As AMD and Intel continue to compete to produce better and more well-liked products, Intel continuously aims to boost its popularity among consumers. Consumers choose between the two brands based on their priorities, even though both are leaders and innovators in the field. AMD is launching a next-gen CPU series, going by the name of Ryzen 7000 using AMD’s AM5 sockets. As an answer, Intel introduced their 13th Gen CPU lineup with the i9 series being at the top, supporting the LGA 1700, trying to keep the latest generation product manufacturing neck-to-neck. As high-end performance means excessive heat production, heat dissipation is essential for flagship processors to provide the best performance. For starters, the Intel 13th Gen Supports Z790, H770, and B760.
Intel Core i9-13900K is a top-of-the-line latest gen processor and the cooler required to provide proper and efficient thermal dissipation to the CPU must be compatible and powerful enough as well. Let’s examine the best coolers on the market for Intel’s newest Core i9-13900K flagship processor concerning certain criteria and nominate the Best CPU Cooler For Core i9-13900K for every category. But before we start, let’s dive down into the specs and discuss the processor in detail.
Moreover, if you are in a rush, here are all our i9-13900K CPU Cooler picks, compared with each other.
Last update on 2023-03-31
Intel Core i9-13900k Specifications
Intel recently gave a sneak peek into Intel’s 13th Gen Core i9 processor, which is expected to be unveiled in the market in late September 2022. Using 32 threads, which is double the amount found in its predecessor, LGA 1700 comes with a microarchitecture of a 10 nm manufacturing process. It is a member of the Raptor Lake series with an LGA 1700 socket. The Core i9-13900K features 36MB of L3 cache and runs at 3GHz at a normal rate, but it can go up to a maximum of 5.8GHz when required as it can be unlocked when overclocking is needed for best performance.
Also Read: Best CPU Coolers For i7-13700k
A TDP of around 125W is staggering and such power consumption produces a lot of heat and requires a much more efficient and powerful heat dissipation process and hardware. Core i9-13900K supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory support integrated with the UHD Graphics 770 graphics.
Intel Core i9-13900K, a member of the Raptor Lake series, will use the LGA 1700 socket. To understand more about the architecture, let’s dig down and find out more about this newest socket unveiled by Intel.
Intel LGA 1700 Socket Specifications
LGA 1700 is a socket that features 1700 pins in contact with the processor facilitating better connectivity with the processor. However, it means that better design and structure should be used to maintain the adjustments with the CPU. To counter this LGA 1700 comes much larger to ensure that it is better connected with the mounting holes on the heatsink necessary for proper cooling and heat dissipation performance. It is necessary that the holes on the heatsink must overlap the positions of the processor producing such a large amount of heat. If both positions do not fit together, the cooling efficiency is cut to a minimum.
The larger heatsink design may result in the processor being deformed, making it almost impossible for the cooler to be aligned with the CPU ultimately resulting in inefficient heat radiation and greater heat accumulation. The only way to counter this is to use a recommended cooling system or to opt to use a mounting kit for support. This might keep the processor from bending and help it stay in place. Relying on this technique, some motherboards provide extra mounting holes for the users to keep using their preferred coolers on an LGA 1700 motherboard. We recommend reading our Best Motherboard For Intel Core i9-13900k article to get familiar.
Best CPU Coolers For i9-13900K
A new beast of a CPU, called the Intel Core i9-13900K, will soon be released by Intel; the best performers like these produce a lot of heat owing to overclocking because most Intel CPUs are known for high-end performance and relatively minimal heat production. Before purchasing the goods, we carefully chose a few coolers and arranged them by the preferences of the majority of customers. When searching for the Best i9-13900K CPU Cooler, readers may find it helpful to choose their cooler based on their preferences in this manner.
Here are our 6 picks for the Best CPU Cooler For i9-13900K:
- Noctua NH-D15 Chromax Black
- CORSAIR iCUE H150i ELITE LCD
- ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 ARGB
- ASUS ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB White Edition
- MSI MAG Series CORELIQUID 360R
- Noctua NH-L9i-17xx Chromax Black
Noctua NH-D15 chromax.Black
Best Overall CPU Cooler For i9-13900K
Specifications = Fans: 2x 140 mm | Fans Speed: 300-1500 RPM | Noise: 24.6 dB(A) | Dimensions: 165 x 150 x 161 mm | Socket Compatibility: Intel Sockets: LGA 1700, 1200, 1156, 1155, 1151, 1150, 2066, 2011-0, 2011-3 (Square ILM), AMD Sockets: AM4, AM5 | RGB Fans: No
Pros
- Hassle-free installation.
- 2x included 140mm NF-A15 fans.
- Top-tier performance.
- Splendid black aesthetics.
- Premium build quality.
- Six years warranty.
Cons
- A bit pricy.
- It May cause clearance issues.
How can we compile a list of the Intel Core i9-13900K CPU Coolers and not include Noctua in it? Whenever it comes to CPU coolers and thermal products, Noctua easily stands out from the crowd. It is one of the most reputable and trusted brands and an obvious choice for anyone searching for a premium CPU cooler, fan, and other thermal accessories. Noctua has renowned itself in the PC thermal industry through its dedication to manufacturing and delivering top-notch products to its loyal customers, and the Noctua NH-D15 chromax.Black is no different than that.
Continuing its tradition, Noctua has introduced an all-black version of its award-winning flagship CPU cooler, the NH-D15 chromax.Black. It follows the same journey as its predecessors and strives to deliver the ultimate performance like the legendary NH-D14. The NH-D15 chromax.Black is completely covered in black from top to bottom, making it ideal for any black lover PC builder. Black mounting components, a black heatsink, black fans with black anti-vibration pads, and black fan clips, every nook, and cranny of NH-D15 are covered in a black shade. The NH-D15 easily fits in any color scheme with its amazing black aesthetics but it looks especially wonderful in an all-black theme build. Noctua also gives you an option to spice things up and color-customize your NH-D15 chromax.Black using the optional heatsink covers.
Helpful: If you are on the F version, take a look at our Best CPU Coolers For i9-13900KF Article.
When it comes to compatibility, you won’t have any kinds of problems with the NH-D15 chromax.Black as it is compatible with a broad range of sockets including Intel’s LGA 1700, LGA1200, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1151, LGA1150, LGA2066, LGA2011-0, LGA2011-3 (Square ILM) and AMD’s AM4, and AM5 sockets, all thanks to Noctua’s Secufirm 2 multi-socket mounting system. The LGA 1700 is the most important for this review, as Intel’s upcoming i9-13900K is based on the LGA 1700 socket.
The NH-D15 is filled with extensive cooling solutions, making it a good CPU cooler for i9-13900K processor; six heat pipes are used in the dual-tower design of the Noctua NH-D15 chromax.Black. The dual-tower design offers a bigger surface area and hence superior cooling capability, rivaling the performance of an AIO liquid cooler. Copper has been used for manufacturing the base as well as the heat pipes, thus improving overall heat conductivity for better cooling efficiency. Aluminum was used in the construction of the cooling fins to make them lighter and more durable. Additionally, the 150mm-wide cooling fins and its widely spaced heat pipes enable more even heat transfer over a broader surface area. Because of the way Noctua designed and built the heat pipes and heatsinks for the NH-D15, it can operate in dual fan mode with more efficiency and better heat dispersion.
The NH-D15 from Noctua has twin fans, and the fans that Noctua has paired with the NH-D15 are its top-tier and premium NF-A15. Although the NF-A15 fans’ maximum speed of 1500 RPM is not the highest on our list, the larger 140mm surface area significantly improves airflow and lowers the 13900K stock cooler noise levels’ to further minimize noise, Noctua also offers two low-noise adapters for each fan.
The low-noise adapter allows you to crack up the fans up to 1200 RPM, making it ideal for medium workloads while producing minimum noise. Additionally, the fans provided by Noctua for the NH-D15 chromax.Black also supports PWM, so you can easily adjust their speed to the circumstance. Additionally, Noctua offers a six-year manufacturer’s warranty with the cooler, so you can simply replace it in the event of an issue in the future.
What we liked
The Noctua NH-D15 has so many amazing and fascinating features that we want to acquire it right away. With its expanded dual heatsinks and 3x heat pipes, it can even cool down an overclocked CPU on the market and has more than enough cooling power for the Core i9-13900K. The twin fan setup on a dual tower design is like the cherry on top, making the NH-D15 chromax.Black one of the top competitors. If you are interested, also watch our unboxing video of the NOCTUA NH-D15.
What we disliked
The Noctua NH-D15 has a lot going for it and thankfully after carefully examining this beast of a cooler, we can safely say that there is no issue with this cooler that could be considered a deal breaker. However, there are a few things worth mentioning, firstly, the NH-D15 is a little pricey for an air cooler, but given the features and performance it offers, the cost is justifiable. Additionally, because of the height of the CPU, you may want to check your case’s clearance, and confirm whether it can fit NH-D15 or not before making a purchase.
Verdict
It is now impossible to refrain from the incredible NH-D15; it performs far better than many air coolers in terms of performance, has excellent aesthetics for an air cooler, and its all-black shell looks just amazing. In our books, the Noctua NH-D15 deserves the title of the Best Overall CPU Cooler For i9-13900K, we can easily recommend it to anyone who has their eyes on the upcoming Intel Core i9-13900K processor. If this is your choice, go through our NOCTUA NH-D15S Chromax Black Review.
CORSAIR iCUE H150i ELITE LCD
Best 360mm AIO Cooler For i9-13900K
Specifications = Fans: 3x 120 mm | Fan Speed: 450-2000 RPM | Noise: 30.4 dB(A) | Dimensions: 397 x 120 x 27 mm | Socket Compatibility: Intel Sockets: LGA 1700, 1200, 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1366, 2011, 2066, AMD Sockets: AM5, AM4, sTRX4, sTR4 | RGB Fans: No
Pros
- 2.1-inches LCD.
- Amazing cooling potential.
- 3x included 120mm ML RGB ELITE fans.
- 5 years warranty.
- Top-notch build quality.
Cons
- Can be quite heavy on the wallet.
With time, Corsair has established its name in the PC component and gaming industries; it is a well-known brand, especially among gamers. Under its hood, Corsair is home to a wide range of products, including fans, AIO, air coolers, keyboards, mice, and gamers’ beloved RGB lighting. They are a top option for PC builders since their whole product selection is of the highest caliber and meets consumer requirements. Corsair excels at designing and manufacturing CPU coolers and has numerous tricks up its sleeves. The CORSAIR iCue H150i ELITE LCD truly lives up to our expectations and strives to be the Best.
Right out of the box, the CORSAIR iCUE H150i ELITE LCD dazzles us with its beauty. It gets its name from the 2.1-inches IPS LCD Display with a 480×480 resolution and a 600 nits ultra-bright screen featured on its pump. You can customize this display to showcase your favorite animated GIFs, and your team’s logo, or choose from various pre-installed screens and lighting profiles for ultimate aesthetics.
The iCUE H150i ELITE’s pump is not just all about aesthetics, it is also capable of delivering great performance to prevent thermal throttling while keeping low noise levels. Split-flow copper cold plate design and a high-density fin stack provide highly efficient cooling at all loads. The pump even has an RGB LED ring around the LCD screen that can be used to display a range of wonderful colors and lighting profiles for an amazing-looking build, especially in tempered glass or open-air cases.
CORSAIR iCUE H150i ELITE LCD features 3x 120mm ML RGB ELITE magnetic levitation fans with each fan having eight LEDs and being built with AirGuide technology to maximize the airflow intake for the best CPU cooling performance. These fans are capable of reaching staggering speeds of up to 2000 RPM with a noise level of 30.4 dBA and can run as low as 450 RPM. On top of that, to further reduce unnecessary noise production, the Zero RPM cooling profiles in the CORSAIR iCUE H150i ELITE brings all the fans to a complete stop at low temperatures and workloads.
The iCUE H150i ELITE Cooler comes with an iCUE COMMANDER CORE that can be used to control the lighting and fan speeds of not only the fans included with the cooler, but also up to a total of six case fans.
Also Read: Best CPU Cooler For i9-12900k
The CORSAIR iCUE H150i ELITE comprises a 360mm radiator to meet the thermals demands of the Intel i9-13900K, as the 360mm radiator is neither large enough to cause installation problems nor small enough to comprise cooling.
The iCUE H150i ELITE fulfills all our demands with its broad compatibility range. It supports Intel’s LGA 1200, 115X, 2066, and 2011, and the LGA 1700 socket that will be utilized by the upcoming i9-13900K stock cooler. On top of these sockets, the ELITE coolers also support AMD’s AM4, STRX4, and STR4 sockets. CORSAIR wraps up the whole deal with a 5-year-old warranty, so you can easily get it repaired/ replaced in case of any damage.
What we liked
The main highlight of CORSAIR iCUE H150i ELITE LCD is its amazing 2.1-inches display that can be used to either monitor the i9-13900K stock cooler temps or display a range of vivid colors and animations, making it look gorgeous. The cooler doesn’t just look wonderful but also performs like a beast, its 3x 120mm fans are capable of reaching 2000 RPM to cool down the Core i9-13900K even at maximum workloads, making it one of the Best CPU Cooler For Core i9-13900K.
What we disliked
CORSAIR iCUE H150i ELITE LCD is definitely among the very best CPU coolers out in the market, but it also brings a hefty price tag to it. At around $260, this is a very expensive cooler, but its amazing performance and stylish appearance with an LCD screen somewhat make up for it.
Verdict
If you can afford a $260 CPU and dig its looks, we will recommend going for it and can guarantee that you won’t be disappointed with the CORSAIR iCUE H150i ELITE LCD. Aside from its glamorous looks and an LCD, it has an amazing cooling potential, more than enough to fulfill the thermal demands of the Core i9-13900K, making it the Best 360mm AIO Cooler For i9-13900K. You may read our Corsair H150i Review Here.
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240-ARGB
Best 240mm AIO Cooler For i9-13900K
Specifications = Fans: 2x 120 mm | Fans Speed: 1800 RPM | Noise: 10.64 dB(A) | Dimensions: 277 x 120 x 38 mm (Radiator) | Socket Compatibility: Intel Sockets: LGA 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011-3, 2066, Square ILM, AMD Sockets: AM4, AM5 | RGB Fans: Yes
Pros
- Futuristic pump design.
- Top-tier cooling capability.
- 2x included 120mm PWM A-RGB fans.
- Integrated cable management.
- Remarkably quiet.
- Value for money.
- Six years warranty.
Cons
- Installation can be difficult.
ARCTIC’s name hints that it is a thermal-related company, and no doubt ARCTIC excels at what it does; it is a well well-established company in the industry, popular for its PC thermal products. They are a go-to choice for customers looking for thermal products, including fans, CPU coolers, and thermal paste. ARCTIC’s premium and durable products are known for their extraordinary performance and superb reliability. ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB is one of the top choices, and we will explain why.
The futuristic-looking pump design of the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II catches our eye straightaway, upon opening the packaging. Unlike many of its rivals, who mostly rely on Asetek for manufacturing their liquid coolers’ pumps, ARCTIC decided to design its pump. The pump boasts a stylish appearance and an incorporated cooling fan with a mind-blowing 3000 RPM top speed. The 40mm fan utilized by this pump is incredibly silent and can tolerate high pressures, unlike other tiny fans that may be quite noisy and intolerable. Additionally, the pump’s fan supports PWM for convenient control over the fan’s speed.
ARCTIC is truly skilled at designing incredible liquid coolers; the Liquid Freezer II is an embodiment of that. Its 250W TDP will be more than enough to manage the temperature of the Core i9-13900K. The Liquid Freezer II will have your back if you want to overclock your CPU as well; with so much cooling potential, the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II will have no trouble keeping the thermals of an overclocked Core i9-13900K under check, but to truly investigate that we still have to see how much overclockable Core i9-13900K will be. In addition, Liquid Freezer II boasts a 38mm thick radiator, while other manufacturers’ radiators are substantially thinner. Because of the larger cooling surface offered due to the thick radiator, you will be able to use ample amounts of water to efficiently cool your processor.
If you’re interested in LGA 1700 CPU coolers, BEST LGA 1700 CPU Coolers is the guide for you.
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240mm AIO is compatible with not only Intel’s LGA 1700 socket that Core i9-13900K uses, but it can also be installed on AMD’s AM5 socket for the company’s next-generation chipsets, so when it comes to compatibility, the Liquid Freezer II passes our criteria as it is compatible with a range of current and upcoming processors from Intel and AMD. Aside from LGA 1700 and AM5 sockets, it is also compatible with LGA 1200, 115X, 2011-3, 2066, Square ILM, and AMD’s AM4.
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II employs 2x 120mm ARCTIC P12 PWM A-RGB fans; these fan’s speed can be easily controlled and can reach as high as 1800 RPM, but if your PC is not under heavy load at temperatures are sufficiently low, you can bring them down to as low as just 200 RPM which makes them silent. The rubber bumpers and fewer vibrations also help in keeping the fan’s noise at a bare minimum. Additionally, A-RGB lighting is the cherry on top and makes the Liquid Freezer II look a lot cooler and more flashy.
ARCTIC has given careful consideration while designing the cooler and implemented great cable management, all the A-RGB, and PWM cables are well hidden and you only need to connect the two connectors to the motherboard, thus making the whole setup look fresh and clean. On top of that, ARCTIC also offers a six years warranty with the Liquid Cooler II, so you are always backed up.
What we liked
Arctic Liquid Freezer II is a wonderful CPU cooler with a futuristic-looking innovative pump design. Because of the all-new pump design, we can see a great increase in cooling performance and reduced noise levels. The RGB greatly enhances the aesthetics of this cooler, which is always welcomed. Liquid Freezer II’s build quality also has a certain delicacy to it and looks pretty solid. It is an excellent option with a value-for-money price and extremely efficient cooling potential with a high TDP of 250W, and we have no trouble recommending it among the Best CPU Cooler For i9-13900K.
What we disliked
There are many advantages to the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II, but there is one thing that could be improved. Even though Liquid Freezer II is compatible with the LGA 1700 socket that the Core i9-13900K is based on, many have complained that the installation process can be quite cumbersome for older LGA 1700 socket CPUs and may require some expertise.
Verdict
You would need a strong cooler to sustain the temperature if you want to get the most out of the next-generation Core i9-13900K, and we can confidently say that the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB is the ideal cooler for the task. No matter how much work is put on your CPU, this magnificent cooler won’t allow it to overheat. Liquid Freezer II provides extraordinary performance at a great value while being extremely silent. After all this, we can not resist crowning the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240-ARGB with the title of the Best 240mm AIO Cooler For i9-13900K. For more information, go through our full review of ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240-A RGB.
ASUS ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB White Edition
Best White CPU Cooler For i9-13900K
Specifications = Fans: 3x 120 mm | Fan Speed: 800-2500 RPM | Noise: 37.6 dB(A) | Dimensions: 394 x 121 x 27 mm | Socket Compatibility: Intel Sockets: LGA 2066, 2011-3, 2011, 1151x, 1200, 1700, AMD Sockets: AM4, TR4* | RGB Fans: Yes
Pros
- Premium build quality.
- AURA Sync software utility.
- Six years warranty.
- Top-tier performance.
- Cool aesthetics.
Cons
- Quite Expensive.
- No LCD.
ASUS is a high-end brand for almost every PC-related accessory, and even pre-built PCs, laptops, and even gaming smartphones. They have earned the admiration of thousands of gamers across the globe, all due to the fineness of their products. ASUS also manufactures top-tier CPU coolers that you can rely on to cool off even the hottest processors out there. Our next contender for the Best Core i9-13900K CPU Cooler is the ASUS ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB White Edition, the ROG line-up symbolizes top-of-the-class products designed only for those who demand the most.
With a unique Moonlight White design, ROG Strix LC II ARGB White Edition CPU coolers provide high-performance liquid cooling in a distinctive style. The Strix LC II ARGB White Edition, which has an addressable RGB radiator fan and a closed-loop design, will maximize the 13900K cooling efficiency while enhancing your build with stunning multi-color lighting effects. Strix LC II ARGB White Edition cooler from ROG is equipped with the performance, features, and aesthetic you’ve come to expect from their products. The ROG Strix LC II is dream come true for all-white and minimalistic theme lovers, who were looking for an amazing CPU cooler for their next-generation build with the Core i9-13900K.
Aside from the minimalistic white looks, the aesthetics of the ROG Strix LC II are further enhanced by the iconic ROG Strix branding on the cooler as well as the pump. The ARGB radiator fans support the ASUS Aura Sync to coordinate the lighting effects with other ROG components to form an amazing light show, giving you a chance to show off your rig in style.
The top-of-the-line ROG Strix LC II 360 requires top-quality fans, and thankfully ASUS delivers on that. It makes use of ROG Strix Model 12 ARGB fans capable of generating 81 CFM static pressure and reaching exceptionally high speeds of up to 2500 RPM. At maximum fan speed, the cooler can be a little noisy, and that is understandable, but you will hardly have to pump up the fans at full speed thanks to the PWM support you can always control the fan’s speed and keep the temperature and noise under check.
To provide the best heat dissipation and minimal noise output, ASUS incorporated their 7th generation Asetek pump in the ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB. Customers would not have to separately purchase the thermal paste as it comes pre-applied to the cooler’s water head. The ROG Strix LC II’s pump is fitted with the newest cooling-plate design; crafted from pure copper, the plate has several tiny micro-channels that enhance the surface area while lowering thermal resistance, which lowers CPU temperatures. Additionally, PWM control enables the radiator and pump fans to run at lower speeds while the CPU is idle or under little load, assisting in reducing noise levels.
The ASUS ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB White Edition is compatible with most of Intel’s and AMD’s sockets, including LGA 1700, LGA 1200, LGA 115X, and AMD’s AM4. Hence, you will face no compatibility issues with a new generation of Intel’s processors including the Core i9-13900K. Moreover, because of the 380mm tubing, radiator installation becomes much more convenient and flexible to fit in a variety of chassis.
Check out our guide on Best White CPU Coolers for more white-colored options that might suit you.
In addition to the excellent hardware, ASUS also offers top-notch software support to its customers. All compatible ROG gaming products can be controlled via the Armory Crate software tool on a single platform. Additionally, the software gives you control over the settings for a small but growing number of ROG products, making it simpler to customize the system’s appearance and feel. ASUS also provides a six-year warranty with the ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB, which is always a good thing.
What we liked
The ASUS ROD Strix LC II 360 ARGB is filled to the brink with amazing features, and we are not surprised at all, as we have such high expectations for ROG products. The radiator and pump have top-notch build quality, with the integrated RGB lighting in fans as well as the pump, which makes it highly attractive among gamers. ASUS also generously offers a 6-year warranty with the ROG Strix LC II, which is very reasonable. It earns bonus points for everything, including quality packaging, accessories included in the package, and ease of installation, and is a deserving candidate.
What we disliked
Given that ASUS spared no effort in creating this work of beauty, there isn’t much to hate about the ASUS ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB White Edition. The cooler is relatively expensive, and rivals with similar price ranges also provide LCDs. Most people would have found an LCD to be quite appealing at this price range. Moreover, its fans can be very loud at more than 70% speed which is about 1750+ RPM, but luckily you would hardly have to use the fans at such speeds, most of the time they would be running at significantly lower speeds.
Verdict
ASUS ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB White Edition is an ideal choice for the Core i9-13900K, you can never go wrong with it. The ROG Strix LC II 360 performance is among the very best, and on top of that, its white, and minimalistic looks can be a treat for white theme lovers. Thus, we can easily recommend the ASUS ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB White Edition as the Best White CPU Cooler For i9-13900K based on its outstanding cooling performance, simple installation, and attractive design.
MSI MAG Series CORELIQUID 360R V2
Best Budget CPU Cooler For i9-13900K
Specifications = Fans: 3x 120 mm | Fans Speed: 2000 RPM | Noise: 34.3 dB(A) | Dimensions: 394 x 120 x 27mm (Radiator) | Socket Compatibility: Intel Sockets: LGA 1700, 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1200, 1366, 2011, 2011-3, 2066. AMD Sockets: AM5, AM4, FM2+, FM2, FM1, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, SocketTR4, sTRX4, SP3 | RGB Fans: Yes
Pros
- Excessive cooling potential.
- Sturdy build quality.
- Attractive design.
- 2x 120mm A-RGB PWM fans included.
- Very affordable.
Cons
- Can cause installation difficulty.
Apart from ASUS, MSI is another big name in the PC industry. They are proficient in manufacturing a range of superior products, including Laptops, GPUs, Motherboards, PC Cases, Thermal products, and much more. When it comes to performance, MSI’s CPU coolers challenge every brand head to head; Let’s take a look at MSI’s take on the CPU Cooler For i9-13900K, the MAG CORELIQUID 360R V2.
The MAG CORELIQUID 360R V2 offers a wide range of compatibility for most of the past and upcoming processors. It guarantees continued compatibility with the Intel CPUs by supporting our beloved Intel Core i9-13900K with the LGA 1700 socket, it also supports AMD’s soon-to-come processors, based on the AMD AM5 socket, with the support of earlier FM2+, FM2, FM1, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, and AM2 sockets. The LGA 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1200, 1366, 2011, 2011-3, and 2066 sockets from Intel are also supported.
By incorporating the pump directly into the radiator, MSI revitalizes the MAG CORELIQUID 360R V2; this not only makes the pump quieter and less noisy but also extends its life by keeping it away from the heat source. Additionally, the pump is driven by a sturdy three-phase motor with a maximum speed of 4200 RPM which is greater than most of its rivals, and it can do so while producing very little noise of just 18 dBA. Additionally, the radiator’s dimensions of 120mm in height, 394mm in length, and 27mm in thickness offer a substantial amount of cooling surface for supporting CPU thermals.
The MAG CORELIQUID 360R V2 has a premium-looking design and sturdy build quality; it features a magnificent cooler with integrated RGB lights sitting underneath it and is ready to be fitted in your fantastic build. Additionally, the CPU water block of the MAG CORELIQUID 360R V2 is fully rotatable and has the stylish MSI logo with RGB lights, giving it a stunning appearance.
The MAG CORELIQUID 360R V2 comes with 3x 120mm A-RGB PWM fans as well from the MSI. These fans have a 2000 RPM top speed that may be lowered to a minimum of 500 RPM using the PWM mode, depending on the workload of the system. Even with the overclock, the MAG CORELIQUID 360R V2 is more than capable of cooling the Core i9-13900K while maintaining a quiet and peaceful environment.
The MSI MAG CORELIQUID 360R’s RGB lighting is extended to the fans, providing users with two customizable RGB lighting zones. Through a 3-pin 5v ARG header or an RGB HUB, RGB lighting effects can be coordinated and managed by motherboard maker software such as MSI Mystic Light. However, the MAG CORELIQUID does not come with a separate RGB hub, so if you intend to use it with an older motherboard without ARGB connections, the RGB capabilities will not function right out of the box.
What we liked
Since MSI has won us over with the MAG CORELIQUID 360R V2’s sleek appearance and unmatched performance, it is not difficult to sound objective about it. The MAG CORELIQUID 360R V2 captivates us with its striking and stylish look right out of the box. The 270 degrees rotatable blockhead can be configured to always keep the iconic MSI logo upright. Additionally, MSI came up with an innovative idea by embedding the pump directly into the radiator, which substantially lowers noise and makes operation smooth and silent. Additionally, this beast offers extraordinary cooling for even an overclocked Core i9-13900K, making it stand among the Best i9-13900K CPU Coolers.
What we disliked
Although MAG CORELIQUID is a fantastic cooler in terms of performance and appearance, MSI should make a few tiny adjustments. The installation process of the MAG CORELIQUID 360R V2 can be very difficult, and the instruction manual doesn’t help much with it. MSI probably could have designed the cooler in such a way, so that installation remains easy even for beginners.
Verdict
The MSI MAG CORELIQUID 360R V2 cooler, which costs around $110, contains all the features you could want in a cooler. The MAG CORELIQUID 360R V2 is the ideal AIO liquid cooler in its category thanks to its many positive attributes, which include top-notch performance and excellent build quality. It differentiates itself from its rivals thanks to the creative pump and radiator integration. All of this makes the MAG CORELIQUID 360R V2, the Best Budget CPU Cooler For i9-13900K.
Noctua NH-L9i-17xx chromax.Black
Best Low-Profile CPU Cooler For i9-13900K
Specifications = Fans: 1 x 92 mm | Fans Speed: 600-2500 RPM | Noise: 23.6 dB(A) | Dimensions: 37 x 95 x 95 mm | Socket Compatibility: Intel Sockets: LGA 1700 | RGB Fans: No
Pros
- Included NF-A9x14 PWM fan.
- Easy to mount.
- Leave ample room for RAM and PCIe slots.
- Runs quiet.
- Excellent build quality.
- Great size-to-performance ratio.
Cons
- Not suitable for overclocked CPUs.
Don’t be surprised to see Noctua again on this list, they are very competitive when it comes to thermal products, which is why they can afford to be on this listing more than once. There’s a reason why Noctua has stayed at the top of the PC thermal industry, they aim to do what others can only dream of. Through their years of hard work and dedication to deliver the best quality products, they have made their place in the hearts of their customers. Each of their brand-new items is more feature-rich and superior to those from the previous generation. We kept the best for last, and you won’t be disappointed by the characteristics it holds, so behold and welcome the Noctua NH-L9i-17xx chromax.Black as our final CPU Cooler For Core i9-13900K.
Noctua NH-L9i-17xx chromax.Black is a much-requested LGA 1700-specific variant of the very popular NH-L9i and small form factor builds. You won’t need to purchase any additional bracket since Noctua specifically built this cooler for their Intel customer base to perfectly fit Intel’s newest CPUs based on the LGA 1700 socket straight out of the box.
With a height of only 37mm, Noctua NH-L9i-17xx is a low-profile CPU cooler that can easily fit in any chassis, including the tiniest mini-ITX PC design. Additionally, because of its small footprint, it offers 100% RAM and PCIe compatibility. The installation of the NH-L9i-17xx has been made very simple by Noctua, thanks to the specially designed Secufirm 2 mounting mechanism for the LGA 1700 socket. Furthermore, attaching the cooler to the CPU is rather simple; even a novice PC builder won’t have any trouble doing it.
Noctua’s high-end and premium 92mm NF-A9x14 fan, which enables completely automated speed control through PWM, comes pre-installed in the NH-L9i-117xx. The NF-A9x14 fan has a startling maximum speed of 2500 RPM and a minimum rotational speed of 600 RPM at 20% PWM. The fan is surprisingly quiet and relatively inaudible at low speeds, so it won’t distract you while you’re using your PC. With the accompanying Low Noise Adaptor (L.N.A), you can significantly lower the 13900K stock cooler noise even at high speeds. Impressively, the NF-A9x14 can emit noise of just 14.8 dB(A) while operating at 1800 RPM with the Low Noise Adapter attached. First-rate SSO2 bearings are used, and soft pads are placed in the corners to lessen vibrations that can potentially resonate with the heatsink; in any case, the fan is so precisely manufactured that vibrations don’t spread too widely on the frame.
Two heat pipes with a diameter of 6 mm are soldered to the base, which is a solid copper block. The base’s surface is somewhat convex in the middle; this is done to concentrate pressure above the CPU chip in the center. In the meantime, following machining, the contact area’s surface contains few indentations. It significantly boosts performance as opposed to just being a visual flaw. Air bubbles are more likely to form on completely smooth surfaces, yet such a structure is better able to withstand them.
The build quality of Noctua NH-L9i-17xx is remarkable, the base and heat pipes are made out of copper, and due to its small size, the heatsink doesn’t extend over the RAM slots, providing you considerably more freedom in selecting the RAM modules. The cooling fins also have nickel coating, and soldered connections, and are composed of aluminum. The NH-L9i-17xx is compatible with any fan measuring 92x92x25 mm, however it is highly unlikely that you will find a better fan than the one Noctua offers with the NH-L9i-17xx.
Thanks to the new NA-FD1 fan duct kit, the cooler is allowed to take in fresh air from the outside through the perforated panel instead of hot air from the inside, which, depending on the configuration, can raise CPU temperatures by up to 5°C or more. The duct is entirely modular and can be modified in 1 mm increments from 5 mm to 45 mm height to match a variety of cases and configurations because it is constructed from EVA foam spacers of varying thickness. In summary, the NA-FD1 is a straightforward yet clever, adaptable, and economical method of increasing the effectiveness of the NH-L9i-17xx chromax.Black cooler, ranking it as the best-performing cooler in the market.
On the hunt for more low-profile CPU coolers? Have a sneak peek at the ultimate Best Low Profile CPU Coolers guide.
The NH-L9i-17xx has a TDP of 65 W, which is pretty decent for a cooler of this size. Combined with Noctua’s high-end NT-H1 thermal compound, this beast will be able to cool down your Core i9-13900K processor easily.
What we liked
What we like the most about Noctua NH-L9i-17xx is its excellent performance in a compact package. The Noctua NF-A9x14 PWM fan, which is of the highest caliber and can operate at extremely high speeds while remaining silent because of the included low-noise adapter, is a perfect addition to the NH-L9i-17xx CPU cooler. Because of its low profile design, the Noctua NH-L9i-17xx is considerably more suited for mini-ITX build and is easily recommendable as the Best.
What we disliked
Although, Noctua NH-L9i-17xx offers top performance in its category, unfortunately, it will not be enough for our overclock enthusiast audience. Noctua is extremely clear about this, and recommends against using it for an overclocked CPU; doing so will immediately void its warranty.
Verdict
The size-to-performance ratio of the Noctua NH-L9i-17xx is incredible. Even at maximum RPM, you wouldn’t be worried by loud sounds with this cute small package because of the low noise levels of the fans. However, we would strictly recommend it only for small form factor builds, if your build can afford a larger CPU cooler, then perhaps one of our other picks may best suit you. Due to its excellent performance in a compact size, we can inefficiently nominate it as the Best Low Profile CPU Cooler For i9-13900K. We did review the Noctua NH-L9i Chromax.Black, which is sibling to this specific cooler, hence, make sure to read it as well.
CPU Coolers Selection Criteria
With a TDP of 125W, we can easily expect that Intel’s i9-13900K will be among the hottest CPUs in the market, and for cooling this 24-core processor, you will require an efficient CPU cooler to cool down this beast. With various choices available in the market, it can be difficult for someone to choose a CPU cooler for its processor. After analyzing the specifications of this Intel’s Raptor Lake processor, we selected these CPU Coolers available in the market according to the factors that can help you decide firmly and find a good CPU cooler for i9-13900K.
Performance
When choosing a CPU cooler for your processor, performance should be a priority, whether it is an Air cooler or a Liquid cooler. Thermal dissipation is an essential factor and if the heat doesn’t dissipate, the processor might heat up too much, affecting the user’s experience or even damaging the necessary hardware.
As the upcoming Core i9-13900K processor will be based on LGA 1700 socket, many top-notch coolers are already available in the market. As we went through the market, we saw many LGA1700 socket-compatible CPU coolers, which performed very well on testing them with the compatible CPUs; with close analysis, we can say that they can be a reliable option for those who will want to upgrade to the i9-13900K.
TDP Rating
Thermal Design Power, TDP, is a key factor when buying a CPU Cooler because it can significantly affect user experience. Whenever you want to buy a CPU cooler, the first thing that is considered is the TDP rating; a greater TDP rating reflects that it can dissipate more heat for a CPU using more power.
The new Core i9-13900K is said to have a TDP up to 125W which will be a significant factor while using a CPU Cooler for it. Some major companies of CPU coolers including Noctua, ASUS, DeepCool, and many others included in this list, fulfill the TDP requirements of i9-13900K.
Budget
If you have a tight budget and you are very concerned about the specifications of your cooler, we may help you out with this We always recommend our readers to spend money on performance-related components like CPU, RAM, and motherboard and then proceed towards other components. At Tech4Gamers, we’re always on the quest for finding bang-for-the-buck CPU coolers, and the same was for the Best CPU Cooler For Core i9-13900K. We tried finding the best options available in the market that provided solid specs at a cheaper price and compiled the list accordingly. After having a close look at the compatible coolers, we selected some of the Best CPU Coolers that were the best in overall performance and pocket friendly as well.
Noise Level
The noise level isn’t a crucial factor; it all depends on the users’ preference generally, they usually go with noise-free coolers. CPU coolers specifically made for soundproofing have a larger fan than the usual coolers. This is because one large fan can easily do the work of two small fans and are a lot quieter than them.
Keeping this specific factor in mind, we went through the available tech in the market and specifically chose these i9-13900K CPU Cooler that met the requirements and had reduced noise levels as well.
Aesthetics
Aesthetics is a personal preference but it is not recommended that you leave a CPU cooler that fulfills the requirements of your processor over RGB. The best choice is to spend money on performance and then draw your attention towards aesthetical stuff like RGB. Choosing a CPU cooler depends on various factors which include its build quality, style, and overall design. The cooler may look cheap according to the design but gives an impressive output, that could happen! The design does matter when you spend hundreds of bucks on a build and maintaining quality as well as having an aesthetically pleasing design is also a thing to keep in view.
Why Trust Us
After many years of dedication in the field of technology, we, at Tech4Gamers, study and test all the new PC hardware technologies that are being released and present that information to you in a user-friendly way. We have professional and efficient testers that test all items based on performance and recommend you the best of them. For your convenience, we’ve also added a dedicated news section that keeps you updated every minute about upcoming game news and industry leaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
The CPU coolers you could have already bought for your Alder Lake-based PC setup will function with the upcoming Raptor-based Intel CPU; this is so that they can share the same LGA 1700 CPU socket with the 13th generation Raptor Lake processors. The compatibility is also kept the same and in this way, users can use the same cooler they were previously using for older processors and would not have to buy a new one after upgrading it.
Coolers do not usually come with CPUs. However, there are a lot of top-tier computer hardware companies that manufacture CPU coolers for users according to their needs and preferences. It is obvious that high-end and top-performing CPUs like the Core i9-13900K produce a lot of heat while providing top performance. It does not come with an inbuilt cooler, however, we can find several after-market coolers which are recommended for the processor.
With a core-heavy workload, Core i9-13900K temperature can easily reach 92°C. A strong CPU cooler is required for effective heat dissipation, especially if you intend to overclock. A temperature such as this is considered very high indeed and users spend a lot of money for radiating heat, however, this is a subsequently lower heat production than its predecessor, Core i9-12900K, which produced a staggering 100°C which is pretty intense.
Core i9-13900K is the latest generation flagship and due to this high performance, it requires the best thermal dissipation. Water coolers provide much more efficient cooling as compared to air coolers; thus, it is more than understandable if one opts to use an AIO water kit for their new processor. On the other hand, some users do not prefer pairing liquids with their electronic hardware as a safety precaution, in case any leaking occurs. In the end, it comes down to a user’s personal preference whether he chooses to go for an air cooler or a water cooler for their Core i9-13900K processor.
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