The best CPU coolers for i7 12700K

It hasn’t been long since the world-leading company Intel brought the 12th generation processors out in the open. Who in the world would be unaware of the top-class company? They have been producing the most zealous processors for quite some decades and have maintained the quality ever since. The streak they have been making regarding excellence and performance is still intact, and the Alder Lake processors are definite proof. The Intel Core i7-12700K (Amazon) of the Alder Lake series is a hefty entry into the technical market. The processor is the most sought-after part of a PC. However, this article will discuss the best CPU cooler for i7 12700k. You might be wondering why did we bring up a CPU cooler all of a sudden. You’ll get to know about that in a while.

If you opt for a hefty worker like the i7 12700K, your system will work like a beast. Be it a demanding task like gaming or multitasking, the system will take it all without issues. However, the continuous efforts will generate heat, which is quite normal. But if that heat goes beyond control or is not taken seriously for extended periods, it might gradually ruin the system. So we came up with the list that will help you select a cooler that will cool the PC down in no time without making ear-piercing noises. These days, liquid coolers, also termed AIO coolers, have also been introduced so you can choose between air coolers and the former. So let’s get down to the list and find the item that works seamlessly and is right for you.

The best CPU coolers for i7 12700K at a glance:

  1. Noctua NH-D15
  2. Noctua NH-U12S
  3. Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280
  4. Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R
  5. be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4

The best CPU coolers for i7 12700K you can buy in 2022

Noctua NH-D15 Noctua NH-D15

Best overall

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Noctua | Fans: 2 | Socket support: LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1151, AM4 & AM3 | Base height: 6.5 inches | Weight: 2.86 pounds | Dimensions: 5.91 x 6.34 x 6.5 inches | Warranty: 6 Years

REASONS TO BUY
+ Easy installation + Low noise adapter included + Self-stabilizing oil-pressure bearing
REASONS TO AVOID
- No compatibility for >32mm RAMs - The first PCI-Express slot gets blocked

Noctua NH-D15 is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a CPU cooler, right? Well, the cooler deserves all this fame and acclamation. No doubt that the company has paid great attention to the design of this product that drags the heat out of the system and is very efficient at its task. With broad socket support, it stood the test of time and is still going strong. The masses love to go for it for their custom-built computers. The gamers find this item a blessing since it comes at a mediocre cost, works flawlessly, and makes no noise.

But everything has its setbacks so does this cooler. The masses first complain about its dullsville color scheme, which does not match most systems. Other than that, the cooler might cause clearance issues. Thus, you must pay attention to the form factor and dimensions of the PC components you will add. But despite these tiny flaws, there is nothing about this item that you are ever going to regret since it performs off the charts. You can install it pretty quickly, even if you are a beginner. So what’s hindering your way to this outstanding product?

Noctua NH-U12S Noctua NH-U12S

Runner Up

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Noctua | Fans: 1 | Socket support: LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1151, AM4 & AM3 | Base height: 6.22 inches | Weight: 1.28 pounds | Dimensions: ‎6.22 x 2.8 x 4.92 inches | Warranty: 6 Years

REASONS TO BUY
+ Hushed operation + Excellent RAM clearance + Stable thermal performance
REASONS TO AVOID
- It comes with only one fan - No compatibility with Xeon LGA4189

Then comes the Noctua NH-U12S, another outstanding product of Noctua. The company maintained the class and performance with this item as well. Firstly, it allows the user to fit most RAM sticks without issue, providing excellent clearance. The package impressed us right when we unpacked it. The brand provided an extra fan clip and a top-grade thermal paste. The aluminum and copper build makes it robust, throws all the hot air out, and lets the processor work peacefully. And the quiet operation, of course, how could we forget such a positive point? Sadly, it has only one fan, but on the bright side, you can mount a second fan if you wish.

The beige color scheme is still not widely acknowledged, and we don’t know why the company loves that color. However, in our opinion, the looks do not matter as much as the performance. And fortunately, they have not made a compromise on the latter. This item’s thermal performance is something to look out for since it beats the rivals. This cooler will do its job perfectly fine for many years ahead. And if something still sounds fishy to you, just know that this item comes with a fat six-year warranty. Such duration is the ultimate proof of the working and quality of the gear, and we appreciate that. In a nutshell, you can never go wrong with a Noctua thing, which goes without saying.

Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280 Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280

Best AIO

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Arctic | Fans: 2 | Socket support: LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1151, AM4 & AM3 | Base height: 6.26 inches | Weight: 3.47 pounds | Dimensions: 13.35 x 6.81 x 6.26 inches | Warranty: 6 Years

REASONS TO BUY
+ Sturdy build + Perfect auxiliary fan design + High static pressure maintenance
REASONS TO AVOID
- No RGB lighting - No maneuverability of tube joint

Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280 goes against all goes and chills the computer to a moderate temperature and then maintains it. The designers have done a creative job naming this product as it works like a processor freezer. It has a pair of swift nifty fans that take any load like a breeze. It is not lightweight; thus, you need to install this best CPU cooler for i7 12700k with due care. But once it’s done, you can rest assured for many years. The fluid dynamic-sleeved fans do their job throughout the years with some maintenance, and the color scheme attracts the user too. Well, being brutally honest, the accessory set is not that impressive but suffices the basic requirements.

BIOS and PWM connectors make the working smooth and hustle-free. The lack of RGB is the grey area of this item. Some people love going all out while decorating and embellishing their rigs, and RGB illumination is a big yes for them. On the other hand, some do not like bright, flashy lights that shine right into the pupils. Depending on your preference, you can determine whether the absence of RGB bling is a pro or a con. Nothing would demand a second thought, so you can safely go for those gear. The design and performance complement each other, and the broad socket support is the icing on the cake.

Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R

Best RGB

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Cooler Master | Fans: 3 | Socket support: LGA1700, LGA1200, | LGA1151, AM4 & AM3 | Base height: 1.1 inches | Weight: ‎5.61 pounds | Dimensions: 15.5 x 4.7 x 1.1 inches | Warranty: 2 Years

REASONS TO BUY
+ Vibrant ARGB illumination + Impressive overclocking headroom + Compatible with Alder Lake processors
REASONS TO AVOID
- Cable management could be messy - No firmware was installed on the control box

Cooler Master has been providing well-designed products for so long, and the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R is another top-of-the-line product that the brand offers. The gamers would be exceptionally gleeful to own this gear, and that is because it provides an impressive lot of headroom for overclocking. If you own a processor from the 12th generation of Intel’s lineup, we proudly announce this item as the best-in-class for your PC. This CPU/cooler combination will perform like a mighty winner and keep the heat afar simultaneously. And it comes with triple fans; isn’t it a win-win situation? The cooler has been impressing the masses, so let’s learn more about it.

This item is a treat for the eyes of users since the company has embellished it with enchanting ARGB lights. If you are a gamer who has a dark-themes setup, this cooler is the one that will go well with it. Even if you like vibrant and lit-up setups, this product still will not disappoint. However, it has a few drawbacks that we will talk about here. With CPU coolers, there is much to do with cables and wires. But this one does stand out in the crowd in this regard. The management needs a little more improvement, but the rest of the build is perfect. So long story short, the product outshines all its competitors and is worth trying.

be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4

Best quiet

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Be quiet! | Fans: 2 | Socket support: LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1151, AM4 & AM3 | Base height: 6.4 inches | Weight: ‎2.49 pounds | Dimensions: 5.7 x 5.35 x 6.4 inches | Warranty: 3 Years

REASONS TO BUY
+ Low TDP + Friendly BIOS + Includes thermal paste
REASONS TO AVOID
- May block DIMM slots - No direct contact heat pipe

Be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4, just as it sounds, is one of the most silent CPU coolers and truly lives up to the expectations of the masses. The product comes with an aesthetic all-black build. It has a quality worth spending your bucks for and is not a heavy item which is a plus point. The technical experts appreciate that this cooler comes with a thermal paste that helps the complete coverage of the heatsink. It is pretty tall, so you must be careful when purchasing it. It must fit inside your chassis, or else you’d have to replace it.

Although we can hardly find anything bothersome about this product, we still believe that the blockage of DIMM slots can be an issue. Overall, the product is the true epitome of elegance and class and shows the ultimate effort the manufacturers have put in while building it. Another important thing that we liked about this gear is the lowest possible power consumption which the 250W TDP shows. Despite all the premium features this product offers, it still comes at a lower cost than its competitors. So this item is suitable for those who prefer a pocket-friendly device.

Conclusion

A CPU cooler is the need of the hour for most people these days since the tasks have become pretty tedious. The Team Blue fans have been looking for the best CPU cooler for i7 12700k to cool down their raging computers. But not just any cooler would do the job. For the cooler you opt for, the processor must be compatible with it; you can check the socket support list for that. It must not be heavy enough to wreak havoc on the motherboard. However, it shouldn’t be flimsy either. All you need to do is find a cooler that ticks all the boxes. Like most gamers, a widely-trusted air cooler like Noctua NH-D15 can be your go-to option. The warranty does matter a lot, and this one is by far the top one in that case.

By now, you would have acknowledged the fact that a CPU cooler is a must-have mainly if your usage comprises tasks like gaming, video editing, and rugged multitasking. However, finding the pitch-perfect item in the market that teems with several look-alikes is tiring. That is why we decided to assist you and came up with the top cooler for each of you. If you want to go for an AIO, we recommend trying the Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280, which is a class-leading liquid cooler. For modern processors like Intel’s Alder Lake family, you will need a top-notch cooler, so do not compromise on quality. Whether you prioritize performance, budget, or both, we’ve got your back. So do not worry anymore. Just go on and pick the one that fascinates you the most.