Best AIO cooler – the top liquid coolers for your CPU in 2022. Which corsair water cooler is best

Like the Corsair H series, the NZXT Z series is also available in 360mm and 240mm. It could be a perfect match for the NZXT chassis, or simply because of that uniquely looking CPU block.

6 Best CPU Coolers For Core i9 12900K In 2022

If you are thinking of purchasing a flagship CPU, you may be looking for the best CPU cooler for the i9 12900K. After a long wait, Intel finally launched its 12th generation Core series processors. These generation 12 chips are codenamed Alder Lake and bring a lot of impressive things to the table. For example, DDR5 Ram is the latest platform fully supported by these processors. Not only can DDR5 boast higher frequencies, it can achieve them with lower power consumption. We’ve already listed the best motherboards for the I9-12900k, so check that out too.

Besides, Alder Lake is also a completely new architecture. Intel introduced performance and performance cores which they refer to as P and E cores, respectively. Put simply, E cores are more efficient but less efficient, as the name suggests. P-core cores are more power consuming and can hit higher frequencies with more cache.

You may ask yourself why all this matters to me? Well, that’s because it has resulted in one of Intel’s best flagship processors in the latest memory, the Core i9 12900K. With 8 high-performance cores, 8 high-performance cores, and 24 threads overall, this thing is powerful. However, this may put potential buyers in a difficult position. This authoritative flagship processor is very difficult to cool down.

Power consumption situation

We’ve already written a few articles that relate to the 12900K, such as the best RAM for the i9 12900K and the Z690 motherboards. However, this one turns out to be a bit more difficult. If you’re fully pressing 12900K, it can use up to around 240W of power. Needless to say, this is several times more than anything we have seen in recent memory.

This explains why the 12900K is so difficult to cool down, and shows where all these performance gains are coming from. So, while Intel is more efficient at daily tasks and games, it is pushing the boundaries when it comes to power consumption during production tasks.

So, before we get into our list of the best CPU coolers for the i9 12900K, there are some buying tips and things to watch out for. Here’s a comparison of all CPU coolers.

Best CPU Coolers For i9 12900K

Enough of dancing around the topic, let’s get to the point. If you’re up for biting a bullet and building a high-end Alder Lake gaming PC, these are the best CPU coolers for the i9 12900K. All of these options are great and we beg you don’t get too confused as there are so many other coolers out there.
Choosing just a handful of refrigerators from the plethora of options available was not an easy task. However, we chose products that were great around the world and those that stood out in one or more aspects. Let’s take a look at the list.

Noctua NH-D15 Chromax.Black

Best CPU cooler for i9 12900k

Noctua NH-D15 chromax black

Technical data = “Type: air cooler with two towers | TDP: 220W | Heat pipes: 6 | Lighting: None | Dimensions: 160.00 x 150.00 x 135.00 mm”

• Monstrous performance
• Impressive acoustic performance for this size
• Lots of space for warmth
• Elegant and sophisticated design
• Installation is a breeze
• Extremely reliable and withstands the test of time

• May have trouble fitting in cases on the smaller side of the scale

At this point, it’s extremely difficult to make a list of the best CPU coolers for any CPU, not including the Noctua NH-D15. It is undoubtedly a classic choice for many enthusiasts and veterans of construction. Noctua is extremely popular for cooling products and accessories such as case fans, thermal grease, CPU coolers, and more. Thanks to its fresh coat of paint, the NHD15 Chromax Black is accessible to more people than ever.

The D15 is a giant radiator and this chrome edition is mostly just a new paint job on an iconic product. This sleek and stealthy look is a sight to see and should easily blend in with most color schemes. Noctua has paid attention to detail as the fin systems, heat pipes, fans and even fan clips are all black. They also opted for a matte texture that adds a hidden aesthetic.

Moving on, this cooler uses 6mm diameter copper heat pipes, a twin tower structure and 150mm wide aluminum fin stacks. It is also equipped with the excellent Noctua NF-A15 PWM fans. These fans also use high-quality SSO2 bearings that are lubricated and use magnetic stabilizers. The fans can spin up to 1500rpm and are not as loud as others on the market.

All this clever design language comes together to create a radiator that far outperforms the competition, at least when it comes to air coolers. Installation is also quite easy thanks to the patented SecuFirm 2 mounting system. It is incredibly intuitive, and Noctua has great instructions both in the manual and in the form of youtube videos.

The performance is as excellent as you would expect from Noctua. This sturdy two-tower refrigerator proves to be very efficient, while also being quieter than other two-tower refrigerators on the market. In fact, the NH-D15 can also compete with many AIOs.

Overall, the Noctua NH-D15 is the best CPU cooler for the i9 12900k in 2022. Noctua has finally managed to create a cooling that appeals to the masses. This is thanks to the great performance we’ve come to expect from Noctua and the sheer black design.

It is a lengthy debate that is common to both newbies, construction veterans, and hardware enthusiasts alike. However, it has never been more relevant than with the 12900K. While it would certainly make the most sense to go with the extremely powerful 360mm AIO liquid cooler, a few air coolers will work quite well with the 12900K.

MSI MEG CoreLiquid S360

The best AIO cooler is MSI MEG CoreLiquid S360.

The MEG CoreLiquid S360 is not MSI’s first AIO cooling unit, but it is certainly the best for three reasons: cooling, compatibility, and additional considerations. Not only does it balance impeccable performance with low noise, even as the Silent Gale P12 fans spin at 2,000rpm, it also supports the latest Intel Alder Lake processor series with the LGA1700 bracket right out of the box. It even includes a 60mm fan in the pump to ensure your motherboard’s VRM stays cool – something that is often overlooked by other AIO options.

The highlight of MSI is the built-in screen, which is by no means a new concept, but neither does it better than MSI’s MEG CoreLiquid S360. Aside from plain images, GIFs, and system information that others can view, this 2.4 inch IPS display does what most of its competitors cannot: play .mp4 files. You also don’t have to tilt your head wherever you put the heater in the case as the block turns 90 degrees so it’s always the right side up.

If money doesn’t matter, no other AIO refrigerator is reaching the same heights as the MSI MEG CoreLiquid S360.

What do we like…
The best IPS screen
Supports the latest sockets
Quiet as a mouse

MSI MEG CoreLiquid S360 specification
Size	360mm
Fans	3x PWM 120mm
Compatibility	For AM4, LGA 1700, TR4

nzxt kraken x63

The best AIO cooler is the NZXT Kraken X63.

This 280mm diameter liquid cooler from NZXT is our choice if you are looking for a really good all-rounder. The virtually noiseless radiator fans feature dynamic bearings for longer life and quieter operation than any other fan technology. Of course, there’s customizable RGB lighting on the pump cover so people know you’re not using your old stock solution.

With the X63 you will see idle and charging temperatures in a different league for air coolers. If you’re overclocking, just make sure you choose one of the best gaming motherboards out there.

What do we like…
great thermal performance
Accessible
Close to silent fans

Specification of the NZXT Kraken X63
Size	280mm
Fans	2x PWM 140mm
Compatibility	AM4, LGA 1151, LGA 2011-3

The best way to reduce the risk is to observe the refrigerator to see if there are any signs of leakage, and to monitor the CPU temperature to see if the pump is running. As long as you keep an eye on both, you can find most problems before they do catastrophic damage.

Second best overall liquid cooler: Corsair iCUE H150i Elite Capellix

Corsair CPU coolers are quite popular in the market, and rightly so. The performance of the H150i Elite Capellix is ​​comparable and sometimes even better than some of the best 360mm coolers on the market. In addition, the Capellix in the name means that it is fully equipped with Corsair’s Capellix RGB LEDs, which it now uses in almost all its components. Why not? They look so damn cool and that adds to the overall appeal of the product. Corsair adds value to your product with a Commander CORE hub / control module that allows you to effortlessly control everything in one place.

One of the best things about the Corsair h150i Elite Capellix AIO cooler is that it is compatible with AMD AM4, Threadripper TR4 (gen1 and 2), and even the Threadripper sTRX4 socket. On the Intel side, it is compatible with Intel LGA 1700, 1200, 115x, 2066 and 2011x. You will also receive a faceplate with the Corsair logo, mounting brackets along the mounting hardware. As mentioned earlier, the Commander CORE hub module is also included. Corsair also gives a five-year warranty on the H150i Elite Capellix AIO, which is great.

Unlike Cooler Master’s ML360 Illusion AIO, the Corsair H150i Elite Capellix cooler has a fairly simple looking water pump block out of the box. It only features the Corsair logo as a prominent part with an opaque backing. You can change it by toggling it with the included transparent faceplate. The pump is supported by 33RGB LEDs that can be customized via iCUE software to suit your system layout. The base of the H150i Elite Capellix features a brushed copper cooling plate and is connected to tubing with nylon sleeves for the radiator.

You also get a trio of 120mm ML120 RGB fans that are mounted on a 360mm radiator. These fans are rated up to 2400 rpm and the speeds are managed using a 4-pin PWM. The 360mm aluminum radiator is also easy to install, provided the housing has enough space to accommodate it. Core Hub Commander is also quite easy to use and gives you more control over everything. The H150i Elite Capellix is ​​also a solid cooler when it comes to performance. It can handle everything from an energy-efficient Celeron processor to a fully unlocked Core i9-12900K processor. The 360mm is also ideal for high-end computers, but there’s also the 420mm variant if it fits your boat.

People with a small system with limited space can also choose the 240 mm or 120 mm variant. 240mm seems to be just right for most, and among other options, it’s also well priced in the market. Even the 120mm radiator is not sloppy, but this is only recommended for SFF designs or those where space is very limited. There is also a variant of this particular refrigerator in white, which is always good to have as an option. Additionally, Corsair has also introduced a new variant of this particular device with an LCD display for the pump. This variant obviously costs more than the regular one, but adds to the overall user experience. Current Corsair H150i Elite users can also purchase an LCD screen pump as an upgrade.

Corsair iCUE H150i Elite Capellix AIO Liquid Cooler

The Corsair iCUE H150i Elite Capellix AIO is also a solid 360mm AIO for advanced designs. It is also available in two other sizes of PC heaters with a smaller form factor.

Best 240mm AIO liquid cooler: NZXT Kraken Z53

NZXT is one of the few manufacturers that produces a lot of AIO liquid coolers. You can either buy an inexpensive barebone cooler from them, or you can go all the way spending a lot of money to enjoy all the RGB lights you want. They even have liquid coolers with LCD displays that you can use to display memes or GIFs. Excellent. From the available 240mm Kraken Z53 coolers, we feel is a fantastic option worth considering. Hence, it is our pick for the best 240mm AIO liquid cooler you can buy right now. The Kraken Z53 is part of the premium NZXT range, meaning the Aer NZXT fans and LCD display are also included.

The Kraken Z63 is also a great choice, but costs a bit more to add 140mm fans instead of the 120mm fans on the Z53. Is it worth it? Well that depends on your design, but we think 120mm fans are a great pair for a 240mm radiator. A mid-tower PC case like the Corsair Airflow 4000D is perfect for 240mm cooling. Perfect for computers with a compact and narrow radiator bracket. The refrigerator is equipped with an Asetek 7th generation pump with an LCD display. This is the company’s new cooler that is said to be able to cool even the most demanding CPUs on the market. It is also compatible with a variety of CPU sockets, including the new Alder Lake CPUs. Current Z53 Kraken users can also get a free LGA 1700 kit from NZXT for free.

LCD really is the star of the show here. You can control the panel via CAM software and display a lot of different data, including CPU and GPU temperature. You can also use it to display media, which opens up a new world of customization for many people. As a content creator, you can, for example, display your brand logo. Tubes with nylon sleeves pass the coolant to a 240 mm aluminum radiator. The addition of Aer RGB fans makes it a really good option. Here are some well-built fans who will survive for a while. The fan’s RGB lighting can also be controlled via the CAM software. These dynamic fluid bearing fans have a maximum speed of 1500 rpm and emit noise of 33 dBA at maximum rpm.

The Kraken Z53 is also excellent when it comes to cooling. They can easily cope with the load of even high-performance processors available on the market. Overclockers may want to look at the Kraken Z63 or even the Kraken Z73 for the best cooling performance. A 240mm radiator, as we mentioned earlier, is not ideal for a fully equipped high-performance platform. In that case, it’s better to buy AIO 360mm or larger. The NZXT also has a variant of this cooler without any RGB blings. It’s perfect for those who don’t necessarily want RGB light, or for those who want to save some money by giving up RGB. Both variants, however, have the same cooling capacity out of the box.

NZXT Kraken Z53 RGB AIO CPU Cooler

The Corsair iCUE H150i Elite Capellix AIO is also a solid 360mm AIO for advanced designs. It is also available in two other sizes of PC heaters with a smaller form factor.

The Alder Lake line is certainly for early adopters considering the barrier to entry is quite expensive, even in the absence of a graphics card. With that said, the times ahead are certainly intriguing.

Tips On How To Choose The Best All In One Cooler

Before we get stuck, here are some basic terms that you might want to familiarize yourself with if you’re not aware of it.

This applies to a liquid cooler or a closed circuit cooler. This means that the pump, pipes, liquid and tank come together. All you need to do is install and you’re done. It is known as “all-in-one” because you can get fully customized liquid cooling that requires much more knowledge and skill to install

TDP (Design Thermal Power)

Design heat output or design heat point is a specification measured in watts. It tells us about the maximum amount of heat that a component will produce, which in this case is the processor.

RPM (revolutions per minute)

RPM is the number of turns of the CPU fan per minute. Higher rotational speed means more airflow, but it can increase noise levels.

PWM (pulse width modulation)

Pulse width modulation is a modulation process or technique that performs a predefined action based on (CPU) temperature or system commands.

It simply means that the PWM fan allows you to control the RPM or RPM and lighting (if it’s RGB) wirelessly or via third party software.

dBA (A-weighted decibels)

This directly expresses the relative loudness of sounds in the air as perceived by the human ear. The A-weighted decibel system means that low frequency sounds are reduced compared to unweighted decibels.

Here is a table of comparative examples of noise levels:

Noise levels

Example	dbA
Breathing / Pin Drop	10
Rustling leaves	twenty
Whisper	thirty
A gurgling stream	40
Traffic lights	50
Conversational speech	60

Before purchasing an all-in-one CPU cooler, there are a few things to consider:

Your Budget

Every aftermarket cooling solution is usually better than a standard fan, but not everyone needs that extra cooling capacity. In most cases, a standard fan will do the job for those who don’t want to overclock their CPU.

All-in-one coolers are significantly more expensive than their airborne counterparts, and this is largely not due to performance considerations. Fancy liquid coolers often come with RGB lighting, and more modern models come with impressive features such as remote control via a phone app.

For those who overclock a powerful CPU, keep in mind that you will have to pay a higher cost for the triple 360 ​​fans coolers.

What Size Cooler Should You Pick?

If you have a relatively low-power CPU that doesn’t consume a lot of TDP, then a large all-in-one cooler is not necessary.

Of course, choosing the right all-in-one refrigerator can come down to how much space you have in your case. If you are fighting for peace, an all-in-one cooler can improve the internal temperature of your system. Thanks to AIO coolers, you lose massive heat sinks to radiators of more convenient sizes, which in most cases can be installed in several positions.

Mind The CPU Socket

Your new single-liquid cooling solution has to fit, right? Even though most fans are manufactured to fit most CPU sockets, you should still check compatibility. Most radiator manufacturers ship different brackets for different configurations, however some all-in-one coolers can only function with specific seats.
To determine the type of CPU socket that matches the CPU cooler, check the CPU or motherboard specifications.

Consider The Position Of The Fan And The Direction Of The Air

When it comes to the fans of your all-in-one refrigerator, you will want to pay attention to the little arrows that will show the direction of the airflow (in case this is your first installation).

Ideally if you want the fans to pull the CPU hot air out of the system, but in cases where you need to mount a cooler on the front of the case, the intake is absolutely fine.

How Much Do Aesthetics Matter?

Liquid all in one refrigerators are winning the aesthetic battle, that’s for sure.
Just because these all-in-one cooling solutions look their best, doesn’t mean they work the best. There are several air coolers that give AIO a chance to win

Still, if you’re looking for RGB, effective cooling, and / or overclocking capabilities, opt for an all-in-one liquid cooler!

A big part of the high price of the NZXT Kraken Z63 is the LCD display, but if you’re looking for a high-quality cooler with matching flares, there’s no better option.

EK AIO 240 D-RGB

Size: 240 MM | Display: RGB | Noise level: 36.4dB | Speed: 550 – 2200 rpm

• Different software compatibility
• easy to install
• Surprisingly quiet
• Check tube position for RAM clearance

The EK-AIO 240 D-RGB liquid cooler appears here as a great option as it is the best AIO for the Ryzen 9 5900X. As it turns out, it does. One of the things many PC builders come up with is RGB and fan control software. That could be a nasty slap too! This CPU cooler does not require any control software. Yes, you can use a variety of them and they will work here. Otherwise, you can skip it and let it run as it is. It just depends on how important RGB you thought at the time.

The EK-AIO 240 D-RGB starts with the EK-Vardar S industrial fans. This means they really move the airflow and won’t die easily. During this time, the pump and fans will not mimic the sound levels of jet engines! The pump is a powerful little “yes please” cooling element with a custom RGB display. Hoses are as hard as nails with aluminum sheaths. They are reinforced and surrounded by rubber tubes so they won’t bend easily either. All this, and you know it’s the best CPU / APU cooler no matter what the application. Complete this with complete parts to facilitate installation. We said this AIO has a lot to offer!

One of the major problems with CPU liquid cooling is hoses. There is always a risk of it crashing into RAMs. The good news is you can just turn the pump / block and you should be fine.

Noctua NH-D15

Size: 140MM | Display: none | Noise level: 19.2dB | Speed: 300 – 1500 rpm

• Top rated air cooler
• The standard of performance
• Adjustable fans
• Pay attention to the space inside the case and the RAM clearance

The Noctura NH-D15 is known as the standard CPU air cooler with which others compete and compare. It goes so far that even cryptocurrency miners often mention it. In case you are wondering if cryptocurrency miners are chilling things, this will absolutely bake your systems. Oh, is that why it appears in so many articles, guides, reviews, videos and computers ?! Maybe that’s why she wins so many awards ?! In any case, this is the best air cooler for the Ryzen 9 5900X.

When it comes to performance, there’s a good reason why so many people compare their CPU cooler to this one. It starts with a pair of NF-A15 140mm fans. They can also be adjusted to help remove RAM. No, they won’t make a lot of noise preventing the CPU from detonating! These fans don’t sit alone while cooling down. The 6 heat pipes on each of the twin towers are sure to pull heat away from the Ryzen 9 5900X. The included and popular NT-H1 thermal paste does not disdain when it comes to dissipating heat from the CPU. Finally, the funny thing is that most users won’t care about looks when they see performance!

Let’s face it. This thing is quite big. You may even wonder how it stays in place rather than dragging yourself down! Stop listening to the person telling you that installing this CPU cooler in a Mini-ITX case is a great idea! Listen to the person telling you to check the dimensions, including RAM, of everything before using the NH-D15.

Liquid all in one refrigerators are winning the aesthetic battle, that’s for sure. Just because these all-in-one cooling solutions look their best, doesn’t mean they work the best. There are several air coolers that give AIO a chance to win

Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L v2

Compatibility of sockets	Intel: LGA1200, LGA1151, LGA1150, LGA1155, LGA1156, LGA2066, LGA2011-3, LGA2011 AMD: Am4, Am3 +, AM3, AM2 +, AM2, FM2 +, FM2, FM1
Dimensions (length by width by height)	157 mm by 119.6 mm by 27.2 mm
Fans included	Two Sickleflow 120RGB 120mm fans
Fan speed	650 until 1,800 rpm

Cooler Master offers a range of “lite” AIOs, which are essentially the previous iterations of Cooler Master’s MasterLiquid line with increased socket support and dual FEP tubing. At around $ 80, the Cooler Master ML240L v2 is the best AIO budget available. It comes with a 240mm radiator, two RGB fans and a tiny RGB controller. The thermal performance isn’t great and the noise level is higher than some of the more expensive options. However, the ML240L clocks are around $ 50 cheaper than most competing 240mm AIOs. Plus, you can always replace the fans later for more lighting options and slightly better noise levels.

The Cooler Master ML240L also comes with an almost universal socket support. Intel supports LGA1200, LGA20xx, LGA115x and LGA1366, and AMD supports AM2 to AM4 as well as FM2 and FM1. For the price, it’s hard to beat the ML240L.

EK-AIO 240 D-RGB

Compatibility of sockets	Intel: LGA1200, LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155, LGA1156, LGA2011, LGA2011-3, LGA2066 AMD: AM4
Dimensions (length by width by height)	275mm by 120mm by 27mm
Fans included	Two EK-Vardar S 120ER D-RGB 120mm fans
Fan speed	550 to 2,200 rpm

If you want the best RGB AIO cooler, EK-AIO 240 D-RGB goes into the deep. In addition to the small black stripe where the pipes connect, the mounting block has a translucent, slightly diffused surface that leaches out the lights inside, creating a beautiful color show. The EK is the place to go for custom water cooling, and the EK-AIO 240 shows why.

When it comes to harsh thermal performance, EK beats Corsaira and NZXT in the world. It includes two EK-Vardar S fans that run from 550 to 2200 rpm and support other RGB PC components via Asus Aura Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion, MSI Mystic Light and ASRock RGB Sync for fans and pump.

EK-AIO 240 is the better option as it is inexpensive. At around $ 120, it’s cheaper than the 240mm equivalent on the NZXT and the same price tag as the ever-popular Corsair H100i. Like many other options on this list, it is also available in 120mm and 360mm variants. For Intel, EK-AIO 240 supports LGA115x and LGA20xx as well as LGA1200. In AMD, it only includes the AM4 bracket. You can control the fans directly through the motherboard, but if you’re short on space, you can choose the EK-Loop Connect controller for the next six PWM connections.

The bad news is, sometimes you get thermal paste. A lot of people like to get extra thermal paste just to have a little extra. Experienced PC builders would have had some anyway. They often have a specific brand of thermal paste to use.

Corsair iCUE H150i Elite Capellix

The Corsair iCUE H150i Elite Capellix is ​​an amazing all-in-one liquid cooling system. It has a large 360 ​​mm radiator with three addressable 120 mm RGB fans. The fan speeds are adjustable from 400 to 2400 RPM and can even be configured to turn off at lower temperatures. There are eight RGB LEDs on each fan, and another 33 on the radiator. All of them are controllable via the iCUE app and can be matched with a case or even a gaming chair. You also get a shiny black pump cap and a clear one so you can choose what suits you.

This CPU cooler is of exceptional value as it includes the Commander CORE management module. It allows you to control everything from pump speed to PWM curves and RGB lighting. It also has three additional slots for more fans or other devices. Having a centralized interface to control components makes life easier, but they all have to be Corsair products.

Thermaltake UX200 5V Motherboard ARGB

The Thermaltake UX200 is significantly cheaper than the Corsair H150i, but still has impressive performance. It has four heat pipes with flat bottoms for better cooling. They combine a huge aluminum heat sink with 42 aluminum fins. It uses a stepped design and has 11 smaller fins at the bottom and 31 at the top.

Vertically on the heat sink is a 12mm fan with 15 addressable LEDs. It works from 300 to 1500 rpm and from 26 to 33 dB. One of the biggest advantages of this cooler is that it works with most motherboards with an addressable RGB 5V header. It is also compatible with various programs such as Gigabyte Fusion and ASRock Polychrome. The UX200 works well for an inexpensive cooling fan, but you may need something bigger for intense tasks.

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