Building a PC on a budget can be quite challenging, as you may have to cut a few corners to stay under budget. While stock coolers are a great way to save some money, their noise and underwhelming performance can leave a lot to be desired. However, it is quite possible to upgrade your CPU cooler without breaking the bank, which is why after careful testing and first-hand use, I have curated a selection of the very best CPU coolers that you can buy in a budget of just $50.
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Compare my selected CPU coolers at a glance with this handy comparison table:
Have a tight budget? Our experts have got you covered:
Best CPU Coolers Under $50
After rigorous testing, I found the following to be the best CPU coolers you can buy under $50:
- Best Overall CPU Cooler Under $50: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition
- Best Silent CPU Cooler Under $50: Be Quiet! Pure Rock 2
- Best Cheap CPU Cooler Under $50: Vetroo V5
- Best CPU Cooler For Overclocking Under $50: Scythe Fuma 3
- Best White CPU Cooler Under $50: DeepCool GAMMAXX 400 White
- Best Low Profile CPU Cooler Under $50: Cooler Master MasterAir G200P
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition
Best Overall CPU Cooler Under $50
Specifications : Type: Single-Tower Air Cooler | Colors: Black, White | TDP: 150W | RGB: No | Dimensions: 123 x 77 x 158.8 mm | Fan: Silencio FP120 | Fan Speed: 800-2000 RPM | Noise: 26 dBA | Socket Support: Intel LGA2066, LGA2011-v3, LGA2011, LGA1151, LGA1150, LGA1155, LGA1156, LGA1366, LGA1700, LGA1200 – AMD AM5, AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2+, FM2, FM1
Pros
- Amazing cooling performance
- Great clearance
- Clean black design
- Low noise levels
Cons
- No RGB
Cooling Performance: Cooler Master has used their Silencio FP 120 PWM fan for the Hyper 212 Black Edition, which has a fan speed ranging from 800-2000 RPM with an airflow of 42 CFM. The heatsink consists of 4 nickel-plated heat pipes in direct contact with the CPU base plate, while the peak noise level of the fans is just 26 dBA according to my tests.
Build Quality: An extra set of clips is available for anyone looking to add another 120mm fan to the cooler. Surprisingly, an extra set of rubber pads and a fan splitter have also been included. Similar to most CPU coolers in this price range, I found the installation to be quite straightforward, and the build quality is more than acceptable for the price.
Aesthetics: While the lack of RGB with this edition might surprise you, I think the all-black aesthetic completely makes up for it. Moreover, the cooler has a solid black structure that looks quite attractive compared to most air coolers. Given the number of Hyper 212 coolers available, the Hyper 212 Black Edition is certainly one of the better-looking ones.
Buy It If:
✅ You want excellent cooling performance: The Hyper 212 Black Edition manages to hold its own against modern processors according to my testing. Surprisingly, the Hyper 212 can also be used to overclock some less powerful processors.
✅ You have an all-black build: Compared to the standard Hyper 212, the Hyper 212 Black Edition adds a bit more character to your PC if you want to build an all-black setup.
Don’t Buy It If:
❌ You want RGB lighting: It is worth mentioning that it comes with no RGB whatsoever; However, a slightly more expensive RGB version of the Black Edition is also available.
What Makes It The Best Overall CPU Cooler Under $50?
The Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition provides excellent thermal and acoustic performance out of the box while also being easy on the budget. It offers great compatibility along with attractive aesthetics, making it the best overall CPU cooler under $50.
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Design: 8/10 |
Be Quiet! Pure Rock 2
Best Silent CPU Cooler Under $50
Specifications : Type: Single-Tower Air Cooler | Colors: Black | TDP: 150W | RGB: No | Dimensions: 121.0 x 88.0 x 155mm | Fan: Pure Wings 2 | Fan Speed: 1500 RPM | Noise: 26.8 dBA | Socket Support: Intel LGA 2011, LGA 1150, LGA 1151, LGA 1155, LGA 1200, LGA 2011-v3, LGA 2066, LGA 1700 – AMD AM3, AM3+, AM4
Pros
- Great clearance
- Silent operation
- Excellent cooling
- Solid build quality
Cons
- No RGB
Cooling Performance: As far as the cooler’s base is concerned, it consists of 4 heat pipes in direct contact. Furthermore, it has a TDP rating of 150W, which is more than enough for any modern CPU according to my tests. The Pure Rock 2 uses Be Quiet’s Pure Wings 2 fan, which has an RPM of 1500RPM and a max noise output of just 26.8 dBA.
Build Quality: It is important to note that the fan has no rubber pads, I did not notice any significant vibration. Another minor inconvenience one can face is the easy-to-bend aluminum fins; applying too much pressure on the fins can cause them to bend. However, the Pure Rock 2 is quite compact, with no signs of the fan reaching the RAM slots.
Aesthetics: One thing that Be Quiet coolers especially excel at is the design, which is also the case with the Pure Rock 2. The clean design of the new black version with the black-colored heat pipes makes it an even better pick for anyone looking for a decent budget cooler. Although there is no RGB lighting, the design looks neat and understated regardless.
Buy It If:
✅ You want a quiet CPU cooler: With a noise output of just 26.8 dBA, the Pure Rock 2 is one of the most silent CPU coolers I have tested so far.
Don’t Buy It If:
❌ You want RGB lighting: Much like its predecessor, the Pure Rock 2 also has no RGB, which can also be seen as a plus for some people.
What Makes It The Best Silent CPU Cooler Under $50?
The Be Quiet! Pure Rock 2 offers great compatibility, RAM clearance, and acoustic performance in most scenarios. Given that it has a TDP rating of 150W, it also performs perfectly well with most modern processors while staying silent, making it the best silent CPU cooler under $50.
| Performance: 10/10 | Value: 7/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Design: 8/10 |
Vetroo V5
Best Cheap CPU Cooler Under $50
Specifications : Type: Single-Tower Air Cooler | Colors: Black, White | TDP: 150W | RGB: Yes | Dimensions: 121.0 x 88.0 x 155mm | Fan: 120mm 4-pin PWM RGB fan | Fan Speed: 1700 RPM | Noise: 30.8 dBA | Socket Support: Intel LGA 1700/1200/1150/1151/1155/1156 – AMD AM4/AM3/AM3+/AM2/AM2+/FM2/FM2+
Pros
- Amazing value
- 5 heat pipes
- White color option
- RGB lighting
Cons
- Can get tricky to install
Cooling Performance: The Vetroo V5 is one of the first coolers to feature 5 direct contact heat pipes in this price range. Moreover, the heatsink consists of a total of 48 aluminum fins which are quite enough for cooling according to my tests. The cooler has a TDP of up to 150W, which is especially impressive for one of the cheapest air coolers on the market.
Build Quality: The base plate is not made out of copper, as Vetroo has used an aluminum base plate for the V5, and while the performance was fine, I would have liked to see a copper base plate here. The Vetroo V5 has a height of 148mm, while cut-outs are provided on both sides at the bottom of the cooler to provide better RAM clearance.
Aesthetics: The Vetroo V5 comes in both black and white variants and includes a 120mm RGB fan, which is a great addition rarely found in this price bracket. I think that this cooler is an excellent choice for white PC builds on a budget. It also comes with the standard 4-pin PWM connector and an ARGB connector for the RGB.
The Vetroo V5 provides incredible value when you consider its price-to-performance ratio. It can be found quite a bit cheaper than $50 if you’re lucky and offers decent performance for stock operation. The white color option and RGB fan further add to the value proposition.
– Hayyan Serwer
Buy It If:
✅ You have tall RAM modules: The Vetroo V5 is an extremely compact CPU cooler with a length of 121mm and a width of 88mm, providing amazing RAM clearance.
✅ You want RGB lighting: The Vetroo V5 has an RGB fan with well-diffused RGB lighting, as well as an ARGB controller, which is always a plus.
Don’t Buy It If:
❌ You want an easier installation process: The Vetroo V5 can be a hassle to install, especially for AMD CPUs; however, most problems with the installation can be easily fixed.
What Makes It The Best Cheap CPU Cooler Under $50?
The Vetroo V5 is simply the best in its price range in terms of cooling performance, while offering a nice color scheme with RGB lighting. It is also the cheapest and the most budget-friendly cooler on this list which makes it the best cheap cooler under $50.
| Performance: 8/10 | Value: 10/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Design: 9/10 |
Scythe Fuma 3
Best CPU Cooler For Overclocking Under $50
Specification: Type: Dual Tower Air Cooler | Colors: Black | TDP: 220W | RGB Fans: No | Fans: 1x Kaze Flex II 120 Slim PWM fan, 1x Kaze Flex II 120 PWM fan | Fan Speed: 1500 RPM | Noise: 28.6 dBA | Dimensions: 203 x 177 x 154mm | Socket Support: Intel LGA1700, LGA2066, LGA775, LGA115x, LGA1366, LGA2011 / 2011-v3 – AMD AM5 AM4, AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, FM1, FM2, FM2+
Pros
- Silent fans
- Sleek and robust design
- Suitable for overclocking
- Modular design
Cons
- No RGB
- Large size
Cooling Performance: Scythe provides six heat pipes on this beast of a CPU cooler, which is an excellent configuration for the price. The front fan in the Scythe Fuma 3 moves in a counter-clockwise direction while the middle one runs in a clockwise direction, providing enough airflow and thermal performance for moderate overclocking per my tests.
Build Quality: The heatsink’s base is machined very well and has a premium look to it. I also unpacked a lot of essential accessories, including a magnetic screwdriver, a braided fan splitter, and a tube of a thermal compound that will last for three applications. The build quality is rather nice for a cooler in this price category.
Aesthetics: The design is very sleek, with understated and minimalistic grey fans. This pairs well with the shiny aluminum fin arrays and adds a bit of depth to the whole cooler. It is topped with a black cover that has metal endings of the heatsink pipes, six on each side, without being capped with a cover.
Buy It If:
✅ You want an easy installation process: Scythe has made the installation process very easy by providing a system of stand-offs and a crossbar-type mounting plate compatible with every platform.
✅ You want to overclock the CPU: This CPU cooler has a power rating of above 220W which makes it great for overclocking according to my testing. The fans are fairly silent and perform well, so the overclocking process will also be less noisy.
Don’t Buy It If:
❌ You have tall memory modules: The lower fins of the cooler may make contact with the RAM modules. A full-sized second fan can not be installed if all of your memory slots are populated since there is not enough space for it.
What Makes It The Best CPU Cooler For Overclocking Under $50?
The Scythe Fuma 3 focuses on silence and compatibility but also has incredible performance due to its unique fan setup. This cooler is both budget-friendly and monstrous in performance for its price range, making it the best CPU for overclocking under $50.
| Performance: 10/10 | Value: 7/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Design: 8/10 |
DeepCool GAMMAXX 400 White
Best White CPU Cooler Under $50
Specifications : Type: Single-Tower Air Cooler | Colors: Black, White | TDP: 130W | RGB: No | Dimensions: 135 x 80 x 154.5 mm | Fan: White PWM fan | Fan Speed: 1500 RPM | Noise: 30 dBA | Socket Support: Intel LGA20XX/LGA1366/LGA1200/1151/1150/1155/LGA775 – AMD AM4/AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2/FM2+/FM2/FM1
Pros
- Good clearance
- Attractive white design
- White LED fan
- Great performance
Cons
- Slightly noisy
- Lack of RGB
Cooling Performance: It consists of four copper heat pipes in direct contact with the CPU baseplate. The DeepCool GAMMAXX 400 White is rated to have a TDP of 130W for AMD CPUs and 125W for Intel CPUs, providing great heat dissipation. Furthermore, it has a max airflow of 74.34 CFM and a maximum noise output of 30dBA, which I did not find annoying even though it is relatively loud.
Build Quality: The DeepCool GAMMAXX 400 White is compatible with most AMD and Intel sockets. The ability to add another fan is also present for a push-pull configuration for someone looking for extra cooling performance out of the GAMMAXX 400 White. It has great RAM clearance and is generally quite well-built in my opinion considering the price.
Aesthetics: For its appearance, it looks similar to most budget coolers but with a white design, which is ideal for anyone going for an all-white build. The semi-transparent fan does a fantastic job of giving the cooler a neat look. The cooler does lack RGB lighting, but that does not take away from the clean aesthetic of this cooler.
Buy It If:
✅ You want a white CPU cooler: The DeepCool GAMMAXX 400 White has decent build quality with a white finish at a relatively cheap price range. DeepCool has also included a white LED to the fan, which is a nice addition
✅ You want a compact cooler: Since the GAMMAXX 400 has a height of just 154mm, there should be no issues with fitting this inside a mid-tower PC case.
Don’t Buy It If:
❌ You want a quieter CPU cooler: The only major downside to the DeepCool GAMMAXX 400 White is its noise; under heavy load and at maximum fan speed, it might be a bit louder than most of the coolers in its price bracket.
What Makes It The Best White CPU Cooler Under $50?
The DeepCool GAMMAXX 400 White is an excellent pick for someone looking to build an all-white PC. It can be incredibly challenging to find a cooler under $50 that not only comes in white but also performs well which is why we have we have crowned the DeepCool GAMMAXX 400 White as the best white CPU cooler under $50.
| Performance: 8/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Design: 10/10 |
Cooler Master MasterAir G200P
Best Low Profile CPU Cooler Under $50
Specifications : Type: Low Profile Air Cooler | Colors: Black | TDP: 95W | RGB: Yes | Dimensions: 95 x 92 x 39.4 mm | Fan: 92mm PWM fan | Fan Speed: 800-2600 RPM | Noise: 28 dBA | Socket Support: LGA1200, LGA2066, LGA2011-v3, LGA2011, LGA1151, LGA1150, LGA1155, LGA1156 – AMD AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2+, FM2, FM1
Pros
- Excellent clearance
- RGB lighting
- Extremely compact
- Decent noise levels
Cons
- Difficult to install
- Not for overclocking
Cooling Performance: For the heatsink, the Cooler Master MasterAir G200P features two C-shaped copper heat pipes, aluminum fins, and a copper base plate. It is rated to have a TDP of 95W which is good enough for stock operation with most mid-range CPUs according to my testing. The 92mm RGB fan has a speed ranging from 800 to 2600 RPM.
Build Quality: With a height of 39.4mm, the MasterAir G200P is one of the most compact and well-built air coolers one can go for. The cooler also comes with mounting kits, thermal paste, and an RGB controller for the fan. One thing to keep in mind is that installing the MasterAir G200P can get a bit complex given the number of screws present.
Aesthetics: The 92mm RGB fan may be small, but I think it adds a very attractive touch to this low-profile CPU cooler. It also comes with an RGB fan controller with three buttons that can be used to adjust the brightness, change colors, and change the style of the RGB lighting, allowing the user to customize its appearance.
Buy It If:
✅ You have a compact PC case: Thanks to its height of just 39.4mm, the Cooler Master MasterAir G200P is perfect for builds that have space constraints. Pairing the MasterAir G200P with a mini-ITX board should cause no issues.
✅ You want RGB lighting: The MasterAir G200P offers great aesthetics with a 92mm RGB fan, which is not common in this price range.
Don’t Buy It If:
❌ You want to overclock the CPU: The MasterAir G200P has decent cooling performance but it is not a reliable choice for overclocking because of the small 92mm fan and the low airflow reading of 35 CFM.
What Makes It The Best Low Profile CPU Cooler Under $50?
The Cooler Master MasterAir G200P is a great pick if you are going for a compact build as it does a great job in terms of case compatibility and clearance, while also providing decent performance and aesthetics, making the MasterAir G200P the best low profile CPU cooler under $50.
| Performance: 7/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Design: 9/10 |
How We Tested & Picked The Best CPU Coolers Under $50
Here are a few factors you should consider before buying a CPU cooler on a tight budget.
- Compatibility: You must ensure that the CPU cooler you buy is compatible with your processor. Generally, the sockets that a cooler is compatible with are listed on the website. You also need to make sure that the right mounting brackets are present, although you can also buy proper mounts separately.
- Efficiency and Performance: Processors with a higher TDP require more cooling performance. CPU coolers under $50 usually have a TDP rating ranging from 90-150W, which should be enough for a mid to High-end processor. Low-profile coolers tend to have a lower TDP rating, which may result in thermal throttling in some scenarios.
- Size and Clearance: CPU Coolers are available in different sizes; the dimensions can vary depending on the cooler you end up going with. It is also crucial to ensure that there is a sufficient gap between the memory sticks and the cooler itself, as well as between the case panel and the cooler, so any sort of interference can be avoided.
- Noise: A few variables affect the noise output of a CPU cooler. Most notably, the fan type used and the fan’s speed. Most air coolers tend to have louder noise outputs, ranging from 25 to 35 dBA. If the cooler comes with a 4-pin PWM connector, then you can simply reduce the noise level by lowering the fan speed.
- Design and Aesthetic: For CPU coolers under $50, this might not be extremely important as you should always prioritize performance over design; However, that does not mean that you can’t find decent-looking processors in this price range. Offerings from DeepCool and Cooler Master often have decent build quality along with ARGB fans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anything ranging from a dual-tower or a single-tower air cooler should provide sufficient cooling performance, for small form factor builds you can get the Cooler Master Master Air G200P.
$50 should be enough for an aftermarket CPU cooler; however, with this budget, AIO liquid coolers are completely out of the question.
A $50 aftermarket cooler not only performs better than stock coolers but also provides low noise levels, better aesthetics, and superior build quality.
- March 12, 2024: Made some text changes to improve readability. I replaced Scythe Fuma 2 with Scythe Fuma 3 since the newer iteration provides better performance in the same price bracket.
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[CPU Coolers & RAM Expert]
Hayyan Serwer is a tech enthusiast, with a love for PC building and article writing. Hayyan specializes in writing about CPU coolers and RAM kits. Hayyan has been familiar with the tech industry for over half a decade now, and has now stepped into providing quality reviews for the latest and greatest tech.
