Finding the best CPU cooler for the new Intel i9-12900K CPU can be confusing.
As a PC enthusiast, I can understand the situation.
Selecting the perfect CPU cooler that meets all your needs is always challenging.
Thats why we extensively researched and tested the best cooler for gaming and high-performance productivity work.
In our result, the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB comes at the top regarding cooling.
Keep reading the following writings to learn about the alternatives and make your decision smoother.
It features entirely new technology with a mix of efficiency and high-performance cores.
The CPU has a base TDP of 125W and a boost TDP of up to 241W.
Based on its requirements, weve listed some of the best 360mm AIO and air coolers below.
Weve excluded the 240mm liquid cooler as its unsuitable for overclocking or handling the max TDP.
The top CPU coolers listed below will ensure you get the best performance from your shiny new CPU.
It excels in cooling, design, and airflow and has some extra features.
In terms ofCPU liquid coolingsolution, its currently one of the best in the market.
It has passed international quality control standards, and the performance and build quality prove its authenticity.
The 36 ARGB LEDs along the fans hub and the transparent rotor give the liquid cooler a rich illumination.
The advanced A-RGB Gen.2 technology and customizable LEDs help you personalize the lighting and give your own look.
The noise level was minimal, and we had no issue concentrating on intensive games!
And for the max TDP testing, weve nearly reached the 290W mark.
What We Liked Most
There is no doubt about the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB performance.
The most impressive thing we found in this cooler is its price-to-performance ratio.
Its an undisputed king in this budget segment and superior to more expensive AIO coolers.
The three 120mm fans come with ARGB technology and offer sufficient airflow.
The 8th gen Asetek pump with a 3-phase motor delivers higher flow and cools down the component very efficiently.
The cable management is almost invisible, making the appearance more elegant.
The aluminum components and vacuum coating ensures high durability and lower noise level.
In our regular testing, the noise level was around30 to 35 dB.
But when we pushed the fan to its maximum capacity, it made 47 dB at 2200 RPM.
The cooling performance is also similar to the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB.
It comes with a small LED display that supports Anime Matrix LEDs.
you’ve got the option to customize the options and set your preferred appearance.
The capability I liked most in the ASUS ROG RYUO III 360 ARGB is its max fan rotational speed.
The build quality and max TDP make it one of the most reliable in the current cooling market.
Its armed with three powerful pumps that control the temperature strikingly.
But if I talk about its LCD, its just beautiful.
The true 24-bit color represents the CPU/ GPU temperature or can be customized with personalized GIFs.
Unfortunately, the base Z73 version doesnt have an RGB setup.
But you’re able to get the RGB version and all its functionalities by paying some extra bucks.
The 2.36 LCD screen in the NZXT Kraken Z73 has got our attention.
The color accuracy is decent, and the customizable feature makes it worthy to include in a setup.
The base version doesnt have RGB functionalities.
If youre looking for an RGB version, you must pay extra or find an alternative.
The NZXT Kraken Z73 is one of thebest liquid coolers with displaysin the current market.
The combination of fantastic performance and visuality makes it one of the perfect choices for the 12900K build.
Best Budget AIO: DeepCool LT720
Searching for the best bang for buck liquid cooler?
Well, look no more!
The multi-faceted geometric reflection gives a unique and whole new level of aesthetics.
The DeepCool LT720 is equipped with three FK120 fans.
But sadly, there is no RGB in the FK120 fans.
The only ARGB lighting youll find is on the cap, which changes color and illustrates multidimensional structures.
The most impressive thing we found while testing is its maximum rotational speed.
The only downside weve seen in the DeepCool LT720 is the lack of RGB fans.
The model comes with a regular fan and doesnt have an RGB variant.
Noctua is a veteran name in the CPU cooler industry.
They produce some of the finest air coolers in the market.
The Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black is one of them.
The air cooler is huge with its dual tower design.
With a 160mm height, it can be tight in some PC cases.
So before anything, see to it your PC will fit this monster.
The cooling system on the CPU cooler is superb.
The six heat pipes and the dual tower heatsink give the cooler an extensive surface area to dissipate heat.
The two NF-A15 140mm PWM fans are highly popular among PC enthusiasts for their excellent cooling capacity.
They also excel at being silent and therefore are the perfect package.
Overall, with the performance of the Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black, there is nothing to worry about.
It sits at the top league of CPU coolers easily.
The aesthetics of the CPU cooler is rather interesting.
The chromax.black version means that it has an all-black color scheme.
The sleek CPU cooler has a premium look to it.
The dual-tower cooler has lower RAM clearance.
However, using only one fan, you get up to 64mm of RAM clearance.
The performance is solid and gives similar results to NZXT Kraken X63.
One of the most impressive things weve found while testing the Noctua NH-D15 is its low noise level.
It delivers minimal noise output even under heavy pressure and keeps it under 25 dB.
The Noctua NH-D15 is a high-end air cooler in the current market and provides an upgrade from its predecessors.
The DeepCool AK620 is here to provide the required performance by keeping your pocket right.
The pair of 120mm fans and six heat pipes provide an excellent result regarding heat dissipation.
Unfortunately, theres no RGB lighting attached to the fans.
So, you wont find any aesthetic illumination from the cooler.
But, the sleek black and minimalistic design is enough to attract everyones attention.
In an idle state, the AK620 maintains a 35 C temperature.
At 100% PWM, the fan produces around 51 dB of noise, which sometimes irritates.
But typically, it could keep the noise level under 30 dB in most average work.
The DeepCool AK620 is for the PC enthusiast looking for a low-budget CPU cooler for their Intel Core i9-12900K.
The price is very affordable and perfect for your budget build.
The most impressive part of the DeepCool AK620 is its value-to-performance ratio.
Usually, the DeepCool AK620 is quiet.
But at heavy pressure, the noise may increase to 50 dB.
The price-to-performance ratio is splendid and can easily give a decent service in daily usage.
The Noctua NH-U12A maintains a 27 C temperature in stock and ambient temperature.
The noise level is also very impressive.
At 100% PWM, the fan only produces 45 dB of noise output.
As a single-tower CPU cooler, Noctua NH-U12A does a fantastic job.
But unfortunately, theres no RGB lighting in the cooler.
It also comes with a black version, which offers a more sleek and minimal appearance.
The numbers also surprised us when we compared the Noctua NH-U12A with others.
When testing the Noctua NH-U12A with the i9-12900K, it surprised us.
The results were almost similar to the top-tier coolers and sometimes matched the results with the high-ends.
Despite its performance, the Noctua NH-U12A is slightly expensive compared to other single-tower CPU coolers in the market.
The Noctua NH-U12A is undoubtedly a high-performance air cooler and really worth your money.
Let me explain why.
The Noctua NH-L9i-17xx has a minimal footprint of only 95x95mm.
Together with a 37mm height, it is super compact and can easily fit into any ITX case.
You might ask, is the CPU cooler enough to cool down the 125W CPU?
The answer is yes.
The efficiency of the air cooler is incredible.
Moreover, the 92mm fan runs incredibly quietly.
With only 23.6 dB of noise output, the Noctua NH-L9i-17xx is virtually inaudible.
The PWM fan ensures it runs according to the temperature of the CPU and keeps the noise output minimum.
The Noctua NH-L9i-17xx is primarily for people using LGA 1700 sockets, for example, the 12900K user.
Its perfect for the ITX build and one of the best for the SFF casings.
Despite its size, the Noctua NH-L9i-17xx can run up to 2500 RPM, and thats very impressive.
Its almost silent and doesnt even make a noise in the quietest room.
One of the common problems for ITX coolers is insufficient space for passing the airflow.
The Noctua NH-L9i-17xx is not an exception and might spike to 80+ C in heavy usage.
The Noctua NH-L9i-17xx is specially designed for the Intel LGA 1700 socket and SFF PC casings.
The 12900K is a top-end processor that produces much heat at extensive pressure.
So, we picked the CPU coolers that are supported by the Intel LGA1700 socket.
Most high-end CPU coolers are compatible with the socket now-a-days.
But sometimes, you must be extra cautious because some models have different versions for each socket.
For example, the Noctua NH-L9i doesnt support LGA1700 sockets.
So, we needed to pick the Noctua NH-L9i-17xx version, designed especially for the 12th gen Intel processors.
Cooling Performance
The base power of i9-12900K is 125W.
But at full potential, it can go up to241W.
In addition, weve considered the number of heat pipes and fans a cooler consists of.
Air & Liquid Cooling
Generally, two types of coolers are available in the market: air and liquid.
The difference betweena liquid and an air cooleris massive.
In terms of performance, the liquid coolers are better than the air.
But they are pricey, and you might want to build a budget PC with the air cooler instead.
The 120mm and 140mm fans are the most popular for their excellent airflow and static pressure capabilities.
If you opt for a liquid cooler, you must consider the size of the radiator.
The most popular for the liquid cooler are the 240mm, 2480mm, and 360mm radiators.
AIOs are intended for extensive pressure, so weve prioritized the 360mm liquid coolers for the i9-12900K.
Noise Level
The noise level is a vital factor when choosing a CPU cooler for a powerful processor.
Under heavy load, the coolers may produce significant noise, which might be irritating during important tasks.
Aesthetics & Build Quality
Weve tried to list CPU coolers as aesthetically pleasing and made with good materials.
The taste can vary from person to person.
So, weve listed both RGB and non-RGB CPU coolers for liquid and air coolers.
Price
When buying a CPU cooler, budget is an important factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Noctua NH-L9i for Intel Core i9-12900K?
No, the Noctua NH-L9i wont work in i9-12900K as it doesnt support LGA1700 sockets.
Youll need a Noctua NH-L9i-17xx version to make it work with an i9-12900K.
Does ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB have a mounting bracket for LGA1700?
Is higher CFM better for a CPU cooler?
