Achieving great overclocking results is a delicate balance between quality components, voltages, and temperature. CPU temperatures rise as you increase the processor’s clock speed, and it’s often necessary to bump up the voltage to achieve better overclocking results, generating even more heat. A good heatsink fan helps keep temperatures at safe levels and performs much better than the stock coolers packaged with Intel or AMD processors.
The Prolimatech Megahalems delivers top-notch thermal cooling performance and offers both LGA775 and LGA1366 (Core i7) compatibility, making it an excellent choice for overclocking enthusiasts. This extremely efficient air-cooled CPU heat sink fan, which was designed by formal Thermalright engineers, achieved temperatures 25.4C below that of the stock Intel LGA1366 HSF on similarly clocked processors according to BenchmarkReviews.com's testing. It comes equipped with a polished CPU contact plate and very secure CPU mountings, six heat pipes, and a massive cooling fin superstructure for superior performance. The only real negative is that it doesn’t include a fan, but this shouldn’t be an issue for most buyers as spare 120mm fans are very easy to come by. With an extremely efficient design, reasonable price, and support for LGA775 and LGA1366 sockets, the Megahalems comes easily recommended for any overclocking enthusiast.
The Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme is a regular fan favorite thanks to its terrific performance and effective-yet-simple no-frills design. The Ultra-120 eXtreme improves upon Thermalright's older Ultra-120 design by adding an additional two heatpipes (for a total of six) and a slightly altered, yet meaningful spread heat pipe configuration within the cooling fins, allowing for greater airflow. Some may find the mounting mechanisms for the cooler somewhat troublesome, but rest assured, once the cooler is on the CPU and paired with a good 120mm fan to minimize noise output, you’ll be more than satisfied with its simple design and great thermal efficiency.
The Tuniq Tower 120 CPU cooler is more expensive than the average CPU cooler, but for serious overclockers, its features and thermal performance justify the cost. The tower can be oriented to improve airflow and an optional fan can be mounted within the structure. This level of customization, combined with the Tuniq's build quality and thermal performance, makes it a great choice for anyone looking to effectively cool their processor while overclocking. The Tuniq Tower also comes with Tuniq's famed TX-2 thermal grease, which is generally better than the stock thermal grease that’s shipped with other CPU coolers. However, its price is somewhat prohibitive for those on a budget, in which case the Big Typhoon may be a better purchase.
The Xigmatek Rifle 120mm is a basic, affordable cooler that uses heat pipes and a user-mountable fan. The slim, yet effective design allows for great airflow through the heat pipes, making this heatsink ideal for buyers looking to passively cool their CPU on a budget. The Ximatek's CPU contact design is rather unusual – the heat pipes directly contact the CPU, which aids in thermal efficiency, but also leaves gaps in the CPU contact area, which may detract from cooling performance. The mounting design uses push-pins, which makes installation easier than the previously mentioned coolers that require users to remove their motherboard to install a backplate. However, push pins are generally not as secure as other types of fasteners such as screws.
Zalman is a longtime leader in producing quiet and efficient cooling products, and its CNPS9700 CPU cooler is no exception. The Zalman heatsink fan features a radial design and 110mm fan to maximize airflow, and it can be oriented to aid in case airflow, similar to the Tuniq Tower. Its full copper construction guarantees great thermal conductivity and cool temperatures, and Zalman's build quality is top notch, from the polished and lapped CPU contact to the fins. However, a few design flaws prevent this cooler from being the best overall. The fins are sharp enough to cut skin, so the user must take care to prevent injury during installation. Also, the 110mm fan is proprietary and not user-replaceable, so you’re out of luck if it ever breaks and needs to be replaced.