Best Pci Slot Cooler
Provides additional cooling for your PCI cards and case. Ideal for removing hotspots over VGA cards or other high activity adapter boards. 4 pin molex connector and standard slot mounting bracket included. Works excellent in conjunction with our VGA orb cooling heatsinks!
- Adding the blower plus these extra vents: SilverStone AEROSLOT Maximum Vented PCI Slot Covers below the card to vent the air directly out the back made my case noticeably cooler to the touch (+/-15F cooler according to the computer's sensors). Unfortunately, this week I turned on my comp to a horrible grinding noise coming from the blower.
- I personally used a Vantec 70mm PCI cooler in the past & was quite happy with it, it did lower gfx temps of a single 8800GTS 640 somewhat but not considerbly, hard to say by how much it may drop 4 u, could be between 2-7C.
(*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you choose to purchase through the links I provide (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for supporting the work I put into this site!)
Graphics card sagging can lead to serious consequences in the long run if it is not dealt in time. This problem generally occurs in longer mid to high-end graphics cards that have a bulky and heavy heatsink. In GPU sagging, the graphics card at one side bends down or hangs due to its weight, due to lack of support. The sagging of GPU can put stress on your motherboard and may cause some damage to it in the long run, if the sagging persists. Some high-end motherboards do come with metal reinforced PCI-E x16 slot, but not everybody buys the top model or top-end motherboard, and in these motherboards too, you can notice some amount of graphics card sag because of the weight. Also, high-end graphics cards with metal backplate do encounter sag because of their weight and length. So, in these cases, the best way to prevent graphics card sagging is to use a GPU Support Bracket, Graphics Card Holder or Graphics Card Sag Holder. These graphics card sag holders provide support to the graphics card at the sagging end and prevent it from drooping.
There are generally two types of GPU support brace or graphics card sag holders: vertical and horizontal. Both of them have their own advantages and disadvantages and are suited for different conditions. Horizontal Graphics Card Holder or GPU Support Bracket is mostly an ‘L’ shaped metal piece that attaches to the side of the case bracket, along with the graphics card using screws. It consists of adjustable rubber mounts or pads on the arm that makes contact with the bottom end or graphics card shroud to give the card proper support and prevents it from sagging. For the horizontal graphics card support bracket to work, the graphics card width should be slightly greater than the computer case bracket. This means that it cannot work with graphics card having a width equal or less than the bracket, and also with low profile graphics cards. Horizontal graphics card sag holder is also called GPU Support Bracket, GPU Support Brace, GPU Brace Support Bracket or Horizontal GPU Sag Holster.
On the other hand, Vertical Graphics Card Holder is basically a stand with a shaft, on which two or more adjustable sliders or holders are present, which can be locked at the desired position to provide support to the graphics card and prevents it from sagging. Vertical GPU holder can support multiple graphics cards without any issues, whereas a horizontal one can support only one graphics card at a time and can cause an issue with the adjacent graphics card below it if you are using more than one graphics card in SLI or CrossFire setup. However, it cannot be used with computer cases that do not have spare space for it to stand on. So, if you have a smaller PC case with hard drive cages very close to the motherboard, then you will have a hard time fitting it to give your graphics card support. In general, a vertical graphics card sag holder provides better and stable support to the graphics card and is more flexible compared to the horizontal one. Below you can see horizontal and vertical graphics card brace support holders.
Vertical GPU support brace can be used with all types of graphics cards, including the passive graphics cards with huge heatsinks, but the horizontal one does have some limitations regarding the height of the graphics card. The quality of the GPU support brace also matters because a cheap and flimsy one will be as good as useless and you will finally end wasting your money. So, to help you out on this, here I am going to list down some of the best GPU support brackets /holders, both horizontal and vertical that can be used to fix your graphics card sag.
Horizontal Graphics Card Holders
Here are some of the best horizontal graphics card holders or GPU support brackets to prevent graphics card sagging.
upHere Graphics Card GPU Brace Support
A simple GPU Brace Support Holder from upHere to prevent the video card from drooping. It is made up of aluminum and comes with four screws and two rubber mounts that can slide on the horizontal arm for proper adjustment. This GPU support bracket is very simple to use and you just have to screw it to with the graphics card bracket. It has got three slotted screw holes for adjustment and aligning the graphics card with the PCIe x16 slot. It is 10.5 inches in length and can easily support high-end graphics cards up to 300mm (or more) in length comfortably. It should be noted that the graphics card width should be slightly more than its bracket for this holder to work. The rubber mounts or silicone pads prevent any scratches and can be adjusted horizontally for proper positioning so that they do not interfere with the graphics card fans.
This video card sag holder works with dual-slot graphics cards and can also support 2.5 slot and 2.75 slot graphics cards. It is compatible with a wide range of motherboards and cases, but it can support one graphics card at a time and is not suitable for dual GPU setup in SLI or Crossfire configuration. It does not restrict airflow and does not require any extra space inside your computer case. It keeps the graphics card align perfectly by keeping it intact at its place, and is very stable. Once mounted, you don’t have to worry about your graphics card sagging, and can move or carry your case from once place to another without worrying about anything. It comes in three colors: black, blue and red to match your gaming rig theme.
Note: You must use the included screws for installing it, because they are longer (1.5 inches approx.) than the standard screws for PCI / PCIe brackets.
upHere Graphics Card GPU Brace Support Specifications | |
GPU Support Brace Type | Horizontal (10.5-inch length) |
Graphics Card Support | Single |
Construction Material | Aluminum |
Adjustable | Yes (through slotted screw holes) |
Another Horizontal GPU holder
Here is another good GPU support bracket, just like the above one from upHere. It works the same way and also the design is almost the same. You can check it out too from the link given below.
upHere Addressable RGB GPU Brace Support
If you are looking for a fancy horizontal GPU Brace support with RGB lighting then this is the one to go for. It comes with Addressable RGB LEDs at the bottom with a white diffuser. The GPU brace support is stylish and the RGB lighting looks super cool when lit up, and you can also change the lighting effects using the compatible RGB software. As the RGB LEDs are addressable, which means you would require a 5V 3-pin ARGB header for them. You may also connect the 5V 3-pin ARGB connector to an RGB controller that includes the support for ARGB LED components.
This ARGB GPU Anti-Sag Bracket supports a majority of the motherboard RGB software that includes Asus Aura Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion, MSI Mystic Light Sync, ASRock RGB LED, BIOSTAR RGB, etc. There is a sliding rubber pad located on the top for providing support to the card at the proper point, and it does not scratch the surface of the graphics card at all. The RGB Graphics Card Brace Support comes with six screws, three thumb screws and three Philips screws for installation. If you already have RGB components installed in your PC i.e. RGB Fans, RGB RAM, etc., then this RGB GPU Brace Support Bracket would go very well with them.
upHere ARGB Graphics Card Brace Support Specifications | |
GPU Support Brace Type | Horizontal (11-inch length) |
Graphics Card Support | Single |
Construction Material | Aluminum |
Adjustable | Yes (through slotted screw holes) |
Cooler Master ELV8 Universal Graphics Card Holder
[Addressable RGB, Length & Height Adjustment, Sleek Design]
If you are looking for a branded Graphics Card Holder that goes well with your fancy gaming PC then Cooler Master ELV8 is the one for you. This is a horizontal Graphics Card Holder that comes with ARGB LEDs and is compatible with Asus Aura Sync, MSI Mystic Light Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion, and ASRock Polychrome Sync RGB motherboard software. This GPU Brace support attaches to the expansion slot with the help of three screws. It allows both horizontal (length) and vertical (height) adjustment using a tool-free slider and hinge, so that your graphics card is positioned for best support.
The graphics card holder is sturdy, sleek and looks great in the case. The RGB LED strip runs along with the graphics card holder and looks very neat. It can support most of the graphics cards, including the bulky ones. It should be noted that you will need a 3-pin 5V ARGB header or compatible RGB controller to use the RGB LED lighting. A 3-pin ARGB adapter cable comes bundled with the package, along with three thumb screws.
Cooler Master ELV8 GPU Brace Specifications | |
GPU Support Brace Type | Horizontal |
Graphics Card Support | Single |
Construction Material | Steel & Plastic |
Adjustable | Yes (Horizontal & Vertical) |
Vertical Graphics Card Holders
Here are some of the best vertical video card sag holders to prevent GPU sagging.
upHere VC-1 Graphics Card Support Stand
A vertical graphics card holder from upHere that packs great quality and is very easy to use. This is basically a graphics card support stand with a solid metal bar with two support arms that slide up and down and can be adjusted to the desired height by tightening the tool-less screws on them. On their upper surface, they have rubber pads that prevent scratches on the graphics card and they also provide better grip. The whole graphics card holder is made of aluminum and the construction quality is very good. The base of the round stand comes with a magnet that holds the stand firmly in the case. The magnet is pretty strong but not strong enough to damage your hard drives (HDDs) if they are in close vicinity of the stand. The stand is quite stable, but if you move around your case then it can get displaced slightly, and you can position it again.
This vertical graphics card holder can support two graphics cards in a multi-GPU setup (SLI or CrossFire). These support arms hold the graphics cards pretty well and eliminate the graphics card sag completely. The stand should be placed on the flat surface that is magnetic. You can place it on the bottom of the case and also on the PSU shroud if you have a full-length shroud. The holder does not consume much space and it neither restricts the airflow in your case. The height of the stand is 10.6 inches and the diameter of the stand is 4cm only. Also, it does not interfere with your adjacent brackets and PCIe slots, and you can use other PCIe expansion cards on your motherboard without any issues.
upHere VC-1 Graphics Card Holder Specifications | |
GPU Support Brace Type | Vertical (10.6 inch tall) |
Graphics Card Support | Dual |
Construction Material | Aluminum |
Adjustable | Yes (height adjustment) |
Cooler Master Universal VGA Holder
If you are looking for a branded graphics card sag holder then Cooler Master Universal VGA Holder fits the bill perfectly. Just like the above mentioned UpHere graphics card holder, it also comes with two support arms and can support two graphics cards. However, the supporters here are made of ABS plastic and have a friction locking mechanism where you just have to push the clip inside to lock the support arms. This locking mechanism is relatively easy and quicker than compared to the tool-less screw ones in the upHere one. The bar and the stand are made of aluminum and is very stable. The stand is a tripod one and has strong magnets located on each of the legs.
This Cooler Master Universal Graphics Card Holder comes with two bars, and you can either use one or two at the same time, depending on the height of the graphics card from the base. This means if you have a smaller case then you are good with one bar only, but if the case is big then you can join the two bars together to extend its length so that it can reach the graphics card. It is only available in black color. Overall, a high-quality graphics card holder that works great and is very easy to install and use.
Cooler Master Universal VGA Holder Specifications | |
GPU Support Brace Type | Vertical |
Graphics Card Support | Dual |
Construction Material | Aluminum and ABS |
Adjustable | Yes (height adjustment) |
Deepcool GH-01 A-RGB Graphics Card Holder
[Addressable RGB Graphics Card Holder]
If you are in search of a fancy graphics card holder with RGB lighting then Deepcool GH-01 A-RGB Graphics Card Holder is to look for. It is a wider graphics card holder that comes with nine Addressable RGB LEDs and supports Asus Aura Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion, ASRock Polychrome Sync, and MSI Mystic Light Sync RGB software. It needs a 5V ARGB header on the motherboard or an ARGB controller and is not compatible with 12V RGB header and controllers. The GPU holder consists of two parts, one is the base and the other one is the frame. The frame has metal construction and houses the ARGB LEDs, while the base is made of plastic and provides support to the frame. The holder comes with two bases, one is standard while the other one is taller.
This GPU support holder has a modular design and it also allows you to hide the PCI-E power cables inside it that goes into the graphics card. It utilizes a unique saw-tooth adjustment mechanism and a dual-hole installation design for super easy installation. It must be noted that the base is non-magnetic, but you can use double-sided tape to fix it firmly on the bottom of the case. This graphics card support holder from Deepcool claims to support graphics cards up to 5Kg in weight, which is great and shows its high build quality and structural strength. It is compatible with most of the computer cases, with or without a power supply shield or shroud. A non-RGB variant of this graphics card holder is also available, which you can also check out from the link given below.
Deepcool GH-01 A-RGB Graphics Card Holder Specifications | |
GPU Support Brace Type | Vertical |
Graphics Card Support | Single |
Construction Material | Aluminum & Plastic |
Adjustable | Yes |
Cooler Master ARGB GPU Support Bracket
[Edge-Lit ARGB Tempered Glass, 100% Tool-less Design, Stunning Look]
The best-looking GPU Support Bracket in the market right now. It is a vertical GPU support bracket that comes with ARGB LEDs and Tempered Glass. The vertical bar is made up of Tempered Glass and CNC machining on the tempered glass creates rails for ARGB lighting to travel throughout the bracket. The edge-lit RBG lighting on the GPU support bracket looks breathtaking and if you already have RGB components in your PC then the Cooler Master ARGB GPU Support Bracket further enhances the looks of your PC. The Addressable RGB lighting can be synced with the motherboard’s RGB software given that your motherboard has an ARGB header which is required by the support bracket.
The other material used for the support bracket is ABS plastic which is quite sturdy and durable. The base has a strong magnet that keeps the support bracket firmly in its place. There are two support arms included for multiple orientations and you can either place it at the tail-end of the GPU, or the side of the GPU closest to the side panel depending on the clearance present in your PC case. The support clips are tightened using the clips only by hand and this makes it for a 100% screw-less and tool-less design. So, if you want a cool-looking GPU support brace without compromising on the quality and aesthetics of your PC case then it is the one.
Cooler Master ARGB GPU Support Bracket Specifications | |
GPU Support Brace Type | Vertical |
Graphics Card Support | Single |
Construction Material | ABS Plastic, Tempered Glass |
Adjustable | Yes |
Must Read:
Final Words
In the end, I would only like to say that if you are suffering from graphics card sagging problem and do not want to incur any damage to your motherboard or graphics card then these GPU support brace or Graphics Card sag holders are really a life saver in true sense. They are inexpensive and can save you from all the trouble that you can have from a sagging video card. You can choose any of the GPU brace support video card holders based on your PC case and requirements, and if you are unsure which one is right for you then you can ask your queries in the comment section below, by giving all the necessary details that include model of the graphics card and the PC case.
(*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you choose to purchase through the links I provide (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for supporting the work I put into this site!)
Air CPU Coolers come in different shapes and sizes. Some of them are bulkier while some are compact and slimmer in design compared to others. The choice of CPU Cooler plays an important in building a new PC or if you are upgrading your cooler to a better one, especially from a stock CPU cooler. If you are building a PC with smaller motherboard or case, but using a RAM that has taller heatsink or heat spreader then you have to make a careful selection for the CPU Cooler, because if you choose a cooler with relatively larger dimensions with a bulkier design, then it might block your RAM slot (especially the first one), and your first PCIe x16 slot too, which is mainly for the graphics card.
Most of the modern-day CPU coolers do provide sufficient clearance for low profile RAM, but if the RAM has taller heat spreader/heatsink then you must get a Slim CPU Cooler that provides good clearance for your RAM and PCIe slot. This is very important for users building a PC with Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX motherboards because they have limited space, and most of them have RAM slots closer to the CPU Socket. Also, because of limited DIMM slots on these small form factor motherboards, you cannot afford to sacrifice your DIMM slot and the PCIe slot to the CPU Cooler. Well, the good news is that you don’t have worry about this issue anymore, because there are some very good CPU coolers available in the market having slim or offset heatsink design that offers a very good amount of RAM clearance (even for the tall RAM), and that too without compromising on cooling performance. So, here I am going to list down the best CPU Coolers for both Intel and AMD Sockets that offer full RAM clearance & compatibility and do not block your PCIe x16 slot too.
Related:Best 92mm Compact CPU Coolers for Smaller Cases
Best Slim CPU Coolers with High RAM Clearance
Here are the best slim CPU coolers that offer great clearance for your RAM and first PCIe x16 slot. Almost, all of them are 120mm CPU Coolers because 140mm CPU Coolers are relatively bigger and they do not offer much clearance for RAM with taller heatsinks/heat spreaders.
Pci Slot Fan
Noctua NH-U12S CPU Cooler
[Quiet, Great Performance, Dual Fan Ready]
A quiet and slim CPU cooler from Noctua that is compatible with all the popular Intel and AMD sockets, including the AM4. Due to its slim design and 45mm fin depth, it offers 100% compatibility with tall RAM modules, and it does not obstruct the first PCIe x16 slot too. Also, the heatsink and the fan does not overhang on the RAM, and you can easily install and remove the RAM without any interference. The heatsink of this cooler comes with five copper heatpipes that help in faster heat dissipation. A 120mm NF-F12 PWM premium fan helps in cooling down the heatsink. The fan comes with Noctua’s proprietary SSO2 bearing and spins at speed of 300 – 1500 RPM. This fan is very quiet in operation with a maximum noise rating of 22.4 dBA, and you can make it even quieter (@18.6 dBA) using the Low Noise Adapter (L.N.A.) that comes along with the CPU Cooler. Also, the anti-vibrations pads on the four corners help to eliminate vibrational noise too. As this is a dual fan ready CPU Cooler, you can add one extra fan too in push/pull setup if you want more cooling performance, given that you have clearance for it.
The installation of this cooler is pretty easy, which is done through Noctua’s SecuFirm2 multi-socket mounting system. The CPU stands at 158mm tall, which is decent height and it can fit in most of the tower cases pretty comfortably. The performance of this CPU Cooler is far better than the stock CPU cooler, and it can easily run your Core i7 and Ryzen 7 processors at full load or gaming without having to worry about overheating. You may perform slight a bit of overclocking on this CPU cooler, but nothing major. So, if you are looking for a high-quality slim CPU Cooler that is quiet in operation, and does not compromise on performance then just go for it. Highly Recommended by me.
Note: A dedicated AM4 Socket variant of this CPU Cooler is also available as Noctua NH-U12S SE-AM4. Also, some AMD mainboards violate the 96x114mm keep-out zone specified by AMD, so NH-U12S and Noctua NH-U12S SE-AM4 can only be used with RAM modules of up to 40mm height on these boards.
Noctua NH-U12S CPU Cooler Specifications | |
CPU Socket Support | Intel LGA2066, LGA2011-0 & LGA2011-3 (Square ILM), LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1151, LGA1150 and AMD AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, FM1, FM2, FM2+ (backplate required), AM4 (included since 2019) |
Fan Size | 120mm |
Fan Speed | 300 – 1500 RPM |
Heat Pipes | 5 Copper Heatpipes |
RAM Clearance | 100% RAM Compatibility |
Cooler Height | 158mm |
Scythe Kotetsu Mark II TUF Gaming Alliance
[RGB, Cheaper, Silent Operation, Great Looks]
Scythe Kotetsu Mark II TUF Gaming Alliance is a budget, but strongly built CPU cooler from Scythe. This is the TUF Gaming Alliance version of the Scythe Kotetsu Mark II CPU Cooler. It is developed in collaboration with Asus and bears the TUF name to it, which depicts its high reliability and tough components. The CPU Cooler comes with an asymmetric and offset designed heatsink for maximum clearance for RAM and its compatibility. Also, it does not interfere with the first PCIe slot either. The heatsink comes with four copper heatpipes and a Kaze Flex 120 RGB PWM fan with Sealed Precision FDB bearing. The fan is relatively quiet and spins at speed of 300 – 120 RPM. The maximum noise level for the fan is 24.9 dBA and the rubber paddings on the four corners eliminates the noise due to vibrations. The RGB lighting on this CPU Cooler makes it look great with other RGB components that include RGB RAM and RGB Case Fans.
The CPU Cooler is compatible with all the major Intel and AMD Sockets that also include AM4 socket. H.P.M.S. III (Hyper Precision Mounting System III) makes the installation very easy and is pretty solid too. It is 154mm in height and has no trouble fitting in almost all the mid-tower and mini-tower computer cases. The CPU Cooler works quiet but its performance is on the mediocre side, and it is best suited for mid-range and budget CPUs like Core i5, Core i3, Ryzen 3, Ryzen 5, and should be avoided with top of the line CPUs. So, if you are in search of a budget CPU Cooler that comes with RGB lighting, looks great and offers decent performance then it is worth checking out.
Check out:Best RGB CPU Coolers for Fancy Gaming PC
Scythe Kotetsu Mark II TUF Gaming Alliance Specifications | |
CPU Socket Support | Intel Socket LGA775, LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155, LGA1156, LGA1366, LGA2011 / 2011-v3 (Square ILM), LGA2066 and AMD Socket AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, AM4, FM1, FM2, FM2+ |
Fan Size | 120mm |
Fan Speed | 300 – 1200 RPM |
Heat Pipes | 4 Copper Heatpipes |
RAM Clearance | Maximum Clearance |
Cooler Height | 154mm |
CRYORIG H7 CPU Cooler
[Compact Size, Great Stock Performance, Hyper 212 Evo Killer]
CRYORIG H7 is a relatively compact CPU Cooler but is high on performance. It is known as Hyper 212 Evo Killer, which is a very popular budget CPU Cooler from Cooler Master. The heatsink of this CPU Cooler comes with three copper heatpipes, and has Hive Fin design structure that allows for a combination of Jet Fin Acceleration and Turbulence Reduction. The Jet Fin Acceleration system carries out hot air faster because of the larger intakes and narrower exhaust present in the fin design. Also, because of the beehive-shaped structure at the front air intake of the heatsink, air turbulence gets reduced and straightens out the airflow. It assists airflow to move directly through the full length of the heatsink and carrying out hot air. The CPU Cooler comes with 120mm PWM fan that spins at 300 – 1600 RPM, and is pretty quiet in operation (25dBA max).
Because of its asymmetric heatpipe layout, the heatsink is at an offset position relative to the baseplate, which allows for its Zero RAM interference design and is compatible with RAM with tall heat spreaders too. Also, it does not obstruct the PCIe slot on the motherboard. The installation of this CPU cooler is not that hard and it supports popular Intel and AMD sockets that also include AM4. It is only 145mm in height and can fit in most of the mini-tower and mid-tower cases easily. The performance of this CPU Cooler is far better than the Stock CPU Cooler, and it can be used with high-end processors too, but without any overclocking as it is not made for it. The CPU Cooler is solidly built and it is very much affordable.
CRYORIG H7 CPU Cooler Specifications | |
CPU Socket Support | Intel LGA 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156 and AMD FM1, FM2/+, AM2/+, AM3/+, AM4 |
Fan Size | 120mm |
Fan Speed | 300 – 1600 RPM |
Heat Pipes | 3 Copper Heatpipes |
RAM Clearance | Maximum Clearance |
Cooler Height | 145mm |
be quiet! Shadow Rock Slim CPU Cooler
[Silent, Better than Hyper 212 Evo]
be quiet! is a very respectable brand that is known for silent and high-quality computer cases, case fans and CPU Air coolers. Here from be quiet!, we have Shadow Rock Slim CPU Cooler which is solidly built a 160W TDP CPU Cooler. The slim heatsink of this CPU Cooler comes with four copper heatpipes and a 135mm PWM fan to cool it. The fan comes with Rifle bearing and spins at speed of 1400 RPM and is pretty quiet in operation, having maximum noise level rating of 23.7 dBA only. You can also install an additional 120mm if you want to increase its cooling performance further.
The CPU Cooler offers good RAM clearance and does not interfere with the nearby PCIe slot. However, it is a bit taller at 161mm, which can be an area of concern for some users with smaller computer cases. It is compatible with most of the Intel and AMD CPU Sockets including the AM4 Socket from AMD. The performance of this CPU Cooler is good for processors at stock speeds, but overclocking is not a forte of this CPU cooler. However, you can run your Core i7 processor on it at full load during gaming or working with heavy CPU intensive programs. This CPU cooler is better than the Hyper 212 Evo, both in terms of cooling performance and noise levels. The installation is not that easy and falls in the mediocre range. Overall, a very good slim CPU Cooler that is quiet, offers good cooling performance and is not that expensive either.
be quiet! Shadow Rock Slim CPU Cooler Specifications | |
CPU Socket Support | Intel LGA 775 / 115x / 1366 / 2011(-3) Square ILM / 2066 and AMD 754 / 939 / 940 / AM2(+) / AM3(+) / AM4 / FM1 / FM2(+) |
Fan Size | 135mm |
Fan Speed | 1400 RPM (Max.) |
Heat Pipes | 4 Copper Heatpipes |
RAM Clearance | Very Good |
Cooler Height | 161mm |
Arctic Freezer 34 CPU Cooler
[Great Performance for the Price]
A budget CPU Cooler from Arctic that can support CPUs up to 150W TDP. It comes with a relatively slim heatsink with four copper heatpipes that makes direct contact with the CPU for better heat transfer and dissipation. A 120mm PWM fan with fluid dynamic bearing cools down the heatsink and spins at 200 – 1800 RPM. The fan is not on the noisier side and has a noise level rating of 22.5 dBA only. The CPU Cooler offers great RAM compatibility and does not interfere with the nearby PCIe x16 slot too. On most of the motherboards, you will have no trouble in fitting RAM with tall heatspreaders because of its unlimited clearance.
The CPU Cooler beats Hyper 212 Evo and offers a great price to performance ratio. It can be used with mid to high-end processors, but overclocking should be avoided with it. The installation is on the easier side, but it does not support a wide range of sockets. However, it is compatible with the AM4 socket, which is a good thing. The height of the CPU cooler is 157mm, which is not that of an issue for most of the tower cases, especially the mid-tower ones. Overall, a very good budget CPU Cooler that is on the cheaper side and performs well.
Arctic Freezer 34 CPU Cooler Specifications | |
CPU Socket Support | Intel LGA 1151, 1150, 1155, 1156, 2066, 2011-3 and AMD AM4 |
Fan Size | 120mm |
Fan Speed | 200 – 1800 RPM |
Heat Pipes | 4 Copper Heatpipes |
RAM Clearance | Very Good |
Cooler Height | 157mm |
be quiet! Dark Rock Slim
[Silent, Very Good Performance, Stylish Looks]
Here we have another be quiet! CPU Cooler, but it is significantly better in terms of performance and is quite easily the best slim CPU cooler in my opinion. be quiet! Dark Rock Slim is a relatively new compact cooler designed for smaller systems and PC cases with limited clearance for RAM and other components. The CPU cooler offers excellent RAM compatibility, and you can easily install taller RAM modules (with taller heat spreaders) without any issues. The cooling performance of this cooler is rated at 180 Watt, which is quite enough for a mid-range to high-end Intel and AMD Processor, e.g., Core i5, Core i7, Ryzen 5, Ryzen 7. However, high overclocking should be avoided on this cooler when running a high-end processor.
Best Pci Slot Cooler
be quiet! Dark Rock Slim CPU Cooler is a beautiful looking cooler, and it comes in all black color with black heatsink (ceramic coated) and black fan. The heatsink comes with four copper heatpipes and features airflow-optimized, wave-contoured cooling fins with small dots on their surfaces for increased air circulation. On the top of the heatsink, there is a brushed aluminum cover with diamond-cut finish that gives the cooler a premium look. The cooler uses a Silent Wings 120mm PWM Fan that has a maximum speed of 1500 RPM. The fan is very quiet in operation, even at full load, and has a maximum noise level rating of 23.6 dBA only. When it comes to cooling performance, then it easily beats the be quiet! Shadow Rock Slim CPU Cooler, Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo, Cooler Master Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition and offers cooling performance comparable to the be quiet! Dark Rock 4, which is a bigger cooler from be quiet!.
Are Pci Slot Fans Worth It
The CPU Cooler supports all the currently popular Intel and AMD Sockets, including the AM4 Socket. It is quite easy to install and comes with all the necessary brackets and screws. The CPU Cooler is a little costlier than other slim CPU Coolers, but it is totally worth it. So, if you are looking for a high-performance compact CPU Cooler that looks great and is super quiet in operation, then you won’t find anything better than this. Highly Recommend by me.
be quiet! Dark Rock Slim CPU Cooler Specifications | |
CPU Socket Support | Intel LGA 1200 / 1150 / 1151 / 1155 / 1156 / 1366 / 2011(-3) Square ILM / 2066 and AMD AM2(+) / AM3(+) / AM4 / FM1 / FM2(+) |
Fan Size | 120mm |
Fan Speed | 1500 RPM (PWM) |
Heat Pipes | 4 Copper Heatpipes |
RAM Clearance | Excellent |
Cooler Height | 160mm |
Tip for better RAM Clearance & Compatibility
If you are facing RAM compatibility or RAM clearance issues for your existing CPU Cooler, then you can install a Slim 120mm fan to it. replacing the stock fan that came with it. These slim fans are only 15mm thick (compared to standard 25mm fan thickness) and allow additional clearance for your RAM, especially for the first DIMM slot. Below, you can check out the best slim 120mm and 140mm fans that you can use with CPU heatsinks and radiators.
Pci Case Fan
Check out:
Expansion Slot Cooler
See also:
Final Words
Pci Exhaust Fan
So, if you are worried about the CPU Cooler compatibility with your RAM and PCIe slots, because of smaller motherboard then you choose from any of the above-mentioned offset heatsink design or slim CPU coolers that ensures almost 100% RAM compatibility. These CPU coolers offer good performance and are far better than the stock CPU coolers. However, overclocking is very limited on these and should with used with stock speeds only for best cooling performance and quieter operation. If have any doubts or queries regarding them, then ask me in the comment section below