Why upgrade your CPU cooler?
Most people stick with the stock cooler that comes inside the box with their processor. It usually gets the job done, but it often sounds like a small airplane taking off whenever you try to open a game or edit a video. That constant buzzing noise can drive you crazy after an hour at your desk.
I recently decided to swap out my noisy stock unit for the METALFISH ZH1400 CPU Cooler 4 HeatPipes 4PIN PWM Silent ARGB Fan For Intel 1700 1200 115X 1366 2011 AM5 AM4 AM3 x99 x79 to see if it lived up to the hype. Finding a quiet, budget-friendly cooling solution on AliExpress can feel like a gamble, but this one caught my eye because of its simple design and decent specs.
What is the Metalfish ZH1400?
This is a compact tower cooler that uses four copper heat pipes to pull heat away from your processor. It comes with a 120mm fan that features addressable RGB lighting, which is a nice touch if you like your PC case to glow.
The main draw here is the price point. You get a solid piece of hardware for very little cash, and most sellers include free shipping, which makes the deal even sweeter. It aims to be a quiet alternative to the basic coolers that come with standard CPUs.
Features that actually matter
The four heat pipes are the real stars of the show here. They make direct contact with the top of your CPU, which helps move the heat quickly into the aluminum fins. You will notice your fan doesn't have to spin as fast to keep things chilly.
Having a 4PIN PWM connector means your motherboard can automatically control how fast the fan spins. It stays very quiet during light tasks like browsing the web but ramps up speed when you start gaming. The ARGB lighting is also a nice bonus if you want to match your setup's colors, though it requires a compatible header on your motherboard.
Honest pros and cons
I spent a few weeks testing this cooler in my home office. Here is what I liked and what frustrated me.
- Pros
- It runs much quieter than standard stock coolers.
- The price is hard to beat for what you get.
- Installation is straightforward for most common sockets.
- The ARGB lighting looks clean and not too cheap.
- Free shipping options make it a true budget pick.
- Cons
- The shipping time from overseas can take several weeks.
- Customer support is nearly impossible to reach if parts go missing.
- The metal fins can be sharp, so watch your fingers during install.
- No local warranty if the fan dies in six months.
Who should buy this?
If you are building a budget gaming rig or just want to silence a loud office PC, this is a great pick. It works perfectly for standard processors that do not require massive liquid cooling setups.
You should skip this if you are building a high-end workstation or overclocking your CPU to its limit. Those heavy-duty tasks need massive air coolers or liquid AIO units. Also, if you do not have patience for international shipping wait times, you might prefer buying a cooler from a local shop.
What other users are saying
I checked a few forums to see if others had the same experience as me. One user mentioned that they replaced their loud Intel stock fan and their PC is now practically silent during meetings. Another builder noted that while the mounting bracket felt a bit thin, it held the cooler firmly in place once tightened down.
Final verdict
The METALFISH ZH1400 is a solid choice for someone who wants to upgrade on a budget. It is not going to win any records for the coldest temperatures, but it does exactly what it promises by keeping your chip cool and quiet.
If you are okay with waiting for shipping and don't need a fancy brand name on your heatsink, this is a smart way to spend your money. It offers great value and gets the job done without breaking the bank.
