The Best CPU Coolers for the Intel Core i5-13400F

It includes a contact frame for Intel LGA1851 and LGA1700. Its four offset heat pipes run in a single tower with two fans in push-pull. The click-in fan mounts make fan swaps easy, and it takes most 120mm fans.

Its side-flow heatsink lets the rear fan pull air through the fins and out of the case, and ARCTIC backs it with a six-year warranty. Its pressure-optimised fans push air through four offset heat pipes, which suits high-end CPUs in a single tower. On heat pipe count it trails the group at 4, while the Peerless Assassin 120 SE offers 6. It undercut the Frozn A620 Pro SE and every other pick on price at the time of writing.

It has six heat pipes and two 120mm fans. At 155mm tall it fits most mid-towers, and its six heat pipes and two PWM fans handle mainstream CPUs. It is one of the best-known budget dual towers.

It matches the Frozn A620 Pro SE, the Pure Rock Pro 3 and the Dark Rock 5 on heat pipe count (6). It also offers a 25.6dB(A) noise rating. The maker names AM5 but not Intel LGA1851, so check the maker's site if you are building on Core Ultra.

When we checked, only the Frozn A620 Pro SE and cheaper picks cost less, and the Pure Rock Pro 3 cost more. If you want a confirmed height, look to the Frozn A620 Pro SE instead: it comes in at 157mm, while this one gives no figure.

Its dual-tower heatsink and two 120mm PWM fans stand 157mm tall, which fits most tower cases. The black finish suits a dark interior. Its RAM clearance of 40mm fits standard-height memory under the front fan.

It is rated at 27.2dB(A) maximum noise. Its two PWM fans slow down at idle. On heat pipe count it ties with the Peerless Assassin 120 SE, the Pure Rock Pro 3 and the Dark Rock 5 at 6.

Check that your case offers at least 157mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. On price it sat second of 6, between the cheaper Freezer 36 and the pricier Peerless Assassin 120 SE, at the time of writing.

It is easy to mount and leaves room around the socket. Six black copper heat pipes and a nickel-plated base sit under a Pure Wings 3 PWM fan. It is rated for 250W.

Its compact offset design improves RAM and VRM clearance, and the fan height can be adjusted. On heat pipe count it ties with the Peerless Assassin 120 SE, the Frozn A620 Pro SE and the Dark Rock 5 at 6. Its price falls between the Peerless Assassin 120 SE and the NH-U12S redux, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed height should compare it with the Frozn A620 Pro SE, which comes in at 157mm.

A pre-installed mounting bridge makes fitting it easier, and a magnetic mesh cover hides the heat pipe ends. Its Silent Wings 4 fan has a tight blade tip clearance for quiet airflow. It matches the Peerless Assassin 120 SE, the Frozn A620 Pro SE and the Pure Rock Pro 3 on heat pipe count (6).

It also offers a simplified mounting system. Only the NH-U12S redux came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 6 picks. There is no published height figure, whereas the Frozn A620 Pro SE comes in at 157mm.

It suits builds with tall memory. It is a lower-cost redux version of the NH-U12S, with an NF-P12 redux fan that is near silent at idle. It ships with an NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM fan, NT-H1 thermal paste and the SecuFirm2 mounting system, and it covers Intel LGA1700 and LGA1200 as well as AMD AM4.

Check that your case offers at least 158mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. It was priced above the Pure Rock Pro 3 and below the Dark Rock 5 at the time of writing. There is no published heat pipe count figure, whereas the Peerless Assassin 120 SE offers 6.