10 Best CPU Coolers For i7 8700K [Liquid & Air] in 2024

Systems when overclocked can reach 70 degrees Celsius and up to 100 degrees which can be damaging for the system. Overheating is never good, which is why many motherboards and other system components come with their cooling system that ensures that the component remains with the permissible operating temperature limit.

But unfortunately, Intel processors used to come with stock coolers but not anymore. Therefore, to ensure that the processors remain cool and don’t harm the nearby components, you must invest in a specified CPU cooler for the Intel i7-8700k processor especially if you are going to be overclocking it to get maximum performance for your gaming experiences.

For many, choosing a CPU cooler can be daunting especially when they are building a customizable system for the first time. So, to help you out and make the buying process easy and simple for you, we took your troubles upon us and put hours of research into coming up with a list of the best CPU coolers for the i7-8700k processors. Continue reading to find out more.

i7 8700K CPU Cooler List

Her we listed 2 types of CPU coolers for i7-8700k processors, one is Liquid Type and other one is traditional fan cooler. So it’s all about user choice which one they go for.

1. NZXT Kraken X62

If you are looking for fast cooling system with minimum noise level, then the NZXT Kraken X62 is one of the best liquid cooling systems for you in the market. Paired with the infinity mirror design and the RGB color lighting technology, your CPU cooler will fully light up and deliver stunning performance and aesthetic.

With this CPU cooler you will never have to worry about the performance as it is specifically engineered to deliver superior cooling using the CAM which helps manage the system effectively. The CAM monitors the system changes and allows you to adjust the pump speed and the liquid temperature using the desktop application.

2. Corsair Hydro Series H100i PRO

The Corsair Hydro Series H100i PRO is power packed liquid cooling system with 240 mm radiator, dual 120 mm ML series PWM fans and advanced RGB lighting. Paired with the fan control software, this cooling system allows you to adjust the temperature and the performance of the system based on your usage.

The two low noise 120mm ML Series magnetic levitation PWM fans deliver incredible airflow and static pressure at low noise levels. The software gives you full control over the functioning of the cooling system and allows you to adjust RGB lighting, individual fan speeds, and pump speed while monitoring CPU and coolant temperatures. Plus, with the zero RPM mode, you can stop the fans entirely to eliminate noise at low temperature.

3. EVGA CLC All-In-One Liquid Cooler

The EVGA CLC All-In-One Liquid Cooler is one of the most compatible CPU cooling systems which work with almost all Intel core and AMD processors to deliver optimum performance. With the 280 mm dual fan radiator, the CPU cooler works effectively at maximum speed to keep the system cool and protected at high usage.

The EVGA fans come with a unique design which allows it to run at maximum ability while keeping the noise levels to the bear minimum. Furthermore, the EVGA software suite for monitoring and managing EVGA AIO’s, and control flow make it possible for you to adjust the system as well your liking.

4. NZXT Kraken M22

The NZXT Kraken M22 is another great addition to the CPU coolers by NZXT. The cooling system is manufactured using Aer P radiator fans which are specifically designed for liquid-cooling perfection and providing silent operation, durability, and powerful cooling performance.

The fans are engineered to deliver optimum performance while keeping the Noise Level to 21-38dBA. The liquid cooler comes with the infinity mirror design which is paired with advancing lighting modes that allow you to set a dynamic lighting experience based on your coolers performance. Plus, you get to enjoy 6 years of warranty which makes it worth the investment.

5. Corsair Hydro Series H150i PRO

If you are looking for CPU cooler that is power-packed to keep your system cool all day long at full usage, then the Corsair Hydro Series H150i PRO is one of the best options for you in the market. The liquid CPI cooler comes with 360 mm radiator, three 120 mm ML series PWM fans which ensure proper dissipation of heat.

Furthermore, the system comes with the powerful Corsair ICUE software to adjust RGB lighting, individual fan speeds, and pump speed while monitoring CPU and coolant temperatures. With this cooler you can keep the air flow at 47.3 CFM and the noise level to the minimum of 25.0 decibels.

Also Check: Best CPU cooler for i9 9900K

6. Noctua NH-U14S

If you are looking for a single tower, effectively working air cooling system then the Noctua NH-U14S is one of the best ones in the market especially in terms of noise control and compatibility. The award-winning power-packed air flow CPU cooler comes with slim 140mm single-tower design paired with outstanding cooling performance, superb quietness of operation and excellent RAM compatibility.

With this fan, you would have to worry about installation or manual adjusting. The highly optimized NF-A15 140mm fan with PWM support and low-noise adaptor automatically adjust the speed and delivers ultra-quiet operation. Furthermore, the NT-H1 thermal paste and SecuFirm2 help with easy installation on Intel and AMD motherboards and processors.

7. Cooler Master Hyper 212 

The Cooler Master Hyper 212 is a powerful direct contact air cooling system designed specifically to help keep the system’s temperature to the minimum. With the 4 heat pipes, the system dissipates heat effectively within seconds and maintains the airflow up to 42 CFM and keeps the noise level to the bear minimum of 26 decibels.

Furthermore, the stacked fin array ensures least airflow resistance which allows cooler air flow into the heat sink to keep the airflow as precise as possible. The jam protecting feature ensures that no wires get in the way and create issues anymore. Overall, the design of the fan is highly versatile, thus allow you to upgrade or remove with ease.

8. Dark Rock 4 BK021

The Dark Rock 4 BK021 is one of the best 120mm cooling fans in the market for your high-end overclocking processors. Paired with high-end tech and precision design, the silent wink PWM fan delivers only 21.4dB (A) at maximum fan speed.

The cooling system comes with six highly optimized copper heat pipes and wave contoured cooling fins which help with airflow and ensure fast and effective dissipation of heat. The good thing is that it comes with an installation kit that helps mount it on the CPU with ease. 

9. Noctua NH-D15 

If you are looking for an award-winning powerful air cooling system, then the Noctua NH-D15 is one of the best ones in the market. Recommended by international hardware websites and with more than 300 awards, the dual tower cooling system, with all black design paired with RGB lighting is a top choice for high-end gamers.

The tower dual-fan comes with 140mm fans, six heat pipes and quiet cooling efficiency to deliver unparalleled performance. With its high-end tech and PWM for automatic speed control, the CPU cooler is ideal for over clockers and silent-enthusiasts!

10. Cooler Master MasterAir MA410M 

The Cooler Master MasterAir MA410M is one of the best cooling systems in the market with hexagonal hologram aluminum fin which specializes in hologram cutout and delivers unique color lighting and excellent heat dissipation with 53.38 CFM air flow and 31.0 decibels noise level.

The fan comes with a thermal sensor which detects the temperature of the CPU and displays it through color lighting effects. With the direct contact technology and the air guide armor, the system easily guides the airflow and eliminates dead spots for unmatched performance.

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Features to Consider When Buying i7-8700k CPU Cooler

If you are going to be using your i7-8700k at full capacity, then you need to invest in a dedicated CPU cooler to keep your processor running efficiently and without leading to system failure. If you are spending thousands of dollars on setting up a dedicated gaming station, then spending a few hundreds of a CPU cooler shouldn’t be a problem for you.

But, the problem arsis when you have to choose a CPU cooler, which out of all is the best one for? In order to answer that question, you need to consider the most important features of the cooler before making the purchase. So, let us go ahead and look at them in detail so you can choose the most suitable and powerful cooler for your system to enjoy maximum performance.

System Requirements

The very first thing that you need to consider is the system requirements. For this, you need to ask yourself, what are you going to be using the system for? If you are an average player or mainstream user, then a low power cooler with more RPM should be good for you. But if you are going to be overclocking your i7-8700k processor then you need a powerful CPU cooler like the ones mentioned above.

Type of Cooler

Secondly, you need to consider the type of cooler that you wish to invest in. As mentioned earlier, there are air coolers and liquid coolers available in the market at present. For average usage, air coolers are great, but they do produce a loud noise.

On the other hand, liquid coolers perform better than air coolers when it comes to overclocking and heavy usage. Plus, they run quietly giving you the peace that you need to focus on your task at hand.

Overclocking

Make sure to check whether the CPU cooler will be compatible with overclocking or not. When system is controlled, it heats up quickly and the risk of overheating enhances significantly. Therefore, you need a cooling system that has a heat sink nearby the processor and dissipates heat faster.

Number of Fans

The more the number of fans, the better the performance. It is simple math but at the same time it also means more noise. Also, you need to check whether you have enough space to add a multi-tower cooler in your case or not. So, depending on your requirements and space available, you can invest in a single or multi-tower fan.

The Price

Lastly, everyone needs the money factor. You need a useful device that gets the job done but is also a cost-effective component for you to invest in. If price is an issue, then air coolers are more affordable as compared to liquid coolers but remember, they do make noise and take longer to cool down the system.

What Does a CPU Cooler Do?

A CPU cooler is a dedicated component which is added to the motherboard alongside the CPU to maintain the temperature according to the system’s limit. Different types of coolers are available in the market which uses various techniques to lower the temperature by improving airflow and dissipating heat in the surroundings.

Fans and liquid cooling systems

As mentioned earlier, there are two types of cooling systems commonly used by individuals. With the advancement in technology, cooling software is also added to the systems these days which allow the user to access the power tech of the components and efficiently use the systems cooling system. But the most common at present are;

• Traditional Cooling Fan

The Air CPU cooling system is often referred to as traditional cooling fan as well. It consists of a heat sink which is paired with a fan. Both work side by side to dissipate heat into the surrounding air via air vents. In short, they help with the airflow to keep the CPU cool and efficiently working.

• Liquid Cooling

Liquid CPU cooling system is mostly used by professionals to keep the system cool and working for long hours. They work similar to the Air Coolers but instead of using air, they run on chilled liquid which runs through small pipes and a heat sink to draw heat from the processor to a radiator dedicated on the system. Then the radiator releases the heat in the surrounding air and the process continues.

FAQ’s

What is the best CPU cooler for i7 8700k?

There are some great CPU coolers in the market, but if you are looking for the best one for the i7-8700k processor, then the Noctua NH-D15 is the best one in the market. The cooler comes with the dual tower 140mm fans, six heat pipes and quiet cooling efficiency with all black design paired with RGB lighting is a top choice for high-end gamers.

With its high-end tech and PWM for automatic speed control, the CPU cooler is ideal for over clockers and silent-enthusiasts!

Why do I need a cooler for my CPU?

CPUs can heat up to 100-degree Celsius which affects the efficiency and stability of the processor itself and the components in the enclosure. This means that the performance of the CPU will be affected due to overheating.

So, in order to lower the CPU temperature and protect the component from heat damage, you need to add a cooler to dissipate heat in the surrounding air and maintain the permissible operating temperature limit.

Does i7 8700k need a cooler?

Yes, Intel Core i7-8700k is a 6-core processor with 12 threads, 12 MB Cache, and 4.6 GHz of turbo frequency which makes it perfect for gaming. But the highlighting feature is the ‘k’ in the name which suggests that the processor comes with an overclocking feature which leads to additional heat.

Overheating affects the efficiency and performance of the CPU and since the processor itself doesn’t come with a cooler, therefore in order to dissipate the heat and keep the CPU cool during maximum usage, you need to invest in a cooler.

Final Words

When it comes to the Intel Core i7 8700k processor, there is no doubt that it is one of the best performing processors in the market in the market. But at the same time, its overclocking feature often leads to overheating issues which can be troublesome for many users.

Instead of waiting for it to ruin your processing experience or get damaged over time, investing in a top-rated CPU cooler for your i7-8700k processor is worth the investment. With a CPU cooler at your disposal, you will not have to worry about the performance. So, get yours now to improve the efficiency and stability of the system.

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