TechPowerUp AIO Cooler of the Year

ID-Cooling Dashflow 240 Black Basic

The ID-Cooling Dashflow 240 Black Basic may not be the top 240 mm AIO cooler for performance, but its stellar $70 price makes it an outstanding value pick. It beats competitors in performance per Dollar, handling Intel and AMD setups well. Noise output is a concern, reaching 39 dBA at 25% PWM and 55 dBA at max RPM, but the noise is tolerable. It covers all the basics in terms of design, and yet still manages to put up LED illumination. Despite lacking the quietest operation, it remains a budget-friendly, efficient choice with no issues regarding memory or GPU clearance. The three-year warranty also exceeds entry-level AIO standards. In conclusion, the ID-Cooling Dashflow 240 Black Basic sacrifices luxury for commendable performance and is our top pick. For $70, this 240 mm is out to put high end air coolers out of business.

TechPowerUp Hardware of 2023 Runner Up

Lian Li Galahad II Trinity Performance 360

A close second is the Lian Li Galahad II Trinity Performance 360, which delivering outstanding cooling performance. Despite the ear-splitting noise at maximum 3000 RPM (63 dBA), it competes at the top on both Intel and AMD systems. This is the one to get if you want to tame an i9-14900K without taking the DIY route. Priced reasonably at $169.99 for a 360 mm AIO, it offers customizable performance with a switch from High to Low RPM. Swivel fittings on the radiator enhance neat tubing runs, while ARGB lighting customization for the pump adds flair. Preinstalled daisy-chained fans simplify installation, showcasing attention to detail. The hardware and software are well-built and user-friendly, fitting AMD and Intel platforms seamlessly. While plastic clips on AMD sockets may not appeal to all, they contribute to a quick and easy setup. Overall, the Lian Li Galahad II Trinity Performance 360 AIO stands out as a top-tier liquid cooler. This cooler is in the 99th percentile of winning this year's award, if only the winner hadn't clinched the deal with its disruptive price.

TechPowerUp Air Cooler of the Year

DeepCool Assassin IV

This year, DeepCool has taken the air-based CPU cooler competition by storm, thanks to the company's artistic renaissance with its new geometric design language. The DeepCool's Assassin IV emerges as an outstanding air cooler, ranking among the best available. Although not a significant upgrade from the Assassin III, it boasts a better aesthetic and competitive performance. Affordability sets it apart from Noctua's NH-D15 and NH-D15S, offering similar or superior performance at the same noise level. With the fan controller set to low noise, it matches the 45 dBA noise-normalized tests. The build quality rivals Noctua and be quiet!, featuring easy-to-use mounting hardware. However, the extra fan mounting bracket may compromise aesthetics and memory compatibility.

TechPowerUp Hardware of 2023 Runner Up

DeepCool AK500

The DeepCool AK500 stands out as a solid mid-range air cooler at its $50 price, prioritizing a bare-metal aesthetic over flashy RGB. Its build quality and mounting hardware are solid. Positioned between the AK620 and AK400 in terms of performance, the AK500 handles most tests well but struggles in extreme AMD FPU OC scenarios. It effectively keeps an Intel 250 W PL2-class processor, such as the i9-10900K, within thermal limits. While it reaches 52 dBA at max RPM, a low noise adapter option balances performance and noise at 45 dBA. The lack of ARGB is a matter of taste in this price-segment, and you'd want to trade the lighting for more metal. DeepCool's consistent performance in air coolers continues with the AK500, making it a recommended choice for cost-effective builds.