cpu-coolers
by Perfect Tech Reviewer
The Intel Core i7-11700K is a powerful 8th generation processor that can handle even the most demanding tasks. This unlocked SKU can be overclocked, making it a popular choice for gamers and enthusiasts. When overclocked, the CPU can reach temps in excess of 90 degrees Celsius, so it’s important to use a good CPU cooler if you don’t want your investment to suffer from thermal throttling.
The i7 11700K is a powerful CPU that needs a good CPU cooler to keep it running at its best. There are many models and types of CPU coolers out there today, and it can be hard to choose the right one for your needs.
In this guide, we will recommend the best CPU coolers for i7 11700K. First, we’ll look at some of the features you should look for in a CPU cooler. Then, we’ll recommend our top three picks for the best overall, the best value, and best budget CPU coolers for i7 11700K. We will also discuss some of the factors you should consider when choosing a CPU cooler.
At A Glance:
Best pick
Best Air Cooler for i7 11700K
Noctua NH-D15
✓
183W TDP suitable for i7 11700k
✓
19.2 dB(A) achievable noise levels
✓
Long-lasting performance with warranty
Staff Pick
Best Overall CPU Cooler for i7 11700K
Scythe Fuma 2
✓
200W above TDP
✓
Excellent price/performance ratio
✓
55mm high profile RAM compatible
Budget Pick
Best Mid-Tier Budget Cooler for i7 11700K
Scythe Mugen 5 Rev B
✓
Supports dual fan mount
✓
Asymmetrical design with RAM cutout
✓
Self-contained liquid bearing based fan
The all-new Intels 11th Generation Processor i7 11700k ( Amazon ) makes sure that the bottleneck is significantly reduced, and it already performs better than its AMD counterpart in 1% of gaming framerates. However, Intel chipsets still cannot provide PCIe lanes of their own and use processor lanes to deliver performance, causing the processor to become hotter and may lead to thermal throttling of hardware when overclocked. To reduce the risk of thermal throttling, you need a high-quality cooler. We have a list of almost every best cpu cooler for i7-11700k compiled to deal with the heat produced, but first, we have some basics to discuss.
Quick Shopping Tips
TDP: Cooling has been around since personal computers have been invented, and the technology has improved to the point that cooling now has severe consequences on your computer performance. Thermal design power (TDP) is the maximum heat produced by a chip manufacturer state on their product specifications. It must be removed to maintain chip temperature. It’s represented in Watts. A cooler that has lower TDP than the CPU leads to thermal throttling.
Types of Coolers: They are commonly referred to as liquid or air-based cooling. When we talk about a type of cooling, it is usually referred to air-based heat removal or removing heat from a chip using a closed liquid loop with a radiator. When looking for the best cpu cooler for i7 11700k, we need to explore both options. Air cooling is preferred due to the lower number of moving parts and easier setups but requires larger space around the CPU. In contrast, liquid cooling has a higher capacity but increases power consumption and has higher moving parts.
Socket Compatibility: It is the most essential thing that you should look for in a CPU cooler. The socket of your CPU in our case is LGA 1200 for the i7 11700k. It is the second generation of Intel CPUs that feature LGA 1200. The socket is standard, but some coolers require unique fittings to support this socket, so be sure that the chip cooler you are about to buy has enough accessories to support your CPU socket size.
Our Recommendations Best CPU Coolers for i7 11700K
Noctua NH-D15
Best pick
View on amazon
Dimensions: 5.91 x 6.34 x 6.5 inches | Base Height: 6.5 inches | Weight: 2.86 pounds | Fans: Two | Socket Support: AM4, LGA1200, LGA1151 | Warranty: 6 Years
Noctua is known for engineering products that are perfect in terms of designs. They use all the latest tools and techniques to improve the efficiency of their product. Noctua NH-D15 is one of their top products, and we consider it the best cpu cooler for i7 11700k. It is their most sold product, and considering that the TDP of the processor is 125W and tau of 56s by default as stated in Intel 11th generation documents. NH-D15 can easily cope with the heat produced, with its rated TDP being 183W. It gives a reasonable margin for the processor to operate at a TP2 rating of 56s.
Since this cooler offers high heat removal capacity and is solely based on heat dissipation using an air-fin setup thus, it requires 165mm of clearance around the CPU. Due to its large size, the RAM height is also limited to 32mm. Most RAMs can fit underneath, so be sure to check the height before purchasing. From design to the surface finish, the quality of the product is elite, but their unique color scheme is something not everyone likes, but it helps keep their brand unique.
It is best suited for people targeting long-term performance and compatibility across brands. Noctua has a series of fitting to allow unique socket support. There are two high-end NF-A15 PWM fans installed at two ends of the fin stack, and users can control their speed easily. The max noise level reaches 24.6 dB(A), and the Low Noise Adapter can reduce noise to 19.2 dB(A). The static pressure of 1.51 mmH20 is also high enough to keep constant airflow across fins. It is the one of the best air coolers for i7-11700K.
The Pros
✓
183W TDP suitable for i7 11700k
✓
19.2 dB(A) achievable noise levels
✓
Long-lasting performance with warranty
The Cons
✗
Little Expensive
✗
No display or RGB
✗
No Height Adjustment
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280
Dimensions: 13.27 x 9.57 x 6.81 inches | Base Height: 6.81 inches | Weight: 4.58 pounds | Fans: Two | Socket Support: AM4, LGA1200, LGA1151 | Warranty: 6 Years
It’s one of our favorite CPU coolers because of its aesthetics but mainly due to its simplicity and features. It has one of the best radiator surface areas. ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 is the best cooler for overclocking the i7-11700K. Not many manufacturers have thought of putting a fan to cool the VRM. ARCTIC has smartly utilized the water block area to keep the VRM cool, thus improving overclocking efficiency. This liquid cooler can easily remove 125 watts of i7-11700k heat with the 280mm radiator.
The Liquid Freezer II features a more efficient cool plate, pump and radiator than other AIO water coolers on the market, meaning that your CPU will stay cooler and run at peak performance for longer. Additionally, the included VRM fan provides extra cooling for the base and voltage transformer, meaning that your system will stay stable even under heavy load.
Its integrated cable management feature keeps your cables tidy and organized, while 80% less power consumption ensures whisper-quiet operation. The pump also clocks down when no cooling is needed, saving you even more power and noise. And thanks to the maintenance-free water loop, you don’t have to worry about refilling or maintaining your system.
The Pros
✓
Best price/performance ratio
✓
25.7 dBA noise under full load
✓
VRM cooling fan on the water block
The Cons
✗
No RGB lighting
✗
No low noise adapter
✗
Tubes run straight out of water block
Scythe Fuma 2
Staff Pick
View on amazon
Dimensions: 5.16 x 6.8 x 5.4 inches | Base Height: 6.1 inches | Weight: 2.2 Pounds | Fans: Two | Socket Support: AM4, LGA1200, LGA1151 | Warranty: 5 Years
Scythe Fuma 2 is one of the economic and high-performance heat sinks in the market. It has a height of 155mm that fits in almost all modern chassis. The aesthetics of the cooler are on point, with the combination of black, gray, and silver. Color variety makes it stand out and still merges with the theme, including Scythe products in our list of most modern gaming PCs. The six sintered heat pipes with dual radiator fins provide top performance. It has two 120mm 1200 RPM PWM pre-installed with a noise level of 24.9dBA. It is the best overall CPU cooler for i7-11700K.
The whole setup is reasonably priced and suits the budget of most PC builds. The only downside of massive, highly efficient air-based coolers is that they are enormous and challenging to install. The edges are sharp and careful installation is required to avoid injury. A fan that sits right in the middle of the heat fins is not easy to install, and installation in the wrong direction could lead to an efficiency drop. The noise level is relatively higher than the competition, and a low noise adapter could have been an excellent addition.
The fans come with an anti-vibration rubber used to reduce any noise caused by the striking of the fan to the fins. If you wish to reduce the space occupied, the user can remove this rubber. They have used an asymmetrical technique to allow height profile RAMs to fit underneath the cooler. It allows 55mm of RAM height underneath the cooler to fit any modern gaming memory module. The reverse jet flow technique improves static pressure, and you can install a third fan to improve heat transfer performance further.
The Pros
✓
200W above TDP
✓
Excellent price/performance ratio
✓
55mm high profile RAM compatible
The Cons
✗
No RGB lighting
✗
Large Size and heavy
✗
Low quality thermal paste
be quiet! Pure Loop 280
Dimensions: 14.38 x 5.99 x 8.08 inches | Base Height: 3.94 inches | Weight: 4.58 pounds | Fans: Two | Socket Support: AM4, LGA1200, LGA1151 | Warranty: 3 Years
be quiet! Pure Loop 280 is a budget-friendly, high-performance liquid-based cooler that is the best cpu cooler for i7 11700k. The company backs their equipment reliability with a 3-year product warranty. The design and overall aesthetics of the cooler are amazing. It features a metallic grey color water block with a white LED to ensure that all your guests know that it is not any ordinary AIO cooling solution. The cooling solution is meant for high-end gaming, and running CPU-intensive games like CyberPunk 2077 will not be a problem for you.
It has a slightly higher noise level compared to other liquid-based coolers with a 280 mm radiator. The loop is not maintenance-free and requires filling. The user will initially fill the loop, but “be quiet!” is kind enough to provide a water-filled bottle for filling. Filling liquid loops is not easy. You need to remove all the air and vent everything; otherwise, you will hear air bubble noise in the pump. The noise levels of the fans are slightly high, 38.1 dBA at 100% full load.
It uses a double-decoupled pump to reduce noise and improve lifespan. It has two 140mm high-quality fans named Pure Wings 2. Their performance in terms of noise is unparalleled, and they are frequently used in “be quiet” other products. The refill port is located on the radiator, and with careful filling and venting, the Beuser can obtain high performance, making it the best cpu cooler for i7-11700k. The flexible joints on the water block and flexible tubes allow user-friendly installation. It is the best 280mm AIO for i7-11700K in terms of price.
The Pros
✓
Best bang for the buck
✓
Flexible water block joint
✓
White LED for aesthetics
The Cons
✗
Requires loop filling
✗
No VRM fan for cooling
✗
High noise at full power
Scythe Mugen 5 Rev B
Budget Pick
View on amazon
Dimensions: 6.5 x 5.75 x 3.94 inches | Base Height: 6.08 inches | Weight: 2.9 pounds | Fans: One | Socket Support: AM4, LGA1200, LGA1151 | Warranty: 5 Years
Scythe Mugen 5 Rev B is a classic 120mm tower CPU cooler with high-quality copper construction and six heat pipes for superior performance. The Kaze Flex PWM fan offers improved airflow and cooling performance, while the fluid dynamic bearing ensures silent operation.
The fan can be adjusted between 300-1200 RPM for quieter or more powerful operation, and an additional fan clip is included for adding a second fan in a push-pull configuration.
With a total height of 154.5mm, it fits in the most popular cases on the market. The asymmetrical heat sink layout provides full access to the front RAM slots. Cut-out fins on the back allow a clearance of 55mm for the rear RAM slots.
This cooler is ideal for mainstream gaming PCs or overclocking with high TDP processors.
We have included Scythe products in our list in search of the best cpu cooler for i7 11700k. The included fan has guaranteed 120000 hours of working life, owing to the Sealed Precision FDB design, which allows proper lubrication and controlled noise levels. Users have reported solid performance during the overclocked situations and the lowest price for an overclock capable heatsink. It is the best mid-tier budget cooler for i7-11700K.
The Pros
✓
Supports dual fan mount
✓
Asymmetrical design with RAM cutout
✓
Self-contained liquid bearing based fan
The Cons
✗
Large dimensions
✗
No RGB or display
✗
Difficult fan mounting
Noctua NH-U12S
Dimensions: 4.53 x 5.51 x 6.42 inches | Base Height: 6.42 inches | Weight: 2.24 pounds | Fan: One | Socket Support: AM4, LGA1200, LGA1151 | Warranty: 6 Years
Noctua NH-C14S is one of the unique designs included in our list as the best cpu cooler for i7-11700k. Noctua is known to engineer solutions that stand out in terms of performance and looks. The C-type top flow design with durability is currently offered by Noctua only. It is made for users who want to install high-profile RAM. It gives a 70mm clearance underneath to fit almost any high-profile RAM. Users with a knick for small form factor chassis or building an HTPC would find this the most suitable design.
Noctua puts in a lot of effort while designing their products, and this adds to the cost. The color theme of Noctua products is not liked by many as black and white are the most trending colors. Users are slowly getting used to the beige and brown color scheme. It’s helping Noctua build its image. The user should carefully handle the C-type design; too much force would cause it to bend and lose efficiency or even break the heat pipe.
The warranty on this product is a bizarre 6-year. That shows the amount of confidence that the company has in its product design. They have included an NT-H1 thermal compound in their package. If you fit the fan underneath the fins, then the whole setup takes only 115mm of space above the CPU. The PCIe slot clearance has also been taken into consideration. The offset from the center is done to allow the PCIe slot to have enough clearance for big cards. It is the best value cooler for i7-11700K.
The Pros
✓
Excellent build quality and material
✓
Fan underneath fin for 115mm height
✓
70mm clearance for high profile RAM
The Cons
✗
Premium Price
✗
Limited TDP at nominal flow
✗
No RGB and odd colors scheme
Phanteks PH-TC14PE
Dimensions: 6.58 x 7.48 x 8.43 inches | Base Height: 5.51 inches | Weight: 2.13 pounds | Fans: Two | Socket Support: AM4, LGA1200, LGA1151 | Warranty: 5 Years
If you are looking for an aesthetically well-built air-based cooler that comes in various colors, there is no other option than the Phanteks PH-TC14PE. It is visually stunning and comes in black, white, blue, yellow, and red variants. The CPU cooler comes with patented Cold Plasma Spraying Coating Technology that ensures long-lasting performance. The color does not scratch off easily like the other CPU coolers featured in our reviews. It comes pre-installed with two PH-F140HP Premium Fans for long working hours.
Like all big air-based coolers, this one also poses a challenging situation for the user during installation. The large size can interfere with the surrounding objects, and careful mounting is required. There is no offset on the heat fins; therefore, users will be limited to specific memory profiles, and high profile memories are not supported. Phanteks provides top-quality products, and this cooler also performs as stated. It is the best cpu cooler for i7 11700k.
The complete product comes with a large number of accessories that a user may require during assembly. It comes with a high-quality PH-NDC Thermal Compound, SoliSku mounting Kits for Intel, and Y-Fan Splitter, along with other products to provide the users with all the required objects. The size of the heat sink suggests that the 125W produced by the CPU will not be a problem, thus making this product the best all-round cooler for i7-11700K.
The Pros
✓
PH-F140HP Premium Fans
✓
Packed with thermal compound
✓
Gorgeous white and black scheme
The Cons
✗
Slightly pricey
✗
Huge size and height
✗
No offset for RAM clearance
Be Quiet Dark Rock Pro 4
Dimensions: 5.35 x 5.74 x 6.41 inches | Base Height: 6.41 inches | Weight: 2.49 pounds | Fans: Two | Socket Support: AM4, LGA1200, LGA1151 | Warranty: 3 Years
If you want an exceptional performance with an air-fin-based design, Be Quiet Dark Rock Pro 4 should be your top choice. The line of products from “be quiet!” is without a doubt top-tier. As the name of the product suggests, it is the quietest air-based product on our list. The amount of space required above the CPU is only 6.41 inches as it’s not a top-flow design. It uses two high-quality fans to flow air across the heat exchange surface. The product is reasonably priced and aesthetically pleasing. It is the best cpu cooler for i7-11700k.
The dark-themed product goes with all the latest trending cases and motherboard colors. The black-colored fins are easily scratchable, so handling with care is required during installation. The fans are also hard to replace and require disassembly of the setup. Some air-based coolers also provide LED display for status and RGB lighting, but this is simpler for minimalist lovers. The size is enormous and requires expertise for installation compared to small water blocks.
Air-based coolers have a significant advantage of longer life over liquid-based coolers. Be quiet has promised 300,000 hours of operational life for this cooler. The 24.3 dBA noise level is incredible, considering that its noise is produced at maximum fan speeds. It gives the highest possible TDP of 250W for this design beating all its competition. The 125W of i7-11700K will be a piece of cake for this hardware. It allows 40mm of RAM clearance which is high enough to support XMP profile RAMs. It is the quietest CPU cooler for i7-11700K.
The Pros
✓
Brushed aluminum top cover
✓
Astonishing 250W TDP for air-based cooler
✓
Seven high-performance copper heat pipes
The Cons
✗
No low noise adapter
✗
Expensive for an air cooler
✗
Limits RAM heights to 40mm
Summary Best CPU Coolers for i7 11700K
Conclusion
The cooling performance of your PC heavily affects gaming performance. A content creator would face similar issues with significant encoding times and editing hurdles with a low-quality CPU cooler. A processor such as the i7-11700K requires a 125W or above TDP cooler for optimum performance. Picking the best cpu cooler for i7 11700k is essential to top performance. The load may increase under certain conditions, so owning a proper cooler can improve your processor performance under TP2 loads, and your tau time could increase.
We have given you reviews of both air-based and liquid-based coolers with their noise level, built quality, and provided accessories. Manufacturers have used unique ways to incorporate all the factors like memory module heights and PCIe slots clearance. Some manufacturers have included VRM cooling for enhanced overclocking performance. Buying the best GPU, CPU, and Monitor may not be enough. Investing in a good AIO solution can ensure lower throttling and steady framerates.
We recommend if you want a lower noise level and do not bother about water loops, then a water cooling solution should be your choice. If you want a long-term solution with a more straightforward installation setup, then air-based coolers are your best bet. We hope you find the best cpu cooler for i7-11700k for your PC rig.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cooler should I get for i7 11700K?
If you are into serious overclocking and want to buy a maintenance-free liquid loop, go for the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280. It will keep your VRM cooled, and the large radiator size provides enough TDP to cool i7 11700k under intense or standard loads. The cable management is also well hidden and blends with the motherboard theme.
Is air cooling enough for i7 11700K?
High-efficiency coolers like the Noctua NH-D15 can provide 183 W TDP for a 125 W TDP i7 11700k. It has a high enough heat dissipation capability to cope with the processor under loaded conditions and overclocked conditions. The high-efficiency fans with large surface area fins can easily handle i7 11700k load.
Do I need a CPU cooler for i7 11700K?
Intel i7-11700K does not come with a bundled cooler. The K series processor is overclocking capable, which means its heat production may increase above the rated TDP. Liquid coolers like the “be quiet! Pure Loop 280” can take up high enough loads and produce reasonable noise levels to avoid thermal throttling in CPUs.
What cooler do I need for i7 11700K?
A low noise air-based cooler can significantly improve your CPU performance like the “Be Quiet Dark Rock Pro 4”. With as low as 24dBA of noise level, it can remove 250W of heat. It’s way above the 125W heat produced by i7 11700k within the rated condition. The aesthetics combined with performance makes this cooler the ideal choice for gamers.
Is the Intel i7-11700K core good?
The performance of the Intel i7-11700K core is very good. It offers excellent single-core and multi-core speeds. The high clock speeds and turbo boost allow the processor to handle demanding tasks easily. The processor also comes with a decent cooling solution, which helps to keep it cool even when under load.
Which CPU cooler is best for a gaming PC?
The best type of CPU cooler for a gaming PC is the liquid cooling system. It offers superior cooling performance and is very easy to install. The only downfall is that it is slightly more expensive than the air cooling system.