Choosing The Best CPU Cooler For Intel's Core I7-12700K

Best Liquid Cooler Enermax Liqmax III 360 Best Air Cooler Noctua NH-D15, Premium CPU Cooler Check another CPU: 14th Gen Core i9-14900KS 14th Gen Core i9-14900K 14th Gen Core i9-14900KF 14th Gen Core i9-14900 14th Gen Core i9-14900F 14th Gen Core i7-14700K 14th Gen Core i7-14700KF 14th Gen Core i7-14700 14th Gen Core i7-14700F 14th Gen Core i5-14600K 14th Gen Core i5-14600KF 14th Gen Core i5-14600 14th Gen Core i5-14500 14th Gen Core i5-14400 14th Gen Core i5-14400F 14th Gen Core i3-14100 14th Gen Core i3-14100F 13th Gen Core i9-13900KS 13th Gen Core i9-13900K 13th Gen Core i9-13900KF 13th Gen Core i9-13900F 13th Gen Core i9-13900 13th Gen Core i7-13700K 13th Gen Core i7-13700KF 13th Gen Core i7-13700F 13th Gen Core i7-13700 13th Gen Core i5-13600K 13th Gen Core i5-13600KF 13th Gen Core i5-13600 13th Gen Core i5-13500 13th Gen Core i5-13400F 13th Gen Core i5-13400 13th Gen Core i3-13100F 13th Gen Core i3-13100 12th Gen Core i9-12900KS 12th Gen Core i9-12900K 12th Gen Core i9-12900KF 12th Gen Core i9-12900F 12th Gen Core i9-12900 12th Gen Core i7-12700K 12th Gen Core i7-12700KF 12th Gen Core i7-12700F 12th Gen Core i7-12700 12th Gen Core i5-12600K 12th Gen Core i5-12600KF 12th Gen Core i5-12600 12th Gen Core i5-12500 12th Gen Core i5-12400F 12th Gen Core i5-12400 12th Gen Core i3-12300 12th Gen Core i3-12100 12th Gen Core i3-12100F 11th Gen Core i9-11900K 11th Gen Core i9-11900KF 11th Gen Core i9-11900F 11th Gen Core i9-11900 11th Gen Core i7-11700K 11th Gen Core i7-11700KF 11th Gen Core i7-11700F 11th Gen Core i7-11700 11th Gen Core i5-11600K 11th Gen Core i5-11600KF 11th Gen Core i5-11600 11th Gen Core i5-11500 11th Gen Core i5-11400F 11th Gen Core i5-11400 10th Gen Core i9-10900K 10th Gen Core i9-10900KF 10th Gen Core i9-10900F 10th Gen Core i9-10900 10th Gen Core i9-10850K 10th Gen Core i7-10700K 10th Gen Core i7-10700KF 10th Gen Core i7-10700F 10th Gen Core i7-10700 10th Gen Core i5-10600K 10th Gen Core i5-10600KF 10th Gen Core i5-10600 10th Gen Core i5-10505 10th Gen Core i5-10500 10th Gen Core i5-10400F 10th Gen Core i5-10400 10th Gen Core i3-10325 10th Gen Core i3-10320 10th Gen Core i3-10305 10th Gen Core i3-10300 10th Gen Core i3-10105F 10th Gen Core i3-10105 10th Gen Core i3-10100F 10th Gen Core i3-10100 9th Gen Core i9-9900K 9th Gen Core i9-9900KF 9th Gen Core i9-9900 9th Gen Core i7-9700KF 9th Gen Core i7-9700K 9th Gen Core i7-9700F 9th Gen Core i7-9700 9th Gen Core i5-9600K 9th Gen Core i5-9600KF 9th Gen Core i5-9600 9th Gen Core i5-9500F 9th Gen Core i5-9500 9th Gen Core i5-9400 9th Gen Core i5-9400F 9th Gen Core i3-9350K 9th Gen Core i3-9350KF 9th Gen Core i3-9320 9th Gen Core i3-9300 9th Gen Core i3-9100F 9th Gen Core i3-9100

Thermal Requirements of the Core i7-12700K CPU

A CPU cooler's Thermal Design Power (TDP) rating refers to its ability to dissipate heat in watts. Selecting a CPU cooler with a TDP that matches or exceeds the peak TDP of the Core i7-12700K is crucial for efficient heat management.

The Core i7-12700K has a TDP range of 125–190 watts, depending on the workload. To maximize your CPU's performance, you should use a cooler that can handle the peak TDP (PL2) of 190 watts. PL2 is an Intel processor's short-term maximum power draw when the CPU runs at its maximum short-term speed (max turbo frequency). Intel CPU specifications list the base TDP (PL1) as "Processor Base Power" and the peak TDP (PL2) as "Maximum Turbo Power."

While testing CPU coolers, I witnessed the importance of adequate cooling for achieving and maintaining maximum turbo speeds. If the CPU cooler fails to maintain an optimal temperature for the CPU, it may cause the CPU to slow down, a process known as throttling. In some cases, the cooler may operate continuously at full speed. Even if the CPU cooler has a lower TDP rating than the CPU, it can still function, but, as I've experienced, the CPU will eventually reduce its frequency to cool down.

Types of Coolers

Air Cooler

Air coolers utilize a combination of heatsinks and fans to dissipate heat. While they are the most budget-friendly option available, I've observed that they can sometimes produce a lot of noise, which may not be ideal for everyone. However, I can say that air coolers have been a reliable option for me over the years, despite that, and remain a popular choice for many PC enthusiasts.

Closed-Loop Cooler

A Closed-Loop Cooler, also known as an all-in-one (AIO) cooler, is a type of liquid cooler. Through testing and analyzing different cooling systems, we have concluded that the AIO coolers are our favorite option when designing a cool and quiet PC setup. I have found that pre-built liquid cooling systems offer a more straightforward setup and can provide better TDP performance at lower noise levels than air coolers. With that said, I have observed that the cooling performance and noise levels greatly depend on the radiator size and the number and size of the fans.

Find LGA 1700 AIO Coolers on Amazon

Open-Loop Cooler

We have tried open-loop cooler systems and observed that they offer more flexibility for building a customized cooling setup. However, setting them up can be more complicated than closed-loop coolers. Using open-loop coolers also meant dealing with maintenance, such as coolant flushing, which was a downside I experienced.

Despite this, we were able to take advantage of the additional cooling capabilities that these open-loop systems offer, allowing us to cool not just our CPU but also our graphics card's GPU.

Noctua NH-D15, Premium CPU Cooler

Mounting Brackets Compatible With the Core i7-12700K

Ensure that your cooler includes a compatible mounting bracket for your CPU. CPU coolers come with various mounting brackets to accommodate multiple CPU socket sizes. For the Intel Core i7-12700K CPU, you'll need a CPU cooler that supports the LGA 1700 socket.

In cases where a new socket size is released, you can often purchase a separate mounting/retention kit to fit the new dimensions.

Check out our Recommended LGA 1700 Coolers for the Core i7-12700K below.

Enermax Liqmax III 360

Considerations When Choosing a Cooler for the 12700K CPU

Noise

More fans usually result in better cooling but also increased noise. Larger fans are generally quieter than smaller fans since they can move the same amount of air at lower speeds. Fan noise levels are measured in dB, with lower values indicating quieter operation.

Configuring your motherboard's BIOS to use specific fan speeds at particular temperatures allows for a near-silent computer while idle.

Size

Before investing in the largest cooler available, verify that your case and motherboard have enough room. Check for potential interference with other components on your motherboard, such as tall heat spreaders on memory modules (DIMMs).

Dual-fan air coolers often require substantial space on top of the motherboard. Liquid cooler radiators can also take up a lot of space but are mounted to dedicated fan locations on the front, top, sides, or bottom of the case.

Lighting

Some CPU coolers feature LED lighting on fans or liquid cooling pump heads. If you prefer being able to turn off the lights, ensure that your chosen cooler provides this functionality.

Price

Depending on your preferences, you can choose between a practical, low-cost solution and a more visually striking option. Air-based coolers are generally more affordable than liquid cooling systems.

Higher TDP support and advanced lighting features may also come at an additional cost.

Gaming

An air cooler may suffice for a gaming PC if you don't plan to overclock your CPU. However, from my experience and testing, not all CPU air coolers can handle the same amount of heat. Examining coolers' supported heat dissipation (TDP) in watts (e.g., 180 watts) is crucial for choosing which cooler to purchase.

Games and other CPU-intensive tasks can keep the Core i7-12700K CPU at the higher end of its TDP range (190 watts). From my experience, it's best to opt for a larger air-cooled heatsink with one to two fans or even consider a liquid cooler, which I've found to be generally quieter than air coolers and offer better cooling performance.

Overclocking

We've learned from our own experiences that if you plan to overclock your CPU, your success will depend on how effectively you can maintain adequate cooling. As we have learned, inadequate cooling can cause the CPU to throttle itself to a lower speed or even damage it. However, it can also result in system instability while gaming or working. System instability has led to frustrating instances where we've lost progress and encountered interruptions during gaming sessions.

You may achieve some level of overclocking with a good air cooler. However, if the cooler is struggling to keep the CPU cool enough, your fans will remain at their maximum speed, which could be a little noisy.

Liquid cooling can generally achieve better TDP levels compared to air cooling. Additionally, liquid cooling allows for a quieter system, depending on the radiator size, fan size, and the number of fans used.

Recommended LGA 1700 Coolers for the Core i7-12700K

A CPU cooler that is compatible with the LGA 1700 socket will be required. Several manufacturers introduced upgrade kits to accommodate the LGA 1700 socket size that allows LGA 1200 coolers to be used. So be sure to verify that any cooler you choose is compatible with your CPU.

Best LGA 1700 AIO Liquid Coolers

Enermax Liqmax III 360

• Enermax Liqmax III 360

  Supports LGA 1700:	YES
  Max TDP:	360 watt
  Type:	Liquid Cooler

• I was very impressed with the cooling capability of the Enermax Liqmax III 360, which boasts an excellent 360-watt TDP (Thermal Design Power).

• Supports a variety of CPU sockets, including Intel LGA 2066, 2011-3, 2011, 1700, 1200, 1366, 1156, 1155, 1151, 1150 and AMD AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2+, FM2, FM1.

• I found that the Enermax Liqmax III 360 operates quietly and unobtrusively, with a noise level of just 14-27 dBA, making it a great choice for anyone who values a quiet computing environment.

• You can get the LGA 1700 Enermax Mounting Kit for LIQMAX III on Amazon or request a free LGA 1700 mounting kit via the LGA 1700 Mounting Kit Request Form.

• If you are considering the Enermax Liqmax III 360, it's important to note that it will take up a decent amount of space in your computer case, so make sure to check the dimensions before purchasing.

• The Enermax Liqmax III 360 has an impressive cooling capacity, providing efficient heat dissipation even under heavy workloads.

• The quiet operation of the cooler made for a more comfortable and distraction-free computing experience. Enermax Liqmax III 360

Best LGA 1700 Dual-Fan Air CPU Coolers

Noctua NH-D15

• Noctua NH-D15

  Supports LGA 1700:	YES
  Max TDP:	220 watt
  Type:	Heatsink & Fans

• I found the dual 140 mm fans to be incredibly powerful, providing an impressive 220-watt TDP (183 NSPR) of cooling capability.

• With support for such a diverse range of CPU sockets, I found the Noctua NH-D15 to be a very flexible and adaptable cooling solution. Its supported socket types include Intel LGA 1700, 1200, 1156, 1155, 1151, 1150, 2011, 2066 and AMD AM4, AM3, AM3+, AM2, AM2+, FM2, FM2+.

• In my experience, the Noctua NH-D15 operates very quietly, with a noise level of just 24.6 dBA.

• I am extremely satisfied with the Noctua NH-D15 cooler and would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a high-performance and versatile cooling solution. Noctua NH-D15, Premium CPU Cooler

Thermaltake TOUGHAIR 510

• Thermaltake TOUGHAIR 510

  Supports LGA 1700:	YES
  Max TDP:	180 watt
  Type:	Heatsink & Fans

• As someone who isn't a big fan of flashy LED lights, I appreciated the simplicity of the Thermaltake TOUGHAIR 510, which doesn't have any fancy lights but still looks great in my system.

• I found that the dual 120 mm fans on the TOUGHAIR 510 did an excellent job of keeping an LGA 1700 CPU cool, even under heavy workloads.

• If you're worried about the TOUGHAIR 510 taking up too much space in your system, Thermaltake offers a few single-fan variants that use different orientations, so you can choose the one that works best for your setup.

• With a max speed of 2000 RPM, the TOUGHAIR 510 provides optimal cooling performance when you need it most.

• With a 180-watt TDP (Thermal Design Power), the TOUGHAIR 510 offers solid cooling performance and is a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable and efficient cooling solution for their CPU. Thermaltake TOUGHAIR 510

Featured Socket LGA 1700 AIO Coolers › Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360L Core 360mm Close-Loop AIO Liquid Cooler, ARGB Sync, Gen S Coldplate Pump, 120mm PWM, CryoFuze 14W/mK, AMD Ryzen AM5/AM4, Intel LGA1700/1200 (MLW-D36M-A18PZ-R1) , Black ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 360 - CPU AIO Water Cooler, Water Cooling PC, Intel & AMD, Efficient PWM-Controlled Pump, Fan: 200–1800 RPM, LGA1851 and LGA1700 Contact Frame - Black

Learn More About the Intel Core i7-12700K

• Motherboard: Choosing the Best Motherboard for Intel's Core i7-12700K
• Chipset: Which Chipsets Work With Intel's Core i7-12700K CPU?
• Cooler: Choosing the Best CPU Cooler for Intel's Core i7-12700K
• Power Supply: Choosing the Best Power Supply for Intel's Core i7-12700K
• RAM: Best RAM for the Intel Core i7-12700K CPU
• TDP: What Is the TDP of the Core i7-12700K CPU?
• Gaming: Is the Core i7-12700K CPU Good for Gaming?

Have a suggestion or correction for this article? Send us an email at: corrections@techreviewer.com

You can also contact the author at: brandon@techreviewer.com