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Best CPU Cooler for Intel 13th Gen
Keep that power of the 12th Gen under control with these top coolers
Updated: Nov 21, 2022 11:37 am
Intel’s 13th Gen Raptor Lake CPUs are out and they are among the most powerful CPUs on the consumer desktop platform right now. With great power, comes a lot of heat which is why you will need aftermarket cooling solutions to keep those temperatures under control. Here’s the best CPU cooler for Intel 13th Gen.
Now read: Where to buy 13th gen CPUs if you fancy snatching one of these brand new 13th gen CPUs for yourself.
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Intel has expanded the power budgets of its top-tier CPUs in this lineup despite the generational bump in performance-per-watt figures. As a result, the new 13th Gen CPUs need to be paired with decent aftermarket CPU coolers to maximize their potential.
Top Picks
02
Mid-Range
be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4
03
Budget
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black
Things to consider when picking the best CPU cooler for Intel 13th Gen
There are several factors that must be considered when purchasing an aftermarket cooler. These tips can help you make the right decision regardless of your budget and platform.
Compatibility
Checking the compatibility of CPU coolers is crucial when purchasing a cooler for any CPU. Not only do you have to check the compatibility of the cooler with the CPU itself, but you also have to check the compatibility with the PC case you’re using.
For the 13th Gen Intel platform, you will need a CPU cooler that is compatible with the LGA 1700 CPU socket. Thankfully, CPU coolers are generally pretty versatile in this regard and they support several socket types through different brackets, many of which are included in the box.
The second part is more important. If you are buying an AiO liquid cooler, you will need to make sure that your case actually supports the radiator of that cooler. Many cases nowadays have support for 240mm, 280mm, or even 360mm radiators, but this is something that you will definitely need to check beforehand.
If you are buying an air cooler, it is important to check the case clearance of the cooler in terms of its height. Buying a cooler that is too tall for your PC case will cause problems for you and you might not be able to close the side panel of the case.
Performance and Acoustics
Of course, the CPU cooler in question has to perform well. Aftermarket coolers in general offer a big improvement over the stock coolers included in the box but to varying degrees. If you are running a top-tier unlocked CPU such as the Core i9 13900K, you will need a more powerful CPU cooler to go along with it.
It is hard to judge the cooling performance of a CPU cooler without testing it. Some rough TDP numbers are published by the manufacturers, but those do not give us the full picture. It is important to check user and expert reviews of the cooler online before finalizing your purchase decision.
Moreover, you should also consider the acoustics of the cooler in addition to its cooling performance. There is no point in buying an aftermarket cooler that will sound like a jet engine all the time. Generally, the acoustic performance is directly related to the thermal performance of the cooler.
Air Cooling vs. Liquid Cooling
This is an age-old debate, but it is quite an important one. Both forms of cooling have their advantages and disadvantages, and it is hard to crown one clear winner in this debate.
Air cooling generally offers a better value for money if you consider all the different options in different price brackets. You can get a really affordable air cooler that will get the job done just fine, or you can get a really fancy cooler that can rival some of the best liquid coolers out there. Moreover, air coolers do not require any maintenance which is a bonus.
AiO liquid coolers are generally more expensive than air coolers, but they also have a higher ceiling of thermal performance. They also look better and offer way more customization options. However, you may need to maintain some liquid coolers down the line.
13th-generation CPUs run hot
Intel’s 13th generation of CPUs runs incredibly hot, so much so that we managed to achieve throttling in the i9-13900k. This, we assume, is due to the fact that Intel packed so much punch under its 13900K IHS that it can’t handle the heat generated.
You definitely need an AIO CPU cooler to keep the high temperatures at bay when cooling the high-0emd 13th gen SKUs. You don’t want your CPU temperatures anywhere near 100 degrees when gaming. As you can see, we managed to make the 13900K throttle by 13%. That’s a 13% loss in performance thanks to insufficient cooling.
Best CPU Cooler for Intel 13th Gen
Here we will explore our CPU cooler choices in a bit more detail and explain why these coolers are a cut above the rest.
EK AiO Elite 360mm D-RGB
EK AiO Elite 360mm D-RGB
Radiator Type
Aluminum
Fan Edition
EK-Vardar S 120ER D-RGB
Max RPM
3300 RPM ± 10%
Socket Support
LGA: 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1200, 2011, 2011-3, 2066, 1200. AMD: AM4, AM5
EK is one of the most respected and coveted manufacturers of liquid cooling components, and their EK AiO Elite 360mm D-RGB is one to consider if you are looking for the best of the best.
Despite its ridiculous naming convention, the EK AiO Elite 360mm cooler is an incredible performer in both thermal and acoustic departments.
The cooler comes in several different sizes, but we recommend the 360mm variant for our premium pick.
This cooler will be a perfect pairing for the Intel Core i7 and Core i9 CPUs from the 13th Gen Raptor Lake line, especially the i9 13900K. EK claims that the AiO Elite 360mm cooler can handle 220-240W of heat output.
In addition to the impressive thermal performance, the EK Vardar S fans are among the best in the business when it comes to quiet operation. Not only that, the fans are also illuminated with smooth D-RGB lighting, which adds to the aesthetics of the cooler.
It is hard to top the EK AiO Elite 360mm D-RGB cooler when it comes to aftermarket cooling solutions. However, the steep price tag of this cooler leaves a lot to be desired.
be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4
be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4
Socket
Multi-socket Intel: LGA 1150 / 1151 / 1155 / 1156 / 1366 / 2011(-3) square ILM / 2066. AMD: AM2(+) / AM3(+) / AM4 / FM1 / FM2(+)
Fan compatibility
120 mm
Measurements without mount (L x w x H)
5.7 x 5.35 x 6.40 inch
Fans
2
If you are looking for a more reasonable mid-range option, we recommend the be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 tower cooler. It is one of the very best air coolers out there, and it can handle pretty much any 13th Gen CPU you can throw at it.
The Dark Rock Pro 4 has an advertised TDP rating of 125W, but that means little in the real world. This cooler is suited perfectly to Core i5 and Core i7 CPUs from the 13th Gen Raptor Lake lineup.
You may encounter some thermal limitations when overclocking that Core i9, however.
Additionally, the be Quiet! brand is known for its silence-oriented products, and the same trend can be seen in this cooler.
The Silent Wings fans in this cooler are extremely quiet, even when running at high speeds. Moreover, the all-black aesthetic is really attractive and can suit any PC build out there.
Make sure you check the compatibility of this cooler beforehand, as it is 6.4 inches tall. The Dark Rock Pro 4 is also quite competitive in terms of pricing when compared to the AiO options on the market.
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black
Height
158.8mm
Width
77mm
Socket compatibility
LGA2066, LGA2011-v3, LGA2011, LGA1151, LGA1150, LGA1155, LGA1156, LGA1366, AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2+, FM2, FM1
The Cooler Master Hyper 212 has been a fan favorite for years now, and for good reason. It is one of the best budget CPU coolers currently available thanks to its respectable performance and low price tag.
We recommend the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition simply because it looks a bit better than the other editions, but you can choose your preferred variant as well.
The thermal performance of all Hyper 212 variants is quite solid in any case.
This cooler can be used with any 13th Gen Intel processor provided you do not overclock the CPU. Ideally, it should be paired with Core i5 CPUs from the Raptor Lake lineup as that combination makes the most sense from a value standpoint.
The Hyper 212 is definitely one to consider if you want a competent CPU cooler for your 13th Gen CPU without breaking the bank.
What is the best cooler for 13900K?
The best CPU cooler for the i9-13900K is going to be an AIO CPU that measures at least 240mm, the 13900K is one of the hottest CPUs we’ve ever tested and modern air coolers just won’t be able to handle it.
What is the best cooler for the 13700K?
The best CPU cooler for the 13700K is going to be an AIO of about 240mm, or a custom loop. The 13700K isn’t quite as strong as the 13900K, or contains as many cores, meaning it produces less heat.
What is the best cooler for the 13600K?
You can get away with a strong air cooler, or a smaller AIO, as long as the cooler is rated for about 250W of TDP you should be okay using it.
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