Heat production in electronics can be detrimental to their performance and possibly cause damage to silicon-based chipsets. Since the launch of 12th Generation Intel processors, the LGA1700 socket has been leading the market, which compelled us to ensure that you have the best LGA 1700 CPU cooler before making any purchase. Almost all the latest generations of processors, whether team blue (Intel) or team red (AMD), offer overclocking capabilities and variable frequency boosts concerning load. Compared to the TDP (Thermal Design Power) of older CPUs, the newer processors produce more heat due to their overclocking capability, thus requiring a cooler. To handle the 125-150W of TDP, we have included the best cooler for 12600k in our list. Among the 12th Generation processors, the 12600k is the most economical option with overclocking capabilities. The CPU cooler protects your chip through liquid or air cooling.
There are two categories of cooler, air-based, and liquid-based. We will discuss the individual advantages of our quick shopping tips. Both of them carry equal weight. However, removing 125-190W of thermal power requires the best cooler for 12700k, easily attainable by air or liquid-based cooler. It depends on the user preference. Some enthusiasts that love experimenting with their processor would appreciate the powerhouse performance of 12900k. Generally, a CPU cooler ideal for an LGA 1200 socket will be the best cooler for 12900k. Comparing the heat production with the AMD counterpart, the best CPU cooler for Ryzen 5 5600x will require only 65W heat removal. The LGA 1700 socket is larger in dimension due to the requirement of 500 more pins to be adjusted beneath the processor. It adds the opportunity for the manufacturers to produce larger surface area cold plates on CPU coolers, thus providing better cooling performance.
Quick Shopping Tips:
Let’s get into some tips before purchasing:
Air-Based Cooler: Air-based coolers are popular due to their minimalist design. They require minimum moving parts to become operational. The large heat sinks with powerful static pressure-based fans have made this cooler past the 300W TDP mark, which is more than enough for the 12th generation Intel processor with overclocked conditions. They move air all over the motherboard components, thus further enhancing the cooling of components alongside the processor.
Liquid-Based Cooler: It consists of a closed circuit of liquid. The liquid moves inside the loop with a pump inside the water block above the CPU. The liquid carries heat from the CPU to the radiator, passing through a tube where the metal fins cool. There is air flowing between them with the fans' help.
Socket: Processors come with different socket compatibility. The latest 12 Gen Intel processors have an LGA 1700 socket, larger than its predecessor 11th Gen CPU. Pins have been added to the 12th Gen processor for performance, leading to a larger surface area. Coolers require new fixtures to cope with the size and should cover the complete CPU to make it work. We have compiled the compatible ones on our list.
Clearances: When we talk about CPU coolers, the amount of space around the processor is critical, as some water blocks of liquid coolers are large. At the same time, some heat sinks are so large that they might cover up your RAM. you must carefully observe the RAM height and motherboard clearances with the product you are about to purchase.
Best LGA 1700 CPU Coolers at a glance:
- NZXT Kraken Z63
- Corsair iCUE H115i Elite Capellix
- ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280
- Noctua NH-D15
- EK 240mm AIO D-RGB
- Be quiet! Dark Rock 4
- Enermax Liqmax III 360
- Thermaltake TOUGHAIR 510
The Best LGA 1700 CPU Coolers you can buy in 2022
NZXT Kraken Z63
If you have a small chassis with little space to install a CPU cooler but are looking for a premium-looking design, NZXT Kraken Z63 is the most suitable option for a minimalist chassis. It has a huge range of compatibility across multiple sockets. Our focus is primarily on compatibility with the LGA 1700; this item is the best LGA 1700 cooler overall. NZXT includes a bracket that helps it easily sit on top of an Intel 12th Gen processor. The cold plate is circular with a diameter of 79mm, which means that it can easily cover the 45mm max dimension of the Intel processor.
Its premium quality water block is the highlight of the whole assembly. The water block consists of a 60mm diameter display with 320 x 320 pixels and 650 cd/m² brightness to shine through your chassis window. Anything before the date will require shipment of the bracket by NZXT on request. So be sure to keep the manufacturing date in light while purchasing. In terms of aesthetics and cooling capacity, it is the best LGA 1700 cooler on our list. It can easily maintain a 10.4°C difference in temperature between the chip and atmosphere when operating under 150W of load.
Corsair iCUE H115i Elite Capellix
We cannot shy away from Corsair when it comes to powerful gaming hardware. Corsair knows the importance of heat removal from high-performance chips, and Corsair iCUE H115i Elite Capellix does precisely the same. The presence of RGB on the product is not scarce. They have incorporated two CORSAIR ML RGB Series PWM RGB fans and the water block utilizing RGB shining through the available alternate pump caps making it the best LGA 1700 RGB cooler. It reduces the fan speed to zero RPM mode, which will completely silence your cooler under no-load conditions when gaming is on a break.
The water block consists of a centrifugal pump accelerated when you start your Assassin’s Creed Odyssey gameplay. Its pump can generate a 0.82L/min flow rate with 20dBA low noise generation. The whole system heavily depends on the performance of the cold plate; that’s why they utilized a copper material known for high conductivity. The efficiency of the cold plate is enhanced using a 128 micro-skived fins-per-inch ideal for an LGA 1700 cooler. Corsair handles its ecosystem with iCUE software, and the Commander CORE controller connecting fans with RGB couldn’t be easier to manage. Overall this product is ideal for users who like to showcase their PC internals.
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280
Even though ARCTIC is a lesser-known brand, its products are unique and deserve the attention of our readers. Over time, the overclock capable motherboards usually have high VRM temperatures, and ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 is the solution. It comes with a VRM cooling fan right on the CPU water block, leading to the extended life of the motherboard. The fan on the water block of this best LGA 1700 AIO cooler is not only the highlight with its minimalist non-RGB look. The look might be a pro for some people; it performs exceptionally under load.
Only one product on our list with liquid cooling capability also cools the VRM. The two 140mm fans produce a 72.8CFM flow rate high enough to remove heat from a 12th Gen Intel processor. However, its wide compatibility with various sockets makes it ideal for test benches. The 6-year warranty represents its high manufacturing quality, making it the best LGA 1700 CPU cooler. Its fans produce high static pressure, allowing high flow at low noise. If you have a small chassis, its 450 mm long tube is enough to route through your chassis to the radiator.
Noctua NH-D15
Suppose you are someone who loves to have the best of the best when it comes to design and quality for the computer hardware; the Noctua NH-D15 is designed specifically for you. A group of designers in Austria have produced products with such high quality that they exceed expectations. With a signature look of beige and brown, Noctua has the best LGA 1700 air cooler. The two premium NF-A15 PWM 140mm fans are the best in the computer business. They are silent as an Owl while in motion, representing the company’s logo. The PWM allows them to operate between 300-1500RPM.
Noctua smartly allows lower noise operation with LNA (Low Noise Adapter); thus, it is the best LGA 1700 cooler. If your CPU doesn’t get too hot, you can utilize the adapter to reduce the maximum noise from 24.6dBA to 19.2dBA. There are always limitations when it comes to massive coolers like this one. The large fins extend toward the motherboard allowing a 32mm RAM height to fit underneath; anything above that will not fit unless you displace the fan. Displacement of fans will decrease the cooler’s efficiency, so it’s better to ensure the usage of lower-height RAM.
EK 240mm AIO D-RGB
If you were involved in purchasing motherboards or graphic card kits, you definitely would have come across EK cooling. They have collaborated with some big brands like Asus to provide cooling for VRM, but their own EK 240mm AIO D-RGB cooling kit has a class. It is the best LGA 1700 240mm cooler with a premium built quality that can be seen and felt through the touch of the object. The water block has premium-looking RGB that diffuses diligently through the block with a minimalist logo on the side.
Tubes run out of the water block from the sides with flexible joints for maximum maneuverability. Users have reported the installation process to be very easy, and the RGB on the fan and D-shaped LGA 1700 cooler water block diffuse through the assembly perfectly. It’s sync compatible across RGB controllers of multiple motherboards like AURA, Mystic Light, RGB fusion, and RGB LED. The fans on the radiator have a very high range of operation between 550 - 2200 RPM, allowing high heat dissipation for overclocking and silent operation while under no-load conditions.
Be quiet! Dark Rock 4
This top-of-the-line product is consistently above others in many aspects. They are efficient and produced with low cost in mind. Be quiet! Dark Rock 4 is their best-selling CPU cooler with a price that beats many products in the market. It Is a black-coated air-based cooler with a large heat sink that provides a 200W TDP. The large heat dissipation potential at 21.4dB(A) of maximum noise operation makes it the best LGA 1700 noiseless cooler. 12th generation processors such as the 12700K produces 200W under peak load condition, making them highly compatible with the air cooler.
It only uses a single 120mm fan to provide powerful performance, making it the best LGA 1700 CPU cooler on our list with this feature. The fan has a running time of 300,000 hours, which is brilliant for this hardware’s price tag. The brushed metal top and all-black color make it compatible with any computer chassis interior. The built quality is excellent, and the whole assembly comes packaged in a well-protected container. Due to its high heat removal capacity, the fins are thin, which might cause injury to the hand, so be careful while installing the cooler.
Enermax Liqmax III 360
Enermax Liqmax III 360 is a patented technology that makes sure that the product operates with reliability and efficiency. The uniqueness of the two significant designs makes it the best LGA 1700 liquid cooler with high thermal capacity. It utilizes the central cooling inlet design, which focuses on the hotspot, usually at the center of the CPU during operation. Targeting the hotspot increases the heat transfer efficiency, thus decreasing the difference between atmospheric and CPU temperature. Its exceptional heat transferring capabilities with a 360mm radiator makes it ideal for cooling the 240W 12900k processor.
The maximum heat transfer capability as mentioned by the manufacturer is 360W. Its water block design based on a dual-chamber model makes it the best LGA 1700 cooler. A significant advantage of having a dual-chamber pump assembly is that the heat does not easily travel up to the motor or bearing, thus allowing 50,000 hours of operation without any damage. The bearing is ceramic material-based, and a 120mm fan size is ideal for producing 1.98 mm-H2O of static pressure. We did find that the thermal paste included in the box is sub-par, and we recommend using the Noctua thermal paste for enhanced performance.
Thermaltake TOUGHAIR 510
Thermal take is trendy for their high-end high flow rate chassis, but recently their air-based cooler Thermaltake TOUGHAIR 510 is gaining proper attention. It is a dual-fan single chamber design for high static pressure and low noise. They have maintained the balance by reducing the heat pipes to four and increasing the flow capability by adding another fan to a single chamber, turning it into the best LGA 1700 dual-fan air cooler. The TOUGHFAN 12 design-based fans with high static pressure are fitted with anti-vibration pads to reduce vibration noise created during loaded operation.
There usually are two approaches to designing an air-based cooler. First is densely populating the fins on the heat exchanger and increasing the surface area using a high static pressure fan. The second is using a high-flow fan with minimal resistance through the fins and lowering the fins number. Thermaltake used the latter approach in their design, which means high flow. The advantage of having a high flow LGA 1700 cooler through the chassis is that it cools other components on their way. The manufacturers have designed it so that the heat pipes come in direct contact with the processor surface for rapid response to the changing heat demands of the processor, thus decreasing the dead band.
Conclusion
With the launch of every Intel processor, there is almost always the problem of changing socket sizes. However, AMD has stuck to its AM4 for quite a long time compared to Intel. The 12th Generation Intel processor launch led manufacturers to change the mounting system to make their product the best LGA 1700 CPU cooler. Considering the lineup of Intel’s new processors, the maximum thermal load imposed by any processor is 12900k, which needed a 240W thermal power removal for normal operation under boosted turbo frequency. We featured some of the best-looking cooling in the air- and liquid-based categories and the best-performing coolers. We considered the thermal paste quality in a few products, but it’s always best to use a high-quality thermal paste as it can ruin the performance of the best cooling system despite being liquid-based.
We aim to help you decide what is best for you. Some chassis don’t have enough margin over the socket for large air-based coolers. We already mentioned in our shopping tips that the size of the air-based cooled and liquid-based cooler is important for purchasing decisions; just be sure to check the dimension and base height. Some manufacturers used unique patented designs for their products to enhance their performance at low prices. Cold plate design, pump design, radiator, and fan design are important. However, to some people, RGB might be critical, and some might even like the option of using a customized GIF for their interior design. We incorporated designs with LCD installed on top of the water block for maximum aesthetics and customization. We aim to provide you with the best plan at an excellent price. We hope you have found the perfect device for your gaming setup based on the LGA 1700 socket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a new cooler for LGA 1700?
LGA1700 is the newest socket design used by the 12th Generation Intel processor. If you have just bought a new processor, you will require a new cooler for the socket as these processors produce an average of 150W heat load. A powerful and elegantly designed cooler such as the EK 240mm AIO D-RGB would do justice to the processor by removing any cap on overclocking ability of this series of processors.
Do LGA 1200 coolers work on LGA 1700?
All the coolers that work for LGA 1200 would work for LGA 1700 with a new mounting system. Manufacturers now provide their products with a compatible mounting setup for LGA 1200 sockets like the NZXT Kraken Z63; newly manufactured coolers have a pre-packed mounting kit. However, if you buy a product manufactured before 11/25/21, you will not be able to find it inboxed and will have to contact NZXT to ship you a mounting kit.
Do I need a LGA 1700 mounting bracket?
The latest 12th Generation processor requires a unique bracket for any cooler to fit onto it. Due to the processor’s dimensions changing from its previous LGA 1200 socket to 37.5 mm x 45 mm, only a new bracket could fit the cooler. The best seller German brand with dark aesthetics Be quiet! Dark Rock 4 is ideal for the LGA 1700; it has 200W TDP, enough for a mid-range 12th generation processor, and it comes pre-packed with a mounting kit.
Which cooler is best for i7 12th Gen?
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 is an ideal cooler with the ability to remove the 200W thermal power produced by the processor under loaded conditions and maximum 5.0GHz frequency as imposed by the Turbo feature Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0. The added advantage of this cooler is that it can cool the VRM, which can get immensely hot during loaded conditions caused by massive overclocking.