PC Cooling and Computer Accessories

Where to start in the cooling aisle

Start with what is running hot. A processor needs a cooler matched to its socket, its heat output and the height your case allows, from a tower cooler to a liquid kit; see CPU coolers and heatsink fans for those. Airflow through the case comes next: PC cooling fans come mostly in 80 to 140 mm sizes with 3-pin DC or 4-pin PWM connectors, and the size must match the mounting holes. Custom liquid loops, drive heatsinks and fan controllers are the next step, once the basics are sorted.

Mounting, expansion and the rest of the aisle

The rest of the aisle covers how parts are held and added. Drive brackets and mounting kits convert 2.5-inch drives to 3.5-inch or 5.25-inch bays, case brackets and cable organizers hold hardware in place, and drive and M.2 heatsinks cool storage. Internal add-in cards, memory card readers and laptop expansion or wireless cards add ports and connectivity, so match the slot type, whether PCIe, M.2, ExpressCard or a front bay, before choosing. Blue light glasses and processor accessories round out the aisle.

Questions about PC Cooling and Computer Accessories

How many case fans does a PC need?

At least one intake and one exhaust, which gives the air a path through the case. Powerful processors and graphics cards benefit from more. Slightly more intake than exhaust keeps a little positive pressure, which helps reduce dust entering through gaps.

Is liquid cooling better than an air cooler?

Not automatically. A good air cooler can match a small liquid cooler with fewer parts to fail. Liquid kits suit tight cases with room for a radiator, or very hot processors; check radiator size and case support.

Do I need to buy thermal paste separately?

Many CPU coolers include paste or come with it pre-applied, but liquid-cooling blocks and spare heatsinks often do not. If you remove a cooler, clean off the old paste and apply fresh paste before refitting it.