The i7-14700K is one of Intel’s fastest gaming CPUs, providing outstanding value thanks to its 20 cores and 28 threads running at 5.6GHz boost clocks. However, to sustain the CPU’s performance, you also need adequate cooling. Therefore, after extensive research, we have compiled a list of the top CPU coolers for i7-14700K in this guide.
Before we ruffle into the specifics, here are the general specifications of my recommended coolers:
Last Updated:
- May 10, 2024: I have made some formatting changes to improve readability.
Here are more tested round-ups for the Intel Core i7-14700K:
Best CPU Cooler For i7-14700K
I would recommend these coolers for the i7-14700K
- Best Overall: ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360mm A-RGB
- Best Performance: EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB
- Best Air Cooler: Be Quiet! Dark Rock Elite
- Best Budget: Enermax Aquafusion ADV 360mm A-RGB
- Best 240mm: Corsair iCUE H100i Elite Capellix XT
- Best 420mm: Alphacool Aurora Eisbaer Pro 420mm
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360mm A-RGB
Best Overall CPU Cooler For i7-14700K
Specifications: Fans: 3x ARCTIC P12 PWM 120mm fans | Fan Speed: 200 — 1,800RPM | Noise: 10.64dB(A) | Dimensions: 398 x 120 x 38mm | Socket Compatibility: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 115X, 2066, 2011-3 AMD: AM5, AM4 | RGB: Yes
Pros
- Pre-installed fans
- Easy installation
- Wide socket support
- Amazing thermal performance
Cons
- No fan control
The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II has a 300W TDP, enough for any high-end processor, including the i7-14700K. Our dedicated testing showed the i7-14700K hitting a maximum of 45°C to 55°C under heavier loads. Additionally, you can easily overclock and enhance your performance. The build quality of the AIO is fantastic. Upon inspection, we discovered that the heat dissipation and the product’s longevity increased with a fully aluminum build and copper fins. The AIO also offers a copper baseplate and a metallic designed pump, showcasing superb build quality.
The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II is one of the most aesthetically pleasing coolers. You get fully customizable RGB for your fans. However, you won’t get any RGB on the pump itself. The thick tubes make the AIO more aesthetically pleasing. You can make the cooler fit in most build types with black and gray colors.
Awais Khan, one of our hardware reviewers who tested the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360mm AIO, said this:
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360 is a no-frill design that is cost-effective and a low-noise cooling solution from the manufacturer. It packs good performance and offers high convenience during handling and installation. It comes recommended by us.
Buy It If
We took a few images of the cooler during our review:
✅ You’re new to AIO coolers and want high-end performance: The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360mm AIO offers easy installation, making it user-friendly for newcomers. If you’re new to AIOs and are looking for a high-performance cooler, we recommend purchasing this one.
Don’t Buy It If
❌ You need fan control: Unfortunately, the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II does now allow users the pump and VRM fan control. The fans catch speed and work depending on the temperatures, and you cannot set your preferred fan speeds.
What Makes It The Best Overall CPU Cooler For i7-14700K?
The exceptional thermal performance, unique pump design, high-quality build, thick tubes, and silent fans are a few reasons that make the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360mm AIO the best overall CPU cooler for i7-14700K. Furthermore, the AIO’s value increases with lots of thermal headroom and overclocking potential.
I loved the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360mm AIO cooler the most out of all the selections because of its outstanding cooling performance, exotic aesthetics, and impressive value in terms of price and performance. If you want the best balance between performance, price, aesthetics, and build quality, then this purchase will keep you happy.
– Usman Saleem
- Read Our ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360mm AIO Cooler Review
- Best 360mm AIO Coolers
- Best LGA 1700 CPU Coolers
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Noise: 10/10 | Design: 9/10 |
EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB
Best Performance CPU Cooler For i7-14700K
Specifications: Fans: 3x EK-Loop fan FPT D-RGB 120mm | Fan Speed: 550 — 2,300RPM | Noise: 36dB(A) | Dimensions: 400 x 124 x 27mm | Socket Compatibility: Intel: LGA 1700, 115X, 1200, 2011, 2011-3, 2066 AMD: AM5, AM4 | RGB: Yes
Pros
- Thermal performance
- Removable lid
- Six-year warranty
- EK-OmniLink
- Radiator design
Cons
- Noisy fans
The EK Nucleus AIO CR360 offers 3x 120mm fans. With a 300W TDP, you can efficiently dissipate enough heat to cool the i7-14700K, allowing it to overclock considerably well. During our dedicated testing, the i7-14700K was running at ~43°C to 48°C under heavy gaming loads. The heat dissipation properties increase significantly with a complete aluminum radiator design and a copper coldplate as we delve into the cooler’s build quality. Also, the 400m thick tube is made of an ultra-low evaporation rubber with nylon braided sleeves, exponentially increasing the AIO tube’s longevity.
The EK Nucleus AIO CR360 has an amazingly dark aesthetic. Because the cooler has D-RGB, we used our Gigabyte X670E Aorus Master motherboard’s supporting software to customize the RGB easily. The pump itself looks beautiful and fits well with most PC builds.
Summarizing the cooler’s performance, Awais Khan states in his review:
EK Water Blocks is back in business with its new generation of liquid coolers in the AIO category. Meet the EK-Nucleus AIO CR360 LUX D-RGB cooler, which is quite innovative from its design. It packs a solid performance punch that the competition has to manage. The digital RGB lighting is quite brilliant. We have everything to love about this cooler, albeit a bit high price tag.
Buy It If
Here are a few images from our review:
✅ You want maximum thermal performance without cable clutter: If you want the ultimate thermal performance for your i7-14700K, the EK Nucleus AIO CR360 will serve you well. Furthermore, the cooler doesn’t make a mess with lots of cables and improves the overall aesthetic.
Don’t Buy It If
❌ You dislike noisy fans: With a fan noise of ~36dB(A), the EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB isn’t the quietest cooler out there. If you dislike noise in your environment while working, I wouldn’t recommend you buy the cooler. You can, however, lower the fan speed to reduce fan noise if that’s an issue.
What Makes It The Best Performance CPU Cooler For i7-14700K?
The high-density and high-quality fins, along with an aluminum-based radiator having a copper coldplate and outstanding heat dissipation thanks to the 120mm fans running at a maximum of 2,300RPM speeds, are a few reasons that make the EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB the best performance CPU cooler for i7-14700K.
| Performance: 10/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Noise: 7/10 | Design: 9/10 |
Be Quiet! Dark Rock Elite
Best Air Cooler For i7-14700K
Specifications: Fans: 2x Silent Wings 135mm PWM Fans | Fan Speed: 2,000RPM | Noise: 25.8dB(A) | Dimensions: 120 x 136 x 168mm | Socket Compatibility: Intel: LGA 1700, 115X, 1200 AMD: AM5, AM4 | RGB: Yes
Pros
- Excellent thermal performance
- Magnetic top cover
- Subtle A-RGB lighting
- Convenient installation
- Superb build quality
- Decent overclocking headroom
Cons
- Shorter warranty period
- PC case & RAM compatibility issues
The Be Quiet! Dark Rock Elite air cooler provides outstanding cooling performance thanks to its dual-tower design, housing 2x 135mm PWM fans running at 2,000 RPM speeds. Moreover, during our dedicated cooling tests with i7-14700K, the CPU cooler showed no thermal throttling issues at full load. Besides its impressive cooling performance, the air cooler also has premium build quality, with seven heat pipes directly soldered to a copper baseplate to improve the cooler’s heat dissipation capabilities. Additionally, we loved the cooler’s aluminum heatsink with a thicker FPI for better cooling. The fans also have anti-vibration pads.
The Be Quiet! Dark Rock Elite air cooler surprised us with its beautiful aesthetics, featuring a magnetic lid at the top along with slight A-RGB lighting. Furthermore, the air cooler also has a darker aesthetic, which looks beautiful in stealthier builds with slight RGB here and there. So, this cooler is perfect if you don’t want too much RGB.
Complimenting the cooler’s outstanding performance, Hayyan Server, one of our cooler experts, said:
The be quiet! Dark Rock Elite is a premium air cooler offering top-notch cooling with its dual-tower design, two Silent Wings 4 fans, and 7 heat pipes. It combines performance with aesthetics, featuring ARGB LEDs and a special black coating for improved heat transfer.
Buy It If
We took a few images while reviewing the cooler:
✅ You require outstanding air cooling with beautiful aesthetics: If you’re looking for an air cooler that provides outstanding cooling performance when paired with i7-14700K and also has beautiful aesthetics, then we recommend purchasing the Be Quiet! Dark Rock Elite because of its airflow and looks.
Don’t Buy It If
❌ You have clearance issues, and you want a longer warranty: We don’t recommend buying this air cooler if you’re likely to face RAM or PC case clearance issues because the cooler has ~32mm of RAM clearance. Also, the cooler has a 3-year warranty, so if you want a longer warranty, you should stay clear of this product.
What Makes It The Best Air Cooler For i7-14700K?
The Be Quiet! Dark Rock Elite CPU cooler provides outstanding air cooling with its 2x 135mm fans running at 2,000 RPM, which also improves the PC’s airflow. The cooler also has beautiful aesthetics and superb build quality. Thus making it the best air cooler for i7-14700K.
| Performance: 8/10 | Value: 9/10 |
| Noise: 9/10 | Design: 8/10 |
Enermax Aquafusion ADV 360mm A-RGB
Best Budget CPU Cooler For i7-14700K
Specifications: Fans: 3x SquA RGB ADV 120mm fans | Fan Speed: 500 — 2,000RPM | Noise: 15 — 32.6dB(A) | Dimensions: 394 x 120 x 27mm | Socket Compatibility: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 115X, 2066, 2011, 2011-3, 1366 AMD: AM4, AM5 | RGB: Yes
Pros
- Brilliant A-RGB lighting
- Infinity mirror
- Great budget thermal performance
- 380W TDP rating
Cons
- Noisy fans
- Lackluster design
The Enermax Aquafusion ADV 360mm AIO cooler houses 3x 120mm fans running at a maximum speed of 2,000 RPM. Moreover, the i7-14700K CPU averaged 57°C to 60°C during our game testing. So, you can slightly overclock your CPU while keeping the temperatures at ~75°C. The Enermax Aquafusion ADV 360mm has a thinner radiator than other AIO coolers. In any case, the AIO showcases a copper baseplate with an aluminum-designed radiator. Additionally, while installing the cooler, we realized the 400mm tube does not kink, providing a 90° bend.
The cooler’s new infinity mirror technology gives it a decent look with a big pump design. In person, it looks great, but the “Enermax” text’s direction can’t be changed. Meaning you can’t move the pump. Other than that, we find the black design looks gorgeous, and the RGB fans even out the dark aesthetic.
Talking about the cooler’s value, our hardware expert, Nauman Siddique, stated during his cooler review:
ENERMAX is providing a comprehensive performance-packed and feature-rich cooling solution at pocket-friendly pricing with a generous 5-year warranty. Performance and digital lighting are two hallmarks of this cooler, and compatibility with Intel LGA1700 and AMD AM5 sockets. This unit comes recommended by us, though keep an ear out for fan noise!
Buy It If
Here are a few images of the cooler:
✅ You require remarkable 360mm AIO cooling on a tight budget: Wanting a 360mm AIO to cool your high-end processor is a logical move for any gamer. If you’re looking for a 360mm AIO cooler under a tighter budget, we recommend the Enermax Aquafusion ADV 360mm AIO.
Don’t Buy It If
❌ You’re not a fan of thin radiators: While it provides a different look, if you’re not a fan of slim radiator designs, the Enermax Aquafusion AIO won’t suit your tastes. The radiator doesn’t have a durable feel, although it is pretty durable in its own right.
What Makes It The Best Budget CPU Cooler For i7-14700K?
Enough cooling performance for gamers to allow overclocking their processor while staying under a short budget, a robust design, and RGB possibilities make the Enermax Aquafusion ADV 360mm AIO the best budget CPU cooler for i7-14700K.
| Performance: 8/10 | Value: 10/10 |
| Noise: 7/10 | Design: 8/10 |
Corsair iCUE H100i Elite Capellix XT
Best 240mm CPU Cooler For i7-14700K
Specifications: Fans: 2x AF RGB Elite 120mm fans | Fan Speed: 550 — 2,100RPM | Noise Level: 5 — 34.1dB(A) | Dimensions: 277 x 120 x 27mm | Socket Compatibility: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011, 2066 AMD: AM4, AM5, sTRX4, sTR4 | RGB: Yes
Pros
- Removable pump cap
- Comprehensive software capabilities
- Customizable CPU block
- Commander Core and iCUE
- Multiple color options
Cons
- USB 2.0 header requirement
- Non-magnetic commander core
The Corsair iCUE H100i Elite Capellix XT cooler houses 2x 120mm fans that run at 2,100RPM speeds. Furthermore, the processor averaged between 59°C and 62°C in our gaming tests, making it possible to overclock the i7-14700K. Moreover, we got a decent performance boost through our overclocking tests. The cooler’s coldplate is made of 100% pure copper, while the radiator has an aluminum design with a few chunks of metal. Moreover, the tubes are made of black-sleeved low-permeation rubber, which increases the tubes’ lifespan. The cooler also comes with three pump caps and a cap remover tool.
You can easily customize the RGB on the cooler with access to Corsair’s commander core and iCUE technologies. Additionally, the Corsair iCUE H100i is a perfect cooler to install in a white PC build. If you want a different pump cap, you can easily change it, making customization easier.
Talking about the value of the Corsair iCUE H100i, Nauman Siddique staples his opinion in his review:
CORSAIR iCUE H100i Elite Capellix XT White cooler is another top-performing AIO offer from the manufacturer in the 240mm size category. This cooler offers a nice blend of performance and features with a 5-year warranty, albeit at a steep price.
Buy It If
We took a few images of the cooler:
✅ You want a decent-value cooler with exceptional performance: The Corsair iCUE H100i Elite Capellix XT 240mm AIO cooler offers decent value. If you’re under a slightly tighter budget but want to overclock the i7-14700K, we recommend buying this cooler.
Don’t Buy It If
❌ You don’t have a free USB 2.0 header: For reasons unknown, Corsair decided to include a USB 2.0 header with the commander core. Therefore, if you don’t have a spare USB 2.0 header to connect the commander core, I don’t recommend purchasing the Corsair iCUE H100i Elite Capellix XT 240mm AIO.
What Makes It The Best 240mm CPU Cooler For i7-14700K?
The impressive cooling performance capabilities for its size, along with customization capabilities and overclocking potential, make the Corsair iCUE H100i Elite Capellix XT the best 240mm CPU cooler for i7-14700K. The high-quality, durable material, along with the fast yet silent fans, add to the value of the AIO cooler.
- Read Our Corsair iCUE H100i Elite Capellix XT 240mm CPU Cooler Review
- Best White CPU Coolers
- Best Whiet PC Cases
- Best 240mm AIO Coolers
| Performance: 8/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Noise: 9/10 | Design: 10/10 |
Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 420mm
Best 420mm CPU Cooler For i7-14700K
Specifications: Fans: 3x Rise Aurora 140mm fans | Fan Speed: 0 — 2,000RPM | Noise Level: N/A | Dimensions: 460 x 144 x 30mm | Socket Compatibility: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011, 2011-3, 2066, 3647, 4189 AMD: AM4, AM5, TR4, sTRX4, sWRX8, SP3 | RGB: Yes
Pros
- Full stainless steel radiator
- Amazing aesthetics
- Extensive socket support
- Fantastic modularity
Cons
- Noisy fans
- Unsuited for bigger cases
The i7-14700K averaged 50°C and 55°C during our game tests at higher loads with the Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 420mm cooler. Therefore, you can go haywire if you want to overclock the processor. However, figuring out the proper airflow can be difficult because of its bigger radiator. The Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora has copper cooling fins and a nickel-plated copper coldplate. Moreover, the cooler houses brass threads and a stainless steel radiator. These materials help immensely with heat dissipation, which is why the AIO has such impressive cooling performance.
The Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora’s radiator comes in black, while the tubes have a matte black finish, providing a darker aesthetic. The leading beauty lies in the CPU block, however. With a side-open glass, you get a new look most coolers don’t offer. We truly loved the cooler’s design and aesthetic.
After testing multiple CPU coolers back-to-back, our hardware tester, Sajjad Hussain, commented:
Their Eisbaer Pro AURORA 420 is an all-rounder liquid cooler capable of taming your high-end CPUs with the ability and capacity to handle overclocking as well. Plus, it comes with extensive socket support and an aura of digital RGB lighting effects.
Buy It If
We took a few images of the cooler:
✅ You need a modular AIO cooler: Not many AIO coolers offer modularity. The Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora has quick disconnect fittings that allow users to install more radiators. Furthermore, you get a handy refill port when refilling the liquid in the cooler. These features make the cooler modular and are things many gamers look for in modern AIO coolers.
Don’t Buy It If
❌ You have a smaller case: If you have a smaller ATX case, the Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 420mm AIO might not fit in the chassis. Even if it does, you may get issues with GPU installation. Moreover, you can’t fit the cooler on top either, leaving only a front installation available.
What Makes It The Best 420mm CPU Cooler For i7-14700K?
The remarkable build quality and terrific cooling performance of the Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora allows gamers to overclock their processor easily, making it the best 420mm CPU cooler for i7-14700K. The epic looks and dark aesthetics with slim fans make the cooler a better prospect than its competition.
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Noise: 7/10 | Design: 10/10 |
Some Coolers We Passed On
Testing various CPU coolers made us realize not all of them are the best choices for i7-14700K. Here are a few strong contenders we didn’t select:
- Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4: The higher price and compatibility issues drop its overall value.
- Alphacool Eisbaer Pro HPE Aurora 360: It produces greater noise than its competition.
Benchmarks Of The Best CPU Coolers For i7-14700K
The cooling performance of a cooler is the most important factor before purchase, and as such, we have incorporated our testing results in the following graphs. You will be able to find test results of our selected products while the i7-14700K is under full load and the temperatures we observed in multiple games.
Important CPU Cooler Key Terms
- FPI: Short for Fins Per Inch, FPI is a crucial term for radiators to know how many fins a radiator has. More fins translates to better cooling capabilities for the CPU cooler.
- CFM: Also stands for Cubic Feet per Minute; CFM is a crucial reading for fans, showcasing how much air they can move depending on their strength in a given area. Higher CFM equates to better airflow capabilities.
- RPM: Rotations Per Minute define how many rotational cycles a fan can perform in a minute. Faster RPM speeds equate to greater cooling but also more noise.
- Radiator: Radiators are the heat exchangers of an AIO CPU cooler. They are densely packed with heat fins and come in different sizes: 120mm, 240mm, 280mm, 360mm, 420mm, and 480mm. You can mount your radiator at the top, front, or side of the case as per your airflow and aesthetic requirements.
- Heatsink: Heatsinks are present in CPU and GPU coolers and are made of highly conductive metals to absorb and dissipate heat.
- TDP: Short for Thermal Design Power, TDP differs for CPUs and CPU coolers. For a CPU, the TDP states the amount of heat the processor emits. On the other hand, for a CPU cooler, the TDP refers to the amount of heat the cooler dissipates. Your cooler’s TDP should always be higher than your processor’s.
How We Tested & Picked The Best CPU Cooler For i7-14700K
Factors to consider before purchasing a CPU cooler can be quite complex if you’re new and don’t understand CPU coolers that well. Therefore, I compiled a short list of what you should look for in a CPU cooler when you purchase one for your i7-14700K.
- Size: I always measure my RAM clearance space for an air cooler, GPU clearance space for a front radiator, and overall chassis measurement for AIO cooling to avoid mishaps. That’s how I selected the best 240mm, 360mm, and 420mm AIO coolers and the best air cooler for i7-14700K.
- Noise Levels: A good fan noise is around 30dB(A) to 35dB(A). The annoying fan whirring noise starts from 45dB(A) and above. Therefore, I chose CPU coolers that don’t produce so much noise while keeping the cooling performance in check.
- TDP: When choosing a CPU cooler, you must always ensure your CPU cooler’s TDP rating is higher than the TDP rating of the processor you’re purchasing. If the cooler’s TDP is lower than the CPU’s, you will emit more heat than dissipating. Thus, the cooler will be inefficient, and you will see thermal throttling.
- Aesthetics: After the graphics card, the second most prominent component is the CPU cooler. You’ll want the best aesthetics if you build a flashy build with lots of eye candy. For that reason, I specifically chose CPU coolers whose RGB can be modified and have exotic designs to fit with different PC themes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Going with an AIO cooler is the best option to cool the Intel Core i7-14700K.
It depends. If you’re using a high-end air cooler like the Noctua NH-D15S Chromax.Black, air cooling will be enough. However, if you use a budget air cooler, you might not get the same results.
No. The Intel Core i7-14700K processor does not come with a cooler.
The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360mm A-RGB AIO cooler is the best cooler for the Intel Core i7-14700K processor.
The Intel Core i7-14700K has a 125W base TDP and a 253W turbo power TDP, and utilizes as much power.
Looking for more options? We have you covered:
- Best CPU Coolers For i9-14900K
- Best CPU Coolers For i9-14900KF
- Best CPU Coolers For i7-14700KF
- Best CPU Coolers For i5-14600K
- Best CPU Coolers For i5-14600KF
Recent Updates
- February 13, 2024: We have replaced the Noctua NH-D15S Chromax.Black with the Be Quiet! Dark Rock Elite due to the latter having lower fan noise while providing similar cooling performance and wearing a similar price tag.
- November 2, 2023: A few text and grammar changes to improve readability. No products were changed.
Thank you! Please share your positive feedback. 🔋
How could we improve this post? Please Help us. 😔
[Reviews Specialist]
Usman Saleem brings 8+ years of comprehensive PC hardware expertise to the table. His journey in the tech world has involved in-depth tech analysis and insightful PC hardware reviews, perfecting over 6+ years of dedicated work. Usman’s commitment to staying authentic and relevant in the field is underscored by many professional certifications, including a recent one in Google IT Support Specialization.
- 8+ years of specialized PC hardware coverage
- 6+ years of in-depth PC hardware analysis and reviews
- Lead PC hardware expert across multiple tech journalism platforms
- Certified in Google IT Support Specialization
