I've been having some overheating issues with my PC, reaching around 100 degrees Celsius while playing certain games. I'm looking for recommendations for a decent air cooler to bring those temperatures down. Should I also consider getting new fans?
5 Answers
I recently got a Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO for my AMD 9800X3D, and I've never seen temps over 70°C. Plus, the digital display is a nice touch!
For gaming loads, a Phantom Spirit cooler would work well. But honestly, 100°C is really high for an i7-12700F—there might be something else going on. What cooler are you using now?
Check what you currently have. Did you remember to take off the plastic film from the cold plate? Make sure the cooler is mounted correctly and consider replacing the thermal paste if you haven’t done that in a while.
Look for coolers that handle at least 200 watts. If you're using a budget motherboard, I suggest getting a dual-fan model—this way, you can also keep the VRMs cool.
I use a Peerless Assassin 120 with my 12700K, which cost me around $30-$40. It cools well enough for modest overclocks. I also upgraded to Noctua fans to keep it super quiet.
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