Best CPU Cooler For i5-10400f in 2023

Are you sick of all the overpriced and overhyped CPU coolers sold out there? And do you hate all the misleading hype that makes you believe something is better than it is?

Many people are always looking to buy the best CPU cooler for i5 10400f overheating because they want to ensure that the temperature inside the case never goes above 65 degrees Celsius. It is very important to consider because when the temperature in the case is too high, the components inside the case can easily break down and become damaged.

If you don’t want to invest in the best CPU cooler for i5-10400f, you will find yourself spending more time cleaning your computer than actually using it. And that is not a fun thing to do at all.

In this article, I will take you through a quick and easy guide to finding the best CPU cooler for your computer. And it’s easier than it sounds. So if you want to find the right CPU cooler for your PC, read on…

At a Glance:

  1. Freezer 7 X
  2. Noctua NH-L9x65
  3. Pure Rock 2 Black (BK007)
  4. Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L
  5. Cooler Master Hyper 212

Top 5 Best CPU Cooler For i5-10400f In 2023

AwardDesignCPU CoolersRetailer
Best Budget CPU Cooler For i5-10400f
Budget PickFreezer 7 X
VIEW ON aMAZON
Best Low Profile CPU Cooler For i5-10400f
Noctua NH-L9x65
VIEW ON AMAZON
Best Quietest CPU Cooler For i5-10400f
Staff PickPure Rock 2 Black (BK007)
view on amazon
Best Liquid CPU Cooler For i5-10400f
Best PickCooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L
view on amazon
Best Air Cooler For i5-10400f
Cooler Master Hyper 212
View on Amazon
Budget Pick
Freezer-7-X
Freezer 7X

Freezer 7 X

Best Budget CPU Cooler For i5-10400f

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: ARCTIC | Dimensions: 2.93 x 4.35 x 5.22 inches | Compatible devices: Intel sockets, AMD sockets | Rotational Speed: 2000 RPM | Cooling Method: Fan | Material: Aluminium (Fin Material) | Weight: 15 ounces

Pros

Improved heat sink design and layout

Higher static pressure

Better airflow

Multiple compatible sockets

Cons

Doesn’t have a stand

Does not come with a stand

The ARCTIC Freezer 7 X is a small but mighty PC cooling solution. It has a small footprint of just 5 cm x 5 cm x 6 cm, yet it is powerful enough to cool your computer down. Its low noise level is ideal for quiet office environments. With its small size, the Freezer 7 X is a great choice if you want to install a cooling solution for your PC without taking up much room. The Freezer 7 X uses a 92 mm fan to provide high airflow, helping to cool your CPU effectively. It has an aluminium fin design, making it very lightweight and highly resistant to vibration and bending.

The ARCTIC Freezer 7 X uses a unique 2+1 fan arrangement. One fan provides high-speed airflow for excellent cooling performance, while the other provides noise reduction and direction. It is designed to provide better stability.

Thanks to its unique heat pipe layout, the Freezer 7 X has no problems dissipating heat efficiently. It is a silent and efficient solution that will not disturb your work, so you can concentrate on what you do. It is easy to install and remove and has a dual-layer dust filter. You can order the ARCTIC Freezer 7 X on Amazon here.

Noctua-NH-L9x65-Premium-Low-Profile-CPU-Cooler
Noctua NH-L9x65

Noctua NH-L9x65

Best Low Profile CPU Cooler For i5-10400f

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Noctua | Dimensions: 3.7 x 3.7 x 2.6 inches | Compatible devices: Desktop | Rotational Speed: 2500 RPM | Cooling Method: Fan | Material: Copper (base), aluminium (cooling fins), nickel plating, and soldered joints | Weight: 14.4 ounces | Noise Level: 23.6 dB

Pros

Offers excellent heat dissipation

Compatible with Intel and AMD CPUs

Long lifespan

High thermal capacity

Cons

Not compatible with some Intel LGA1151 motherboards

Not suitable for overclocking

Noctua’s NH-L9x65 CPU cooler is ideal for the latest Intel 12th generation CPUs and AMD AM4 & AM5 motherboards. It is a highly efficient and quiet solution that fits in tight spaces. It’s a compact cooler that only measures 65mm in height. It is ideal for building HTPCs, ITX systems, and small form factor systems. In most current motherboards, the RAM and PCIe slots are not overhung, so it is well suited for a wide range of small form factor PC builds.

Noctua NH-L9x65 is a highly optimized NF-A9x14 slim 92mm fan with PWM control and a Low Noise Adaptor for automatic speed control and ultra-quiet operation. It features a low-profile design and is compatible with all Noctua fans featuring the 0.25mm thick 4-pin connector. Thanks to Noctua’s proprietary Zero-Point-Design and patented Flow Accelerator technology, the NH-L9x65 can dissipate heat from the hottest spots of the CPU’s die while keeping the rest of the motherboard and the entire case cool. 

Noctua’s NT-H1 thermal compound provides excellent conductivity and low resistance, enabling stable, reliable cooling even under heavy loading. Recommended for CPUs with low to moderate heat dissipation (see CPU compatibility list), such as AMD Ryzen 5700X, 5600, 5500, 4600G, or Intel 12900, 12700, 12600.

Staff Pick
be-quiet-Pure-Rock-2-Black-BK007
Pure Rock 2 Black (BK007)

Pure Rock 2 Black (BK007)

Best Quietest CPU Cooler For i5-10400f

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Be quiet | Dimensions: 4.72 x 4.72 x 0.98 inches | Compatible devices: Desktop | Rotational Speed: 1500 RPM | Cooling Method: Fan | Material: Aluminium | Weight: 1.27 pounds | Noise Level: 26.8 dB

Pros

150 W high TDP cooling efficiency

CPU cooler design allows it to cool better than its competitors

The asymmetrical design avoids blocking memory slots

Maximum fan speed up to 240/max. 26.8 dB(A)

Easy to install

Cons

The thermal paste may leak out over time

You may need a good ventilation system if you keep your computer in a closed room.

Pure Rock 2 Black is a special edition of Pure Wings 2 specifically designed for high-performance gaming. Its TDP is only 150 watts and is equipped with the latest thermal design. Pure Wings 2 offers a very good thermal solution for AMD® AM3+ and AM4 platform users. With a high 150W TDP, the new Pure Wings 2 offers excellent cooling performance for high-end CPU configurations. The four high-performance 6mm heat pipes with HDT technology ensure excellent heat dissipation.

The new heatsink uses a new type of fin arrangement and four high-performance 6mm heat pipes to help dissipate the heat generated by the CPU. It has a unique asymmetrical structure that eliminates the problem of memory slot blocking and comes with a Pure Wings 2 120mm PWM fan, which offers quiet operation. This cooler can be installed onto the motherboard using a simple installation kit.

Asymmetrical construction avoids blocking memory slots and ensures easy cooler installation, even for a first-time user. The asymmetrical design of the cooler allows the fan to be placed on the motherboard’s left or right side. The fan has a very low noise level of max. 26.8 dBA while still delivering excellent cooling performance. The low noise level and small dimensions of the fan ensure that it will not disturb your surroundings. The new generation of the popular Cooler Master brand is designed with a sophisticated matte black finish, allowing it to blend in seamlessly with your PC case.

Best Pick
Cooler-Master-MasterLiquid-ML240L
Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L

Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L

Best Liquid CPU Cooler For i5-10400f

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Cooler Master | Dimensions: 12.87 x 11.02 x 12.8 inches | Compatible devices: Desktop | Rotational Speed: 1500 RPM | Cooling Method: water | Material: Rubber | Weight: 2.42 pounds | Noise Level: 30 dB

Pros

It comes with a remote controller

It includes a pump and a fan controller

The LED light looks pretty cool

The fan controller is easy to use

Easy to install

Cons

Not a good choice for people who like silence

It has no wireless controller

It doesn’t have a quick installation guide

The MasterLiquid ML240L RGB Closed-Loop CPU Liquid Cooler is one of the best cooling products for high-performance gaming PCs. It is a closed-loop liquid cooler that uses an aluminium fin stack design. The fins are made of CNC-machined pure copper. It features a 240mm radiator and can hold 6x 120mm fans. It is capable of cooling down CPUs up to 65W. The product has a 5-year warranty and a 3-year warranty for the fans.

Silent Cooling Fan Technology – It combines noise reduction technology and sound-absorbing rubber pads for peace, Even when your computer is working overtime.

 The fans have speed control, allowing you to adjust the fan’s speed. This liquid cooler is compatible with all CPUs that AMD, Intel, and VIA manufacture.

Hybrid Design – Jet engine and helicopter blade designs combine to give you a powerful yet quiet fan ideal for homes with small spaces. Its hybrid design combines the cooling capabilities of a fan with the silence and efficiency of a heat sink.

Dual Dissipation – The MasterLiquid ML240L RGB features a powerful dual-chamber pump that offers a large cooling capacity while simultaneously providing a perfect balance of performance and efficiency. It features two 140mm fans.

Thanks to its dual-chamber pump, the MasterLiquid ML240L RGB is capable of delivering massive airflow while at the same time offering a perfect balance of performance and efficiency. 

Include Wired RGB Controller & Splitter Allows you to customize colours and light effects. Its sleek black-and-white design and stunning RGB lighting make it a stylish yet powerful cooler that will turn your PC into a gaming machine.

Smart Fan Sensor – This fan protector will protect your fans from getting snagged or knocked around, ensuring you always have a functioning and safe fan in your rig.

Cooler-Master-MasterLiquid-ML240L
Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L

Cooler Master Hyper 212

Best Air Cooler For i5-10400f

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Cooler Master | Dimensions: 4.7 x 3.1 x 6.3 inches | Compatible devices: Desktop | Rotational Speed: Air | Cooling Method: Metal | Material: 1.78 pounds | Weight: 26 dB

Pros

Average noise level of 27.5 dB(A)

The fan has a low speed, and it rotates in the reverse direction

Four copper heat pipes with a direct contact technology

Can cool down the CPU and GPU quickly

Cons

Quite bulky

It does not have a memory card reader

The Hyper 212 is the next evolution in performance air cooling for the best CPU cooler for i5-10400f. It is a 4-pin connector with a maximum speed of 2000 RPM. The CPU is only connected to the fan by four copper heat pipes directly placed on the processor, and all of the heat generated by the CPU is transferred directly to the fins. The fan is equipped with a Smart Fan Sensor to detect CPU temperatures and shut down automatically to prevent overheating. The fan is also jam-proof to ensure you can continue using it even after a hard fall.

Featuring a 120mm radiator with a custom-designed fan and a 120mm radiator with a traditional fan, the Hyper 212 is the ultimate choice for high-performance gaming and overclocking needs. The Hyper 212 is designed for those who want the best performance at a price that doesn’t break the bank. The fan design features four copper heat pipes, which provide excellent heat transfer, and a smart sensor that prevents overheating and jamming. You can buy it in black, gunmetal, or red.

It offers reliable performance even at high clock speeds. The aluminium heatsink and copper heat pipes ensure maximum heat transfer. This CPU air cooler is also equipped with a Smart Fan 5 to ensure silence and a long lifespan. The silencing feature prevents the fan from spinning when there is no need to cool the processor. The fan is also controlled using a Smart Fan 5 with five modes: Silent, Eco, Auto, Turbo, and Maximum Speed. A dual ball-bearing fan motor provides exceptional airflow and ensures effective cooling with minimal noise. Hyper 212 also has a detachable fan shroud with two large heat-dissipating fins.

Hyper 212 Black Edition is a fanless air cooler with an integrated graphics card. Cooler Master is the first company to successfully integrate a GPU cooling solution into a CPU air cooler. The result is the Hyper 212, a truly silent, efficient, and effective cooling solution. With its direct contact heat pipe design, Hyper 212 provides superior cooling performance, especially when paired with AMD’s latest 7th generation A-series APU processors.

Buyer Guide For Best CPU Cooler For i5-10400f

TDP (Thermal Design Power)

CPU temperatures vary from person to person, but if you spend a lot of time using your computer, it’s important to keep them in check. The CPU TDP is the maximum temperature your computer can run at, so if you allow your CPU to go beyond its limit, you’re opening the door to disaster.

TDPs range from 3.2W to 4.5W. The higher the number, the hotter the CPU will run. Keep in mind that the higher the TDP, the faster the processor will heat up, so always go for the lower number if you don’t want your CPU to overheat.

Mounting Brackets

A lot of people think that CPU coolers come with pre-built brackets to make them easy for them to install, but the truth is, the best CPUs require special brackets for the CPU cooler to fit correctly. If you’re not sure what type of bracket you need, there are a few factors that you should consider. First, your motherboard may require some CPU sockets, and the number of CPU sockets varies from one model to the next.

Next, you need to know the height of the motherboard’s motherboard slot. Most of today’s modern motherboards are designed to work with standard ATX or micro-ATX motherboards, so if your motherboard is compatible, you’ll want to ensure you know the motherboard slot height.

After that, you’ll want to know the total size of the motherboard you plan to buy and whether it’s a desktop or laptop. After you have all of these pieces of information, you’ll want to head to a local electronics retailer and look for the specific brackets they sell for the i5 10400 stock cooler temperature you need.

Noise of Cooler

The noise of coolers varies greatly, and they often don’t even matter. There’s no right or wrong amount of noise, but it’s important to understand that the louder, the cooler, the harder it will be to hear your computer when you’re working on it, and the louder the fan is, the more noise it will make.

Size of Cooler

It’s important to note that the larger, the cooler, the less heat it will dissipate, and the more difficult it will be to cool your computer. If your cooler is too large for the motherboard’s CPU socket, it may prevent you from being able to use it. For most CPUs, you want to ensure you have enough clearance for the cooler to get around the motherboard and CPU socket.

Price

CPU coolers are inexpensive, especially if you buy the best CPU cooler for i5-10400f; you should be aware that the more expensive coolers are often better. The best cooling system can make a huge difference in how fast your computer will heat up, so if you want to spend as little money as possible, it’s important to pick one that’s good but doesn’t break the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the i5-10400 come with a cooler?

Yes, the i5-10400 comes with a cooler. However, it only has a maximum output of 400W and cannot handle heavy loads. Hence, you would need to connect a second unit to increase its output or purchase a more powerful model.

What is the best cooler for i5 10400F?

The Cooler Master MasterLiquid is the best cooler for i5 10400F because of its unique ability to cool both CPUs and graphics cards simultaneously while maintaining superior performance. You can run a single or dual CPU setup with 2 GPUs side by side while maintaining the highest possible performance.

Does Intel i5 10400 need a cooler?

Intel i5 10400 is a relatively low-power processor, so a desktop cooler is probably unnecessary. But if you plan to overclock the processor, you should look for a better cooler.

Is stock cooler enough for 10400F?

Yes, the stock cooler should work fine for your system. It is a very reliable product and can handle temperatures of up to 10400F without failure.

Conclusion

The best CPU cooler for i5-10400f will depend on how much cooling power you need. Most people will be happy with the stock Intel fan speed, but if you are an overclocker or someone who needs to push air over and around their processor, then something a little bigger, louder, and better designed might be what you need.