Finding the best CPU coolers for Core i9-12900K becomes crucial when you want to buy a new CPU cooler for your PC to get the best performance from your processor.
CPU cooling is an important part of the computer system. The most important thing you need to consider is the heat dissipation ability of your CPU. If you are looking for the best CPU cooling for your PC, you must remember that not all cooling solutions are created equal.
The amount of noise, size, and efficiency measures the performance of the best CPU coolers. It is a must that you select the best CPU cooler that is compatible with your motherboard and CPU.
For this review, I have selected the best CPU coolers for Core i9-12900K. Each product has been evaluated based on its design, features, and price.
Best CPU Coolers For Core i9-12900K
| Design | CPU Cooler | Retailer |
|---|
1. Noctua NH-D15 Chromax.Black
The Noctua NH-D15 is a dual-tower cooler that combines the benefits of a large heatsink with the convenience of a single-tower cooler.
The 120mm fan is powerful enough to keep your CPU cool, but the 140mm fan is quiet enough to keep your system in the background.
The dual-fan design is great for keeping noise to a minimum, and the high-quality fans are good enough to keep it from annoying.
The fins are spaced far apart, and the layout of the heat pipes makes it a good choice for overclocking. I could run my CPU at 4.9GHz, and my gaming frame rate remained stable.
You can also use this as a single-tower cooler, but you’ll have to buy additional fans. The NT-H1 thermal paste is highly recommended, and you can get a lifetime warranty from Noctua.
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Extremely quiet
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- The fan could be a bit noisy at first
2. EKWB EK AIO Elite D-RGB 360mm
The EK-AIO is one of the best budget-friendly water cooling solutions out there. It’s great for beginners as it comes pre-filled with water and pumps and is very simple.
It has a universal CPU block which makes it compatible with almost all modern CPUs, and you can easily adjust the water flow using the adjustable aluminum radiator caps. I’ve used this on various computers, and it performs very well on all of them.
The EK-AIO is quiet, and the cooling performance is decent for such a small and cheap unit. It also features fully customizable RGB lighting, so you can change the colors to suit your needs.I highly recommend this for anyone who wants to get into water cooling but doesn’t want to spend a lot of money.
Pros
- Compatible with both air cooling and liquid cooling
- Flexible mounting options
- It comes with fan mounts
Cons
- Not happy with the microphone quality
- Not compatible with liquid cooling
3. Arctic Liquid Freezer II
Staff Pick
Arctic has been making great products for years, and the Liquid Freezer II 280 is the latest addition to the line of water cooling systems.
The system features a dual-core processor with Intel’s new Coffee Lake CPUs and can cool either Intel or AMD sockets. The cooler is designed for both Intel and AMD processors and is compatible with the latest generation of Intel’s CPUs.
It uses an efficient PWM-controlled pump to cool the CPU and other components and has a higher-efficiency radiator. The cooler is equipped with two 80 mm fans, and the manufacturer says it provides up to 17.5 dB of noise reduction.
The coolers come with a 3-year warranty, and you can buy replacement parts. The manufacturer also offers an extra set of fans for the cooler, which would be perfect for people who want to overclock their system.
The Liquid Freezer II 280 is a great product for those who want to upgrade to a water-cooling system for their CPU. It’s compatible with Intel and AMD processors and easily installed and maintained.
It’s got an efficient PWM-controlled pump that can handle the load of the CPU, and it has a more efficient radiator. It’s got a larger radiator than the previous version, which means it can cool more components and be used in a wider range of cases.
It also has a higher efficiency pump and radiator, which should help to reduce the noise level. The manufacturer says the Liquid Freezer II 280 has 80% less power consumption than other pumps, and it’s got an integrated cable management system to keep the cables out of sight.
There is an included 240mm radiator, which should be able to cool the CPU and the voltage regulation. There is also an extra set of 80 mm fans for the radiator, which will be perfect for overclocking.
The pump is pretty quiet, and it has a good cooling capacity. The manufacturer says the fans will last for up to 4 years, and the radiator can handle the heat generated by the CPU. The manufacturer offers a 3-year warranty on the cooler, the pump, and replacement parts.
Pros
- Highly efficient; does not require liquid to operate
- It has a fan speed control mode; choose from two-speed levels
- High-quality construction; sturdy and solid
- It can be used with all Intel and AMD CPUs
Cons
- It only comes with one 120mm radiator, which does not have enough cooling capacity
4. Cooler Master ML360R RGB
If you’re looking for a powerful and reliable cooling solution for your gaming PC, Cooler Master has a great product for you.
The MasterLiquid ML360R is a great option for people who want to upgrade their cooling solutions. It has a 360 radiator with a large surface area that will help your CPU stay cool even during heavy gaming sessions. It also features two chambers with a dual-pump system. This will allow you to get maximum performance from your CPU.
Cooler Master is known for their great cooling solutions, and the MasterLiquid ML360R is no exception. It features a 360mm radiator with an anti-vibration fan that will reduce vibrations and noise while keeping your CPU at the optimal operating temperature.
The MasterLiquid ML360R also has two chambers that have dual pumps in them. These pumps will ensure enough coolant circulating in the system to keep your CPU cool.
While this isn’t the most powerful CPU cooler out there, it does have a decent number of RGB lighting effects. There are eight different colors that you can customize to match the style of your PC.
The MasterLiquid ML360R has been designed to work with AMD Ryzen CPUs and Intel LGA2066, LGA2011 v3, LGA2011, LGA1151, LGA1150, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1366, AMD AM4, AM3 plus, AM3, AM2 plus, AM2, FM2 plus, FM2, FM1, and Intel LGA115X.
If you’re looking for a powerful and reliable cooling solution for your gaming PC, you should check out the MasterLiquid ML360R.
Pros
- Two dual-chamber pumps for better heat dissipation
- Fully customizable RGB LED lighting system
- Easy to install and operate
- Features a 120mm fan with PWM control
- It comes with a radiator stand
- Easy to assemble and disassemble
Cons
- It does not come with a fan
- No fan speed control
5. Deepcool Assassin III
Budget Pick
One of the industry’s most popular and trusted brands, Deepcool, has been making computer cases for several years. Their cases are designed for extreme performance, stability, and durability.
The Assassin III is their latest addition, and it’s built to take on the latest and greatest CPUs, including Intel’s Kaby Lake series and AMD’s Ryzen 7 series.
This cooler is designed for the new Kaby Lake-X CPUs. It’s a huge upgrade over the previous generation, with faster memory and support for DDR4-2666. It’s also compatible with all existing motherboards.
The Assassin III features seven heat pipes, which provide a better cooling system than the six heat pipes found in the previous version.
Deepcool also upgraded the fan with a 120mm PWM motor, which means you’ll get more control over how fast the fan spins. You can also set the speed to Auto, automatically adjusting the speed to match the current temperature.
It also has a rubberized mounting bracket, so it’s super easy to install. The Assassin III is the way to go if you want a better cooling system but don’t want to spend much money.
Pros
- Superior cooling performance
- Large fan with PWM function
- Compatible with all Intel processors from LGA1151 to LGA 1155
Cons
- It doesn’t come with a fan adapter
6. Corsair H115i Elite Capillex
Corsair’s iCUE range of liquid CPU coolers is one of the most popular products in the market today. The iCUE H115i Elite is one of the newer models from the range, but still one of the best.
It’s packed with all the same features and benefits as previous models, like LED lighting and PWM fan control. The iCUE H115i Elite also has a unique feature: a 120mm radiator with magnetic levitation fans, allowing for extremely quiet operation.
The iCUE H115i Elite also has an RGB LED lighting system, which makes it look pretty good. The LED lights are all controlled by the Corsair iCUE Commander Core smart RGB lighting and fan speed controller, which lets you set custom lighting and fan speed profiles.
The iCUE H115i Elite also has great build quality, with a heavy-duty, reinforced base plate that will protect the radiator from damage. The pump head is also sealed, so it won’t be affected by moisture or dust.
The included fans are all 140mm and capable of a wide range of speeds, with a maximum of 2,000 RPM. Corsair recommends using the lower end of this range for high-end gaming, while the higher end should be used for overclocking.
If you want to use the iCUE H115i Elite with an Intel LGA1700 CPU, you’ll need to order the CW-8960091 or CW-8960093 spare parts. These will include the required LED headers, the correct power cables, and the mounting bracket. So if you want to get the best CPU cooling possible and don’t mind the extra cost, the Corsair iCUE H115i Elite is the best option.
Pros
- Supports both air and liquid cooling
- Compatible with multiple systems
- Includes thermal paste and a cleaning cloth
Cons
- Requires the Corsair Link software to operate
- It does not support CPU overclocking
How To Choose The Best CPU Cooler For Core i9-12900K?
Choosing a CPU cooler for your new Core i9-12900K processor can be confusing. There are so many options to choose from, and it’s hard to know which is the best for you. So, we’ve prepared a detailed buying guide to make things easier.
CPU Cooler Performance
We’ve come across many different CPU coolers over the years, and there’s a lot of variety in terms of performance, aesthetics, and size. However, it’s important to understand how different coolers perform and how well they fit your needs.
Before we start, let’s look at what a CPU cooler is designed to do. A cooling solution is designed to dissipate heat away from a processor. This allows the processor to function more efficiently, running at full speed without being damaged by high temperatures.
For example, some processors require higher operating temperatures and may not be able to operate at peak performance until the temperature drops. So, the cooler’s job is to keep the processor running at a steady, cool temperature.
As you can see, some factors affect a CPU cooler’s performance. For example, a high-quality, silent fan is required to provide adequate cooling.
A good thermal compound is also required to keep the processor at a steady temperature. If the processor has a large heat spreader, a large, high-quality fan is required to move air away from the heat spreader and provide adequate airflow.
Lastly, the size of the cooler plays a part in ensuring that the processor is cooled effectively. Smaller coolers are much less effective at keeping the processor cool than larger coolers, so it’s important to know the size of the processor before choosing a CPU cooler.
The Size of a CPU Cooler
The best CPU coolers for Core i9-12900K are often quite big, measuring about 12cm in height and 3.5cm in width. You’ll notice that most coolers are larger than the processor itself.
This is because the cooler needs to fit in the space above the processor, which is why larger coolers are usually better. However, a smaller cooler may be the right choice if you’re looking for a quieter solution, as there’s no need to push air past the processor.
As you can see, there are advantages and disadvantages to choosing a CPU cooler larger than the processor itself. For example, a larger cooler can provide better cooling and may also be quieter.
However, a larger cooler is also more difficult to install and may require additional tools and screws. So, before you purchase a CPU cooler, consider the following to help you choose the best one:
Size Of Your Processor
The first thing you should consider when choosing a CPU cooler is the size of your processor. It’s important to ensure that the cooler is the correct size, as this will impact the airflow and noise produced.
The size of the processor’s heat spreader will determine whether a large, small, or medium-sized cooler will work best for you.
For example, a large processor’s heat spreader will require a large, large, or medium cooler, whereas a small processor’s heat spreader may only require a small cooler. Your choice will depend on the cooler’s size and the processor’s heat spreader.
Airflow
Next, you’ll need to think about the airflow provided by the cooler. You need to decide if you want a quiet, silent solution or something that will create a fair amount of noise.
If you’re looking for something that will provide a silent experience, you’ll need a quiet fan. If you’re looking for a noisy solution, you’ll need a louder fan.
If you’re looking for a silent experience, you’ll need a quiet CPU cooler. If you’re looking for a noisy experience, you’ll need a loud fan.
Thermal Compound
Lastly, you’ll need to consider the thermal compound used on the processor. You’ll need to know if the processor is sealed or has a fan unit.
If the processor is sealed, then you’ll need a thermal paste that will be applied to the processor’s heat spreader. If the processor has a fan unit, you’ll need to know how effectively the fan is moving air around.
The thermal paste will come in either a gel or a paste form. Gel form thermal pastes are more liquidy and thus can be applied more easily. The advantage of a paste is that it provides better heat conduction.
You might even consider a paste if your processor is sealed, but the downside is that you can’t tell how well the paste is doing until you’ve installed it.
If the processor has an open-loop fan, you’ll want to look for a thermal paste with high thermal conductivity. If the fan is enclosed, you’re looking for a thermal paste with good heat dissipation properties.
Conclusion
i9-12900K CPUs are the most powerful processors Intel has ever made. This is the first processor that can be overclocked up to 4.3GHz. In other words, this is the most powerful desktop CPU in the world.
With such high clock speeds, you must use the best CPU cooling solution for the i9-12900K. Check out the article and let us know what you think.
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