Before diving into the various options, its important to understand the importance of a CPU cooler.
There are two main types of CPU coolers: air coolers and liquid coolers.
Lets take a closer look at five top air cooler options for your Intel Core i7 8700K:
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Noctua NH-D15: The Noctua NH-D15 is renowned for its exceptional cooling performance.
It features a dual-tower design with six heat pipes and two 140mm fans, providing excellent thermal dissipation.
Dark Rock Pro 4: The Dark Rock Pro 4 from be quiet!
strikes a perfect balance between cooling performance and low noise levels.
It also boasts a sleek aesthetic with its black finish and brushed aluminum top cover.
Cryorig R1 Ultimate: The Cryorig R1 Ultimate is a premium air cooler known for its exceptional cooling capabilities.
It features a dual-tower design, six copper heat pipes, and two XF140 140mm fans.
Its exceptional performance and silent operation make it a top choice for cooling the Intel Core i7 8700K processor.
The NH-D15 features a dual-tower design with six heat pipes and two NF-A15 140mm fans.
This design enables efficient heat transfer and increased airflow, resulting in excellent cooling performance.
The fans operate at low noise levels while delivering sufficient airflow to keep temperatures in check.
Additionally, Noctuas renowned SSO2 bearing ensures long-lasting durability and quiet operation.
One of the standout features of the NH-D15 is its impressive compatibility.
Despite its large size, it offers high compatibility with various PC cases and memory modules.
The offset design allows for better clearance for taller RAM modules, ensuring maximum compatibility with most configurations.
Installing the NH-D15 is a breeze, thanks to its user-friendly SecuFirm2 mounting system.
In terms of cooling performance, the NH-D15 exceeds expectations.
It easily handles the thermal demands of the i7 8700K, even under heavy loads or overclocking scenarios.
This cooler also performs admirably in noise levels, blending in seamlessly with a quiet PC setup.
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Dark Rock Pro 4
The be quiet!
Dark Rock Pro 4 is a highly regarded CPU cooler known for its exceptional cooling performance and whisper-quiet operation.
It is an excellent choice for cooling your Intel Core i7 8700K processor while maintaining a silent PC build.
Featuring a dual-tower design, the Dark Rock Pro 4 boasts a sophisticated heatsink with seven high-performance heat pipes.
The dual-tower design allows for increased surface area and improved heat dissipation, contributing to its impressive cooling capabilities.
One of the standout features of the Dark Rock Pro 4 is its Silent Wings 3 120mm fan.
This fan operates virtually silently while providing sufficient airflow to keep temperatures in check.
The fans optimized blade design and rubberized frame contribute to its quiet operation without compromising on cooling efficiency.
In terms of installation, the Dark Rock Pro 4 offers a user-friendly experience.
The cooler comes with an easy-to-follow installation kit and an instruction manual, making the installation process hassle-free.
The high-quality construction of the cooler ensures a secure and reliable mounting, providing peace of mind for users.
Aesthetically, the Dark Rock Pro 4 impresses with its sleek black finish and brushed aluminum top cover.
Cooling performance is where the Dark Rock Pro 4 shines.
It effectively cools the i7 8700K even under heavy workloads, maintaining stable temperatures and preventing thermal throttling.
If you value both performance and silence, the be quiet!
It is a budget-friendly option that delivers efficient cooling while maintaining a compact form factor.
The Hyper 212 Evo features a tower heatsink design with four direct contact heat pipes.
The heatsink is paired with a single 120mm fan that delivers a good balance between airflow and noise levels.
Installation of the Hyper 212 Evo is straightforward, thanks to its user-friendly mounting system.
Additionally, the compact size of the cooler ensures compatibility with a wide range of PC cases.
While the Hyper 212 Evo is often praised for its budget-friendly price tag, it doesnt compromise on performance.
It is capable of effectively cooling the i7 8700K, even under moderate workloads or slight overclocking.
One aspect to note is the noise level of the Hyper 212 Evo.
While it is generally quiet under normal operation, the fan can become audible at higher speeds.
It is a reliable and efficient CPU cooler that gets the job done without breaking the bank.
This design allows for improved heat transfer from the CPU to the heatsink, resulting in excellent cooling performance.
Installation of the Cryorig R1 Ultimate is relatively straightforward.
It comes with a user-friendly mounting system that ensures a secure and hassle-free installation process.
When it comes to cooling performance, the Cryorig R1 Ultimate shines.
It excels at keeping the i7 8700Ks temperatures low, even under demanding workloads or heavy overclocking scenarios.
While its not the quietest cooler on the market, it operates relatively silently considering its high cooling potential.
Overall, the Cryorig R1 Ultimate is a premium air cooler that offers high-performance cooling for the i7 8700K.
The Aer P140 fans are optimized for static pressure and airflow, ensuring optimal heat transfer and cooling efficiency.
One of the standout features of the Kraken X62 is its integration with the CAM software.
In terms of installation, the Kraken X62 offers a straightforward process.
It comes with an all-inclusive mounting kit and detailed instructions, ensuring a hassle-free installation.
Visually, the Kraken X62 stands out with its stunning RGB lighting effects.
The RGB lighting can be synchronized with other NZXT RGB accessories, allowing for a unified lighting theme.
These coolers offer efficient cooling performance while providing the convenience and aesthetics of a closed-loop liquid cooling system.
Lets explore some top options in liquid coolers for your i7 8700K:
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It features a quiet dual-fan configuration and a high-density radiator design for efficient heat dissipation.
It features a large radiator and two Aer P140 fans, providing excellent cooling performance for the i7 8700K.
The Kraken X62 also offers customizable RGB lighting and integrates with NZXTs CAM software for easy monitoring and control.
It combines a dual-chamber pump design and dual MF120R RGB fans for efficient cooling.
EVGA CLC 280: The EVGA CLC 280 is a top-tier 280mm liquid cooler that delivers exceptional cooling performance.
The cooler also boasts customizable RGB lighting to add a touch of visual appeal to your build.
The Floe Riing RGB 360 TT offers exceptional cooling performance and customizable RGB lighting effects.
The H100i Pro RGB features a high-density radiator design that provides a large surface area for efficient heat dissipation.
This, combined with a dual-fan configuration, ensures optimal cooling performance for your i7 8700K.
The fans operate quietly while delivering sufficient airflow to keep temperatures in check, even under demanding workloads.
One of the standout features of the H100i Pro RGB is its customizable RGB lighting.
The cooler comes equipped with vibrant and customizable RGB lighting on the pump head.
In terms of installation, the H100i Pro RGB offers a user-friendly experience.
It comes with a modular mounting bracket and pre-applied thermal paste, simplifying the installation process.
The Corsair iCUE software adds an extra level of convenience to the H100i Pro RGB.
The NZXT Kraken X62 is a premium 280mm liquid cooler that offers outstanding cooling performance and stunning aesthetics.
One of the standout features of the Kraken X62 is its large 280mm radiator.
Aesthetically, the Kraken X62 is a showstopper.
It features a sleek and minimalist design with an infinity mirror pump head.
This not only adds a touch of elegance to your PC build but also creates stunning lighting effects.
Installation of the Kraken X62 is straightforward.
It comes with a user-friendly mounting system that makes installation hassle-free, even for first-time builders.
Another notable feature of the Kraken X62 is its integration with NZXTs CAM software.
In terms of cooling performance, the Kraken X62 excels.
It effectively dissipates heat from the i7 8700K, keeping temperatures within safe limits even under demanding conditions.
The ML240R RGB features a large 240mm radiator that provides ample surface area for efficient heat dissipation.
Aesthetically, the ML240R RGB impresses with its sleek design and customizable RGB lighting.
The pump head features a transparent chamber with RGB lighting that adds a captivating glow to your build.
Installation of the ML240R RGB is straightforward, thanks to its user-friendly design and comprehensive mounting kit.
Another notable feature of the ML240R RGB is its integration with Cooler Masters software.
In terms of cooling performance, the ML240R RGB excels at effectively dissipating heat from the i7 8700K.
This ensures that heat is quickly transferred away from the CPU, even under heavy workloads or demanding applications.
Installation of the CLC 280 is made easy with its user-friendly mounting system.
Another noteworthy aspect of the CLC 280 is its sleek and elegant design.
The coolers all-in-one design and black aesthetics give it a polished and professional look that complements any PC build.
The key feature of the Floe Riing RGB 360 TT Premium Edition is its massive 360mm radiator.
Aesthetically, the Floe Riing RGB 360 TT Premium Edition is a showstopper.
Another notable feature of the Floe Riing RGB 360 TT Premium Edition is its robust software integration.
The software provides real-time data and customizable prefs, giving you full control over the coolers performance and aesthetics.
This allows for stable and reliable performance from the CPU.
Air coolers like the Noctua NH-D15, be quiet!
These air coolers provide excellent cooling capabilities for the i7 8700K and cater to different preferences and budget constraints.
These liquid coolers cater to users who prioritize superior cooling performance, advanced features, and stunning visual effects.
This will ensure proper installation and efficient cooling performance for your processor.
