Overclocking On Air: 10 LGA 1156-Compatible Performance Coolers

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Features Comparison

While most of today’s cooler competitors already include the necessary LGA 1156 mounting hardware, two require additional components. Sunbeamtech’s accessory mounting brackets cost around $10, while Xigamtek’s $8 universal LGA adapter is expected to eventually replace the dual-compatibility part included in current samples.

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LGA 1156 CPU Cooler Features
Row 0 - Cell 0 Top HeightBase HeightDIMM IntrusionNumber of FansFan SizePWM ControlLGA 1156LGA 1366LGA 775AM3 / AM2
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro R2131mm28mm12mmOne92mmYes✓✓✓✓
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus160mm38mm6mmOne120mmYes✓✓✓✓
Noctua NH-D14160mm46mm42mm*Two120mm, 140mmNo✓✓✓✓
Scythe Mugen-2 Rev. B156mm41mm28mmOne120mmYes✓✓✓✓
Sunbeamtech Core-Contact Freezer156mm38mm10mmOne120mmNoxx✓✓
Thermalright MUX-120161mm47mm2mmOne120mmNo✓xxx
Thermaltake Frio162mm28mm11mmTwo120mmNo✓✓✓✓
Tuniq Tower 120 Extreme156mm47mm9mmOne120mmNo✓✓✓✓
Xigmatek Thor's Hammer160mm44mm24mmTwo120mmNox✓✓✓
Zalman CNPS10X Quiet160mm37mm8mmOne120mmNo✓✓✓✓

Top height in the chart above refers to the amount of mounting space needed to install the cooler in a case. Base height refers to component clearance space under the bottom fins, a number required to determine whether large coolers will fit over various motherboard sinks. DIMM intrusion refers to how far the sink extends beyond the front edge of the 3.75”-wide silk-screened outline that surrounds most LGA 1156 sockets.

Notice that all of today’s coolers extend beyond the outline that surrounds the socket. Base height can also be used to determine maximum memory height for DIMMs that fall under the cooler’s front fan.

Noctua’s NH-D14 gets an asterisk following its DIMM intrusion number because this particular cooler has a center fan that can be used with or without the front fan. Removing the front fan lessens DIMM encroachment by 25mm, though it also reduces the performance of the heat sink.

Thomas Soderstrom
Thomas Soderstrom
Thomas Soderstrom is a Senior Staff Editor at Tom's Hardware US. He tests and reviews cases, cooling, memory and motherboards.
161 Comments Comment from the forums
  • kumaiti
    Not a single top down cooler?? That is disappointing, though I can already see the excuse: "they don't have as much performance as the tower coolers".
    Reply
  • mrgrey
    Argh - unbelievable! I literally just purchased my build on newegg, and they just posted this article. I bought the Arctic Cooling 7 over the Hyper 212+, not having seen the article yet.

    Hey Tom's - what temps are you getting at 3.2 GHz with the Arctic Cooling 7? Did you use arctic silver 5?
    Reply
  • barmaley
    Test settings page reads: CPU Intel Core i7-860, but CPU-Z screen shot under it reads Intel Core i7-870. Which one is it that you tested Tom?
    Reply
  • Is there an article testing thermal compounds?
    Reply
  • nzprogamer
    mrgreyArgh - unbelievable! I literally just purchased my build on newegg, and they just posted this article. I bought the Arctic Cooling 7 over the Hyper 212+, not having seen the article yet. Hey Tom's - what temps are you getting at 3.2 GHz with the Arctic Cooling 7? Did you use arctic silver 5?
    no worries there you will be fine
    Reply
  • nzprogamer
    i had the 212 and sunbermtech both were running really good and cool. but i would buy the sunbeamtech with the easy exchange fan kit.
    Reply
  • arkadi
    I just love to read toms old school articles like this one :)
    Reply
  • falchard
    What no Coolermaster V10 or Thermaltake SpinQ Vertical?
    Reply
  • Crashman
    kumaitiNot a single top down cooler?? That is disappointing, though I can already see the excuse: "they don't have as much performance as the tower coolers".falchardWhat no Coolermaster V10 or Thermaltake SpinQ Vertical?You would have to ask the manufacturers, since they picked the coolers.
    Reply
  • micky_lund
    prolimatech megahalems
    Reply