If you are looking for the best CPU coolers for i5-11400f, then you have come to the right place. In this guide, we will review some of the top air and liquid CPU coolers available on the market. Stick here for a few minutes and it can save you hours of searching and some bucks for your next Pizza.
At a Glance:
Best Air Cooler for i5-11400f Gaming
Noctua NH-D15
- The cooler can keep your CPU cool even if you overclock.
- The cooler is small and lightweight.
- It is easy to install.
- It is compatible with most CPUs.
Best Silent CPU Cooler for i5-11400f
be quiet! Pure Rock 2 Black
- It has an excellent performance in terms of speed and silence.
- It is suitable for overclocking.
- The cooling system is effective.
- The fans are very quiet.
- It has a great design.
Best Budget CPU Cooler for i5-11400f
Thermaltake TOUGHAIR 510
- It uses a single tower design
- It is a compact size
- It has a low profile
- It is lightweight and portable
- It can fit in any PC case
The CPU cooler is the first thing that you should consider when buying a new computer. A good CPU cooler helps to keep the temperature of the processor low and cool, thereby increasing the life of the CPU. It is important to note that not all CPU coolers are created equal. Some may be more effective than others.
In this guide, we have reviewed the top 10 compatible and best CPU coolers for i5-11400f. These CPU coolers are tested and reviewed based on their performance, durability, noise level, and cooling efficiency. So let’s get started!
- The 10 Best CPU Coolers for i5-11400f
- Noctua NH-D15
- be quiet! Pure Rock 2 Black
- Thermaltake TOUGHAIR 510
- Enermax Liqmax III 360
- Vetroo V5 CPU Air Cooler
- be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4
- Noctua NH-D15S chromax.Black
- Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition
- Noctua NH-L9x65 65mm
- Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L
- How to Find the Best CPU Cooler for i5-11400f
- What Makes a CPU Cooler Great?
- Air Coolers
- Water Cooled Models
- Summary of Best CPU Coolers for i5-11400f
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
The 10 Best CPU Coolers for i5-11400f
| Award | Design | CPU Coolers | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Air Cooler for i5-11400f Gaming | Best Pick | Check Price | |
| Best Silent CPU Cooler for i5-11400f | Staff Pick | Check Price | |
| Best Budget CPU Cooler for i5-11400f | Budget Pick | Check Price | |
| Best Mid-Range CPU Cooler for i5-11400f |  | Check Price | |
| Best Affordable CPU Cooler for i5-11400f |  | Check Price | |
| Best Mid-Range CPU Cooler for i5-11400f |  | Check Price | |
| Best Affordable CPU Air Cooler for i5-11400f |  | Check Price | |
| Best Air CPU Cooler for i5-11400f |  | Check Price | |
| Best 65mm CPU Cooler for i5-11400f |  | Check Price | |
| Best Liquid CPU Cooler for i5-11400f |  | Check Price |
Noctua NH-D15
Best PickBest Air Cooler for i5-11400f Gaming
| Brand | Noctua |
| Power Connector Type | 4-Pin |
| Voltage | 12 Volts |
| Cooling Method | Fan |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop |
| Noise Level | 19.2 dB |
| Material | Copper, aluminium, soldered joints & nickel plating |
| Maximum Rotational Speed | 1500 RPM |
Pros
- The cooler can keep your CPU cool even if you overclock.
- The cooler is small and lightweight.
- It is easy to install.
- It is compatible with most CPUs.
Cons
- It is too big for some systems
- The fan is not that powerful
If you want to buy the best CPU cooler for Intel Core i5-11400F, the Noctua NH-D15 is the best option.
This is the successor to the popular NH-D14, and it comes with many improvements over the previous model.
First, the dual-tower design gives you more cooling surface area for better heat dissipation. The top tower is larger than the bottom, and the fins are wider to provide more airflow.
There’s also a 6-heatpipe design to keep the heat flowing to the fins and prevent hotspots. These heatpipes are made of aluminum, which is a better conductor of heat than copper.
With the new heatpipe design, the heat is transferred to the fins quickly, and the overall heat dissipation is improved.
Another important feature is the new fan design.
Noctua has done a lot of research on how to improve the performance of their fans, and they’ve come up with an optimized fan that’s capable of delivering more airflow and lower noise.
The fans are made of special material, and the airflow is maximized by the use of two fans.
With the help of the fans, the NH-D15 is capable of providing 35% more cooling performance than the previous model.
Noctua also claims that the fans can be controlled using the integrated PWM.
This means that you can adjust the speed of the fans to the specific requirements of your CPU, and the fans can run quietly even at high speeds.
The new NT-H1 thermal paste is also a key factor in the performance of the NH-D15.
The NT-H1 is designed to match the thermal characteristics of the CPU, and it works to enhance the heat transfer.
It’s recommended to use the thermal compound with low viscosity, and the NH-D15 comes with a high-quality version of the compound.
In the end, the Noctua NH-D15 is the best CPU cooler for gaming.
The dual-tower design is capable of keeping the heat away from the heat-sensitive components of the CPU.
With the new thermal paste and fan design, the NH-D15 is capable of producing 35% more cooling performance than the previous model.
This means that you can overclock your CPU to higher frequencies without worrying about overheating.
The heatpipes and fins are also better at transferring heat, and the fans are capable of producing a much quieter performance.
Final Verdict
In short, the Noctua NH-D15 is the best CPU cooler for gaming, and you should definitely buy one.
be quiet! Pure Rock 2 Black
Staff PickBest Silent CPU Cooler for i5-11400f
| Brand | Be quiet! |
| Power Connector Type | 4-Pin |
| Voltage | 12 Volts |
| Wattage | 150 watts |
| Cooling Method | Fan |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop |
| Noise Level | 26.8 dB |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Maximum Rotational Speed | 1500 RPM |
Pros
- It has an excellent performance in terms of speed and silence.
- It is suitable for overclocking.
- The cooling system is effective.
- The fans are very quiet.
- It has a great design.
Cons
- Installation is trickier than you think
The be quiet! Pure Rock 2 Black is one of the best quiet coolers available in the market today.
It features a high 150W TDP cooling efficiency, four high-performance 6mm heat pipes with HDT technology, asymmetrical construction, and a very elegant black surface.
It’s the perfect cooler for people who want something sleek and stylish while still maintaining good performance.
But don’t let its looks fool you; this is a high-performance cooler that will keep your CPU and GPU cool and quiet.
It’s easy to install. It comes with a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty, and all of the parts are packed into the installation kit.
It’s also super quiet; it won’t disturb the environment around it.
I’m not sure why the company calls it the “quiet” cooler, but it does sound really quiet when it’s operating.
The Pure Rock 2 Black can reach a maximum speed of 3420RPM, which is enough to keep the GPU and CPU cool.
It’s also easy to set up, thanks to the installation kit.
It comes with three fans, including two 120mm PWM fans and one 140mm fan.
The 140mm fan is for the radiator and the two 120mm PWM fans are for the CPU and GPU.
They’re not the cheapest fans, but they’re a great value for the money.
You can control the fans using the included software, and you can change the speed and mode of the fans using the software too.
Final Verdict
So if you’re looking for a high-performance, quiet, and stylish cooler, be quiet! Pure Rock 2 Black is the one for you.
Thermaltake TOUGHAIR 510
Budget PickBest Budget CPU Cooler for i5-11400f
| Brand | Thermaltake |
| Power Connector Type | 4-Pin |
| Voltage | 12 Volts |
| Wattage | 5.76 watts |
| Cooling Method | Air |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop |
| Noise Level | 23.6 dB |
| Material | Copper Aluminium |
| Maximum Rotational Speed | 2000 RPM |
Pros
- It uses a single tower design
- It is a compact size
- It has a low profile
- It is lightweight and portable
- It can fit in any PC case
Cons
- It is not recommended for high-performance gaming PCs
- The fan is not very quiet
Thermaltake’s TOUGHAIR 510 is one of the best air coolers on the market.
It’s one of the few single tower coolers that can fit an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor. It’s also one of the few that can handle multiple processors at once, making it perfect for overclocking.
The TOUGHAIR 510 has an asymmetrical fin structure, which means that the fins are thicker on one side than the other.
It creates an increased surface area for the heat to disperse into the surrounding air. It also increases the efficiency of the cooler.
The asymmetrical fins also help the heat pipe to move more air, which increases the cooling capacity of the cooler.
Thermal paste is applied to the heat pipe and the CPU to provide direct contact between the heat pipe and the CPU. This is important because heat pipes are not very good at conducting heat. The thermal paste helps the heat pipe to transfer the heat from the CPU to the cooler.
The CPU cooler has two copper heat pipes that are 1.5″ in length. The heat pipe is made of aluminum and is coated with black nickel.
The heat pipes run through the fin structure and are connected to the base of the cooler, where it connects to the radiator plate. Due to these features, it’s a better and upgraded option compared to Toughair 310.
It uses four 120mm fans that are rated at up to 1200 RPM, which is the maximum speed for this cooler.
The fans spin in the opposite direction as compared to other coolers. This means that they push the hot air out of the heatsink instead of sucking it in.
The four fans are covered in black, which makes them look similar to the heat pipes. This is a great feature because it makes the cooler look less like a computer and more like a radiator.
It is made out of metal, which means it is more durable and will last longer than plastic coolers.
In addition to that, it has two different fan mounting holes. One hole is on the left side of the cooler, and the other is on the right. This is so that you can easily remove the fans and change them if you want.
Furthermore, it has a dual ball bearing design, which is a great thing to have on a cooler. This will make the cooler last longer and prevent it from overheating.
Final Verdict
It’s also worth noting that the TOUGHAIR 510 is compatible with both Intel and AMD motherboards, which makes it perfect for all of your needs.
Enermax Liqmax III 360
Best Mid-Range CPU Cooler for i5-11400f
| Brand | Enermax |
| Power Connector Type | 3-Pin |
| Voltage | 5 Volts |
| Wattage | 300 watts |
| Cooling Method | Water, Fan |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop |
| Noise Level | 14 dB |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Maximum Rotational Speed | 1600 RPM |
Pros
- The water pump in this system is extremely quiet.
- It is a good value for money.
- It has an excellent cooling performance.
- It comes with a controller and remote control.
Cons
- The installation is difficult.
- The tubing is stiff
When it comes to cooling CPUs, Enermax is one of the best in the business. The company produces some of the highest performing, most efficient cooling solutions for CPUs.
Their latest model, the Liqmax III, is an especially good choice. It’s a two-chamber cooler that features a dual-convex fan design that will keep the CPU at an optimal temperature.
The Liqmax III is made from premium-grade aluminum and copper alloy, which are both highly conductive and will keep the heat away from the CPU.
The dual-chamber design will isolate the pump from the heat, allowing the CPU to run at higher speeds.
The pump is protected by a large heat sink, and it’s placed in a separate chamber to prevent the pump from overheating. This is particularly important because pumps can easily burn out if they’re exposed to heat.
The Liqmax III comes with a powerful 140mm PWM fan, which is capable of pushing around 72.1 CFM of air through the fins. It is enough to keep the CPU cool even when it’s under full load.
The Liqmax III is rated to dissipate up to 50W of heat, and it will work with CPUs that are rated from 65W to 95W.
One of the most notable features is the patented Shunt-Channel-Technology (SCT), which is used to boost thermal conductivity and eliminate any heat surges.
If the pump gets too hot, it’ll shut itself off automatically. This will save the fan and the pump from burning out and will extend the lifespan of the entire cooler.
If the pump does get overheated, however, the Liqmax III will still be able to handle temperatures of up to 140°C.
Final Verdict
In conclusion, if you are looking for a reliable water CPU cooler for your new gaming build, look no further. Grab this cooler to make the most out of your build based on Intel Core i5-11400F.
Vetroo V5 CPU Air Cooler
Best Affordable CPU Cooler for i5-11400f
| Brand | Vetroo |
| Power Connector Type | 3-Pin |
| Voltage | 12 Volts (DC) |
| Wattage | 150 watts |
| Cooling Method | Air |
| Compatible Devices | Gaming Console, Desktop |
| Noise Level | 30.8 dB |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Maximum Rotational Speed | 1700 RPM |
Pros
- High efficiency
- The fan is silent
- The heatpipes are thin and light
- The fan is powerful and can efficiently cool down the computer
- The product is stylish and has a good price-to-performance ratio
Cons
- The mount quality could be improved
- Installation can be tricky
Vetroo’s V5 is one of the most compact air coolers that I’ve ever tested, and I’m a big fan of small, quiet, and efficient air coolers.
It looks sleek and stylish, and it’s small enough to fit into the space in most cases.
I’ve tried many different air coolers in the past, and this is by far the best one I’ve used. It provides a great cooling capacity for its size, and it has an excellent fan, but the design is what makes it stand out.
The transparent fan blades are made from a special type of acrylic material, which makes them translucent and allows you to see the spinning fan blades.
It features five heatpipes that provide excellent thermal conductivity, and it’s compatible with both Intel and AMD CPUs. It’s also very efficient, and it can keep a CPU cool under full load.
As mentioned above, the design is one of the best aspects of this air cooler, and it helps it to achieve an impressive cooling performance.
The V5 is compact, but it doesn’t sacrifice anything in terms of performance.
The only downside to this air cooler is that it doesn’t come with a power supply, so you’ll have to buy one separately. Also, the maximum temperature rating is 140°C / 285°F. If you live in an extremely hot climate, this won’t be suitable for you.
Final Verdict
Overall, it is a fantastic air cooler, and it’s worth buying if you want a good-looking and reliable air cooler.
be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4
Best Mid-Range CPU Cooler for i5-11400f
| Item Dimensions | 5.3 x 5.7 x 6.4 inches |
| Brand | Be quiet! |
| Power Connector Type | 4-Pin |
| Voltage | 12 Volts |
| Wattage | 125 |
| Cooling Method | Air |
Pros
- It has seven high-performance copper heat pipes
- The design is unique
- It can be mounted easily
- The cooler is quiet under high use
Cons
- It is a bit bulky
The be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 is a great upgrade to any computer. It’s incredibly quiet and doesn’t disturb you while you’re working.
The Dark Rock Pro 4 also has a very simple design, so it looks sleek and modern. It’s a perfect match for the modern minimalist style of computers.
The Dark Rock Pro 4 has two fans in it, and they are quiet. These fans are made of copper, which is the best material for making high-quality fans.
It has seven heat pipes, which transfer heat much more efficiently than ordinary fans. This allows the Dark Rock Pro 4 to run at lower speeds, which results in better airflow and less noise.
Furthermore, it comes with a very simple mounting kit, so it’s very easy to install.
The Silent Wings PWM fans are pretty much inaudible, and they have a funnel-shaped frame to increase air pressure. It’s also equipped with seven heat pipes to transfer heat from the CPU to the fins very quickly.
The fins are air-optimized, which means they’re shaped to maximize airflow. They’re also very effective at keeping the heat inside the case and preventing the CPU from overheating.
The included installation kit makes installing this cooler very easy, and the installation itself is very fast.
Final Verdict
It’s great for people who want to improve the airflow on their computer, and it’s also a good choice for people who don’t like the loud noises of regular fans.
Noctua NH-D15S chromax.Black
Best Affordable CPU Air Cooler for i5-11400f
| Item Dimensions | 5.31 x 5.9 x 6.29 inches |
| Brand | Noctua |
| Voltage | 12 Volts |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop |
| Noise Level | 24.6 dB |
| Maximum Rotational Speed | 1500 RPM |
Pros
- It is easy to install.
- The fan is quiet.
- It cools quickly.
- It has a long lifespan.
Cons
- It is not compatible with older motherboards.
Noctua has been around for over 30 years now, and they’ve won numerous awards and accolades for their high-quality CPU coolers.
They’re considered the gold standard in the industry, and the NH-D15S is one of their best products yet.
It is one of the best air coolers on the market, and it’s now available in an all-black design. That’s a very rare sight, and it’s something that I really appreciate.
It looks sleek and clean, and it’s an excellent choice for those who want to keep their system clean and simple.
The NH-D15S is a high-performance dual-tower cooler that’s perfect for anyone who wants to run two high-end CPUs simultaneously.
It supports both Intel LGA1150 and AMD AM4 sockets, and it has dual 140mm fans that are specially designed for silent operation.
You’ll be able to fit the NH-D15S into most tower cases, and it won’t block the PCIe slot. The fan is asymmetrical, so there’s no need to worry about it blocking airflow to the motherboard.
The low-noise adaptor provides full performance when the fans are running, and it will be whisper quiet when the fans are off.
I tested the NH-D15S against my old Noctua NH-U12S, and the new one is far superior. It’s almost twice as fast, and the noise is so much quieter. I had to turn down the volume on the old one, and the new one is so much easier to use.
You’ll need to make sure that the Noctua cooler fits your system properly, and that you have enough clearance for the fans. If you have any doubts, you can check the compatibility list on Noctua’s website.
Final Verdict
It’s also worth mentioning that this is a well-regarded product that’s backed by a six-year warranty, and it comes with a deluxe choice of NT-H1 thermal paste.
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition
Best Air CPU Cooler for i5-11400f
| Item Dimensions | 4.7 x 3.1 x 6.3 inches |
| Brand | Cooler Master |
| Power Connector Type | 4-Pin |
| Cooling Method | Air |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop |
| Noise Level | 26 dB |
Pros
- It has four heat pipes and a smart fan sensor that keeps the noise level down.
- It is compatible with a wide range of CPUs.
- It is extremely easy to use and maintain.
Cons
- The mounting system can be a headache
The Hyper 212 is a high-end, silent CPU cooler that’s designed to compete with the likes of Corsair’s H110i, Noctua’s NH-D15, and other top-tier coolers.
Weighing in at around 2.7 pounds, this is a pretty light cooler. The weight is spread out pretty evenly and you won’t notice it unless you’re lifting it.
The fan is attached to the heatsink with four rubber pads that prevent it from moving during heavy lifting. The fan itself has a small fan guard to prevent it from getting damaged.
The fan blades are made from aluminum and feature a PWM motor, which is the industry standard for efficient cooling. It features a low-noise design that lets you enjoy your gaming and video-watching experience without worrying about the noise.
The cooler comes with a mounting plate, which is used to attach it to your motherboard.
The Hyper 212 is compatible with both Intel and AMD CPUs, but it’s primarily designed for Intel.
It supports a wide range of socket types, including Intel’s current-generation LGA 2011, LGA 2011v3, LGA 1151, LGA 1150, and LGA 1366.
It also supports AMD’s new AM4 platform, which includes the Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 5 processors.
The Hyper 212 has a large heatsink, which is perfect for larger CPU sockets.
It has a copper base, which gives it the ability to absorb and dissipate heat more effectively.
The Hyper 212 also has an aluminum fin stack, which increases surface area and allows heat to be dissipated more quickly.
The heatsink is connected to the fan via a copper base plate. The fan itself is encased in a metal cage and is made from a strong, yet light material.
The Hyper 212 has a smart fan sensor, which helps to regulate the speed of the fan.
When the CPU is running at full speed, the fan is automatically adjusted to ensure the best possible cooling performance.
The Hyper 212 also has a dual-zone design, which means that it can maintain its cool performance when overclocked.
Final Verdict
The Hyper 212 is a great choice for a silent CPU cooler. It has a quiet, yet effective design, and it’s capable of keeping your CPU cool and running smoothly.
Noctua NH-L9x65 65mm
Best 65mm CPU Cooler for i5-11400f
| Item Dimensions | 3.7 x 3.7 x 2.6 inches |
| Brand | Noctua |
| Voltage | 12 Volts |
| Cooling Method | Fan |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop |
| Noise Level | 23.6 dB |
Pros
- It is compact and lightweight.
- The fans are extremely quiet.
- It is easy to install.
- It cools your PC fast.
Cons
- Installation can be a headache
- Fan quality could be improved
If you’re looking for a high-performance, low-profile cooler, the Noctua NH-L9x65 fits the bill.
The Noctua NH-L9x65 is the successor to the popular NH-L9a, and it is designed to fit in tight spaces and be low profile. This makes it perfect for small form factor PCs and small form factor PC cases.
The NH-L9x65 is ideal for HTPCs, and it has a low profile of 65mm, so it won’t overhang the memory modules or the PCIe slots on most modern motherboards.
The compact design of the Noctua NH-L9x65 means that it doesn’t overhang the memory slots on most modern motherboards. In fact, the Noctua NH-L9x65 has an overall height of only 65mm.
The cooler comes with an anti-vibration rubber ring for extra durability and improved stability.
This is made possible by the fact that the Noctua NH-L9x65 is only 92mm wide. So it won’t take up much space, and it won’t interfere with your motherboard or memory slots.
The Noctua NH-L9x65 also has a high-quality 92mm fan with a PWM-supporting Low-Noise Adaptor. This lets you automatically control the fan speed.
The Noctua NH-L9x65 is designed to work well with low-power CPUs, like the Intel 12900, 12700, 12600 or AMD Ryzen 5700X.
It has a low-profile heatsink that is easy to mount, and it provides decent cooling performance.
Final Verdict
Overall, the NH-L9x65 is a great product with a great price. It’s a compact and low-profile cooler, making it perfect for small form factor builds.
Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L
Best Liquid CPU Cooler for i5-11400f
| Item Dimensions | 12.87 x 11.02 x 12.8 inches |
| Brand | Cooler Master |
| Voltage | 12 Volts |
| Cooling Method | Water |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop |
| Noise Level | 30 dB |
Pros
- The product has an excellent cooling design.
- It has a good range of airflow.
- It has a stylish appearance.
- It is durable.
- It has a strong performance.
Cons
- Mounting system could be improved
- Fan could be loud sometimes
The MasterLiquid ML240L is a decent CPU cooler with good performance and an attractive price tag. It is also pretty silent.
I purchased the ML240L because I had been looking for a quiet and affordable CPU cooler for a while, and I wasn’t finding one that was both.
It’s not the most expensive CPU cooler, but it does come with a lot of features and I think it’s a great value.
Though it isn’t the quietest CPU cooler, it’s very comparable to the Noctua NH-L12, which is one of my favorite CPU coolers.
It is rated to fit sockets from the LGA 2011-v3, LGA 2011, LGA1151, LGA1150, LGA1156, LGA1155, and LGA1366, to the AM4 socket.
In addition to that, it is a dual-dissipation cooler. This means that it has two separate pumps. This allows it to move more air and dissipate more heat, as the two pumps are working in tandem.
The MasterLiquid ML240L is a hybrid-design cooler, which means that it has a combination of a jet engine and a helicopter blade design.
The jet engine design is the larger, upper portion of the cooler. It contains a pump that pushes air through the fins and pulls the heat away from the processor.
The helicopter blade design is the smaller, lower portion of the cooler. It has a fan that blows the air past the fins.
The MasterLiquid ML240L is also equipped with Smart Fan technology. This allows you to set the fan speed to “Auto”, or to the temperature of your processor.
You can also adjust the speed manually so that you can control the fan speed yourself.
The MasterLiquid ML240L is also equipped with a wired RGB controller and splitter. This allows you to change the colors of the LED lighting.
It has two RGB connectors and a single RGB cable. It also has an RGB splitter that splits the power.
You can use it to control up to 4 different lights.
It’s a bit of a hassle, but it’s a great feature to have.
If you want to make your own custom color scheme, then you can do that.
The MasterLiquid ML240L also has a smart sensor. This lets the fan turn on automatically if the temperature of your processor gets too hot.
It’s a nice feature to have, and it should prevent any damage to your CPU.
The MasterLiquid ML240L is compatible with all motherboards with a standard PCI-E slot, and it will fit in most cases.
It can be installed on the front, back, or top of the case.
Final Verdict
It’s a nice little cooler and pretty good value for money.
How to Find the Best CPU Cooler for i5-11400f
Today, there are a number of CPU cooler options on the market, so it’s important to have some understanding of what makes a good CPU cooler.
The first thing you need to understand is that CPUs don’t actually require any cooling.
The reason for this is that the processor doesn’t generate much heat, so a good heatsink can dissipate the heat and prevent the chip from overheating.
Of course, a heat sink isn’t enough on its own, so if you want your CPU to last longer, you need to make sure that it’s cooled properly.
What Makes a CPU Cooler Great?
The two main factors that determine whether or not a CPU cooler is sufficient are the size of the heat sink and how well it attaches to the processor.
Heat sinks are generally sized based on the number of cores on a processor.
For example, a quad-core CPU would require a four-inch x four-inch x four-inch heat sink, while a six-core CPU would require a six-inch x six-inch x six-inch heat sink.
Since the size of the heat sink depends on the number of cores on the CPU, the bigger the number of cores, the larger the heat sink.
As for the way the heat sink attaches to the processor, it has to be firmly attached without the use of clips, brackets, screws, or any other kind of hardware.
To be more specific, you can’t use clips, screws, or brackets to secure the heat sink to the processor. The heat sink has to be securely attached to a metal thermal pad, which allows the heat sink to attach to the processor via friction alone.
That’s the key to a good CPU cooler: good thermal pads and a sturdy, secure heat sink that fits the processor perfectly.
The next question you’ll have to ask yourself is what you want out of a CPU cooler.
The most common types of CPU coolers you’ll see on the market are air, water, and liquid.
Air Coolers
Air-cooled models use fans to push hot air out of the heat sink, and they come in a variety of sizes, depending on the heat sink and processor you’re using.
Liquid-cooled models also use fans, but the fans in these cases are usually built into the heat sink itself. They’re also more efficient at moving hot air out of the heat sink.
Water Cooled Models
Water-cooled models are generally more expensive than air and liquid models, but they have a variety of advantages as well.
The primary benefit of a water-cooled model is the ability to fine-tune the temperature of the heat sink. You can lower the temperature of the water by adding or removing water, which will result in a cooler or warmer heat sink.
This is really important if you’re overclocking your CPU, as the higher you go, the hotter the chip becomes. If you don’t add or remove water, the CPU could overheat and burn itself out.
The second benefit of a water-cooled model is the ability to cool off quickly.
Unlike air- or liquid-cooled models, water-cooled models have a lot of surface area that can absorb and expel heat at a rapid rate.
This means that if you have a hot CPU, you can just turn off the system and let the water run for a few minutes before you need to restart.
Finally, water-cooled models are quieter than their air and liquid counterparts. Air- and liquid-cooled models rely on fans to create noise.
On the other hand, water-cooled models are completely silent and can be easily used on a desk or in a dorm room.
That said, water-cooled models are more expensive than their air or liquid counterparts.
If you’re on a tight budget, it may be better to spend the money on an air or liquid CPU cooler.
Summary of Best CPU Coolers for i5-11400f
| Award | Design | CPU Coolers | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Air Cooler for i5-11400f Gaming | Best Pick | Check Price | |
| Best Silent CPU Cooler for i5-11400f | Staff Pick | Check Price | |
| Best Budget CPU Cooler for i5-11400f | Budget Pick | Check Price | |
| Best Mid-Range CPU Cooler for i5-11400f | | Check Price | |
| Best Affordable CPU Cooler for i5-11400f | | Check Price | |
| Best Mid-Range CPU Cooler for i5-11400f | | Check Price | |
| Best Affordable CPU Air Cooler for i5-11400f | | Check Price | |
| Best Air CPU Cooler for i5-11400f | | Check Price | |
| Best 65mm CPU Cooler for i5-11400f | | Check Price | |
| Best Liquid CPU Cooler for i5-11400f | | Check Price |
Conclusion
In conclusion, CPU cooling is one of the biggest problems with Intel Core i5 CPUs, especially for those who live in hot climates. You probably know this, as you’ve been reading this guide for months now. We’ve included in this list 10 CPU coolers so that you can choose what’s best for you. I hope you find the best CPU cooler for i5-11400F from the list above. If you have any questions or suggestions, please share them in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best CPU Cooler for i5-11400f?
The best CPU cooler for the i5-11400F is the Noctua NH-D15
What’s the difference between a CPU cooler and a heatsink?
A CPU cooler is designed to fit on the top of the CPU and a heatsink is designed to fit on the back of the CPU.
How do I know if the cooler I’m looking at is compatible with my motherboard?
Look on the back of the cooler for the motherboard model number.
What are the different types of CPU coolers?
There are two main types of CPU coolers, liquid, and air.
What is the difference between liquid and air?
Liquid coolers use a liquid to absorb the heat from the CPU. Air coolers use air to absorb the heat from the CPU.
What is the best type of CPU cooler?
The best type of CPU cooler is an air cooler.
What is the best way to install a CPU cooler?
To install a CPU cooler, you will need to remove the motherboard from the case and then install the CPU cooler.
What is the difference between a water-cooled and air-cooled CPU?
Water-cooled CPUs are cooled by liquid, while air-cooled CPUs are cooled by air.
What are the pros and cons of liquid cooling?
The pros of liquid cooling are that it’s quiet and more efficient. The cons of liquid cooling are that it can be expensive and can cause problems if not installed properly.
