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The Intel Core i9-14900KF is one of the strongest processors on the market with its overwhelming 24 cores, 32 threads, and 6.0GHz boost clocks, making it one of the best gaming CPUs. However, because of its performance, it also generates tons of heat. So, you’ll need adequate cooling to keep the CPU on par. Therefore, after extensive testing, we have compiled a list of the top CPU coolers for i9-14900KF.
Here’s a quick look at my top picks for the best CPU coolers for i9-14900KF and a brief comparison of their specs:
Last Updated:
- May 12, 2024: I have made some formatting changes to improve readability.
Buying the i9-14900KF? Check our following tested round-ups:
Best CPU Coolers For i9-14900KF
Here is a selection of our best CPU coolers for the i9-14900KF:
- Best Overall: ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB
- Best Performance: EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB
- Best Air Cooler: Noctua NH-D15S Chromax.Black
- Best Budget: Thermalright Frozen Magic 360 Scenic V2
- Best 240mm: Corsair iCUE H100i Elite CAPELLIX XT
- Best 420mm: Corsair iCUE H170i Elite LCD XT
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB
Best Overall CPU Cooler For i9-14900KF
Cooler Type: 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler | Dimensions: 398 × 38 × 120mm | Fans: 3x 120mm 4-pin PWM Fans | Fan Speed: 1,800RPM | Noise Level: 10.64dB(A) | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011-3, 2066 AMD: AM4, AM5 | RGB: Yes
Pros
- Great thermal performance
- Low noise levels
- Excellent aesthetics
- Additional VRM fan
- Integrated cable management
Cons
- Lacks RGB on pump
- No fan control
Impressively, the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360mm AIO provides superb cooling performance throughout our tests, owing to its high-quality pump and radiator. In our dedicated testing, the cooler kept the CPU at a nice, steady temperature quite comfortably. There’s no denying the exceptional craftsmanship present in the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II. The innovative pump block is expertly built, providing dependable and effective cooling. The top-notch fiber-reinforced tubing not only improves longevity but also has cable management built right in.
The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB is an illustration of modern minimalism in terms of both form and function. We loved the pump block that is finished in a subtle all-black color. Moreover, the spaceship-like design stands out, giving the cooler the limelight it deserves.
Summarizing the cooler’s performance and build quality, our hardware reviewer, Awais Khan stated in his review:
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.
What Makes It The Best Overall CPU Cooler For i9-14900KF?
The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360mm AIO features a low noise level of just 10.64dB(A), a respectable thermal capacity of 290W, and solid value for money, making it the best overall CPU cooler for i9-14900KF.
Out of all the coolers, my favorite is the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II. The AIO offers impressive thermal performance, beautiful aesthetics, and a breath of fresh air with its unique design. Moreover, the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer also offers incredible price-to-performance value, and I believe you can’t go wrong with this purchase.
– Dr. Usman Saleem
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 9/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Design: 9/10 |
EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB
Best Performance CPU Cooler For i9-14900KF
Cooler Type: 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler | Dimensions: 400 × 27 × 124mm | Fans: 3x 120mm 4-pin PWM Fans | Fan Speed: 2,300RPM | Noise Level: 36dB(A) | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011-3, 2066 AMD: AM4, AM5 | RGB: Yes
Pros
- Extraordinary cooling performance
- Exceptional aesthetics
- Superb RGB implementation
- Excellent build quality
Cons
- Quite expensive
- Slightly higher noise level
The EK Nucleus AIO CR360 provides exceptional cooling performance in our experience. When paired with the i9-14900KF in our testing, the cooler kept the CPU cool and comfortable without even breaking a sweat. Overclocking is also a breeze with the AIO, and you can get a decent performance uplift. One glance at the EK Nucleus AIO CR360 gave us a good idea about its premium build quality and high-quality finish. Under the hood, we found that the copper cold plate maximizes its heat dissipation capacity, while the diamond-cut brushed aluminum side panels truly make the AIO stand out.
With an extremely pleasing holographic light effect on the pump block and diffused A-RGB lighting on the three provided fans, we think the EK Nucleus CR360 is one of the most visually pleasing AIO coolers on the market. With well-diffused internal LEDs, the lighting in the fans is particularly impressive to us.
Complimenting the AIO cooler’s outstanding cooling performance along with its aesthetics, Awais Khan states in his review:
The EK Nucelus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB 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.
What Makes It The Best Performance CPU Cooler For i9-14900KF?
The EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux can comfortably handle our overclocking sessions, featuring exceptional thermal dissipation capabilities and high-quality EK Vardar-S fans, making it the best performance CPU cooler for i9-14900KF.
| Performance: 10/10 | Value: 7/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Design: 9/10 |
Noctua NH-D15S Chromax.Black
Best Air Cooler For i9-14900KF
Cooler Type: Dual tower air cooler | Dimensions: 135 x 150 x 160mm | Fans: 1x NF-A15 140mm Fan | Fan Speed: 1,500RPM | Noise Level: 24.6dB(A) | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 115X, 2066 AMD: AM5, AM4 | RGB: No
Pros
- Fantastic cooling performance
- Silent fan
- Clean black coating
- Six copper heat pipes
- Easy installation process
- Premium quality
Cons
- Size issues
- No RGB
The Noctua NH-D15S Chromax.Black provides outstanding cooling performance with its NF-A15 140mm fan running at 1,500RPM speeds. While overclocking the Intel Core i9-14900KF may be difficult with this cooler, our dedicated testing showed the CPU won’t face any thermal throttling issues even under full load. The CPU cooler also delivers premium build quality offering six copper heat pipes directly soldered to a copper baseplate. Moreover, the heatsink has a dense FPI which helps the cooler gain its tremendous heat dissipation properties. Furthermore, the fan uses SSO2 bearings and has four anti-vibrational pads for lower noise.
The Noctua NH-D15S Chromax.Black offers standard looks with an all-black design with no RGB elements on the cooler. While we disliked the lack of RGB, the cooler is perfect for anyone building a workstation or a stealth PC due to its darker design elements. Additionally, the coating has a sleek finish, making it look good.
Talking about the cooler’s cooling performance, Nauman Siddique was astounded and stated the following in his review:
We have no doubt in the capabilities of the Noctua NH-D15S chromax.black based on its performance throughout our testing; we consider it a powerful champion among its competition and one of the best air coolers we have tested. The cooler also comes with a 6-year international guarantee, which adds to our faith in Noctua’s quality.
What Makes It The Best Air Cooler For i9-14900KF?
The Noctua NH-D15S Chromax.Black CPU cooler provides outstanding cooling performance, immense airflow capabilities, and premium build quality with its 140mm fan running at 1,500RPM speeds. Moreover, the air cooler comes in an all-black design making it perfect for stealth builds. Thus, these points make it the best air cooler for i9-14900KF.
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 9/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Design: 8/10 |
Thermalright Frozen Magic 360 Scenic V2
Best Budget CPU Cooler For i9-14900KF
Cooler Type: 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler | Dimensions: 397 × 27 × 120mm | Fans: 3x 120mm 4-pin PWM Fans | Fan Speed: 2,150RPM | Noise Level: 28.1dB(A) | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011-3, 2066 AMD: AM5, AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2+, FM2, FM1 | RGB: Yes
Pros
- Competitive thermal performance
- Excellent acoustics
- Unique all-white theme
- Superb pump block design
- Relatively affordable
Cons
- No RGB lighting on fans
The Thermalright Frozen Magic 360 managed to keep the i9-14900KF’s temperatures in check during our dedicated testing while being a value-oriented AIO cooler. You can even try your hand at manual overclocking but with reasonable expectations. Personally, we didn’t find any bottlenecking issues through overclocking, either. The Frozen Magic 360mm AIO features superb build quality. We found that the pump block uses an aluminum casing, giving a premium feel to the central component of the AIO. We also love that the tubing is protected using multi-woven polymer sleeves for protection against abrasions and evaporation.
The Thermalright Frozen Magic 360 stands out, particularly for its unique all-white design that is tailor-made for your white PC build. The pump block has a refined mirror finish with A-RGB lighting. The non-RGB fans match well with a white PC case. We believe the AIO is one of the best white CPU coolers on the market.
Astounded by the cooler’s performance and pricing, Awais Khan states in his review:
The Thermalright Frozen Magic 360 Scenic V2 is a hidden gem when it comes to the liquid coolers’ paradise. This underdog has a high-performance capability, particularly on the latest platforms, and it does so without breaking the bank.
What Makes It The Best Budget CPU Cooler For i9-14900KF?
In our testing, the Thermalright Frozen Magic 360 delivers solid cooling performance while also being supremely quiet and relatively affordable, making it the best budget CPU cooler for i9-14900KF.
| Performance: 8/10 | Value: 10/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Design: 9/10 |
Corsair iCUE H100i Elite CAPELLIX XT
Best 240mm CPU Cooler For i9-14900KF
Cooler Type: 240mm AIO Liquid Cooler | Dimensions: 277 × 27 × 120mm | Fans: 2x 120mm 4-pin PWM Fans | Fan Speed: 2,100RPM | Noise Level: 34.1dB(A) | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011-3, 2066 AMD: AM4, AM5, sTR4 | RGB: Yes
Pros
- Compact radiator size
- Superb RGB lighting
- Relatively affordable
- Respectable thermal performance
Cons
- Higher noise level
- Not ideal for overclocking
Surprisingly, the Corsair H100i Elite Capellix XT handled the Core i9-14900KF quite well at stock settings in our dedicated tests, which is great news for value hunters. Although its overclocking capabilities are limited, you can still use the i9-14900KF comfortably without bottlenecking issues. Equipped with premium crafting materials and tight tolerances, we feel that the Corsair H100i Elite is extremely well-made. The fiber-reinforced tubing is a great addition to the package, while the Corsair AF RGB Elite PWM fans certainly take the build quality of the cooler to the next level.
The central CPU block is the main attraction of the Corsair H100i Elite Capellix XT, with RGB lighting illuminating a very distinct pattern on the block that elevates the design of the cooler. We appreciate the Corsair AF RGB fans that come with supremely well-implemented A-RGB lighting.
Loving the cooler’s outstanding cooling performance, our hardware reviewer, Nauman Siddique, states in his cooler review:
The Corsair iCUE H100i Elite Capellix XT White cooler is another top-performing AIO in the 240mm size category. This cooler offers a nice blend of performance and features with a 5-year warranty.
What Makes It The Best 240mm CPU Cooler For i9-14900KF?
The Corsair H100i Elite stands above its competition thanks to its excellent thermal capacity of 270W, superb build quality, and excellent value for money, making it the best 240mm CPU cooler for i9-14900KF.
| Performance: 8/10 | Value: 10/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Design: 9/10 |
Corsair iCUE H170i Elite LCD XT
Best 420mm CPU Cooler For i9-14900KF
Cooler Type: 420mm AIO Liquid Cooler | Dimensions: 454 × 27 × 139mm | Fans: 3x 140mm 4-pin PWM Fans | Fan Speed: 1,700RPM | Noise Level: 33.8dB(A) | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011, 2066 AMD: AM4, AM5, sTR4 | RGB: Yes
Pros
- Extraordinary cooling performance
- Unique LCD display implementation
- Impressive RGB lighting
- Premium build quality
Cons
- Expensive
- Possible compatibility issues
Undeniably, our testing shows that the Corsair iCUE H170i Elite shines in the cooling department, as one can expect from a 420mm liquid cooler. In our testing, the Corsair H170i Elite is one of the very few CPU coolers that can handle an overclocked i9-14900KF without breaking a sweat. The high-quality materials used in the cooler are evident to us. Moreover, the fiber-reinforced tubing gives a palpable sense of luxury to the cooler. In our opinion, even the AF-series fans are crafted expertly using superb materials and fine workmanship.
One look at the Corsair iCUE H170i Elite will showcase its glamorous design language in all its glory. The RGB illumination on the fans is expertly diffused and well-integrated, adding to the overall personality of the cooler. We also loved the LCD screen on the CPU block, which reinforces the aesthetics of the AIO.
Summarizing the Corsair iCUE H170i Elite’s performance and aesthetics, Nauman Siddique states in his review:
With excellent thermal performance that is augmented by a well-executed IPS LCD Screen and extensive customization options using iCUE and lighting effects, the iCUE H170i Elite LCD XT is definitely a worthy contender should your wallet afford it in addition to your PC Case. It comes recommended by us.
What Makes It The Best 420mm CPU Cooler For i9-14900KF?
Apart from its unparalleled cooling capabilities, the Corsair iCUE H170i Elite also features premium build quality and unique personalization features, making it the best 420mm CPU cooler for i9-14900KF.
| Performance: 10/10 | Value: 7/10 |
| Features: 10/10 | Design: 9/10 |
Why We Skipped These Top-Rated Coolers For i9-14900KF?
It wouldn’t be much of a listicle if we added every CPU cooler that pairs well with the i9-14900KF. Here are a few top contenders we had to pass on and why:
- Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 420: It is significantly pricier and has noisier fans.
- Enermax Aquafusion ADV 360: The cooler doesn’t provide as much performance as other budget 360mm AIOs at the same price range.
Benchmarks Of The Best CPU Coolers For i9-14900KF
The cooling performance of a CPU cooler is the most important aspect to consider when making a purchase. Therefore, we have attached our performance results of all the coolers that are present in this article.
Important CPU Cooler Key Terms
Here are some important terms that you must know when shopping for a CPU cooler.
- AIO: AIO cooling solutions come pre-assembled and sealed, making them easy to install without the need for custom loop setups. AIO coolers consist of a pump, radiator, fans, and tubing, providing efficient cooling for CPUs.
- Heatsink: A passive component with fins that dissipates heat generated by the CPU, transferring it away to maintain a lower temperature.
- Heat pipes: Heat-conductive tubes filled with coolant that transport heat from the CPU to the cooler’s fins for dissipation.
- Airflow: The movement of air within the case to carry away heat, measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM).
- Thermal Paste: A conductive material applied between the CPU and cooler base to enhance heat transfer and reduce temperature.
- TDP: The maximum amount of heat a CPU cooler must dissipate to keep the CPU within its operational temperature range.
- Noise Level: The amount of sound produced by the CPU cooler, indicating how loud it is during operation.
- Socket Compatibility: The types of CPU sockets a cooler is designed to fit, ensuring it is compatible with your CPU and motherboard.
- Overclocking: The process of increasing a CPU’s clock speed and voltage beyond its factory settings, often requiring a more robust cooler to manage increased heat production.
- FPI: FPI refers to the number of fins packed into one inch of a heat sink or radiator in a liquid cooling system. Higher FPI values typically indicate better heat dissipation but may require more powerful fans to maintain optimal airflow.
How We Picked The Best CPU Coolers For i9-14900KF
Buying a CPU cooler can be a complicated process, especially if you are new to the world of DIY PC building. However, considering a few key factors in your purchase decision can help you save a lot of time and get the ideal cooler for your needs. Here are a few factors you should take into consideration:
- Cooling Performance: It is important to research and compare benchmarks to assess the cooler’s efficiency in various situations. A well-built cooler not only keeps temperatures in check at stock settings but also enhances the overclocking potential for your i9-14900KF CPU.
- Noise Level: When buying a CPU cooler, check its rated decibel level and the maximum speed of its pump and fans. It is also vital to check acoustic benchmarks in various situations with different components as well as load levels. Fans with fine PWM control and smoother fan curves provide a better acoustic experience.
- Design: A CPU cooler takes up the central spot in your PC case and, therefore, contributes greatly to its overall look. Nowadays, CPU coolers come with different color options, design patterns, and RGB lighting for added customization. Some high-end models include a personalized LCD display on the pump block for better aesthetics.
- Value For Money: When buying a CPU cooler for the i9-14900KF, it is vital to assess the price tag and the price-to-performance ratio the cooler offers. A more expensive cooler may not necessarily be the better choice, and similarly, a more affordable cooler might not provide the performance necessary to cool down your i9-14900KF CPU.
Community Poll
FAQs
Yes, the Intel Core i9-14900KF is great for gaming. In fact, as of the time of writing, the Core i9-14900KF shares the top spot in gaming performance with its sibling, the Core i9-14900K. This CPU is always found in the top positions in gaming benchmarks.
While both the Intel Core i9-14900KF and Core i9-14900K are the exact same in terms of performance and architecture, the Core i9-14900KF does not have integrated graphics. This makes it a better choice for those users who want to use a dedicated graphics card.
Officially, the Core i9-14900KF has a TDP of 125W, but that does not tell the whole story. The CPU also has a PL2 rating of 253W, which is more realistic in terms of the power draw you would expect when using the Core i9-14900KF to its full potential at stock settings.
Recent Updates
- February 18, 2024: We have replaced the DeepCool Assassin IV with the Noctua NH-D15S Chromax.Black because while both have similar prices and performance, the latter’s fans are quieter and it comes in a smaller size, improving compatibility issues.
- November 15, 2023: Few text and grammar changes to improve readability. No products were changed.
Looking for more options? We have you covered:
- Best CPU Coolers For i9-14900K
- Best CPU Coolers For i7-14700K
- Best CPU Coolers For i7-14700KF
- Best CPU Coolers For i5-14600K
- Best CPU Coolers For i5-14600KF
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simp o lord
great stuff guys but is it cool if i go with a 240mm radiator??
[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
Get In Touch: usman@tech4gamers.com
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