Intel Core i7-12700K is Intels 12th gen processor family, featuring 12 cores and 20 threads.
The chip is unlocked & capable of overclocking to juice out more performance without spending extra bucks.
But more power means more heat, which must be cooled down to achieve maximum performance.
Finding the best CPU cooler for the i7-12700K can be confusing.
So lets jump in.
And to cool down your CPU, you will need the best cooler for your beast processor.
Heres the list of the six best coolers for i7-12700K:
1.
Thats why we top-picked the Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black, a classical cooler.
Hence, its our top-of-the-line air cooler.
Talking about the structure, its adual-towercooler & consists ofsix copper heat pipesand wide aluminum fin stacks.
NH-D15 has nickel plating on the heat pipes, which is concealed by the black paint over it.
Thetwo black NF-A15 PWM fanscoming with this cooler are one of the best fans in terms of cooling capability.
The fans haveSSO2bearings which arelubricated.
The providedNT-H1 thermal pasteis another thing we love for its outstanding reliability.
While we tested, we let the fan spin at max1500 RPMspeed & there was almost no noise.
you’re able to expect such an outstanding acoustic performance only from Noctua.
And the thermal performance?
It was around60~65C during gaming, and during stress testing with OC, it reached~85C.
Though, it can vary for ambient temps and howoptimized your PC airflowis.
Despite being an air cooler, it can beat many 240 to 280mm AIOs out there.
Thanks to the fans & high-quality materials, it is used on the NH-D15.
Little to no maintenance, sturdy build quality, and excellent cooling performance is what you cant avoid.
What We Liked Most
The 6-year warranty covers the radiator fans and all the components inside the cooler.
This feature is great for an air cooler.
We also loved the thermal compound & SecuFirm2 mounting accessories for wide compatibility that comes with the cooler.
However, it can vary for motherboards.
And you’re free to either unmount one fan from the memory side or move it upwards.
But be careful with the casing clearance in that case.
Verdict
Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black is one of the best air coolers with eyes closed.
Low noise levels with high TDP leave enough headroom for overclocking your i7-12700K.
Even if you dont OC, the cooler will serve you longer than you could imagine.
We picked their Liquid Freezer II 240 AIO for its affordable price yet superior cooling performance.
It is one of themost compatible 240mm AIO coolersout there.
The liquid tube was long enough without any tension for our PC casing.
In addition, ARCTICs sophisticated cable management hides the PWM cables in the sleeving for better cable management.
What we liked most was that the twoARCTIC P12 120mm fans were pre-installed, accelerating the installation.
About the radiator, it is 38mm which is kind of thick.
We had to back & forth in some PC cases due to this.
The price we pay for this AIO and the performance we get is a win-win.
We loved the unique CPU block, which has an exceptional look compared to other generic AIOs.
Also, it was much quieter and more efficient.
Furthermore, the 450mm length tubes are plentiful for any requirement.
Besides these, a 6-year warranty is a great relief for prolonged usage.
We noticed that the cold plate is somewhat small.
But that didnt affect the performance in our case.
The radiator is also a bit thick.
So a suitable PC case is required for this AIO.
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 is a must-have top-notch AIO for any build.
For the i7-12700K, it can easily handle the load.
With a black stealth look with stunning performance for its price, it is worth every penny.
Gigabyte made a superb liquid cooler in the form of the AORUS WATERFORCE X 360.
In addition to being an AIO with the best cooling performance, it has some nifty additions too.
The AIO has a 60x60mm circular screen on the pump.
you’re able to rotate the screen up to 330 for the perfect orientation.
For rich customization, the pump has amicro SD card slot.
So you could load bigger image/gif files into the customizable LCD for better looks.
Thethree 120mm PWM fanshave ARGB lighting and graphene nano lubricant.
So they run as smoothly as it gets.
The optimized pump and the three fans ensure you get the best cooling performance from the 360mm AIO.
We loved the stunning massive pump as well as the display on it.
The pump speed is also superior, and the customizable LCD is a nice feature to have.
We think the warranty period should be longer for such a top-tier product.
If you have the budget for the expensive cooler, you should definitely get it.
If you have an NVIDIA card & want to make a green-themed build, no problem.
Full red AMD build?
again no need to worry.
This budget beast air cooler is a single heatsink tower solution withtwo 120mm BioniX P-fansfor push/pull.
The fan also has enough RAM clearance for most medium-sized memory sticks.
Though at full fan speed, it was noticeable for 32dBA.
Pretty impressive for such an air cooler at such a bargain price.
Even if you overclock, the cooler can still hold you.
ARTICs 6-year warranty will cover you for that case.
We loved the various color choices of this cooler.
Really a unique approach to lure customers.
But not only with the looks, the performance also talks with a budget-friendly price.
In that case, you must look for anRGB air CPU cooler.
The dual fan does the job efficiently & the longer warranty period will keep you tension free.
The reason we chose Noctua NH-L9i-17xx chromax.black for the low profile design, which is best for ITX builds.
Also, to get the best performance, it is recommended power limiting to around 90W in the BIOS.
The installation process was a breeze.
Thanks to the compact 95mm x 95mm footprint, which is compatible with all sorts of RAM and heatsink.
Thats why it went smoothly while mounting.
The NF-A9x14 is a slim 92mm fan and was super quiet under load.
The fan has a max speed of 2500 RPM with 67.56 CFM airflow & does its job effectively.
The fan is also PWM with a low-noise adaptor so that you will get both efficient and quiet operation.
In fact, the CPU temp was near ~75C.
But, with its compact size, it punches way above its limit.
Thats why it is one of thebest compact low-profile CPU coolers.
We loved the extremely low-profile size with quiet operation, making this cooler a great choice.
The 6-year warranty and the lightweight is also a nice addition.
Also, tall RAMs with heat spreaders may cause difficulty during installation.
Overall, everything about the Noctua NH-L9i-17xx chromax.black is excellent for the i7-12700K while running at stock frequency.
The Thermaltake TH120 ARGB is a single fan 120mm version of the Thermaltake TH240 ARGB.
It has a sleek design with an ARGB ring around the pump and a Thermaltake logo at the center.
The single 120mm fan has ARGB lighting that can boost the beauty of your rig.
The includedsmart controllerallows you to control the ARGB lighting without using an ARGB header on the motherboard.
The build quality is decent.
The low evaporation400mm rubber tubingensures an extended lifespan and better efficiency.
The27mm radiatoris enough to handle the i7-12700K while gaming.
The pre-attached thermal pad on the water block helps for an easy installation.
With a white finish and top-notch performance, this cooler is a worthy choice.
We find this 120mm can be the best alternative to NH-L9i-17xx for fitting in an ITX build.
The quieter operation is also a great benefit.
The lack of PWM functionality is disappointing for such a beauty.
Full speed can reduce the lifespan of the cooler.
Besides, the warranty period is only for three years.
And all these things will also come at a pocket-friendly budget.
This can hurt your gaming performance.
So, we evaluate some factors to handpick some best CPU coolers.
These factors will help you consider before purchasing your next CPU cooler for the i7-12700K.
PC Casing
The PC case is your house where all the components will stay along with the CPU cooler.
Fortunately, most modern cases have enough clearance for a dual-tower cooler.
Budget
The next consideration to take into account is the budget.
Additionally, the warranty period and bundled accessories will vary among the CPU Coolers.
So, consider your budget & take a stab at pick the best one within that range.
Noise
High-pitch fan noise can be irritating.
So, avoiding a CPU cooler with high noise levels is essential.
However, noise reduction is not the sole factor to consider when purchasing a new CPU cooler.
It is also crucial to verify the quality of the fan.
A high-quality fan will effectively maintain your processors temperature in various situations.
Opting for quiet fans with the best quality can ensure a long life span with less noise.
This will ensure optimal cooling performance for an extended period.
It is essential to ensure that the CPU cooler can effectively manage temperatures and prevent thermal throttling.
If you prefer an air cooler, look at the fans specifications.
The maximum RPMs and airflow are vital key specs.
Additionally, consider the size of the heatsink and the fins count.
A higher fin count will enhance heat dissipation, resulting in better cooling performance.
On the other hand, for an AIO CPU cooler, the pump speed directly affects cooling performance.
This feature is particularly beneficial during intense gaming or overclocking sessions, as it improves thermal dissipation.
Aesthetics
Manufacturers aim to distinguish their coolers by integrating their unique aesthetics and build quality.
Some brands prioritize premium construction and eye-catching RGB capabilities, which results in a higher price.
Others opt for improved cooling performance and affordability without RGB, like the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II.
This offers variety to the customers to pick a cooler that suits their specific needs and preferences.
FAQs
Which cooler to pick for Alder Lake?
What cooler pop in is suitable for i7-12700K?
Usually, AIO coolers will provide enhanced cooling than an air cooler.
However, some air coolers can perform better than some low-tier 120/240mm AIOs.
