I've got an i5-14400F processor paired with an RTX 3060 graphics card and used the stock Intel cooler when I built my PC, thinking it would be enough. Usually, my CPU temps stay below 85°C while gaming, but in intense games like Fortnite and Marvel Rivals, it sometimes hits the 90s. Recently, after playing The Last of Us Part I, I noticed my CPU temperature shot up to 99°C, which is pretty alarming! Since I don't typically play highly demanding games, I disregarded the occasional high temps. But now, I want to invest in a budget air cooler to keep my CPU safe. I've found the Deepcool AG300 for a good price—would that work for my setup? I also heard about the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Spectrum V3. Any recommendations for air coolers that won't break the bank?
5 Answers
Honestly, if you're looking for something reliable, the Peerless Assassin is a great pick—super effective at around $30! Much better cooling compared to your current setup.
Seems like your cooler might be either faulty or incorrectly mounted. My guess is that there might be airflow issues in your case as well. Rerouting internal cables helped me drop my temps significantly before, so it's worth checking!
You should check if the installation of your cooler is off. The Intel stock cooler should handle your i5-14400F fine. Alternatively, if you do need a new one, the Thermalright Phantom Spirit or Peerless Assassin would be solid choices. They're both known for good performance without breaking the bank!
I have the Peerless Assassin 140mm and my CPU temps never go above 63°C even under heavy load.
If you're thinking about buying a cooler, go with something like the dual tower Peerless Assassin or maybe the Arctic Freezer 36. They come with the right mounting for your CPU and really keep things cool.
It sounds like your stock cooler might be poorly installed or maybe the thermal paste is lacking. Before spending money, I'd suggest checking the cooler's mount and reapplying thermal paste, as it could be an easy fix. That said, if you're looking for a new cooler, any decent 120mm tower would help. The Deepcool one you're considering has a smaller fan, so you might want to go for something like a Thermalright Assassin X 120.
Yeah, I'd consider reapplying paste first too! But hey, if it still runs hot, just grab something new.
Exactly! My CPU temp didn't seem bad until I switched coolers.
Definitely! Bad airflow can cause major issues. Running it without the side panel can help you diagnose the problem too.