Cougar Forza 85 Essential: Air coolers are vital components in the gaming PC race because they keep the CPU and other critical electronics at the proper temperature. When playing graphically demanding games, the CPU can generate a large amount of heat, which, if not properly cooled, can result in thermal throttling, lower performance, and even hardware damage.
Air coolers, such as CPU air coolers and case fans, effectively disperse heat and keep the PC temperature steady. This allows the CPU to perform at its peak, resulting in smoother gameplay and fewer FPS drops due to thermal difficulties.
Cougar Forza 85 Essential
Cougar, a German firm, is known for adding orange touches to several of its products, including orange fans (albeit not in this case). On our test bench is Cougar’s Forza 85 Essential, a cost-effective improvement to the Forza 85 offering.
MSRP | $44.99 USD |
Installed Size | 85 (W) x 135 (D) x 160 mm (H) |
Heatsink Material | Aluminum |
Heatpipes | 6x 6mm Copper Heatpipes |
Socket Compatibility | Intel Socket LGA 115X / 1366 / 1200 / 1700 / 2011 / 2066 AMD AM5 / AM4 / FM2 / FM1 / AM3+ / AM3 / AM2+ / AM2 CPU |
Base | Nickel plated Copper |
Max TDP (Our Testing) | 218W on Intel i7-13700K, 123W on AMD Ryzen 7 7700X |
What’s Included in The Box?
When you receive Cougar’s Forza 85 Essential Tower Air Cooler, it will be packaged in a box that is typical for coolers of this type. The box is intended to keep the contents safe during shipping and handling. The cooler is securely protected inside the box with moulded foam, plastic, and cardboard to ensure that it arrives to you intact. This thorough packaging strategy ensures that your cooler is well-protected and arrives in pristine condition. It also indicates the manufacturer’s commitment to providing its clients with a high-quality product.

The following items are included in the package:
CPU Heatsink |
Fan clips for 2x fans |
1x 120mm fan |
Mounts for all modern CPU sockets (including AM5 & LGA1700) |
A small tube of thermal paste |
A screwdriver |
User Manual |
How to Install The Cougar Forza 85 Essential
Cougar’s Forza 85 is simple to set up and install. It’s the same for AMD Ryzen and Intel motherboards, with only minor variations in the mounting bars.
- Begin by removing the default retaining bracket on AMD Ryzen systems. Intel users must install the backplate on the motherboard.
- Install the motherboard mounting standoffs.
- Attach the mounting bar/bracket to the standoffs using the provided screws and screwdriver.
- After applying thermal paste, fasten the heatsink to the mounting bars using the provided screwdriver.
- The next step is to connect the fan’s PWM header to the motherboard and mount it to the heatsink.
Features of The Cougar Forza 85 Essential
Cougar’s Forza 85 is an air cooler with a big radiator that aids in heat dissipation. It features a Vacuum Tunnel Fin Design, which features fins on the heatsink’s ends that are formed at a 90-degree flip, producing an air tunnel to reduce air leakage and enhance static air pressure. For excellent heat dissipation, the cooler employs a copper CPU plate and six copper heatpipes.
If you require more cooling performance, fan clips are available for an optional second fan. It includes one 120mm MHP fan with anti-vibration pads, improved hydrodynamic bearings, and a metal-reinforced motor hub and shell. The fan that comes with it has a maximum speed of 2000 RPM, an airflow of 82.48 CFM, and an air pressure of 4.24 mm H2O.
To Wrap it all Up
The Cougar Forza 85 Essential Tower Air Cooler is an important component for gaming PCs since it effectively cools the CPU and other critical components during graphically intensive games. Maintaining a consistent PC temperature minimises thermal throttling, enhances performance, and protects hardware. The cooler’s design incorporates a Vacuum Tunnel Fin for improved air pressure and a thick radiator for improved heat dissipation.
Installation is straightforward, and it is compatible with both AMD Ryzen and Intel motherboards. A 120mm fan is included in the kit, and fan clips are provided for optional second fan installation. Overall, the Forza 85 Essential provides dependable cooling performance for gaming PCs at a low cost.