The Best GPU Coolers in 2024

Being a PC enthusiast is sometimes a pain. You have to spend dozens of hours doing research on the best builds, spend a lot of money on components, spend hours hunched over your PC to cable manage it, all to play a handful of games that can run just as well on a 10-year laptop with integrated graphics.

Joking aside, building a PC is hard work, and finding the right tools to accompany your hardware is a drag. The best CPU cooler, GPU cooler, the most efficient power supply, the prettiest motherboard, it translates to a lot of time spent watching tutorials, reading reviews, time that could be spent doing literally anything else.

Don’t worry though, we have your back. We’re committed to doing market research and determine what are the best products in order for you to spend more time playing those flashy new games or to hang out in Discord with your buddies, sharing memes and TikToks, watching react videos, discussing world politics, getting into heated arguments, losing friends, you know, the usual.

Let’s continue by diving into some of the best (and worst) aftermarket GPU coolers and determine what makes them so good. We’ve also prepared a comprehensive guide on how to pick the best GPU cooler for your needs, so make sure you go through the entire article.

asiahorse graphics card cooler
  • GPU cooler/bracket design
  • 3 x 92mm PWM fans
  • ARGB lighting

Adding some bling while improving the thermal performance of your GPU does not sound like a bad deal. The AsiaHorse GPU cooler works like a support bracket that has fans strapped to it. This achieves both better support for your chunky GPUs, and also allows for more air to be pushed into your card to cool it down faster.

The GPU bracket comes with 3 x 92mm PWM fans and a slider mechanism for the metal prop that will hold your GPU and relieve some of the stress on the PCIe slot. The GPU cooler/bracket is also designed with looks in mind since it comes with ARGB lighting that can be controlled through a 5V 3-pin connector.

The price of the AsiaHorse GPU cooler makes it a compelling purchase since it achieves both stability (due to the bracket design) and better cooling with the extra fans – the RGB is the cherry on top.

Pros:
  • This GPU cooler will help you both save your PCIe slot and cool down your GPU
  • The 3 fans will push extra air in cases where you cannot mount bottom fans for intake
  • The ARGB is a purely aesthetic add-on but for some, it might be valuable
Cons:
  • Depending on your cooling configuration the extra fans might not help much and push hot air into the GPU

ID-Cooling Iceflow 240

Capable AIO GPU Cooler

id-cooling iceflow 240
  • 240mm radiator
  • RGB fans
  • Silent pump operation

If you are looking for a modern AIO GPU cooler for your RTX 20 series, GTX 7,9,10,16 series, or our RX 5700/590/580 GPU, then the ID-Cooling Iceflow 240 should be able to serve you well.

This is a 240mm radiator AIO with 120mm fans that can help now only cool down your GPU but also make it sag less and add some RGB goodness to your overall build. You can also rest assured that there will be less noise since the pump itself was designed to produce less noise while maintaining good cooling performance.

The only thing you really need to know about this AIO is that it requires GPUs with built-in MOS on the right side of the board to work properly. If you plan on buying this AIO for your GPU it would be smart to first check compatibility with your specific GPU!

Pros:
  • High level of compatibility with a lot of GPUs
  • Helps reduce your GPU temperatures
  • Helps reduce fan noise from regular GPU shroud and fans combo
Cons:
  • Requires a lot of technical knowledge to be assembled and used correctly

anidees Graphic Card Cooler 3 x80mm PWM Fan

Nice RGB GPU Cooler

anidees graphic card cooler
  • 1600 RPM
  • 3 x 80mm fans
  • Fan hub for programmable lights

Sometimes you need that extra bit of bling to pimp out your system. If you’re looking for a VGA cooler that brings a lot of personality to your setup, then anidees have got the solution for you. The aindees VGA cooler comes with three RGB rings that are programmable through software like MSI Mystic Light, RGB Fusion, Aura Sync, etc.

The three 80 mm fans spinning as fast as 1600 RPM are adequate for keeping even high-power GPUs nice and cool. A standard fan functions at around 1200 RPM at a maximum, so this is still a welcome upgrade.

Overall, the aindees VGA RGB cooler is a good choice if you want that extra bit of color, but it’s not amazing if you’re looking for raw cooling power. Check out the manufacturer site to see a full list of compatible GPUs.

Pros:
  • Great-looking
  • Lightweight
Cons:
  • Not the best aftermarket GPU cooler, can feel underwhelming compared to competition
  • Takes up a PCIe slot

RAIJINTEK Morpheus II CORE Edition

A Better Heatsink Option

raijintek morpheus ii core edition
  • 360 Watts TDP
  • 12 copper heat pipes and 129 fins
  • Compatible with 2x120mm fans

Cooling your GPU largely comes down to how good your heatsink is, and if it is lacking, you can always look at something like the Raijintek Morpheus II Core. This is a greatly improved heatsink that can handle 360 Watts of TDP with 12 copper heat pipes and 129 fins.

You can install 2x120mm fans allowing for a lot more airflow than from standard smaller-sized fans that would usually get installed on GPUs. The Morpheus II core heatsink is designed to make sure that all other components like VRMs are properly cooled on your graphics card increasing overall reliability.

There are however downsides to the Morpheus II as well. The main one is the fact that it is currently only compatible with 10-series Nvidia GPUs and older AMD GPUs. The other downside is the fact that once you clip 2x120mm fans on the heatsink your GPU effectively becomes a 4-slot card.

If you have an older GPU and you have enough case and motherboard space then this is a good GPU cooler choice for you.

Pros:
  • A great cooling solution that improves the heatsink of your graphics card
  • You can strap on some powerful 120mm fans for great cooling potential
  • The heatsink is coated in black making it look better
  • Takes care of VRMs and other components on the graphics card
Cons:
  • Designed to work with older GPUs
  • Turns your GPU into a 4-slot monster with fans attached to the heatsink

Jonsbo VF-1 Aluminum VGA Graphic Card Cooler

Promising “no-name” VGA Cooler On a Budget

jonsbo aluminum vga graphic card cooler
  • 1500 RPM
  • 3 x 80 mm fans
CHECK PRICES

If you’re looking to save a bit of cash and maybe want to overclock an older GPU, then the Jonsbo VF-1 is a promising choice. While the design is bland and looks thrown together by someone with some extra red duct tape, the cooler works as advertised.

This is not a replacement for your GPU’s cooler. It’s an addition. You place it in a PCIe slot, so you’ll lose some expansion along the way. Obviously, it’s not an ideal choice, but if you’re using a custom fan curve, your temps should improve and you should see a reduction in noise.

Of course, having 1500 RPM on 3 extra 80 mm fans is great, but note that you can’t use this unless you have an ATX motherboard or larger. It’s very cheap, so if you’re looking for some extra cooling power but don’t want to spend a lot of money, this is a good choice for you.

Pros:
  • Great value
  • Reduces system noise
Cons:
  • Build quality kind of meh
  • Design is very unimpressive
  • Kind of flimsy

GDSTIME Graphic Card Fans

Weird Budget Cooler

gdstime graphic card fans
  • 2000 RPM
  • Three different settings
  • D-type power

The GDSIME VGA Cooler is honestly a weird product. It’s basically three 120mm fans tied together in a mounting bracket. It’s… priced like three generic fans, and while it does work, is it really worth the money?

So you’re getting some generic fans, and they do bring the temps down, but they wear down pretty fast and you’ll have to replace them. Overall, we’d say try to stay away from this product. While it does work as intended, there are better options out there, so just save up a bit more money or wait for a discount on the other products we’ve featured.

Pros:
  • Easy to install
  • Can change fans if they break
Cons:
  • Takes up a lot of space
  • Awkward to use
  • Not really worth the money

Corsair Hydro X Series XG7 RGB GPU Water Block

The Best GPU Liquid Cooler

corsair hydro x series xg7 30 series
  • 16-color RGB
  • Compatible with high-end RTX series GPUs
  • Nickel-plated copper

Corsair are known for manufacturing some of the best PC components out there. From RAM to cases, they have a wide variety of components within the Corsair ecosystem. The Hydro X Series is a liquid cooling block with RGB elements that improves your PC’s aesthetic while providing very solid temps.

It’s a product that’s easy to install if you’re familiarized with liquid cooling. It’s aimed at enthusiasts who want to use a custom loop and it’s designed to work with high-end GPUs. If you’re planning on using an aftermarket liquid cooler or AIO cooler, this isn’t the right pick for you.

It has pre-applied thermal strips that facilitate installation. It’s also accompanied by an in-depth tutorial made by Corsair, so you won’t have to spend a lot of time figuring out how to fit it to your GPU.

Pros:
  • Great cooling capabilities
  • Very easy to install
  • Programmable RGB
Cons:
  • RGB only fully works in Corsair ecosystem
  • Targeted at enthusiasts

NZXT Kraken G12

Budget AIO cooling

nzxt kraken g12
  • 92 mm fan paired with liquid cooling block
  • Industrial design
  • Support for a wide range of GPU

While NZXT aren’t as big of a manufacturer as Corsair or Cooler Master, they’ve made quite a name for themselves in the PC component market for being reliable and budget-friendly makers. The Kraken G12 is a combo of liquid and air cooling that’ll keep your graphic chip and VRM running at smooth temps without you having to break the bank.

The 92 mm fan provides adequate airflow to keep your GPUs VRM running at peak performance, giving you broad options in terms of overclocking. The simple design is appealing to those who want a break from the RGB craze, and also makes for a hassle-free setup.

You’ll see big drops in GPU temps, but one of the issues with this cooler is that the fan only covers the right side of the GPU, so if your VRM is split into two sections, then you might have some issues in terms of power delivery. The NZXT acts like a GPU liquid cooling bracket, so you’ll need a compatible AIO cooler to use it. For a list of all compatible AIO’s, check the manufacturer’s website.

Pros:
  • Budget-friendly for its features
  • Easy to install
  • Compatible with a wide range of GPUs
  • Compatible with a wide range of AIO coolers
Cons:
  • Doesn’t cool the entire VRM on some models

How to Choose a GPU Cooler

how to choose a gpu cooler

Choosing the right GPU cooler is as hard as choosing the right case fans or the right RAM. It all boils down to personal preference. Here are some of the questions you need to ask yourself before making a purchase.

How will it help me?

GPU coolers are amazing for overclockers. If you’re planning on hitting high clock speeds on your high-end GPU, then fitting it with a liquid cooling block or a beefy heatsink will definitely improve your overclocking results.

Is my GPU supported?

Manufacturers will come up with lists of compatible motherboards or PCB sizes. You can check the PCB size of your GPU by checking the spec sheets on the manufacturer’s website.

What are some of the best features in a GPU cooler?

If you’re planning on getting one with RGB elements, then you need to make sure that the lights can be programmed using your motherboard’s software or your RGB header. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck with some generic, pre-programmed cycles that’ll throw your entire build out of sync.

You’re also going to want one that mounts directly on your GPU PCB. This is the best way to get better temperatures. If your VGA cooler just blows air from your case into your GPU’s fans, then you’ll be seeing very small improvements.

Only Pick One if You Own a High-End GPU

It makes no sense to invest in such a product if you own a 1050 Ti or a 1660 Ti. These are aimed at enthusiasts who need that custom cooling power to crank up performance to 11. If you own a low-end or older GPU, put that money aside towards getting a new graphics card.

About The Author

Catalin Tabacu

Catalin is a long-time PC enthusiast and an avid gamer. His love for overclocking is second only to his love for a well-written RPG. Having taken a swing at competitive DOTA2, he has the know-how to give you the best recommendations that will elevate your in-game performance to the next level.

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Matache Silviu-Mihai
Matache Silviu-Mihai
3 years ago

I have an Gigabyte Aorus RTX 3090 Master that has thermal throttling. I’ve changed thermal pads, all of them with good ones from Grizlly, still nothing it starts with 106MH/s and after a few minutes goes down to 75-80 MH/s as hashrate power. Also the core drops down to 690 MHz or something like that and the fan speed is 100% Do you have any suggestions?

XbitLabs Team
Editor
3 years ago

Hi. It also can be an issue with the case airflow itself. I’ve found this discussion regarding Gigabyte RTX 2080 thermal throttling https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/gpu-thermal-throttling.3434735/. Maybe suggestions there will be helpful.