Regardless of the brand of CPU, it is important to use a CPU cooler. CPUs generate excessive heat as they operate. CPU coolers are designed to remove this heat from the CPU, dispersing it through a heat-conductive medium to the case’s airflow. Some CPUs ship with a stock cooler, but these are often only passable and useless for intensive workloads. If you’re looking for a noiseless cooling solution for your PC, a CPU cooler could be the perfect solution.
The Core i9-12900K is a fantastic processor for high-end gaming systems, but it requires an excellent cooling solution to keep its performance at the top level. This 12th Gen Intel processor runs extremely hot due to its 16 cores/24 threads and overclocking capabilities. As the CPU doesn’t come with a cooling mechanism, you need to purchase it separately.
However, there are many different CPU coolers available, each with its own set of strengths and weaknesses. Some are ideal for overclocking, while others have performance and aesthetics in mind. For Core i9-12900K, to need to buy a fan that is compatible with the processor as well as the motherboard.
There are two main types of CPU coolers available for this processor. You can choose between 280mm and 360mm air coolers. 280mm AIOs are good for gamers, but 360mm units are better for professionals and gamers. These coolers offer optimal thermal performance and are quieter than 280mm units, even when all sixteen cores are being pushed.
The Intel Core i9-12900K is the flagship processor of the 12th generation of Core series processors. Its newest architecture has two significant advantages over its predecessors: it uses the latest DDR5 memory platform and features a high number of cores and eight threads. Because of these features, it is important to have the proper cooling solution for this processor.
This processor operates at a top turbo frequency of 5.10 GHz, making it one of the fastest CPUs for single-thread processing. These processors are also relatively expensive – even with the lack of cooling solution shortage. However, if you are looking for the ultimate gaming experience, a powerful cooler is essential. It will not only help you to maintain proper airflow but also keep the system cool and provide quick overclocking capabilities.
In a hurry? Here are our top 3 favorite picks when it comes to the best CPU coolers for Intel Core i9 12900K in 2022!
Are CPU Coolers for Core i9 12900K Worth It?
The new Core i9-12900K is one of the best processors in the world, but is upgrading to an aftermarket cooler a good idea? Let’s look at some factors to determine whether a CPU cooler is worth it. A good cooling solution will make the difference between having a slow CPU and a blazing fast one.
The new Intel Core i9-12900K processor is the flagship model in the company’s Alder Lake processor line. This high-end processor has sixteen cores – eight performance cores and eight efficiency cores – and requires a powerful CPU cooler. The standard CPU cooler will not do the trick – this chip has a brand-new physical socket (LGA 1700) that won’t be cooled well by the standard CPU cooler.
A decent liquid cooler for the i9-12900K is crucial to maximizing its performance. While the i9-12900K should be fine with an average cooler, upgrading to an overclocking cooler will improve performance significantly. The good news is that many CPU coolers are compatible with Intel’s latest processor. This way, you don’t have to worry about compatibility.
The new Core i9-12900K does not come with a built-in cooler. However, the good news is that you can buy a CPU cooler that supports this chip’s new LGA 1700 socket. The processor itself is quite powerful, and you’ll likely see some performance degradation if you use it with too much heat. In such a case, a CPU cooler will help you to boost the performance by keeping the system cool. So yes, a CPU cooler for Core i9-12900K is worth it, as it will help you to explore the true potential of this powerful processor without creating any overheating issues.
If you want to exploit the true power of Intel’s new processor, here are the top 5 best CPU Coolers for Core i9 12900K in 2022.
1. Noctua NH-D15 Chromax Black – Best Overall
Noctua’s NH-D15 chromax.Black is the best CPU cooler for the Core i9 12900K processor. This dual-tower CPU cooler is available in many configurations. While the basic Noctua NH-D15 comes with a 140mm fan. Noctua has been manufacturing cooling systems for PCs for many years and has consistently improved its products.
The Noctua NH-D15 is compatible with most popular CPU cooler models and is capable of running at a higher temperature than most competitors. It has a long compatibility chart and includes information on all socket types. The Noctua NH-D15 stands 140mm tall without the fan installed. You will get six heat pipes and dual fans to offer maximum airflow and cooling.
The Noctua NH-D14 is a solid performer. Despite its modest price, it’s a monster of a cooler and is the king of sneaky CPU air coolers. If you’re looking for a CPU air cooler with a stealthy design, the NH-D15 is the way to go. This cooler is ideal for overclockers and silent-enthusiasts as it doesn’t make much noise. The average noise level of this cooler is 19.2 dB.
This CPU cooler has a large fan, which provides the airflow for the CPU. The two NF-A15 140mm fans are PWM and deliver 140.2 cubic meters per hour of airflow. The Noctua NH-D15 chromax.Black is also a good choice for budget-conscious users. It also comes with a high-end NT-H1 thermal paste. The SecuFirm2 mounting system helps you to easily install this cooler. It supports Intel LGA1700, LGA2066, LGA1200, LGA1155, LGA1151, LGA1156, LGA1150, LGA2011-0, LGA2011-3, and many other sockets.
The NH-D15 supports dual fan mode. You’ll need to install RAM with a standard height of 32 millimeters in order to use this CPU cooler. The heatsink features NF A-15 fans, which meet Noctua’s AAO standards. Flow Acceleration Channels (FAC) allow air to pass between the two towers and are designed for quiet operation. Its heatsink is removable to allow for memory installation. With this CPU cooler, you will get six years of warranty.
Why This Is The Best CPU Cooler for Core i9 12900K in 2022?
If you are looking for a CPU cooler that is both silent and has high performance, then the Noctua NH-D-15 chromax. Black is a great choice. This is the best CPU cooler for Core i9 12900K. The NH-D15 uses two fans to provide excellent performance in both idle and load temperatures. The asymmetrical fins on the NH-D15 are perfect for a motherboard with an Intel LGA1700 socket.
Noctua’s NH-D15 CPU cooler features a sleek black finish. Although the process of coating heat pipes is not a straightforward one, it does enhance performance. Noctua went the extra mile to create this cooler’s black finish. It boasts six 6mm copper heat pipes, a dual-tower design, and 150mm-wide aluminum fin stacks. The NF-A15 PWM 140mm fans are also painted black and are the gold standard for performance. The noise level of these fans is 19.2 dB.
Noctua’s NH-D15 has 45 nickel-plated and black-coated aluminum fins that are soldered onto six copper heat pipes. The fins form two towers and are stepped. Noctua’s logo is on the top of each fin. Noctua offers a six-year warranty on their products.
Its 140mm dual-tower design features six heat pipes and dual fans that provide maximum quiet cooling performance. This CPU cooler is perfect for silent enthusiasts and overclockers. Its award-winning NF-A15 140mm fans feature Low-Noise Adaptors and PWM for automatic speed control. Its asymmetrical design allows it to fit in the smallest of spaces.
The Noctua NH-D17S is compatible with AMD and Intel sockets. It is compatible with older sockets, too, which makes it an excellent long-term investment. The NF-A15 fan provides massive airflow over the motherboard components. The NF-A15 fan supports PWM speed control, and both models have dual fans. The Noctua NH-D15S comes with a SecuFirm2 mounting system. The mounting system is easy to install, and it has excellent contact pressure.
The Noctua NH-D-15 is also the easiest CPU cooler to install. The base is made of copper. The fans are full black and feature nickel-plated thermal interface joints. It comes with high-end NT-H1 thermal paste as well. As the fan is black, you can easily use RGB LEDs to enhance the look. The cooling performance, as well as the style and design, make it perfect for Core i9 12900K.
2. EK 360mm AIO Cooler – Runner Up
When it comes to a liquid cooling solution for Core i9 12900K, EK 360mm AIO Cooler is the best option. EK has done an excellent job in creating a high-quality CPU cooler that’s priced right and comes with a five-year warranty. The cooler is compatible with motherboard controllers and third-party software for easy configuration of D-RGB lighting effects and fan speed.
This model has pre-installed rubber tubes that are incredibly durable. These rubber tubes are also reinforced with a sleeve and are fitted directly to the CPU block with diamond-cut aluminum rotary tube connections. The result is an efficient cooler with a clean finish. This cooler offers great performance and doesn’t need any maintenance.
EK’s AIO D-RGB is a closed-loop, all-in-one CPU cooler that offers the benefits of water cooling in a user-friendly form factor. It also includes illuminated fans and pump housing for a full-frontal RGB experience. This is the best liquid CPU cooler on the market right now. It comes with high-static 120mm PWM fans for excellent cooling performance. You can either use a standalone controller or the motherboard to easily control this cooler. The EK Vardar fans work at 550 – 2200RPM. These fans also come with customizable RGB lights.
EK is a company specializing in custom water cooling kits and components. They have also branched out into the closed-loop AIO market. The EK 360mm AIO Elite 360 D-RGB All-in-One CPU Cooler is a triple-fan AIO with EKWB’s primary DNA. It’s expensive and a bit bulky, but it’s worth every penny to the right buyer.
3. ASUS ROG Ryujin II 360 RGB – Premium Pick
If you’re considering purchasing a new CPU cooler for Core i9 12900K, you might want to check out the new ASUS ROG Ryujin II360 RGB all-in-one liquid CPU cooler. This cooler features the industry’s first 1.77-inch full-color OLED display, addressable RGB lighting, and an embedded 60mm micro fan. It is a 360mm cooler radiator that comes with three Noctua iPPC-2000 PWM 120mm radiator fans.
The ROG Ryujin II 360 RGB’s features make it an excellent liquid CPU cooler for gamers and other computer users alike. It’s fast, reliable, and offers the highest cooling performance. It’s easy to install, and ASUS pre-applies thermal paste. This is a must-have if you’re serious about improving your gaming experience.
Asus’ ROG Ryujin II 360 RGB has a 3.5-inch display for customization. You can customize the display to show your system stats, CPU voltage, or animation. The Asus ROG Ryujin II 360 RGB AIO Liquid Cooler comes with Noctua iPPC-2000 PWM fans for silent operation. The 120-mm fans deliver 121.8 m3h of airflow per minute at 2,000 RPM. These fans are designed for gamers and productivity users but are also great for enthusiasts.
The ASUS ROG Ryujin II is compatible with AURA Sync and Vortex software. The software also controls its OLED display and AURA Sync lighting. All Asus ROG coolers are compatible with AURA Sync, and a third-party AURA SDK is also available for third-party manufacturers. Asus also offers a free utility called LiveDash that works with the ROG Ryujin II 360 RGB all-in-one liquid CPU cooler.
4. ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II – Budget Pick
This ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II CPU water cooler, is one of the cleanest and cheapest liquid freezers on the market. It uses a single 4pin connector on the CPU’s motherboard to power two fans and a pump. Because of the ARCTIC’s quiet operation, you can enjoy gaming without any disturbance. It is also compatible with socket LGA1700
The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II water cooler, features a thick, 38mm aluminum radiator, which increases the amount of cooling surface area. The larger diameter increases fin density, so it has more cooling surface area than most 30mm AIO radiators. The unit also features a pair of P14 fans, which run at a maximum speed of 1700 RPM and generate 72.8 CFM of airflow. These fans help the CPU cooler circulate the cooling liquid away from the cooler’s cooling fins. It also comes with an additional 40 mm VRM fan.
The pump unit features an integrated cooling fan, which circulates air near the CPU block, memory modules, and PWM heatsinks on the motherboard. The PWM-controlled radiator fan sends power through the white and graphite braided coolant sleeve. Finally, the Liquid Freezer II 280 CPU Water Cooler also features a sealed water loop for safety and performance. This CPU cooler consumes 80% less power and comes with 6 years warranty.
5. NZXT Kraken X63 RGB 280mm
NZXT Kraken X63 LED RGB CPU cooler is an All-in-One liquid cooler for high-end CPUs. Its size makes it compatible with most CPUs, including Intel Core i9 12900K.
This RGB CPU liquid cooler is available in two different versions, one for AMD and one for Intel platforms. This cooler is sold in a package with mounting hardware and is compatible with both platforms.
In terms of noise levels, the Kraken X63 is in the middle of the two. It’s a bit louder than the Corsair iCUE H115i, but not by much. This CPU cooler comes with two 140mm RGB V2 radiator fans. The Kraken X63’s fans can reach 1800 RPM and operate at a range of 21-33 dBA, which is not much louder.
The NZXT Kraken X63 comes with CAM software to adjust lighting, create synchronized effects, and apply firmware updates. The CAM software interface is intuitive to use, with a default aggressive silent profile and easy customization options. The Kraken X63 RGB is an easy-to-install, easy-to-customize RGB CPU liquid cooler with an attractive appearance. It is bigger, brighter, and provides the best cooling mechanism. The rotating infinity mirror cap enhances the overall RGB feature of this cooler. The cooler is durable and easy to install.
How to Choose the Best CPU Cooler for Core i9 12900K in 2022?
The Core i9-12900K is Intel’s top desktop CPU in the Alder Lake-S series. With 16 cores and 24 threads, this is one of the fastest CPUs in the industry. Using a high-quality CPU cooler is essential if you’re going to take full advantage of this processor. Here are some factors you need to consider when buying a CPU cooler for Core i9 12900K.
Type of Cooler
When you’re looking to build a new gaming PC, you’ll want to consider whether to purchase air or liquid CPU cooler. The Core i9-12900K is one of Intel’s most powerful desktop CPUs. With a TDP of 125 watts, this CPU isn’t going to be easy to cool. That’s why a high-quality air or liquid cooler is your best option. You can choose any of these types of cooler for your CPU.
Compatibility
Another important aspect to consider when selecting a CPU cooler for your new chip is compatibility. While older generations of processors support DDR3 RAM, the newer ones use DDR5 RAM. Make sure your CPU cooler is compatible with the new Alder Lake processors so it can run as efficiently as possible. You need to buy a cooler that is compatible with the motherboard as well as the CPU socket.
Noise
When purchasing a CPU Cooler for the Core i9 12900K, it is important to keep in mind that noise can affect your gaming experience. Noise is an issue because the chip has high power consumption and a high idle temperature. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for quieter CPU Coolers. These coolers work efficiently without creating any noise.
TDP
You should also keep in mind TDP. This is an important parameter to consider when selecting the right one for your processor. High TDP means more power consumption and more heat. So you need to purchase a CPU cooler as per the TDP rating. It will help the cooler easily eliminate heat without any issues.
Aesthetics
For those concerned with aesthetics, there are several CPU coolers with LED lighting. LED lights are a great way to add a touch of whimsy to your gaming experience. Make sure your cooler has switchable LED lighting, as some people prefer to turn them off when they’re not using their computer. It will help you to get the perfect gaming look for your system.
Final Thoughts
If you are using Intel’s new Core i9 12900K processor, investing in a compatible CPU cooler is essential. It is a powerful processor that runs hot and needs a proper cooling solution for overclocking. A CPU cooler will maintain airflow and dissipate, thereby preventing overheating issues.
In this guide, we have reviewed the top 5 best CPU Coolers for Core i9 12900K in 2022. You can buy any of these cooling solutions for your processor. We plan to update this page regularly as better models launch. If you want to suggest something or need additional details, write to us in the comments below.
