it means how much space is taken up inside the case, which is important to know if it will fit between the CPU and the case. For liquid coolers, it means how many fan spaces it will take up on the side of the case, as well as what size fan space it can fit in. Most coolers will take up one to three fan spaces.  

 

 

What do I recommend?

Like most parts, the type of cooler you choose depends on the type of build you're going for. Air coolers are best if you are prioritizing low cost and ease of installment over performance. Alternatively, liquid coolers offer better performance and quieter operation, though they will require a larger budget. The risk of a liquid cooler leaking is so low that it's not even worth considering. There are some custom liquid cooling kits that allow you to build your own cooling circuit, but these tend to be extremely expensive and not all that different from the pre-made circuits that you're more likely to find.