#10 Best CPU Coolers for i5-12600K 2023
The best CPU coolers for i5-12600K will enhance the performance of your CPU. So find the best CPU coolers for i5-12600K through our list below!
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The Core i5-12600K has a TDP of 125 W, which means you must choose the best CPU coolers for i5-12600K with a TDP rating of 125 W or above to maintain its temperature and if you want to overclock this CPU. Another thing to remember is that, like every other unlocked Intel processor, the 12600K package does not include free cooling.
For an ideal temperature, you must choose the best CPU coolers for i5-12600K. And, your PC will not function without CPU cooling. That is why we are here to assist you in locating the best CPU coolers for i5-12600K by offering a list below. Take a look, and then find the best one!
Table of contents
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1.NZXT Kraken X53 240mm CPU Cooler: Best CPU cooler with appealing CPU block and cap
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2.be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 BK022: Best CPU cooler with a deep-black aesthetic
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3.Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L RGB V2 CPU Cooler: Best CPU cooler with leak resistance
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4.Noctua NH-D15 Premium CPU Cooler: Best CPU cooler with advancing air cooling
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5.Noctua NH-U12S chromax.Black: Best CPU cooler with four copper pipes
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6.Corsair iCUE H150i Elite Capellix CPU Cooler: Best CPU cooler with modern design
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7.EK AIO Elite 360mm CPU Cooler: Best CPU cooler with D-RGB light options
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8.Scythe Fuma 2 CPU Air Cooler: Best CPU cooler with two ultra-quiet Kaze Flex fans
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9.Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280 CPU Cooler: Best CPU cooler with thick radiator
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10.MSI MEG CoreLiquid S280 CPU Cooler: Best CPU cooler with new Silent Gale P14 fans
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Does the i5-12600K need a cooler?
The Intel Core i5-12600K is a capable CPU ready to be overclocked and used to power your next gaming system. Selecting the best CPU cooler for i5-12600K is vital since pairing it with a good cooler keeps temperatures under control and prevents overheating.
How do I choose the best CPU cooler for the Intel I5-12600K?
- Socket: Not to add that the Intel Core i5 12600K supports the LGA 1700 socket, necessitating a CPU cooler with an LGA 1700 bracket.
- Space: Space is not a problem unless your other critical components, such as RAM, GPU, and PCIe SSD, are bullied by the large bulky air cooler. The air cooler removes heat; some may consume a large volume, so check the sizes before purchasing.
- Cost: Although the CPU cooler is regarded as a significant purchase, it should be given the proper attention and budget allocation since it may be your only chance of extending the lifetime of your CPU.
- RGB synchronization: CPU coolers take up a lot of space, and what if they’re putting on an excellent RGB light show? If you already have RGB lights on several of your components and want them to function in tandem with the cooler’s lights/patterns, look into the cooler’s RGB sync capability.
What CPU cooler should I use for the I5-12600k?
Any CPU cooler with a TDP of at least 125 W will work perfectly with stock clocks. An AIO cooler is the way to go if you intend to overclock.
What is the average price of the best CPU coolers for I5-12600K?
Since there are many things, you should consider, such as socket, type of cooler, space, features, fans, and other things. Therefore, the price of the best CPU cooler for I5-12600K also varies. The cost of the best CPU cooler for I5-12600K ranges from $50 to $250.
Name | Rank | Check Prices |
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NZXT
Kraken X53 240mm CPU Cooler | #1 | Amazon Nzxt.com eBay |
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be quiet!
Dark Rock Pro 4 BK022 | #2 | Amazon Bequiet.com eBay |
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Cooler Master
MasterLiquid ML240L RGB V2 CPU Cooler | #3 | Amazon Coolermaster.com eBay |
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Noctua
NH-D15 Premium CPU Cooler | #4 | Amazon Noctua.at eBay |
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Noctua
NH-U12S chromax.Black | #5 | Amazon Noctua.at eBay |
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Corsair
iCUE H150i Elite Capellix CPU Cooler | #6 | Amazon Corsair.com eBay |
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EK
AIO Elite 360mm CPU Cooler | #7 | Amazon Ekwb.com eBay |
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Scythe
Fuma 2 CPU Air Cooler | #8 | Amazon Scytheus.com eBay |
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Arctic
Liquid Freezer II 280 CPU Cooler | #9 | Amazon Www2.arctic.ac eBay |
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MSI
MEG CoreLiquid S280 CPU Cooler | #10 | Amazon Msi.com eBay |
10 List of Best CPU Coolers for i5-12600K
- Have a problem
with this product?#1NZXT Kraken X53 240mm CPU Cooler
Best CPU cooler with appealing CPU block and cap
3 readers vote1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:The NZXT Kraken X53 is a piece of artwork that several PC hardware experts have praised. Everything about this AIO cooler is well-made, from the wires to the pips. The CPU block and cap are visually appealing, with a holo RGB circle and logo on top. As a result, it stands out the most in the most visible section of the PC chassis. The RGB patterns are controllable and synchronizable with other peripherals. The Nylon sleeves coated rubber pipes are flexible and less rigid, allowing them to bend safely and effectively within the PC case without disturbing the nearby hardware.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Appealing CPU block and cap
Customizable RGB
Flexible nylon sleeves coated rubber pipes
Great LCDCons (reasons to avoid)
A little more expensive than otherWhat other experts liked
The Kraken X53 has a 240mm radiator that is cooled by two Aer P 120mm fans and is ideal for small-to-medium-sized cases.What other experts didn't like
There is no software control over the fans. - Have a problem
with this product?#2be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 BK022
Best CPU cooler with a deep-black aesthetic
5 readers vote1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:be quiet! Dark Rocks are a pair of great CPU coolers wrapped in no-nonsense, deep-black aesthetics. The Dark Rock Pro 4 manages to sandwich an additional cooling fan between its dual pair of aluminum-fin cooling towers using both 135mm and 120mm fans. The cooling fins are open to enable heat to scout all sides of the cooler and reduce airflow restriction, while the two fans operate in push/pull airflow. Additionally, the cooler features seven copper heat pipes connecting to the base.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Deep-black aesthetic
Features dual pair of aluminum-fin cooling towers
Seven copper heat pipesCons (reasons to avoid)
HeavyWhat other experts liked
The Dark Rock Pro 4 is a strong cooler that can easily match the performance of many AIO 240mm liquid coolers.What other experts didn't like
The cooling potential is somewhat lower than in the previous generation. - Have a problem
with this product?#3Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L RGB V2 CPU Cooler
Best CPU cooler with leak resistance
1 readers vote1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:The Cooler Master MasterLiquid AIO, on the other hand, is a full solution for those looking for excellent thermal performance and styles and lighting inside the PC case environment. The good news is that it comes with many attachments and extras for a fairly low price. The CPU block is purely plastic, yet it looks classic, and it has Cooler Master’s unique hexagon insignia with RGB backlighting. The pipes have been modified with increased leak resistance and an excellent pair of RGB-lit fans with a maximum RPM of 1800 RPM.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Features unique hexagon insignia
Leak resistance
Great designCons (reasons to avoid)
Noisy at peak loadWhat other experts liked
It may be worth considering for users that choose low noise levels above raw thermal performance and are constrained by a small construction space.What other experts didn't like
The reflective stickers on the fans are just unappealing. - Have a problem
with this product?#5Noctua NH-U12S chromax.Black
Best CPU cooler with four copper pipes
4 readers vote1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:The Noctua NH-U12S has a single 120 mm fan connected to a large heatsink. This air cooler uses an NF-F12 PWM fan from its brand, a high-grade fan capable of operating at a maximum of 1500 RPM, and has the most excellent airflow. It features all the essential cushioning on the corners to reduce vibrations and quiet the operation. Moreover, this NH-U12S includes four copper pipes soldered solidly from the heatsink to the copper foundation. The heatsink is horizontally aligned with the cooler and contains aluminum fins to reduce overall weight and increase the dissipation rate.
Pros (reasons to buy)
It uses an NF-F12 PWM fan
Quiet operation
Features four copper pipesCons (reasons to avoid)
ExpensiveWhat other experts liked
The NH-U12S has the cooling capability to cool almost any CPU and is compatible with almost all current CPU sockets.What other experts didn't like
Cools effectively, however installation is difficult. - Have a problem
with this product?#6Corsair iCUE H150i Elite Capellix CPU Cooler
Best CPU cooler with modern design
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:The Corsair H150i Elite Capellix has a traditional look for a modern AIO device. A 360mm aluminum radiator with 20 fins per inch is included. This i5-12600K CPU cooler features neat fittings and is linked to the octagon-shaped pump block by 400m of sleeve tubing. The pump head has 33 Capellix LEDs, much more than any other AIO type. The radiator’s high FPI count indicates that high static pressure fans might perform better. This one is precisely the case, which boasts three ML RGB 120 Series fans.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Modern design
Features neat fittings
The pump head has 33 Capellix LEDsCons (reasons to avoid)
Noisy at high RPMWhat other experts liked
The Corsair H150i Elite Capellix provides top-tier 360-degree cooling performance and integrated system monitoring and control in an one-box solution.What other experts didn't like
Yes, it's pricy, but keep in mind that this is aimed towards PC enthusiasts. - Have a problem
with this product?#7EK AIO Elite 360mm CPU Cooler
Best CPU cooler with D-RGB light options
1 readers vote1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:The EK AIO Elite 360 includes 6x RGB fans, a dazzling CPU block, and a fans controller straight out of the box. These fans are highly recommended for quiet and stylish setups. You may customize your AIO to match its range of entirely addressable D-RGB light options. On the CPU block, this CPU cooler includes high-quality rubber piping with oscillating joints connected. This i5-12600K CPU cooler also consists of a Hub, which allows for multi-linking with seven links of addressable RGB LED headers and four 4-pin PWM fan headers.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Features 6x RGB fans and a fans controller
It has D-RGB light options
Comes with HubCons (reasons to avoid)
NoisyWhat other experts liked
The EK-AIO Elite 360 D-RGB delivers outstanding performance.What other experts didn't like
When fans are running at maximum speed, they make a lot of noise. - Have a problem
with this product?#8Scythe Fuma 2 CPU Air Cooler
Best CPU cooler with two ultra-quiet Kaze Flex fans
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:Scythe Fuma 2 is a dual-tower air cooler that can handle incredibly quiet CPUs. The Fuma 2 is equipped with six heat pipes and two smaller heatsinks. It has two ultra-quiet Kaze Flex 120mm fans. Because it is just 155mm tall, this i5-12600K CPU cooler is a fantastic option for customers who have a case that cannot accommodate the highest air coolers because its base does not contact DIMM slots even when all four slots are occupied.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Quiet operation
Features six heat pipes and two smaller heatsinks
It has two ultra-quiet Kaze Flex 120mm fansCons (reasons to avoid)
There is no RGB lightingWhat other experts liked
It has a fantastic performance, is just 155mm tall, and is relatively quiet.What other experts didn't like
Lacks the ability to properly overclock out of the box. - Have a problem
with this product?#9Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280 CPU Cooler
Best CPU cooler with thick radiator
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:The Arctic Freezer II 280 features a thicker radiator (38 mm), resulting in more space between the fins. Two 140mm P14 PWM fans are located on the front of this radiator. The wiring is securely concealed within the sleeved tubing, an excellent feature of this CPU cooler. It simplifies and cleans up the installation since you need to attach a single 4-pin connection to the motherboard, and you’re done. On the other hand, the head unit area is distinct because it has a little fan that actively cools the VRM space.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Thick radiator
Features two 140mm P14 PWM fans
Easy installationCons (reasons to avoid)
Lacks RGB lightingWhat other experts liked
The Liquid Freezer II differs from conventional AIO watercooling loops in that it incorporates a tiny blower-style fan within the pump assembly, which provides cooling to surrounding VRM components.What other experts didn't like
It lacks RGB illumination for those who want that option. - Have a problem
with this product?#10MSI MEG CoreLiquid S280 CPU Cooler
Best CPU cooler with new Silent Gale P14 fans
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:If you want the best AIO for the i5-12600K and are willing to pay for it, check out MSI’s MEG CoreLiquid S280. This AIO ships with an LGA 1700 bracket. This CPU cooler’s new Silent Gale P14 fans are responsible for airflow. Using the 12600K can keep the CPU under control at both stock and moderate overclocking levels. Aside from its superb performance, the 2.4-inch LCD is the key selling feature of this cooler. It may display system information such as CPU thermals and frequency. It can also display animated GIFs, customized text, and customized logos.
Pros (reasons to buy)
It comes with an LGA 1700 bracket
Features new Silent Gale P14 fans
It has a 2.4-inch LCDCons (reasons to avoid)
ExpensiveWhat other experts liked
The MSI MEG CORELIQUID S280 is an all-in-one liquid cooler that is a great alternative for those looking to add some bling to their IPS display.What other experts didn't like
$249 is a substantial amount to pay for a CPU cooling.
Conclusion: Best CPU Coolers for i5-12600K
The Intel Core i5-12600K is a capable CPU ready to be overclocked and used to power your next gaming system. Combining it with an adequate cooler keeps temperatures under control and prevents overheating, which is why we’ve included a list of the best CPU coolers for Intel Core i5-12600K above. We hope you can find the best one!