Is your computer sounding like a jet engine trying to take off? We have all been there, watching our CPU temperatures spike while the stock fan whines away in a desperate attempt to stay cool.
I recently picked up a 90MM CPU Air Cooler 4PIN PWM PC Processors CPU Cooler for Intel 1150/1151/1155/1156/1700/1200/1366/2011/2011-3/X99/X79 on AliExpress to see if a cheap upgrade could actually make a difference. After running it for a few weeks, I have some thoughts on whether this budget-friendly choice is a bargain or a headache.
What Is This CPU Cooler?
This is a basic air cooling tower designed for people who need to replace a failing fan or want something better than the loud, flimsy stock cooler that came with their processor. It uses a 90mm fan and a 4-pin PWM connector, which means your motherboard can automatically control the fan speed based on how hot your CPU gets.
The main draw here is the price. It is extremely budget-friendly, and because I grabbed it with free shipping, the total cost was about the same as a couple of fast-food meals.
Features That Matter
The 4-pin PWM feature is the star of the show. Many cheap coolers come with a 3-pin plug that runs at 100 percent speed all the time, which is annoying and noisy. This one adjusts itself, so it stays quiet when you are just browsing the web and only ramps up when you are gaming or editing video.
Installation is fairly standard for this type of tower. It uses a clip-on or screw-in bracket system that covers almost every Intel socket from the older 115x series up to the newer 1700 socket.
Honest Pros and Cons
I want to be clear about what you get for your money. This is not a high-end liquid cooling system, but it does get the job done for standard office work and light gaming.
- Pros
- The price is hard to beat for a PWM-controlled unit.
- It is much quieter than most basic stock coolers.
- Universal compatibility means it works on many different motherboards.
- Free shipping is a nice bonus if you are not in a huge rush.
- Cons
- The metal fins are thin and can bend if you are not careful during installation.
- Shipping takes a long time since it comes from overseas.
- Instructions are often non-existent or printed in tiny, confusing text.
- There is no local warranty support if the fan dies in six months.
Who Should Buy This Cooler?
If you have a home office PC or a secondary gaming rig that is running a bit too hot, this is a solid choice. It is perfect for budget builders who need to save every penny for a better graphics card or more RAM.
However, skip this if you have a high-end processor like an Intel i9 that runs extremely hot. You should also pass if you are not comfortable tinkering inside your PC, as the mounting process might frustrate someone who is not used to building computers.
What Buyers Are Saying
One builder told me that they used this to revive an old office PC they found at a garage sale. They mentioned that the fan was easy to snap on, but they had to be careful with the metal edges because they were a bit sharp.
Another buyer mentioned that while the shipping took nearly three weeks to arrive, the performance was better than the broken fan they were replacing. They were surprised that such an inexpensive part could keep their CPU stable under a medium load.
Final Verdict
The 90MM CPU Air Cooler is a functional, honest piece of hardware for anyone on a tight budget. Do not expect premium build quality or silence during heavy gaming, but do expect it to perform better than a worn-out stock fan.
For the price, it is a smart way to keep your system running without breaking the bank. Just make sure you have some patience for the shipping wait and a steady hand when putting it together.
