Intel keeps coming with various series of extraordinary core processors, including the 8th Generation i7 8700K model. It is arguably one of the best processors, and for gamers, it is the BEAST. What keeps it going without any hurdle and cools it down whenever required is the CPU cooler for i7 8700k.
If you want the best out of your Intel Core i7 8700K processor, you must get the best CPU cooler available out there. As there are too many options for a CPU cooler, it might baffle you to choose which one is best suited for you. In that case, this list is intended to help you with the best CPU cooler for i7 8700k.
What is a CPU Cooler?
The processor tends to heat up while you keep on working on your system for long hours. This happens due to the high workload, heavy-duty jobs, multitasking, and some other factors. The heat generated during the process slows down your PC and deteriorates your CPU’s performance.
Here, CPU coolers come into the picture. These devices are designed to prevent your CPU from heating up and keep it in a calm and proper functioning position. CPU Coolers play a prominent role in CPU working well and healthy.
All the basic operations of your PC take place within the CPU. It is very natural for a CPU to become hot while performing intense jobs and heavy-duty tasks, especially in gaming PCs loaded with processors like the Intel Core i7 8700K.
However, CPU coolers make sure that the processor maintains optimum temperature throughout and draws stable performance. These devices also play a prominent role in case of overclocking, as overclocking can get your CPU overheated real fast.
Types of CPU Cooler
The basic types of CPU cooler are:
Air Coolers
These offer a combination of heat sink and fan that dissipate heat into the surroundings.
Liquid Cooler
In this type of CPU cooler, a liquid is passed to the heat sink through tiny pipes. Heat is taken away from the processor to a radiator present on the enclosure and then released to the surroundings of the system.
Software CPU Cooler
This type of CPU cooling uses software to cool down your PC and fix the CPU overheating problem.
It’s important to note that with a variety of CPU coolers comes the confusion of choosing the best cooler for i7 8700k. No worries, this list will assist you with the Best CPU coolers for i7 8700K. But before that, let’s look at the parameters to consider before purchasing an i7 8700k cooler.
How to Select the Best CPU Cooler for i7 8700K?
Some things to keep in your mind before purchasing a CPU cooler are:
- Available space on your motherboard is the basic criteria you must check before getting more relaxed. If you have smaller space on the board, go for a compact CPU cooler that fits the board. Also, ensure that fan dimensions do not disturb other components like RAM.
- If you are planning for overclocking, you should not compromise with a CPU cooler. Get the best possible one, as during overclocking, the system gets overheated and requires better cooling.
- Why are you installing air coolers for overclocking? If you will carry out routine tasks on your system, paying a heavy price for a CPU cooler will be kind of useless. Buy a standard low budget CPU cooler that can offer enough cooling. In case you want a CPU cooler for hardcore gaming, go for the one with premium features.
- Air or water/liquid CPU Cooler? Well, they both have their advantages and disadvantages. Air coolers are suitable for mid-range PCs, while water coolers provide extra cooling, are perfect for high-end gaming PCs, but are also more pricey. So, it depends on your preferences.
- Another thing to take care of is your budget. You can get a good and useful device which is pocket friendly, but you need to analyze and assess your requirements before putting in your money. Air cooling solutions are lesser in price than liquid coolers. But, if you need extra features, the cost will be higher.
Let us now get straight to the list.
Top 7 Best CPU Cooler for i7 8700k in 2021
- Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo CPU Cooler
- Noctua NH-U14S, Premium CPU Cooler
- Corsair Hydro Series H100i
- NZXT Kraken X62
- EVGA CLC 280mm All-In-One
- be quiet! Dark Rock 4
- Noctua NH-D15 Chromax. Black, Dual-Tower CPU Cooler
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo CPU Cooler
Type: Air Cooler | Size: 4 Heat Pipes | Fan Speed: 600 – 2,000 RPM | Fan Airflow: 24.9 – 82.9 CFM | Noise Level: 36.0 decibels | Fan dimensions: 4.7 x 4.7 x 1 inches | Heat sink dimensions: 4.6 x 2 x 6.2 inch | Fan Life Expectancy: 40,000 hours | Features: Four CDC heat pipes, Direct Contact Technology, Optimized Aluminium Fin Structure, Greater Airflow with PWM fan (120mm).
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo is an excellent CPU cooler for i7 8700K and other Intel core processors supporting different LGA and additional CPU sockets, including LGA 1151, LGA 1150, LGA 1155, LGA 1156, AMD, AM4, etc.
This is one of the high end air coolers for gaming PC or laptops. It incorporates Continuous Direct Contact Technology that can dissipate heat more effectively. Four heat pipes with thick aluminum cover ensure that temperature is maintained, especially during overclocking.
Airflow is fine; the fan life expectancy is about 40,000 hours, which is merely great. Also, it provides your CPU a stable cooling throughout.
What We Liked
- Reasonable price
- Useful for multiple chipsets
- Good design
- Good performance at a comparatively lower wattage
What We Disliked
- Loud noise at high speed
- Mounting can get a bit difficult, especially for beginners.
Noctua NH-U14S, Premium CPU Cooler
Type: Tower Air Cooler | Power Connector Type: 4-Pin | Fan dimensions: 5.91 x 3.07 x 6.5 inches | Compatibility: Desktop | Weight: 2.06 lbs | Features: PWM fan, comes with a low noise adaptor, easily installable, slim design, great compatibility with LGA20xx, Excellent SecuFirm2 mounting system, adequate size.
Noctua NH-U14S Premium CPU Cooler is another good option i7 8700K. It supports Intel LGA and AMD socket types and is compatible with a vast number of processors. The 52mm slim design is entirely consistent with LGA2066 and LGA2011 motherboards and prevents RAM slots from being overhung. Better NF-A15 quality PWM Fan and Flow Acceleration Channels further provide you better airflow efficiency and quiet cooling.
SecuFirm2 Mounting Kit, Anti-vibration pads, Copper base, and Aluminium fins are some other specifications of this CPU cooler. It also has a dual-fan model that enables you to add an optional NF-A15 fan to enhance its performance further.
What We Liked
- Significantly less noisy at high speeds
- Compatible with most motherboards
- Efficient cooling
- Quality thermal compound
What We Disliked
- Large size can be an issue for some.
Corsair Hydro Series H100i
Type: Liquid CPU Cooler | Radiator Size: 240mm | Fan Speed: 400 – 2400 RPM | Fan Airflow Rate: 75 CFM | Noise level: 37 dBA | Fan dimensions: 10.87 x 4.72 x 16.81 inches | Weight: 1.64 lbs | Computer Memory Type: PC1066 | Processor Count: 1 | Features: 2 PWM fans from ML Series magnetic levitation, Low Noise level, Great CORSAIR iCue software, compatible with multiple Intel LGA and AMD socket types, comes with a Zero RPM Fan mode.
Corsair Hydro Series H100i is a liquid CPU cooler well suitable for your i7 8700K processor. It’s a high-quality cooling performance with very little noise makes it all the more desirable. The two Magnetic Levitation PWM fans ensure to cool your PC down with more excellent airflow at exceptionally low noise. Furthermore, any more noise can be eliminated with its Zero RPM Mode function. It also features handy pump control options.
It is highly compatible with various Intel LGA (1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1366, 2011, etc.) and AMD (AM2, AM3, AM4, FM1, FM2) CPU sockets. It also comes with a robust CORSAIR iCue software that provides you control over RGB lighting, fan speeds, and system monitoring.
What We Liked
- Very quiet
- Controllable fan/ pump speed
- Proper controlling & monitoring with CORSAIR iCue software
What We Disliked
- Takes plenty of space on the PC
- A bit expensive
NZXT Kraken X62
Type: Liquid Cooler | Radiator Type: 280mm | Fan Model: Aer P 140mm | Fan Speed: 1600 – 2800 RPM | Number of Fans: 2 | Noise Level: 21 – 38dBA | Item dimensions: 13.66 x 6.1 x 8.23 inches | Item Weight: 3.5 lbs Features: Support for multiple Intel & AMD sockets, Various LED Modes, Fan and Pump tuner, Great & Quiet Cooling performance, comes with 6 Years Warranty.
NZXT Kraken X62 is another liquid CPU cooler for Intel i7 8700K processors and other supported processors. With its advanced liquid cooling technology, the system can provide excellent cooling throughout. It’s dual Aer P radiator fans provide more significant cooling without making much noise.
You also get the flexibility to set up some configurations and settings using CAM software. It lets you control and monitor speed as well as liquid temperature in real-time. Several LED preset modes are available for you to select from.
What We Liked
- Double fans for optimal cooling performance
- Good for overclocking
- Fascinating Lighting presets
- Fairly easy assembly
What We Disliked
- Higher power consumption.
EVGA CLC 280mm All-In-One
Type: Liquid Cooler | Radiator Size: 280mm | Fan Speed: 500 – 2400 RPM | Item dimensions: 7 x 14 x 7.7 inches | Item Weight: 2.6 lbs | Features: Compatible with Intel & AMD processors, 2 Fan radiators, comes with Software for Easy Management, Integrated RGB LED, Sleeved tubing, copper water block.
EVGA CLC is yet another tremendous liquid CPU cooler for i7 8700K. It is fully compatible with different variants of Intel and AMD processor sockets such as LGA 2066, 2011, 2011-v3, 1150, 1151, 1155, and AMD AM2, AM3, AM4, FM1, FM2, TR4, and more.
Its dual radiator fan is designed to improve cooling efficiency while making no noise. The integrated RGB light serves your customization power over-lighting theme and color profile. Plus, fan speed, pump control, various shapes, fan settings, and more become more comfortable with the EVGA software.
What We Liked
- Inspiring design
- Accompanied by EVGA Flow Control software
- Easy setup
- Five years warranty
What We Disliked
- A little noisy at higher speeds
- Larger size
Be Quiet! Dark Rock 4
Type: Air Cooler | Size: 6 Heat Pipes | Noise Level: 21.4Db(a) | Item dimensions: 3.70 x 5.35 x 6.28 inches | Weight: 2.03 lbs | Computer Memory Type: PC1066| Features: 6 x Copper Heat Pipes, Silent Wings PWM fan, wave-contoured cooling fins, single tower-style structure occupies minimum space, minimal noise, comes with a simple installation kit.
Be quiet! Dark Rock 4 is an air CPU cooler for a range of Intel and AMD processors, including i7 8700K, highly durable and easy to maintain. The key feature of this product is to achieve CPU cooling without making any fan noise. And in that case, it does its job well. It uses silent wings PWM fan that has airflow optimized fan blades and a low vibration motor.
The design of this CPU cooler for i7 8700K is also quite advanced and ensures optimal results. Another great feature of this cooler is that it can accommodate one more fan of 120mm size, enabling you to get even better cooling.
What We Liked
- Quieter than the most CPU coolers
- Silent Wings PWM fan
- Simple installation
- Pure black design
What We Disliked
- A bit pricey
Noctua NH-D15 Chromax.Black, Dual-Tower CPU Cooler
Type: Dual Tower Air Cooler | Package dimensions: 10.55 x 9.37 x 7.56 inches | Item Weight: 4.88 lbs | Material: Copper base, Aluminium Fins, Nickel Plating | Compatible with Desktop | Features: Supreme heatsink performance, six heat pipe, Low Noise Adaptor, Whisper Quiet Operation, NF-A15 fans (140mm), comes with NT-H1 thermal paste and SecuFirm2 mounting kit, attractive black design.
Another air CPU cooler for i7 8700K is this all-black Noctua NH-D15 dual tower CPU cooler. Not only is this cooler one of the best i7 air coolers, but also the best CPU cooler for i9 9900k processor.
High-quality heatsinks, ultra-wide fans, and aluminum plated cooling fins provide adequate cooling to your CPU and enable the processor to work for hours without hiccups. Variants of Intel and AMD processors can use this cooling device for their system.
Two high quality NF-A15 140mm fans with anti-vibration-pads are used in it. Also, its compatibility with upscale RAM is another useful feature. The silent processing is also fair as you don’t want to hear any noise while performing heavy-duty tasks. Overclockers should consider this excellent CPU cooler to keep their PCs in an optimal state for long hours.
What We Liked
- best CPU cooler overclocking
- Comes with anti-vibration pads
- Compatible with a vast number of CPU sockets
- All black theme
What We Disliked
- Size can be an issue
Conclusion
The CPU cooler is as essential as any other component of your system, especially for high-end PCs like i7 8700k. It is also a MUST for overclocking function. Your system can achieve higher performance if your processor is cool and calm.
Heavy-duty tasks like gaming, productivity tasks, etc., can heat your CPU, resulting in its slow down. And, you don’t want any hurdle while working on your PC. So, it is necessary to treat your computer with a good CPU cooler.
In this article, we have discussed different types of CPU coolers and why they are essential for your system. You can also have a look at the elements to think about before getting a suitable CPU cooler. Additionally, a curated list of Best CPU Cooler for i7 8700k is also shared with you. This will surely give you an idea of which one is best for your processor.
The list contains both air and liquid CPU coolers for i7 8700K and other series of Intel and AMD processors. These CPU coolers use the advanced and intelligent cooling methodology. Most air coolers maintain a low noise level, thereby, letting you concentrate on your work without distraction.
Premium quality fans, better heat dissipation technology, aluminum covered fins, more incredible fan speed, perfect airflow, and anti-vibration pads make sure your CPU is getting enough cooling without noise. Some CPU coolers also include their software solution to let you control and manage different configurations effectively. “Easily Mountable” is another useful feature as most CPU coolers are relatively easy to install on your system. Based on your requirements, you can choose any of these CPU Coolers for i7 8700K.
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