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If you’re looking for the best CPU coolers for the Intel Core i7 12700k, I’ve picked out three coolers that offer great performance without breaking the bank.
We’ll check out a budget-friendly option, then a more premium cooler, and lastly our top pick that balances performance and price.
Our Top Picks
- Scythe Mugen 6 (amazon link) – Best Budget CPU Cooler For Intel Core i7 12700k
- MSI MAG CoreLiquid 360R V2 (amazon link) – Best Premium CPU Cooler For Intel Core i7 12700k
- Cooler Master MasterLiquid 240L (amazon link) – Our Top Choice
(affiliate links)
Why Should You Trust Us?
With over 24 years of hands-on experience building PCs, starting at age 14, Konstantinos Chiotis brings a wealth of knowledge to the table when it comes to CPU coolers and PC hardware. Having spent more than a decade in the tech industry, Konstantinos has a deep understanding of components like motherboards, GPUs, and processors, with a particular knack for dissecting the nuances of cooling solutions. This expertise, fueled by a passion for technology and gaming, ensures that every recommendation is rooted in practical know-how, meticulous research, and a commitment to helping readers make informed choices for your Intel Core i7 12700k builds.
How We Chose The Best CPU Coolers for the Intel Core i7 12700k
Picking the right CPU cooler for the Intel Core i7 12700k involves focusing on the processor’s unique thermal and performance characteristics. With 12 cores (8 performance, 4 efficiency) and 20 threads, the i7 12700k can push past 150W under heavy loads, especially when boosting to 5.0 GHz or during overclocking. Cooling this chip effectively requires careful consideration of factors tailored to its demands, ensuring optimal performance without thermal throttling or excessive noise.
Key Selection Criteria
- High Thermal Capacity: The i7 12700k’s hybrid architecture generates significant heat, particularly from its performance cores during tasks like gaming or video rendering. Coolers needed robust heat dissipation, such as air coolers with at least 6 heat pipes and dense fin arrays or AIOs with 240mm or larger radiators to keep temperatures below 70°C under sustained loads.
- LGA 1700 Mounting Precision: The i7 12700k uses Intel’s LGA 1700 socket, which has a unique mounting pressure requirement due to the CPU’s rectangular shape. Coolers were chosen for secure, evenly distributed contact with the CPU’s integrated heat spreader to maximize heat transfer.
- Optimized Airflow for Boost Clocks: To sustain the i7 12700k’s high boost clocks, coolers needed fans with strong static pressure and airflow (at least 60 CFM for air coolers or 70 CFM for AIO fans) to handle the chip’s dynamic power spikes during intensive workloads.
- Low Noise Under Variable Loads: The i7 12700k’s efficiency cores handle lighter tasks, requiring coolers to operate quietly at low RPMs. For heavier loads, fans with PWM control and fluid dynamic bearings were prioritized to balance noise (ideally under 30 dB at moderate loads) and cooling power.
- RAM and Case Compatibility: The i7 12700k is often paired with tall DDR4/DDR5 RAM in gaming or workstation builds. Air coolers needed low-profile designs or offset heatsinks to avoid RAM interference, while AIOs required radiator sizes compatible with mid-tower cases (240mm or 360mm).
- Durability for Sustained Loads: The i7 12700k’s high power draw during prolonged tasks like 3D rendering demands coolers with durable components, such as reinforced tubing for AIOs or nickel-plated copper bases for air coolers, to maintain performance over time.
- Value for Mid-Range Builds: Since the i7 12700k is a mid-to-high-end CPU, coolers were selected to deliver strong cooling relative to cost, catering to users building gaming rigs or workstations without overspending.
Why These Factors Matter for the i7 12700k
The i7 12700k’s hybrid core design creates uneven heat distribution, with performance cores generating more heat than efficiency cores. A cooler must efficiently target these hotspots to prevent throttling, especially during overclocking or multi-threaded workloads. Precise LGA 1700 mounting ensures optimal contact, while strong airflow supports the CPU’s aggressive boost behavior.
Quiet operation enhances user experience during lighter tasks, and compatibility with RAM and cases simplifies integration into typical i7 12700k builds. By focusing on these specific needs, the selected coolers deliver reliable cooling, maintain performance, and align with the processor’s role in gaming, content creation, or productivity setups.
Best CPU Coolers For Intel Core i7 12700k Reviews
Number 3. Scythe Mugen 6 – Best Budget CPU Cooler For Intel Core i7 12700k
The Scythe Mugen 6 is an air cooler that does not go after your wallet, but it surely matches the performance of competitors that are priced twice or more. This cooler is a prime example of not spending a fortune to get decent cooling performance. Scythe has been known to produce various coolers that are aimed at quiet operation and excellent performance, without costing a premium.
Starting off with the variants, Scythe Mugen 6 comes in two options, the standard Mugen 6 and the Mugen 6 Black Edition. While the naming may throw you off, the only difference between the stock and the Black edition is the addition of an extra fan and the paint job. All of this costs around 8 dollars more than the standard version.
Moving on to the packaging, the cooler comes with mounting brackets for AMD and Intel chipsets, a single Wonder Tornado fan, a screwdriver and the usual thermal paste, fan clips, and a fan splitter cable. The packaging offers decent support for the cooler, so you should be fine getting it shipped over long distances.
From a design perspective, the cooler uses a single tower heatsink, which is not as optimal as a dual-tower design, but it still does the job quite well. The heatsink consists of 6x 6mm heat pipes connected to the nickel-plated copper base. The included fan is a 120mm non-RGB fan from Wonder Tornado with FDB bearings. This is considered some of the best when it comes to reliability and noise levels. In addition, the fins count on the heatsink has been increased by about 45% compared to the previous model. This helps with the overall air pressure and air flow, which in return improves the cooling performance.
Speaking of performance, the Scythe Mugen 6 is able to perform better than other budget options like the Deepcool AK500, while completely outclassing more expensive products such as the Noctua NH-P1 by a mile. Under high workload, the cooler is able to maintain temperatures well within the 65 degrees celsius mark with a CPU like the i7 12700k, which is a job well done for a budget air cooler. The noise levels are also quite acceptable, and it maintains a lower dB value than the Deepcool AK500 in the budget category. That said, it isn’t a completely silent operation and you will be able to hear the fan noise as the fan speed ramps up.
As for installation, it is quite simple and there isn’t much to it since it is a simple air cooler. Plus, thanks to the included long screwdriver, you can easily install the screws even with the motherboard inside the PC case. Another plus point for the Scythe Mugen 6 is full RAM compatibility. This means even tall RAM sticks installed on the first DIMM slot should not interfere with the heatsink, and you should be able to install it without any interference. In terms of support, Intel chipsets include LGA 1700, 1200, and more while AMD support is limited to AM4 and AM5. Lastly, the overall weight of the coolers comes at about 1013 grams with the fan installed, which is slightly on the heavier side for a single tower design.
All in all, the Mugen 6 is an absolute budget king when it comes to air coolers, offering performance that surpasses that of more premium products, along with some nice attention to detail that is really convenient during installation.
To sum up, what I like is…
Full RAM compatibility
Price to performance is exceptional
Noise levels are okay
On the downside…
Plain and boring design
Ratings:
Design and Aesthetics: 8/10
Cooling Performance: 8.5/10
Noise: 8/10
Installation: 8.5/10
Value for Money: 9/10
Overall Rating: 8.5/10
Number 2. MSI MAG CoreLiquid 360R V2 – Best Premium CPU Cooler For Intel Core i7 12700k
If you are looking for a cooler without being bound by a budget, the MSI MAG CoreLiquid 360R V2 is one of the best options to go for. This cooler has all of the features that you are going to need and more. Starting from good build quality to effective cooling technology, ARGB lighting, and overall design aesthetics, this cooler has it all. Let’s see why.
The V1 version of the CoreLiquid 360R was infamous for eventually not working due to an issue with the coolant. MSI has rectified this issue in the V2 version, and thankfully, that is no longer a concern. Other than that, the product remains pretty much the same with the exception of adding support for an additional Intel chipset.
In the box, you will find all of the accessories for installing the cooler on supported chipsets along with 3 ARGB 120mm fans. These fans have a max speed of 2000 RPM and come with PWM support, allowing them to automatically adjust their speed per system load. Support for chipsets includes Intel LGA1700 all the way down to 1150, while support for AMD starts from AM2 to the latest AM5 chipset. The mounting bracket for some supported chipsets is not included in the contents, such as AMD threadripper.
In terms of design, the MSI Mag CoreLiquid 360R V2 uses 3 120mm fans on the aluminum radiator that has a length of 394mm. This also comes in a smaller option with two fans, making it accessible for even compact cases. Instead of an LCD screen, the pump includes a unique MSI blockhead that can be rotated at 270 degrees, which should remove any alignment concerns when installing the cooler. Inside the pump is a three-phase motor, reducing vibrations and increasing the overall durability. The two tubes are braided with a mesh exterior that has been reinforced with three layers of plastic to ensure there is no evaporation. Along with the black variant, it also comes in white, making it suitable for white themed builds as well.
When it comes to performance, this cooler does not cut any corners and it is able to match the performance of rivals like the CORSAIR iCUE Link Titan 360 RX while being a relatively cheaper option. The overall acoustics are also really great, thanks to the two ball bearing fans included in the box that reduce the overall noise levels and improve the longevity of the fans. When playing AAA titles like Hogwarts Legacy and Resident Evil 4 Remake, the average temperature remained at around 60 degrees celsius with a cpu like the i7 12700k.
Installation of the cooler can be slightly tricky if you haven’t installed an AIO cooler before. However, there is an included manual that you can reference for instructions on installation. The tubes have a length of 400mm, so they should be able to reach the pump quite easily.
MSI offers the Mystic Light software that allows you to control the ARGB ligthing on the fans and the blockhead. Finally, the cooler weighs around 1680 grams in total.
To summarize, the MSI MAG CoreLiquid 360R V2 is an AIO that builds up on its predecessor by rectifying the primary pain point, allowing it to reach its full potential in performance. In addition, the cooler features a unique blockhead which gives it pleasing look.
To sum up, what I like is…
Vast support for chipsets
Cooling performance is great
Minimal acoustics
On the downside…
Installation can be tricky
Ratings:
Design and Aesthetics: 9/10
Cooling Performance: 9/10
Noise: 9/10
Installation: 8/10
Value for Money: 8/10
Overall Rating: 8.5/10
Number 1. Cooler Master MasterLiquid 240L – Our Top Choice
If you are looking for a reliable AIO that doesn’t break the bank, the ML 240L Core is a solid option. It offers superb performance, near-silent noise, sleek aesthetics, and an affordable price tag. It’s the perfect pairing for mid-range CPUs if you want to get the most value out of your money. It has the features of a high-end AIO without costing that much.
The cooler is available in two color schemes: the standard black version and a white variant. It is worth noting that the white variant will cost you a little more money, but it will look great on a white build. The black version is more standard and will look good in almost all builds. Plus, the added ARGB fans should make it easier to make the cooler match your existing lighting.
Speaking of fans, the ML240 Core features two 120mm fans, each rated for a max RPM of 1750, which will be more than enough to cool most CPUs. With Cooler Master’s optimized fan speed curve, you can rest assured that your CPU will be cool even under high loads.
The fans look good, but what about the radiator? The ML 240L Core features a 240mm radiator. It features expanded radiator fins, which should hasten heat dissipation, resulting in overall better cooling performance.
On the topic of heat dissipation, the ML 240L Core’s pump is quite efficient at that. While it is mostly the same Asetek pump that most of the other competitors use, Cooler Master has made some adjustments to make it even better. Most importantly, the redesigned copper plate targets the hotspots of the CPU more accurately. This is then paired with a faster water flow and pressure to make the cooling even more efficient.
So far, so good—but what about compatibility and installation? This cooler supports a wide range of sockets and comes with separate mounting hardware for AMD and Intel. It is always nice to have room for an upgrade in the future. The installation process is quite standard, so you will not have any problems there.
Now for one of the most important factors of a good AIO: the noise levels. A cooler can be great at performance, but it can be equally annoying if it has bad acoustics. Thankfully, the ML240 Core does not disappoint in that regard either. Under maximum load, the noise can go up to 27.2 decibels but that’s the worst-case scenario.
For normal gaming sessions, acoustics won’t be a problem. There are quieter options out there like the Phanteks Glacier One 240 but the ML240L Core is just better in terms of pure performance.
With performance and acoustics out of the way, let’s talk aesthetics. As mentioned, the ML 240L Core comes in two color variants, each looking quite good. Cooler Master clearly chose a minimalistic theme for this cooler. The cooler does not have a ton of RGB, except for the fans and the iconic Cooler Master hexagon on the pump. This could be a deal breaker for some people, but on the contrary it offers superb cooling, minimal aesthetics, and adequate acoustics. While there are other options at this price range, the ML 240L provides probably the best value. In short, it’s a great cooler a great pair for the 12700k that does not cost much.
To sum up, what I like is….
Minimal Aesthetics
Expanded Radiator Fins for better heat dissipation
Simple Installation
Great value for money
On the downside…
Design might be too simple for some people
Acoustics could be slightly better
Ratings:
Design and Aesthetics: 8.5/10
Cooling Performance: 9/10
Noise: 8.5/10
Installation: 9/10
Value For Money: 9.5/10
For an Overall Rating of 9/10
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What type of CPU cooler is best for the Intel Core i7 12700k?
The best CPU cooler for the Intel Core i7 12700k depends on budget and needs. Air coolers, like single-tower designs with multiple heat pipes, are great for budget builds, offering reliable cooling for the i7 12700k’s 150W+ heat output. AIO liquid coolers with 240mm or 360mm radiators provide superior performance for overclocking or heavy workloads, keeping temperatures low during tasks like gaming or video editing.
2. Do I need an AIO cooler for the i7 12700k, or is an air cooler enough?
An air cooler is enough for the i7 12700k in most cases, especially for stock settings or light gaming, as it can maintain temperatures below 70°C with good airflow. For overclocking or demanding tasks like 3D rendering, an AIO cooler with a 240mm or larger radiator offers better heat dissipation to handle the CPU’s high power draw and sustain boost clocks.
3. Will any CPU cooler fit the Intel Core i7 12700k?
Not all CPU coolers fit the i7 12700k. The i7 12700k uses the LGA 1700 socket, so the cooler must include LGA 1700 mounting hardware. Most modern coolers support this socket, but always check compatibility for Intel chipsets like LGA 1700, 1200, or others to ensure a secure fit.
4. How loud are CPU coolers for the i7 12700k?
CPU cooler noise for the i7 12700k varies by model. Budget air coolers typically stay under 30 dB during light loads but may reach 35-40 dB under heavy workloads. Premium AIOs with PWM fans and fluid dynamic bearings can keep noise as low as 27 dB even at max load, making them ideal for quiet builds.
5. Can I use tall RAM with an air cooler for the i7 12700k?
Yes, many air coolers for the i7 12700k offer full RAM compatibility. Single-tower designs with offset heatsinks avoid interference with tall DDR4 or DDR5 RAM sticks in the first DIMM slot, ensuring easy installation in gaming or workstation builds.
6. How easy is it to install a CPU cooler on the i7 12700k?
Installing a CPU cooler on the i7 12700k is straightforward with most models. Air coolers often include long screwdrivers and simple mounting brackets for LGA 1700, making setup quick. AIOs may require more steps, like attaching a radiator, but included manuals guide users through the process for mid-tower cases.
7. Do CPU coolers for the i7 12700k support overclocking?
Many CPU coolers for the i7 12700k support overclocking. AIOs with 240mm or 360mm radiators and high-CFM fans handle the extra heat from overclocked settings, keeping temperatures below 70°C. Air coolers with dense fin stacks and 6+ heat pipes can also manage moderate overclocking for the i7 12700k.
8. What size AIO radiator is best for the i7 12700k?
A 240mm or 360mm AIO radiator is best for the i7 12700k. A 240mm radiator suits mid-tower cases and handles gaming or multitasking well, while a 360mm radiator offers extra cooling capacity for overclocking or heavy workloads, ensuring temperatures stay low under stress.
9. How much should I spend on a CPU cooler for the i7 12700k?
A good CPU cooler for the i7 12700k costs $40-$100. Budget air coolers around $40-$60 provide solid performance for stock settings, while AIOs in the $80-$100 range offer premium cooling and aesthetics, ideal for overclocking or high-end builds.
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