CPU coolers are the components that help to keep the heat away from your system. Low profile coolers are much quieter in general and designed to fit in smaller spaces. They are a tad smaller in height and are slim in structure and can be fitted into any mini desktop case. Whether it is AIO liquid or air cooling, we’ve got you covered for your compact PC build.
Looking for a fast answer? The best low profile CPU Coolers in 2024 are Noctua NH-L9a-AM4, Premium Low-Profile CPU Cooler for AMD AM4 and Cooler Master MasterAir G200P RGB Low-Profile CPU Air Cooler, 39.4 mm Ultra-Low-Profile Heatsink. Both coolers offer a good deal of quality to most ITX built PCs. They come at a good size and can easily be fitted into a compact case.
Best Low Profile CPU Cooler: Quick Comparison
BEST RATED  |
Noctua NH-L9a-AM4 Low-Profile CPU Cooler
|
Check Price |
RUNNER UP  |
Cooler MasterAir G200P RGB Low-Profile CPU Air Cooler
|
Check Price |
  |
CRYORIG C7 Cu – 47mm Tall, SFF Mini ITX CPU Cooler
|
Check Price |
  |
Cooler MasterAir G100M RGB Low-Profile CPU Air Cooler
|
Check Price |
  |
Scythe Big Shuriken 3 CPU Air Cooler, 120mm Low Level
|
Check Price |
  |
Noctua NH-L12S Compact CPU Cooler with Fan
|
Check Price |
Top Rated Low High Slim AIO Liquid & Air Cooling 2024: Reviews
1. Noctua NH-L9a-AM4, Premium Low-Profile CPU Cooler for AMD AM4
Best Rated
It is the go-to choice for many overclocking enthusiasts around the world. The Noctua NH-L9a-AM4 provides a lot of standards to its users, making it our first choice on this list.
When going for a low-profile CPU cooler, you surely need the best of the best for your computer to function without overheating.
The NH-L9a-AM4 has a compact footprint that is built to fully comply with the socket zones specified by AMD CPUs.
This means that the cooler will not interfere with the CPU, the heatsink and the fans overhang the RAM, so the cooler provides easy access to the slots and is fully compatible with tall memory modules.
The fans that come with the Noctua NH-L9a-AM4 is only 14mm thick, and the heatsink that comes with it only measures 23mm, which makes it slim and conveniently sized, the Noctua NH-L9a-AM4 stands only a mere 33mm tall, which makes it ideal for use in compact HTPCs or Small Form Factor cases that offer minimum clearance for CPU coolers.
The NH-L9a-AM4 comes with a custom-designed SecuFirm2 mounting system for the AM4 socket of AMD’s Ryzen platform. It allows the heatsink to be fixed from the back of the motherboard, making installation easier than ever, and this is all done while still maintaining the trusted SecuFirm2 quality.
Pros
- It is compact sized
- It is a quiet CPU cooler
- The low noise adapter makes it almost silent
Cons
- It is a bit pricey for a low-profile CPU
2. Cooler Master MasterAir G200P RGB Low-Profile CPU Air Cooler
Runner Up
But because compact systems are a consistent niche, the company occasionally offers up low profile designs to fit those specific needs.
Enter the G200P, a hyper-compact cooler, to accommodate airflow for the smallest of small systems.
With a height of just 39.4mm, the Cooler Master G200P is powered by a single 92mm RGB fan that absolutely shreds air at high RPMs across the cooling fins of its tiny, dual-heatpipe cooler.
And while this all sounds like a perfect combination of style and small-system performance, the G200P offers more in terms of style than it does in cooling performance.
The MasterAir G200P is a 39.4 mm low-profile CPU cooler designed for small form factor cases and compact PC builds. Built with a powerful 92mm squared PWM fan to maximize top-down cooling, the G200P features a wide fan speed range that is fine tuned for maximum airflow, overall cooling performance or silent operation.
The RGB fan is compatible with all RGB motherboards and includes a wired, RGB LED controller, allowing full-color customization.
The Cooler MasterAir G200P has two c-shaped heat pipe designs that are strategically shaped for an ultra-compact cooler that maximizes heat dissipation.
Stacked fin placement ensures minimal airflow resistance, allowing cooler airflow into the heat sink. Stacked fin placement ensures minimal airflow resistance, allowing cooler airflow into the heat sink.
Pros
- It provides a great deal of quality
- Zero memory clearance issues
- It has a neat design
Cons
- The fan tends to be noisy at high RPM
3. CRYORIG C7 Cu – 47mm Tall, SFF Mini ITX Full Copper CPU Heatsink
Best Premium Low Level CPU Cooler
Considering the size of the cooler, you might have doubts as to the performance level of the CRYORIG, but the CPU cooler features a lot of advanced technology that makes up for its size, making it a premium choice for low level CPU coolers.
This CPU cooler was built with versatile compatibility in mind. It can work alongside a number of components regardless of any form of obstruction. Due to its size, it gives a reasonable amount of space in order for the RAM and other system components to be comfortably fitted with it.
The cooling is nothing short of impressive thanks to CRYORIG proprietary manufacturing processes; the CRYORIG C7 comes packed with a staggering total of 4 high performance copper heatpipes.
CRYORIG heatpipe technology allows the C7 to be 25% cooler while being 20% quieter than a reference stock heatsink, even though it’s the same size.
The C7’s proprietary 92mm fan comes with built-in Acoustic Vibration Absorber that is the same found on the award winning R1 series ultra-high-end dual tower cooler. By insulating the fan and metal fins, it effectively eliminates all unnecessary vibration.
The CRYORIG C7 is designed to dissipate heat in the CPU and it also does well in reducing the overall heat of your PC, thereby making your computer perform at its best.
Pros
- It offers a good amount of performance
- It is low cost
- It is flexible and compact
Cons
- It has a limited socket support
4. Cooler Master MasterAir G100M RGB Low-Profile CPU Air Cooler
Small CPU Fan Low Profile RGB Fan
The fluid is transferred by the copper powder filled inside the column creating an anti-gravity heat transfer.
Super quick heat transfer is made possible with the heat column at a massive 41.2, the equivalent of 7 times the size of traditional heatpipes. The unification of heat pipes and base into one unit captures and efficiently transfers the heat from the CPU like never seen before.
The low profile G100M stands at 74.5mm, a great fit for slim PC cases, including mini-ITX cases. Even at these small dimensions, the heatsink has a cooling capacity of 130W TDP.
The high performance 92mm PWM fan, with a range of 600 – 2400 RPM, cools not only the CPU, but all surrounding components inside the case for exceptional thermal results.
The Cooler Master MasterAir G100M RGB Low profile CPU Air Cooler comes with a tool-free mounting kit that makes installation a breeze. Universal retention brackets are included, with full compatibility for Intel.
Pros
- One of the better looking CPU coolers out there
- It has an overall decent performance
- RGB lighting and controller included
- It has a quiet operation
Cons
- Installation is a bit more difficult than most other coolers out there
5. Scythe Big Shuriken 3 CPU Air Cooler, 120mm Low Profile
Best Mini ITX CPU Cooling
You can bring in the BIG Shuriken to dissipate the heat from your CPU, and the CPU cooler always brings a good amount of quality whenever used, on a mini build that is.
The cooler comes with a new type of technology to further extend its already renowned performance, and it uses the Kaze flex slim fan that delivers great airflow while still remaining as compact as ever.
The wide-space heatsink, joined by 5 sintered heat pipes, can transfer and ventilate the heat effectively, and offset design for better compatibility to all the components on the motherboard.
The Scythe CPU Cooler has unrestricted RAM compatibility with the new asymmetrical heatsink design and revamped cooling fin stack. Big Shuriken 3 has been redesigned to significantly improve compatibility with memory and motherboard I/O covers.
It is guaranteed to give you no problems with RAM compatibility, making it extremely easy to fit your RAM and many other components of your system with great ease.
And what we like most about the Scythe CPU Cooler is its versatile fan mounting ability, with an additional screw set included. It is absolutely easy to swap regular sized fan blades (25mm thickness) to fit into the cooler for better cooling performance and quieter operation, if space allows.
The new Hyper Precision Mounting System III (H.P.M.S III) guarantees a more convenient and user-friendly installation process as well as perfect contact pressure on all current sockets and platforms.
With all these new technologies packed into the Scythe Big Shuriken, we had our doubts about how good the promised recent developments would be, but having examined it, we think it’s safe to say that it is pretty much legit.
Pros
- It has an easy installation
- Quiet operation during load
- High performance for so small cooler
- It is cost effective
- Full compatibility with tall memory kits
- No RGB will appeal to some
Cons
- Thermal throttled in OC FPU test
6. Noctua NH-L12S, Premium Low Profile CPU Cooler with Quiet 120mm PWM Fan
Top Rated Low Level CPU Cooler
While it provides first-rate performance in its class, you should not couple it with CPUs that are meant to be overclocked or any form of CPU that creates high heat loads.
The Noctua NH-L12S is the successor of the popular NH-L12; it features a sophisticated aerodynamic optimizations technology such as Flow Acceleration Channels. The NF-A12x15 is a premium-grade slim 120 mm fan.
Its outstanding efficiency allows the NH-L12S to provide even better performance than the previous model with its 92mm fan.
The Noctua NH-L12S has a surprising amount of efficiency and remarkable flexibility. This is made possible by its NF-A12x15 PWM and slim 120mm fan.
The NH-L12S provides even better quiet cooling performance than its previous model with its 92mm fan, but at the same time, the NH-L12S is a highly versatile CPU cooler.
With the fan blades installed on top of the fins, the cooler is fully able to accommodate RAM modules of up to 48mm in height. With the fan installed underneath the fins, the total height of the cooler is only 70mm, making it suitable for use in many HTPC and Small Form Factor cases.
Topped off with the trusted pro-grade SecuFirm2 multi-socket mounting system and Noctua’s proven NT-H1 thermal compound, the NH-L12S is a premium-quality low-profile solution for the highest demands.
Pros
- Form factor
- Good performance in stock and OC configuration
- Just 70mm tall
- It comes with a 6 year warranty
- High quality
Cons
- Not quite as good as the original NHL12
Flat Processor Cooler For Compact Build FAQ
Are Low Profile Coolers Worth It?
Generally speaking, low profile coolers are not as effective as regular profile coolers, but again they are meant to be used in mini ITX cases, because some of the regular profile coolers might stop you from installing some other components in your Mini PC, so in a situation like that, you are recommended to go for low profile coolers.
What Is Low Profile Cooler?
The space between the CPU socket and chassis panel are sometimes limited. That is where low-profile CPU coolers come into play. They can keep your CPU cool and still occupy a fraction of space than regular full-sized coolers. They are efficiently designed with high heat removal capacity, and some even offer overclocking potential.
Final Words About The Best Low Profile CPU Cooler
Having reviewed the best low profile CPU coolers in the market, we have picked out the best with the high level of compatibility and quality. They are slim in structure and can be fitted into any mini desktop case.
These CPUs are designed for compact system builds, and they are not meant to be used to cool top tier CPUs that are built to be overclocked or used in an excessive manner. When used for the right purpose, liquid and air cooling CPU coolers can protect your PC from overheating.
The best low profile CPU Coolers in 2024 are Noctua NH-L9a-AM4 Low-Profile CPU Cooler for AMD AM4 and MasterAir G200P RGB Low-Profile CPU Air Cooler.
Table of Contents