If you have a monster gaming rig that requires a CPU cooler that is no louder than a library computer, then you have become a victim of the Consumer Technology Industry’s ability to package giant, loud, mass-produced fans into a tiny space. In reality, most fans are louder than a library computer because they produce a ton of air movement to go with a small surface area.

If you’re looking for a quiet PC that can still keep the system cool, read on. I have compiled a list of 9 of the quietest CPU coolers for your future reference, based on my experience and the feedback from the readers of my blog.

Overclocking your CPU? Yeah, I know, you’ve been there. Overclocking your CPU is a hobby for most, but can also be a dangerous activity, depending on how you go about it. CPU cooling is equally important, because if the CPU gets too hot, it could be damaged or even cause a CPU crash. You should know that benchmarking, overclocking and other CPU related activities are not just for the demanding gamer, but for everyone.. Read more about noctua nh-d15 and let us know what you think.

Are you searching for a CPU cooler that is as quiet as possible? Then you’ve come to the correct spot.

I spend the most of my time on my PC as a PC fan and gamer.

Are you in a hurry? Check out my top pick for a quiet CPU cooling.

The continuous buzzing sound from the CPU cooling keeps me from concentrating on my job or playing.

That’s why, when I construct a PC, I always make sure to include a quiet cooler so the user can focus on their job or gaming.

I’ve got your back if you’re in a similar situation.

I’ve collected some of the quietest CPU coolers on the market for you in this article.

These CPU coolers provide a near-silent PC experience while ensuring adequate cooling of the CPU.

So keep reading to find out which CPU cooler is the quietest for you.

Also, for your chassis, see our expert-recommended best low-profile cpu cooler.

Overview of the Top 9 Quietest CPU Coolers

Not all CPU coolers are created equal. The heatsink and fan blades on certain CPU coolers have been tuned to assist minimize vibration and noise.

The fans also include improved fan bearings and anti-vibration technology, resulting in lower noise levels and improved performance.

The top 9 quietest CPU coolers are as follows:

1. Scythe Ninja 5 is the fifth installment in the Scythe Ninja series.

For overclocked CPUs, the Scythe Ninja 5 is the finest silent CPU cooler.

The following are the highlights of the Scythe Ninja 5:

  • Noise output ranges from 4 to 14.5 dB(A).
  • Single-tower air cooler with a diameter of 120mm
  • top-cover in black
  • 2 x 120mm 800 RPM Kaze Flex fans
  • Precision Fluid Dynamic Bearings with Sealed Seals
  • Mounting system HPMS III
  • RAM clearance of 55mm

scythe-ninja-5Scythe Ninja 5’s current price may be found here.

At first look, the Scythe Ninja 5 seems to be a twin tower system. It is, however, a single tower heatsink. The heatsink is large, with a large surface area for heat dissipation.

To generate adequate airflow, the tower requires two fans. It does it with the help of two Kaze Flex 120mm fans. The fans are set up in a push-pull arrangement and have a maximum RPM of 800. Anti-vibration cushions are also installed.

And I have to say,

These are among the quietest CPU cooler fans I’ve ever encountered. Even under high loads, they barely reach 14.5 dB(A). They are very quiet thanks to Sealed Precision Fluid Dynamic Bearings.

Also, don’t forget to have a look at our best fanless CPU cooler if you want to run your PC quietly.

The heatsink features recessed fins to allow for up to 55mm tall RAM modules to be installed with adequate space. The CPU cooler is 155mm tall, thus it should fit in most standard PC cases.

This cooler is very efficient, thanks to its huge heatsink, wide surface area, and silent fans. It’s guaranteed to operate with today’s most advanced CPUs.

The Scythe Ninja 5 can even cool overclocked CPUs, which is incredible. It can hold its own against some of the best AIOs on the market.

I just wish the fans ran at a higher RPM, but for the price, the Scythe Ninja 5 is an efficient, quiet, and powerful CPU cooler that is simple to recommend.

Pros

  • »is capable of cooling a CPU that has been overclocked
  • »for an air cooler, unbelievably low temperatures
  • »extremely effective
  • »strong TDP support

Cons

  • »The maximum speed of the fans is just 800 RPM.
  • »might not be compatible with all PC cases

Scythe Mugen 5 Rev.B is the second game in the Scythe Mugen series.

The Scythe Mugen 5 Rev.B is a near-silent CPU cooler with the greatest price-to-performance ratio on the market.

The Scythe Mugen 5 Rev.B has the following notable features:

  • a decibel level of 4–24.9 (A)
  • Heatsink for a single tower of 120mm
  • design that is spring-loaded
  • copper base and six heat pipes
  • Kaze Flex 120mm Fan with Sealed Precision Fluid Dynamic Bearing
  • Height clearance of 55mm RAM
  • Mounting system HPMS II

scythe-mugen-5Scythe Mugen 5 Rev.B: Check Today’s Price

It’s difficult to praise the Scythe Mugen 5 Rev.B highly enough. You’d be hard pressed to find a CPU cooler that performs as well as this one at such a low price, much alone one that is silent.

The Scythe Mugen 5 Rev.B is almost quiet, ranging from 4 to 24.9 dB(A). The greatest thing is that since it’s so efficient, you won’t even reach the maximum noise level very frequently.

The single tower heatsink is of excellent quality. It feels and performs well thanks to its robust aluminum build. The six heat pipes transfer heat rapidly, and the Kaze Flex 120mm PWM fan pushes a lot of air to quickly disperse it.

This month, check out the award-winning best nzxt aio cooler.

PWM stands for pulse width modulation.

When you’re not doing hard work, it automatically changes the speed depending on the heat production, resulting in considerably less noise. With its Sealed Precision Fluid Dynamic Bearing and anti-vibration rubbers, the fan is almost quiet.

The fins on the bottom side of the CPU cooler are recessed, and the cooler has an asymmetrical design. As a result, the RAM slots have up to 55mm of space, and the VRMs and PCIe slot are not covered or obstructed.

If you don’t plan on overclocking, the Scythe Mugen 5 Rev.B is an inexpensive cooler that performs as well as coolers twice its price while producing much less noise.

Pros

  • »Excellent performance at a reasonable cost
  • »For its performance, it is very quiet.
  • »simple to install

Black Noctua NH-L9i chromax

The chromax of the Noctua NH-L9i. For those seeking for the quietest low-profile CPU cooler for Intel CPUs, black is the best option.

The Noctua NH-L9i chromax’s top features.Black:

  • Noise level: 8–23.6 dB(A)
  • Intel LGA115x sockets are supported.
  • Extremely low height of 37mm
  • The smallest footprint is 95x95mm.
  • Included is an NF-A9x14 compact 92mm fan.

noctua-nh-l9i-chromax-blackCheck out the current Noctua NH-L9i chromax.Black price.

With an all-black color scheme, Noctua developed this CPU cooler for Intel customers. The CPU cooler is guaranteed to run at factory frequencies with any Intel CPU.

Despite this, the Noctua NM-AM4-L9aL9i adapter, which is available for free, may be utilized with AMD AM4 socket CPUs. Keep in mind that installing an AM4 bracket is more difficult than installing an Intel bracket.

The air cooler is one of the smallest in terms of height, with a height of just 37mm. It is responsible for the Noctua NH-L9i chromax. For Intel-based HTPC or ITX setups, black is the best choice.

Because of its ultra-compact design, it is incompatible with any overclocked CPU or CPU with a TDP more than 65W, therefore if you intend on overclocking, look at the other CPU coolers on this list.

Don’t forget to look at the finest noctua cpu cooler on the market as well.

Plus, there’s more.

The 95mm x 95mm size ensures compatibility with a wide range of RAM, SSDs, and heatsinks, as well as ease of installation.

The chromax of the Noctua NH-L9i. The NF-A9x14 compact 92mm fan that comes with Black is very quiet and effective at cooling CPUs. It’s a PWM fan with a low-noise adapter, so you get the best of both worlds.

Its maximum noise level is just 23.6 dB, which is lower than most small CPU cooler fans (A). What’s more thrilling is that most of the time it doesn’t even reach that decibel level.

As a result, it’s fair to claim that

The Noctua NH-L9i chromax is for anybody with a tiny ITX PC chassis and an Intel CPU operating at stock speeds. Black is a no-brainer since it provides the greatest value, fit, and performance while operating quietly.

Pros

  • »Excellent under load performance
  • »At idle temps, murmur quietly
  • »Thermal paste NT-H1

Cons

  • »Due to tight screws, it’s difficult to install on an AM4 socket.

Scythe Fuma 2 is the fourth character in the Scythe Fuma series.

The Scythe Fuma 2 is an upgraded version of the Scythe Fuma, which has received a lot of acclaim.

Scythe Fuma 2 highlights include:

  • 7–23.9 decibels (A)
  • Design with two 120mm towers
  • top-cover in black
  • Included are two 120mm Kaze Flex fans.
  • In comparison to the previous generation, the cooling performance has improved by 15%.
  • possibility to add a third fan
  • For high static pressure, reversal rotation is required.
  • Mounting system HPMS III

scythe-fuma-2Scythe Fuma 2’s current price may be found here.

The Scythe Fuma 2 was created by Scythe taking the already excellent Scythe Fuma and improving it. It has a 15% improvement in cooling performance over its predecessor. And it’s obvious.

Scythe also took care not to squander the benefits of the previous generation, so they’re still around. The Scythe Fuma 2 features a black top cover and a twin tower design. Two Kaze Flex 120mm fans are supplied. One fan is placed in front of the heatsinks, while the other is placed between them.

It’s also worth noting that

They spin in the opposite way. It generates a high static pressure, which aids in the effective dissipation of heat from the two heatsinks.

A third fan may be installed for optimum performance, which is an added benefit. However, even without it, the two fans offer enough cooling for most applications. It should get the job done quickly unless you’re overclocking.

Check out the TR4 socket compatible CPU cooler.

Staying with two fans has the advantage of being quieter than other twin tower CPU coolers. The noise level is remarkable for a twin tower cooler with two fans, as it drops to 2.7 dB(A) and peaks at only 23.9 dB(A). During normal PC usage, the fans will be hardly audible.

For a CPU cooler of this size, the asymmetrical design and recessed fins assist to ensure optimum compatibility. The HPMS III mounting mechanism also enables you to quickly and conveniently install the CPU cooler.

Overall, the Scythe Fuma 2 is a fantastic CPU cooler that is very quiet for its cooling capabilities and has sufficient thermal capacity for most CPUs. All you have to do now is make sure it fits inside your PC case.

Pros

  • »extremely effective
  • »amazing cooling
  • »affordable

Cons

  • »Appearances may be more refined

5. Keep your mouth shut! Dark Rock Pro 4 is the fourth installment of the Dark Rock series.

Be quiet, please! With a 250W TDP, the Dark Rock Pro 4 is one of the quietest CPU air coolers on the market.

The best parts of the be silent! Dark Rock Pro 4 is the fourth installment of the Dark Rock series.

  • maximum noise level of 24.3 dB(A)
  • Support for 250W TDP
  • 1x 120mm PWM Silent Wings 3 fan
  • 1x 135mm PWM Silent Wings fan
  • seven heat pipes made of copper
  • top-cover in brushed aluminum

dark-rock-pro-4Dark Rock Pro 4 is now available for purchase at the following price.

This air cooler’s major selling feature is its low noise output combined with high TDP support. Even when loaded to capacity, the be silent! The sound produced by Dark Rock Pro 4 is just 24.3 decibels. When you consider that it cools strong workstation CPUs with up to 250W TDP and has two fans operating, it’s amazing.

The air cooler is colossal in size. Despite this, it has recessed fins and a 120mm front fan. It provides adequate space to accommodate RAM modules that are somewhat higher than usual. The CPU cooler has a length of 146mm, a width of 136mm, and a height of 163mm. Make sure there’s adequate space inside your PC case for this beast.

Be quiet, please! Silent Wings has two fans in Dark Rock Pro 4. Between the two heatsinks is a 135mm PWM fan, with a second 120mm Silent Wings 3 PWM fan in the front.

Don’t forget to compare the finest dark rock pro 4 cpu cooler options.

Here’s what makes this air cooler so special:

With the assistance of the funnel-shaped air intake, the front fan creates a high static pressure for optimal cooling. For quiet cooling, both fans feature fluid dynamic bearings and airflow optimized fan blades.

With wave-contoured aluminum fins and a distinctive black ceramic coating, the twin heatsinks are also tuned. All of this adds to a cooling system that is both efficient and quiet.

In general, the be silent! The Dark Rock Pro 4 is a fantastic air cooler that provides superior cooling for high-end workstation CPUs while producing very little noise.

Pros

  • »Excellent cooling capabilities
  • »In comparison to its cooling capacities, it is very quiet.
  • »excellent materials

Cons

  • »may not fit in certain computer cases

6. upHere ARGB N1055

The upHere N1055 ARGB could be your favorite silent CPU cooler if you’re like RGB.

The upHere N1055 ARGB has the following key features:

  • 15–25 decibels (A)
  • five heat pipes made of copper
  • ARGB 5V 3-pin
  • With a maximum RPM of 1800, a 120mm PWM fan may be used.
  • TDP support of 180W

uphere-n1055cf-cpu-coolerCheck out the current price of upHere N1055.

The fan on the upHere N1055 ARGB supports ARGB. It comes with a 120mm PWM ARGB fan that spins at 1800 RPM. For such a high RPM, it makes relatively little noise.

It is one of the quietest ARGB CPU air coolers, with a noise level of 15 – 25 dB(A). With five heat pipes and an aluminum fin heat sink, the cooling performance is also adequate.

Surprisingly, it supports CPUs with a TDP of up to 180W. However, overclocked CPUs will not be cooled by the upHere N1055 ARGB.

Also, have a look at our list of the top cooler master cpu coolers, as suggested by our experts.

In terms of the ARGB,

It seems to be stunning. ARGB stripes on the top cover also sync with the fan lights. The RGB lighting is controlled via the motherboard’s 5V 3-pin ARGB header.

The installation procedure is very simple and should not pose a problem for most individuals.

Overall, the upHere N1055 ARGB is a fantastic bargain if you want a quiet and attractive CPU air cooler.

Pros

  • »ARGB has a fantastic aesthetic.
  • »reasonable cooling
  • »simple to install

Cons

  • »Not recommended for overclocked CPUs

Cryorig C7G is number seven.

The Cryorig C7G is a low-profile top-flow CPU cooler with an emphasis on silent operation.

The Cryorig C7G has the following notable features:

  • 30dB is the maximum sound output (A)
  • Coating with graphene
  • design of the upper flow
  • Maximum TDP of 125W is supported.
  • PWM fan, 97mm

cryorig-c7gCheck out the current Cryorig C7G price.

The form factor is the most important feature of the Cryorig C7G. With a height of just 47mm, it is one of the quietest low-profile CPU coolers on the market. It can easily fit into most small cases. The 9797 mm footprint makes it compatible with ITX motherboards.

It doesn’t obstruct the RAM slots or the PCIe slot, so it’s a good option if you need quick access to them.

Here’s where it gets interesting:

The heatsink fins of the Cryorig C7G have a graphene covering. Graphene is a costly substance with a thermal conductivity almost ten times that of aluminum or copper. As a result, despite its small size, it can cool CPUs up to 125W rather fast.

Here are some amazing budget best cpu cooler for overclocking if you want to overclock your CPU.

The process is further aided by the top flow architecture and four 6mm heat pipes. In terms of performance, the Cryorig C7G is one of the finest coolers for small PC cases or ITX setups.

A 97mm PWM fan with a maximum rotational speed of 2500 RPM is included. That’s a lot of airflow for such a little, low-profile cooler, and it’ll provide you great thermal performance.

Let us now turn our attention to the sounds. Though it isn’t the quietest on the list, it does manage to remain below 30 dB(A) for the most of the time, which is a low enough output.

However, if you want even less noise, replacing the fan with a Noctua low-profile fan is a fantastic option. Aside from that, the Cryorig C7G is a good low-profile cooler with a lot of thermal capacity.

Pros

  • »strong TDP support
  • »Graphene Coating Is Expensive
  • »energy-saving thermals
  • »will fit into the majority of PC cases/motherboards

Cons

  • »The integrated fan isn’t the quietest on the market.

ID-COOLING SE-224-XT ARGB V2 (ID-COOLING SE-224-XT ARGB V2) (ID-COOLING SE-

The ID-COOLING SE-224-XT ARGB V2 is a silent ARGB-supported CPU cooler at an inexpensive price.

The ID-COOLING SE-224-XT ARGB V2 has the following features:

  • 2 – 31.5 decibels (A)
  • 1x PWM 120mm fan with ARGB
  • ARGB lighting on the top cover
  • Included is a wired controller.

id-cooling-se-224-xtCheck the current price of the ID-COOLING SE-224-XT.

With ARGB, you’ll be surprised to discover a high-performing CPU cooler at such a low price. So there’s a lot to like about the ID-COOLING SE-224-XT ARGB V2.

To begin with, the cooling performance is outstanding. It is not as large as some of the other CPU coolers on our list, but it works well. By replacing the standard cooler with it, you will notice a significant reduction in temperature.

ARGB lighting may be seen on the top cover and the accompanying fan. You may control them via the motherboard’s 5V 3-pin ARGB header or the supplied wired controller if your motherboard doesn’t have one.

Don’t forget to look at our list of the finest CPU coolers for the LGA 1200 socket.

The RGB lighting is well-done and seems to be very good. The fan is a 120mm PWM fan with a 2000 RPM maximum speed.

The fan also excels in terms of noise levels. The fans generate extremely low noise, ranging between 16.2 and 31.5 decibels, so you won’t hear them most of the time (A). You’ll only be able to hear them at full volume, but since it’s PWM, it won’t annoy you for long, if at all.

So there you have it: the ID-COOLING SE-224-XT ARGB V2, an ARGB-enabled air cooler with great clearance, minimal noise, and exceptional performance. That’s a compelling bundle, particularly considering the cost.

Pros

  • »Excellent-looking Lighting in the ARGB color space
  • »excellent cooling
  • »RAM module clearance and PCIe slot clearance
  • »near-silent for the most part

Cons

  • »can be very noisy when the fan is running at full speed

Noctua NH-L9i, Noctua NH-L9i, Noctua NH

One of the quietest small CPU coolers available is the Noctua NH-L9i.

The Noctua NH-L9i has the following features:

  • Noise level: 8–23.6 dB(A)
  • Designed specifically for Intel LGA115x sockets
  • a diminutive height of 37mm
  • 1 NF-A9x14 compact 92mm fan is included in the package.

noctua-nh-l9iCheck out the current Noctua NH-L9i price.

The CPU cooler is very small. It stands just 37mm tall, with a length and breadth of 95mm. The Noctua NH-L9i is therefore the ideal choice for HTPC or ITX setups. It has adequate clearance for all types of RAM, SSDs, and heatsinks, and it won’t create any problems during installation.

It is not appropriate for any CPU with a TDP more than 65W due to its ultra-compact design. Aside from that, the CPU cooler is designed for Intel LGA 115X processors. It may also be used on an AMD AM4 CPU with the help of a Noctua bracket.

Let’s speak about the fan now.

The NF-A9x14 compact 92mm fan that comes with the Noctua NH-L9i is very quiet and effective at cooling CPUs. It’s a PWM fan with a low-noise adapter, so you get the best of both worlds. The fan’s maximum noise level is just 23.6 dB(A), and it doesn’t even go close to it most of the time.

If your PC has a particular color scheme or RGB, the brown and beige color scheme may not be appropriate. Aside from that, the CPU cooler’s build quality is excellent and rigid.

Therefore,

The Noctua NH-L9i is a great option for anybody with a small ITX Intel PC who wants the finest fit, performance, and silent operation. It gets back what it loses in terms of aesthetics in terms of thermal and acoustic performance.

Pros

  • »Excellent cooling results
  • »At idle temps, murmur quietly
  • »premium construction

Cons

  • »The color palette may be unappealing to some.

Last Thoughts

So, which CPU cooler do you believe best meets your requirements? For top-notch cooling at a reasonable budget, I think the Scythe Mugen 5 Rev.B is a great option. The Noctua NH-L9i chromax is also one of my favorites. Due of its enormous heat capacity in such a small package, it’s black.

If you want a super silent PC, but you don’t want to buy a super expensive custom case, then there are a few things you can make a DIY cooling solution from. In this post I share 9 quiet CPU coolers for a super silent PC [in the year 2021].. Read more about best cpu cooler for overclocking and let us know what you think.

{“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@type”:”FAQPage”,”mainEntity”:[{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What is the quietest CPU cooler?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”
The Scythe Mugen 5 is the quietest CPU cooler.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What is the best CPU cooler 2021?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”

The best CPU cooler in 2021 is the Noctua NH-D15.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What is a good noise level for CPU cooler?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”
A good noise level for a CPU cooler is around 30-35 dB.”}}]}

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the quietest CPU cooler?

The Scythe Mugen 5 is the quietest CPU cooler.

What is the best CPU cooler 2021?

The best CPU cooler in 2021 is the Noctua NH-D15.

What is a good noise level for CPU cooler?

A good noise level for a CPU cooler is around 30-35 dB.

Author

Holly is the smartest person you will ever know (Or so she tells us lol). She's a gamer by heart, and an author by soul. Writing for the website g15tools is a dream come true for her - she loves being able to share her thoughts and insights with others who love gaming as much as she does. When she's not writing or gaming, Holly can be found spending time with her friends and family.