Buying Guide
The Best Low-Profile Gaming CPU Coolers
From the AXP90-X47 to the IS-55: three air coolers ranked on heat pipe count and fan size, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
Low-profile coolers fit slim and small cases. Every pick is 70mm tall or less, ordered by heat pipe count.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: heat pipes, fan size and height come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and gaps in the specs are flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Highest Heat Pipe Count
Thermalright AXP120-X67
The highest heat pipe count here (6).
Best for: Buyers who put heat pipe count first.
Our take Check price for Thermalright AXP120-X67 (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ID-COOLING IS-55
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a 15mm-thick 120mm fan.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for ID-COOLING IS-55 (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Height
Thermalright AXP90-X47
The lowest height here (47mm).
Best for: Buyers who put height first.
Our take Check price for Thermalright AXP90-X47 (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The highest heat pipe count here (6). | Buyers who put heat pipe count first. | Check price for Thermalright AXP120-X67 (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a 15mm-thick 120mm fan. | Buyers who want the most complete package. | Check price for ID-COOLING IS-55 (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest height here (47mm). | Buyers who put height first. | Check price for Thermalright AXP90-X47 (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Highest Heat Pipe Count1 of 3
Thermalright AXP120-X67 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The AXP120-X67 fits six heat pipes and a 15mm-thick 120mm fan into 67mm.
Best for
- Buyers who put heat pipe count first.
Skip if
- Skip it if height matters most to you; the AXP90-X47 offers 47mm.
Why we like it
It is the value choice for small cases with a 65W or mid-range CPU. Nothing else here matches its 6 heat pipe count; the IS-55 comes closest at 5. It matches the IS-55 on fan size (120mm).
Its 67mm height is the tallest in this group; the AXP90-X47 leads at 47mm. It also comes with a 26.1dB(A) noise rating. At 67mm tall it suits slim and small form factor cases, but a cooler this low sits close to the memory, so check your RAM height against the maker's clearance figure.
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 AXP90-X47 cost less, and the IS-55 cost more. Height is its weakest area, and the AXP90-X47 covers it better at 47mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Heat pipes: 6
- Fan size: 120mm
- Height: 67mm
- Fans included: 1
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, Intel
Pros
- 15mm-thick 120mm fan
- 26.1dB(A) noise rating
- Highest heat pipe count of the picks (6)
- Fan size of 120mm, ahead of the AXP90-X47
Cons
- Height trails the AXP90-X47 (47mm)
- Costs more than the AXP90-X47 at the time of writing
Premium Pick2 of 3
ID-COOLING IS-55 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The IS-55 is a 57mm cooler with five heat pipes and a slim 120mm fan, listed for AM5 and LGA1851.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the AXP90-X47, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It fits cases too short for the 67mm to 70mm coolers. Its 5 heat pipe count ranks second of 3 here, behind the AXP120-X67 (6) and ahead of the AXP90-X47 (4). It matches the AXP120-X67 on fan size (120mm).
It also comes with a 15mm-thick 120mm fan. At 57mm tall it suits slim and small form factor cases, but a cooler this low sits close to the memory, so check your RAM height against the maker's clearance figure. It makes the most sense for buyers who want the most complete package, since it offers the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a 15mm-thick 120mm fan. At our last price check it topped the group, with the AXP120-X67 the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- Heat pipes: 5
- Fan size: 120mm
- Height: 57mm
- Fans included: 1
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- 15mm-thick 120mm fan
- Heat pipe count of 5, ahead of the AXP90-X47
- Fan size of 120mm, ahead of the AXP90-X47
Cons
- Costs more than the AXP90-X47 at the time of writing
Lowest Height3 of 3
Thermalright AXP90-X47 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The AXP90-X47 is 47mm tall with four heat pipes and a 92mm fan.
Best for
- Buyers who put height first.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 92mm fan limits how much heat it can move quietl rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is the slimmest option here with an AM5 listing. Its 4 heat pipe count is the lowest in this group; the AXP120-X67 leads at 6. Its 92mm fan size is the smallest in this group; the AXP120-X67 leads at 120mm.
On height it leads this guide at 47mm, ahead of the IS-55 (57mm). It also offers a 22.4dB(A) noise rating. At 47mm tall it suits slim and small form factor cases, but a cooler this low sits close to the memory, so check your RAM height against the maker's clearance figure.
The maker names AM5 but not Intel LGA1851, so check the maker's site if you are building on Core Ultra. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the AXP120-X67 was closest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Heat pipes: 4
- Fan size: 92mm
- Height: 47mm
- Fans included: 1
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, Intel
Pros
- Very low 47mm height for slim cases
- 22.4dB(A) noise rating
- The lowest height here (47mm)
Cons
- 92mm fan limits how much heat it can move quietly
- Heat pipe count trails the AXP120-X67 (6)
- Fan size trails the AXP120-X67 (120mm)
How We Chose These Low-Profile Gaming CPU Coolers
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side three coolers on heat pipe count, fan size, height and fans included as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the AXP120-X67 to the AXP90-X47, state heat pipe count, fan size and height.
- Who each pick suits
- The AXP120-X67 for the highest heat pipe count here (6); the IS-55 for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a 15mm-thick 120mm fan; the AXP90-X47 for the lowest height here (47mm).
- Price range
- From the AXP90-X47 to the IS-55, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Low-Profile Gaming CPU Cooler
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Heat pipe count
Here heat pipe count runs from 4 on the AXP90-X47 to 6 on the AXP120-X67. The AXP120-X67 is the pick for heat pipe count.
How much fan size you need
Here fan size runs from 92mm on the AXP90-X47 to 120mm on the AXP120-X67. Start with the AXP120-X67 if fan size decides it.
How much height you need
Here height runs from 67mm on the AXP120-X67 to 47mm on the AXP90-X47. The AXP90-X47 is the pick for height.
Fit and compatibility
At 67mm tall it suits slim and small form factor cases, but a cooler this low sits close to the memory, so check your RAM height against the maker's clearance figure.
Features beyond the spec table
The AXP120-X67: a 26.1dB(A) noise rating. The IS-55: a 15mm-thick 120mm fan. The AXP90-X47: a 22.4dB(A) noise rating.
Check the cooler height against your case
Every case offers a maximum CPU cooler height. Tower coolers run from about 150mm to 170mm, and low-profile coolers from under 40mm to about 70mm.
Leave a few millimetres for the side panel.
How to Choose a Low-Profile Gaming CPU Cooler
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put heat pipe count first | AXP120-X67 | The highest heat pipe count here (6) |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | IS-55 | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a 15mm-thick 120mm fan |
| Buyers who put height first | AXP90-X47 | The lowest height here (47mm) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The AXP120-X67 leads on heat pipe count at 6, ahead of the IS-55 at 5.
| Cooler | Heat pipes | Fan size | Height | Fans included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AXP120-X67 | 6 | 120mm | 67mm | 1 |
| IS-55 | 5 | 120mm | 57mm | 1 |
| AXP90-X47 | 4 | 92mm | 47mm | 1 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the IS-55 compare with the AXP120-X67 on heat pipe count?
The AXP120-X67 leads at 6, with the IS-55 at 5. The AXP90-X47 is at the other end of this group with 4.
Is the AXP90-X47 ahead of the IS-55 on height?
The AXP90-X47 comes out best at 47mm, with the IS-55 at 57mm. The AXP120-X67 is at the other end of this group with 67mm.
Is the IS-55 worth paying more than the AXP90-X47?
On paper it adds heat pipe count (5 against 4) and fan size (120mm against 92mm). It does not win everywhere: the AXP90-X47 still leads on height (47mm). The AXP90-X47 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the AXP120-X67 the Highest Heat Pipe Count?
It earns the label for the highest heat pipe count here (6). It suits anyone who put heat pipe count first.
What should I check before buying the IS-55?
At 57mm tall it suits slim and small form factor cases, but a cooler this low sits close to the memory, so check your RAM height against the maker's clearance figure. In this guide it ranks second of 3, as our Premium Pick pick.
Beyond the specs, what sets the AXP120-X67 and the IS-55 apart?
The AXP120-X67: a 15mm-thick 120mm fan. The IS-55: a 15mm-thick 120mm fan. The AXP90-X47: a 22.4dB(A) noise rating.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the AXP120-X67, chosen for the highest heat pipe count here (6). Look at the IS-55 for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a 15mm-thick 120mm fan and the AXP90-X47 for the lowest height here (47mm) if those matter more to you.
Check RAM clearance under the heatsink.