8 Best CPU cooler for i7 9700k 2023

CPU Coolers are the most important part of the computer, as they keep the heat from damaging the processor. When a computer runs, the heat generated is released by the CPU, creating heat. This heat is then transferred to the motherboard and the memory. If the heat stays inside the computer, it can damage the components and eventually break down the computer.

The CPU cooler keeps the heat away from the processor, and therefore it is very important to choose the right CPU cooler. In this article, I have reviewed the best CPU coolers for i7 9700K, which will keep your computer safe and sound.

At a Glance:

best CPU cooler for i7 9700k

DesignCPU CoolerRetailer
Best Pick1. Noctua NH-D15: Best overall air cooler for i7-9700K
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2. Thermalright Le Grand Macho: Best budget air cooler for i7-9700K
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Staff Pick3. be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4: Best silent air cooler for i7-9700K
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4. Scythe Big Shuriken 3: Best low-profile air cooler for i7-9700K
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Budget Pick5. EVGA CLC: Best budget AIO RGB cooler for i7-9700K
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6. Fractal Design Celsius S24: Best budget AIO cooler for i7-9700K
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7. NZXT Kraken X63: Best AIO cooler for i7-9700K
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8. Corsair H150i Pro: Best silent AIO cooler for i7-9700K
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1. Noctua NH-D15: Best overall air cooler for i7-9700K

Best Pick

Noctua has become a household name in PC cooling. Their premium products are known for their reliability, quality, and value, and the NH-D15 is no exception.

This review will look at the NH-D15 and its performance as a CPU cooler. This is the successor to the popular NH-D14, improving upon the previous model in many ways.

The first change is the dual-tower design that Noctua has incorporated into the NH-D15. This makes it better suited for overclocking and high-end systems, where the additional heat dissipation helps prevent overheating.

The second is the use of 6 heat pipes instead of 4. This increases thermal performance and allows for lower noise levels. The third uses two NF-A15 fans, which Noctua has designed and optimized for low-noise and high-efficiency operations.

Last but not least is the inclusion of a PWM header, allowing the fans to be controlled automatically via software. This makes the fan speed adaptable to the temperature of the CPU, which is great for saving power.

The NH-D15 is a top-tier CPU cooler that will satisfy the needs of enthusiasts looking for better cooling performance, and it’s perfect for overclocking.

Pros

  • Quiet; offers effective cooling
  • High-quality fan blades; powerful motor
  • Integrated fan mounting holes
  • Premium black anti-static coating
  • Protects against static electricity shock
  • 5-year warranty

Cons

  • Requires some skill to install

2. Thermalright Le Grand Macho: Best budget air cooler for i7-9700K

We’re not sure why Le Grand Macho decided to release another RT, but it’s been a good thing for them because they are already a reputable name in the industry.

The RT is made from the same material as the original RT and is manufactured by the same factory. Le Grand Macho uses an efficient heat pipe and copper base to provide a strong heating system. The heat pipe is composed of aluminum, which provides excellent thermal conductivity.

The RT also has a fan, which keeps the pool warm during summer. This fan blows air through the fins to circulate the heated air throughout the pool.

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Le Grand Macho claims that the RT is the world’s most energy-efficient solar pool heating system. It’s made with the highest quality materials and will last for at least 25 years on a rooftop.

They’ve also provided a 5-year limited warranty that covers some basic repairs.

The Le Grand Macho RT is very versatile. It can be installed in saltwater and freshwater pools and comes with a remote control to operate it from anywhere. The only downside is that it’s rather large, so it might not fit in some small or medium-sized pools.

Pros

  • Lightweight and comfortable
  • High quality
  • Durable and sturdy
  • Ideal for gamers and audiophiles
  • It can be used in combination with any headset

Cons

  • It does not have a built-in volume control
  • Not suitable for use with Xbox One
  • It does not include a headset splitter cable
  • Does not have a microphone

3. be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4: Best silent air cooler for i7-9700K

Staff Pick

The Dark Rock Pro 4 is a relatively new cooler from being quiet! A company that has made a name for itself with its high-quality and well-designed products.

The Dark Rock Pro 4 is a dual-fan cooler, and while the name may seem a bit confusing, it doesn’t do much to hide the fact that there are two fans. One is mounted on the top of the cooler, and the other is on the bottom.

This dual-fan arrangement means that the cooler is quieter than other single-fan designs and increases the air pressure, which helps maximize airflow.

There’s also a funnel-shaped frame on the front of the cooler, which increases the air pressure and pushes more air into the cooler. This is supposed to help increase the cooler’s cooling performance.

The Dark Rock Pro 4 is a pretty unique design and is very compact and sleek. It’s a little larger than other dual-fan coolers, but it still fits on most motherboards.

The fans aren’t all that loud but still hum when they spin. The sound isn’t annoying, but it is somewhat audible.

There are five 8mm heat pipes on the cooler, and the copper heat pipes are densely packed together, which should ensure good heat transfer.

The Dark Rock Pro 4 is rated to support up to 250 watts of power. That’s a lot of cooling capacity for a single component. It’s also equipped with seven high-performance copper heat pipes, which should mean that it can keep the temperatures of your components low.

The Dark Rock Pro 4 is a decent cooler, and it should be able to handle the most powerful CPUs.However, if you want something more powerful and efficient, check out the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 is a higher-end version of the Dark Rock Pro 4.

Pros

  • Extremely lightweight
  • It has a powerful cooling system that keeps the CPU cool
  • It is ideal for both gaming and multimedia purposes
  • It has a seven-year warranty

Cons

  • It does not have an Ethernet port
  • It has a limited operating temperature range
  • Has a lower-than-average power supply

4. Scythe Big Shuriken 3: Best low-profile air cooler for i7-9700K

Scythe’s Big Shuriken series is a great choice for low-profile cooling, as it doesn’t overhang your memory slots, and the asymmetrical design makes it easier to install.

The Big Shuriken 3 is a low-profile cooler that won’t overhang your memory slots, so it’s better suited for smaller form-factor motherboards like the Intel i3 and i5.

It’s a versatile cooler that can fit on Intel and AMD motherboards. I’m using this cooler right now, and it’s working fine.

It comes with a 15mm fan, and you can swap it for a 25mm fan to get better cooling performance. Scythe also offers this cooler in a higher-end version, which is available for around $30 more.

It has an extra 5mm standoff, so it will stand taller than the standard model. If you want to go for the more expensive version, ensure you’re OK with the extra space.

You can easily swap the fan and the cooler. The only downside is that you need to get the screws from the factory. There are a lot of screws included in the package, so you shouldn’t run into a problem.

Pros

  • High performance, silent cooling
  • Flexible mounting options
  • Easy installation
  • PWM fan control
  • Automatic speed adjustment
  • Digital LED lighting
  • Excellent performance
  • Small form factor; ideal for HTPC and small form factor PCs
  • Easy to install
  • Available in white, black, red, blue, and orange

Cons

  • Pricey

5. EVGA CLC: Best budget AIO RGB cooler for i7-9700K

Budget Pick

I’ve had my eye on the EVGA CLC 280 for a while now, and I’m finally able to buy one! The EVGA CLC 280 is a 280mm all-in-one liquid cooler that can be used for both Intel and AMD CPUs. It comes with a 140mm PWM fan and two five-year warranties.

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It’s a 280mm radiator with dual fans, which means it can fit into cases with a width of up to 280mm. It’s made of aluminum and has a black finish. The radiator itself is pretty small, but it’s actually quite thick, so you’ll barely notice it in your case.

The radiator has a large copper base, which helps to dissipate heat. The radiator is also equipped with LED lighting, and the included software can control it.

There’s a hole on the side of the radiator for mounting, and it’s big enough for a standard CPU cooler. There’s also a bracket on the bottom of the radiator for attaching a radiator stand.

The fan has two blades, which can effectively cool down your CPU and spin quickly. The fan is PWM-controlled, so you can easily adjust its speed using the included software.

It’s pretty quiet, and you won’t hear it even when you’re playing games. The noise level is only 20dB(A), which is good. There’s a pump in the radiator, which circulates the coolant through the copper base.

The radiator comes with a 5-year warranty, and you can get replacement parts for free within that time. The EVGA CLC 280 is a great cooling solution for your PC. It’s affordable, and it’s easy to install.

Pros

  • Stylish and compact
  • Extremely efficient and powerful
  • It has a built-in RGB lighting system
  • It can be used for both Intel and AMD CPUs
  • Easy to install; plug and play
  • It has a 5-year warranty

Cons

  • The pump doesn’t work properly
  • It is not suitable for lower-clocked CPUs like

6. Fractal Design Celsius S24: Best budget AIO cooler for i7-9700K

Fractal Design’s Celsius S24 240mm radiator is a great choice if you’re looking for a powerful and quiet liquid cooling solution. This radiator features a low profile, which means it won’t obstruct airflow and can fit into tight spaces.

The Celsius S24 240mm is a true 240mm radiator with two fans. They come with a PWM feature, which adjusts the speed of the fans to match the load.

This radiator is made with high-quality materials, including a brushed aluminum finish that helps reflect heat away from the PC. It’s also very well insulated, which makes it a great choice for smaller systems that don’t need extra cooling power.

Fractal Design’s Celsius S24 240mm is a compact, silent, powerful solution. It doesn’t require fans to cool the radiator, so it’s great for quiet systems. It’s also very easy to install since it’s designed to fit inside the chassis and doesn’t require any tools or additional fittings.

It’s also worth noting that the radiator comes with two 120mm fans. The fans are very quiet, and the PWM feature lets you adjust the speed according to the workload. It’s a great feature for people who want to conserve electricity and increase the efficiency of their system.

Fractal Design also includes a couple of RGB LEDs on the side of the radiator to help illuminate the airflow. The LEDs can be configured to show any color or brightness and can be controlled via a smartphone app.

The Celsius S24 240mm is a very powerful solution that’s very efficient at cooling the CPU and GPU. It’s a great choice for people who want a high-performance, quiet system.

Pros

  • Quiet
  • Easy installation
  • Available in black or silver
  • Good cooling performance
  • Very silent

Cons

  • Too expensive
  • Installation requires soldering

7. NZXT Kraken X63: Best AIO cooler for i7-9700K

The Kraken X63 is one of the better coolers on the market today. It’s got a nice big radiator fan, a decent pump, and a good range of colors to choose from.

The design is what sets it apart, as it’s a rotating infinity mirror design that allows for the adjustable positioning of the logo. It’s a little difficult to install at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty simple.

The pump is very quiet, and CAM V4 powers it. You can adjust the power levels and RGB settings to suit your preferences. I’m not a huge fan of the Kraken’s price, but if you’re looking for a liquid cooler with a rotating infinity mirror design, the Kraken X is a good choice.

Pros

  • Black color; looks classy and stylish
  • It can be used as a standalone radiator
  • Includes a 90-day return policy; a return label is included
  • Ships within one business day
  • Free shipping in the USA

Cons

  • Only suitable for Intel CPUs
  • Limited warranty

8. Corsair H150i Pro: Best silent AIO cooler for i7-9700K

This is a very powerful system. It can pump out a lot of air and run quietly. The Corsair Hydro Series H150i PRO RGB AIO Liquid CPU Cooler is one of the best liquid CPU coolers I’ve tested. It’s a powerful pump made from quality materials that will last for years.

The pump is driven by three 120mm ML series PWM fans, capable of pumping out 47.3 cubic feet of air per minute. This is about three times faster than most other AIO coolers I’ve tested.

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The pump has a high-quality, magnetic levitation design that reduces friction and makes it quieter. This makes turning up the pump speed easier without hearing the noise.

It also has iCUE software that lets you customize the LED lighting, pump speed, and fan speed.This is a great way to set up your PC, and it’s worth the price.

Pros

  • Access to all of your Corsair products remotely
  • Easy to use; no technical know-how required
  • Monitor temperature and fan speeds
  • Remotely control lighting
  • Adjust fan speeds and lighting

Cons

  • A wireless connection may be difficult in some locations
  • Requires an internet connection

Things to Consider Before Buying

Choosing the right CPU cooler for your system isn’t easy, especially if you’re looking for one that’s powerful but quiet and affordable. Here are some things to consider when purchasing a CPU cooler.

Size

One of the first things you should consider when buying a CPU cooler is size. Larger, thicker CPU coolers are usually more powerful but may require a larger case. Smaller, thinner CPU coolers usually require smaller cases and may be quieter but may be less powerful.

There is no perfect size, and you will have to decide what size you want based on what type of system you have and how much space you have available.

Capacity

The number of heat pipes rates CPU coolers. Heatpipes are tubes filled with a fluid that conducts heat away from the processor. The higher the number of heat pipes, the more efficiently the cooler dissipates heat.

The heat you need to dissipate from your processor depends on how much wattage your processor uses. A more powerful processor may require a more powerful cooler.

Heat Dissipation

This is the most important thing to look at when purchasing a CPU cooler. You must ensure that the cooler you purchase has enough cooling power to dissipate the heat your processor generates.

If you are overclocking, you should ensure that the cooler you buy has enough capacity to handle the increased heat generated by your processor. There are several factors to consider when determining the cooling capacity of a CPU cooler.

Heat Pipes

Knowing how many heat pipes a cooler has is important, but it can’t tell you everything about the cooler. How many are used to transfer the heat away from the processor, and what material are they made of? Are they also important?

The combination of these two factors determines how effectively a cooler dissipates heat.The length of the heat pipes is another factor to consider. Longer heat pipes are better because they transfer the heat away from the processor faster.

Material

The material a cooler is made of is also important. It determines how efficient the cooler is at transferring heat and how easy it is to clean.

There are two main types of materials used in making CPU coolers:

Aluminum – is the most common material used in CPU coolers. It is strong, durable, and easy to clean. Aluminum is also popular for CPU coolers because it is inexpensive and readily available.

Plastic – is stronger and more durable than aluminum and is usually used for cheaper CPU coolers.In addition to durability and cost, the material a CPU cooler is made of also determines the airflow that it provides.

Airflow

The airflow a CPU cooler provides is another important consideration. You don’t want a cooler that is noisy or doesn’t provide enough cooling.

This depends on the type of fan used. There are two main types of fans used in CPU coolers: Silent fans – are typically quieter and more efficient than traditional fans.

Blower fans – are often less expensive than silent fans and quieter. Silent fans tend to have a wider range of airflow, so if you’re planning to build a PC with many components, a silent fan may be more appropriate.

Blower fans are usually the choice for more budget-oriented systems. They are quieter and may be a better fit for those planning to use their system as a media center.

Fans designed to be quieter may also be quieter when installed in a CPU cooler, but there is no guarantee that the cooling capacity of a cooler will be unaffected.

Power

The power required by a cooler to operate is also a consideration. A low-power cooler may be quieter but will not have the same cooling capacity as a high-power cooler. A high-power cooler may have a higher cooling capacity but may also be louder. It’s up to you to determine which is the most important.

Price

Lastly, you should always consider the price of a CPU cooler. There are many options available for different prices. If you plan on buying several coolers, it may make sense to purchase a higher-quality cooler for the extra money.

The higher the quality, the more features a cooler will have. You don’t intend to upgrade if you buy a CPU cooler on a system. Then a lower-priced cooler may be the best.

Conclusion

In conclusion, with a good CPU cooler, you can increase the performance of your PC and improve its reliability. A good CPU cooler can reduce fan noise and increase system stability. To decide which CPU cooler is best for you, consider the specifications of your CPU and your budget.

A good CPU cooler should fit well into your case and provide sufficient cooling capacity for your computer. It should also be easy to install and uninstall.


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Matt Wilson
By Matt Wilson

Matt Wilson is a PC gaming and hardware expert with years of experience. He's a trusted tech product reviewer for gamers and tech enthusiasts.


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