9 Best CPU Coolers for i7 11700K (Tested) 2023

Are you looking for the best CPU cooler for your i7 8700k? If so, you’ve come to the right place. When it comes to choosing a CPU cooler, there are a few things that you need to take into account. First of all, what is your budget? Secondly, what form factor does your motherboard have? And finally, what kind of cooling performance do you need? With so many different options available on.

As an overclocker and PC gaming enthusiast, you know that keeping your CPU cool is essential for stability and performance. If you have an i7 11700K, then you need a good CPU cooler to keep it running at its best.

In this article, we will take a look at the best CPU coolers for the i7 11700K, based on performance and price. We will also discuss some of the factors you should consider when choosing a cooler for your system. So if you are looking for a new CPU cooler for your i7 11700K, read on!

At a Glance:

9 Best CPU Coolers for i7 11700K

DesignCPU CoolersRetailer
Best Pick1. ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 Review
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2. Noctua NH-D15
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Budget Pick3. Be quiet! Pure Loop 280Review
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4. Scythe Fuma 2
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Staff Pick5. Phanteks PH-TC14PEReview
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6. Noctua NH-U12SReview
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7. Scythe Mugen 5 Rev BReview
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8. Be Quiet Dark Rock Pro 4
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9. Corsair Hydro Series H105 Review
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1. ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 Review

Best Pick

As the name suggests, this unit is a 280mm liquid cooler designed to keep your CPU nice and cool. It comes with two newly developed quiet PWM fans, which makes it ideal for those of you who don’t want too much noise in their system as it operates.

Thanks to the water block design, this CPU cooler provides better cooling than most of its competitors. Furthermore, the looks of this cooler are stunning!

It comes with all mounting hardware needed for both AMD and Intel sockets. And if you want even more cooling performance, there is room to add two extra fans on top of this unit. Just something to consider when purchasing a CPU cooler for your system.

The Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280 features an advanced pump that doesn’t need any electricity to run, which means it won’t drain your battery when in use on a laptop or tablet computer.

It’s also extremely efficient in terms of energy consumption, where less wattage means less heat. A great choice when looking for an i7 11700K cooler with excellent performance paired with low noise levels!

Pros

  • Two 120mm fans included.
  • Fast performance
  • Includes a quiet and efficient pump. 

Cons

  • Quite expensive.

2. Noctua NH-D15

The Noctua NH-D15 is one of the most popular CPU coolers on the market. It’s built with premium materials and provides excellent cooling performance for the i7 11700K.

This CPU cooler works great in combination with overclockers because it can handle overclocked CPUs very well. However, this CPU cooler is too large to use in systems that have a limited amount of case space.

As you can see in the pictures, this CPU cooler is quite bulky and weighs over 3 kg. So there’s no way of denying that it takes up a lot of space both inside your case and on your desk.

Noctua has included dual NF-A15 1500RPM fans with PWM connectors to help reduce fan noise levels when necessary.

Its height also makes it unsuitable for laptops or tablets that need external cooling solutions because its fans are too big to be used in these devices. This cooler is a great choice if you’re looking for a large and fast i7 11700K cooler with excellent performance.

On top of all this, you can’t go wrong with Noctua when looking for high-quality products at awesome prices! The only real downside when buying this CPU cooler is finding a place for it, as it is quite big!

Pros

  • Good cooling performance.
  • Reliable brand 
  • Includes two 140mm fans,

Cons

  •  Not suitable for laptops and tablets due to its size. 

3. Be quiet! Pure Loop 280Review

Budget Pick

This CPU cooler is one of the very few liquid coolers available for the i7 11700K, which makes it a great choice for those looking to keep their system as quiet as possible.

It uses two low noises to be quiet! SilentWings 3 fans and magnetic levitation technology to reduce vibrations and noise levels when in use.

One of the best things about this CPU cooler is its design, as it’s extremely compact and lightweight. This means that you can enjoy the fast and quiet cooling performance in your desktop system without having to worry too much about the space requirement.

Maximum heat dissipation is achieved by forcing air through all radiator areas via two SilentWings 3 fans that spin at 750RPM.

The fans themselves also feature airflow-optimized fan blades and advanced magnetic levitation bearings, which means they stay quiet for a long time when in use.

The only downside is that the pump makes a bit of noise while operating, which can be annoying if you’re using your PC quietly. However, this isn’t a major issue as you can still run your i7 11700K at full speed without any problems.

Pros

  • Quiet operation
  • Two quality fans included 
  • Lightweight and compact design. 

Cons

  • Noisy pump. 

4. Scythe Fuma 2

If you’re looking for a good affordable CPU cooler with great cooling performance, then the Scythe Fuma 2 is definitely worth considering.

This CPU cooler might not be as big and heavy as other coolers, but it will get the job done when paired with your i7 11700K. Scythe has included one 120mm fan with this CPU cooler, which provides enough airflow for cooling most CPUs.

As you can see in the images, this CPU cooler features an aluminum fin stack with 6mm thick copper heat pipes. It’s important to mention that Scythe has included a special insulation layer between each aluminum fin to help reduce noise levels when using your PC.

Packaging includes four pieces of mounting hardware for Intel sockets, which makes it compatible with all Intel CPUs released after 2011.

You also get two sets of fan clips that let you attach an extra 120mm fan for improved cooling performance. The only real downside with this CPU cooler is its bulky size, which makes it less than ideal for small PC cases.

When it comes down to the overall performance then you have nothing to worry about either as Fuma 2 is one of Scythe’s fastest CPU coolers.

It will keep your i7 11700K nice and frosty at lower temperatures without making a lot of noise. This means that you can play your favorite games for hours with no problems at all.

Pros

  • Affordable price point. 
  • Good CPU Cooling Performance
  • Efficient mounting hardware

Cons

  • Not compatible with laptops

5. Phanteks PH-TC14PEReview

Staff Pick

If you’re looking for a very fast and affordable CPU cooler, then the Phanteks PH-TC14PE is definitely the one to get. It might be a bit on the bulky side but it can easily handle most CPUs out there with ease.

This CPU cooling unit comes packed with some nice features that make it efficient and easy to install.

Phanteks has designed the PH-TC14PE in a way that ensures maximum heat dissipation when in use. The CPU cooler comes with a total of five nickel-plated copper heat pipes, which transfer heat from your CPU to each cooling fin.

The front side also features two high airflows Phanteks PH-F140SP fans that provide a good amount of airflow for great cooling performance.

Fans operate at a speed of 1300RPM and feature a unique blade design to reduce noise levels as much as possible. They also come included with PWM support, which means you can adjust fan speeds easily.

One special thing about this CPU cooler is the inclusion of a PWM hub, which allows you to connect up to five fans via a single PWM connector. This means that your CPU cooler won’t require its own dedicated fan header and can run at full power all the time.

The only downside with this CPU cooler is its bulky size and weight, but it’s still very easy to install on your desktop PC.

Pros

  • Good airflow and cooling performance 
  • Extremely quiet when in use 
  • PWM hub included 

Cons

  • Bulky size and weight.

6. Noctua NH-U12SReview

The Noctua NH-U12S is a high quality and extremely efficient CPU cooler that will give you great cooling performance without making too much noise. Despite its size, Noctua has managed to pack some nice features into this low profile CPU cooler, including two NF-F12 fans that operate at 1200RPM. This means that you will get some really good airflow and cooling performance when using this CPU cooler.

Both fans included with the NH-U12S feature SSO2 bearings, which increase their lifespan substantially. Noctua has also equipped each fan with a NE-FD1 Stepped Inlet Design, which improves airflow and reduces noise levels as much as possible.

Each fan also comes with a PWM connector, which means that you can easily control their speed according to your CPU load. The included Low-Noise Adapter further reduces the noise levels when using this CPU cooler at lower speeds.

When it comes to installation then Noctua includes everything needed for an easy setup. This CPU cooling unit is compatible with Intel sockets LGA2011, LGA115x and AMD AM2, AM3+, FM1 and FM2.

Pros

  • Great performance 
  • Low noise levels even at full speed 
  • Easy to install on desktop PCs .

Cons

  • Loud fans when in use at maximum speeds

7. Scythe Mugen 5 Rev BReview

Scythe Mugen 5 Rev B is another great CPU cooler that comes with a total of six copper heat pipes for fast and efficient heat transfer. This CPU cooling unit also includes two large 140mm fans, which ensure great airflow and static pressure.

Both fans are well-known Scythe Glide Stream MK-14 models that operate at 700 RPM and create a minimal amount of noise when in use.

Another great thing about Mugen 5 Rev B is the fact that it comes with a total of four mounting kits for both AMD and Intel platforms. This means that you can install this CPU cooler on pretty much any desktop PC available today.

The only downside with this CPU cooler is its weight, which might make it difficult to install on smaller PCs. But for most desktop computers such as full tower cases, the Scythe Mugen 5 Rev B should be easy to attach.

Scythe has included a special design on the mounting bracket that reduces vibration and improves compatibility with all major desktop platforms. The Mugen 5 Rev B is compatible with Intel sockets LGA2011, LGA115x and AMD AM2, AM3+, FM1 and FM2.

Finally, Scythe has included two sets of fan clips to keep your CPU cooler running at its best even when you overclock your CPU.

Pros

  • Great cooling performance 
  • Low noise levels 
  • ScytheGlide GlideStream 120mm fans and four mounting kits included 

Cons

  • Quite heavy.

8. Be Quiet Dark Rock Pro 4

The Dark Rock Pro 4 is one of the most efficient CPU coolers by Be Quiet, which will keep your processor running at its best even when you overclock it.

This CPU cooler comes with two high-quality SilentWings PWM fans, each featuring nine fan blades and aluminum frames for maximum air throughput.

The first fan is a 135mm PWM unit that operates at a speed of 1600RPM and generates a maximum airflow of 82.5CFM. While at low speeds this fan is very quiet, you will still be able to keep your PC’s noise levels as low as possible when using it on full power.

The second fan included with this CPU cooler is a 120mm PWM unit that can reach speeds of up to 2300 RPM, which means that it won’t be quiet when in use.

But on low RPMs, these fans are almost silent and will not create too much noise inside your PC.

Each SilentWings PWM fan comes with a self-stabilizing oil-pressure bearing. This means that this CPU cooler will keep running stable even at high speeds and it’ll be completely silent when working in low load conditions.

Both SilentWings fans on the Dark Rock Pro 4 use a funnel-shaped air inlet for maximum airflow, while their acoustic decoupling pads reduce vibrations and noise levels.

The Dark Rock Pro 4 is compatible with most desktop PCs on the market, including motherboards with Intel LGA2011, LGA115x or AMD AM2, AM3+, FM1 and FM2 sockets.

Pros

  • High-quality fans included 
  • Easy to install.
  • Good performance even in demanding conditions 

Cons

  • Quite heavy

9. Corsair Hydro Series H105 Review

The Corsair Hydro Series H105 is a more efficient CPU cooler for all users who are looking for maximum cooling performance without needing to worry about noise levels. This CPU cooler features two 120mm fans that operate at 2000 RPM and produce a minimal level of noise under such speeds.

 Furthermore, Corsair Hydro Series H105 comes with a 280mm radiator that is longer than most standard CPU coolers currently available on the market.

The two included fans can be found inside an aluminum housing for maximum cooling performance and lower noise levels.

 These fans also come with rubber decouplers for improved vibration and noise isolation. The Hydro Series H105 is compatible with Intel sockets LGA2011, LGA115x or AMD AM2, AM3+, FM1 and FM2.

Corsair has included a special design on the mounting bracket that reduces vibration and improves compatibility with all major desktop platforms.

Finally, Corsair also includes two sets of fan clips to keep your CPU cooler running at its best even when you overclock your CPU.

Pros

  • Great cooling performance
  • Minimal noise levels 
  • Great compatibility and included hardware.

Cons

  • Expensive

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the i7-11700K need liquid cooling?

No. The i7-11700K is a high-performance CPU that can run even at high temperatures, but in most cases, liquid cooling might not be needed. Even though these CPUs produce a lot of heat, they are specially made to do that and running them above 80C will not cause any problems.

Which cooler is best for i7 10700K?

If you’re after the best CPU cooler for i7-10700K, we recommend either of these coolers: Noctua NH-D15 or Thermaltake Contac 16. Each of these CPU coolers will provide you with high performance levels and very minimal noise generation, which is why they are currently two of our top picks.

Is a 240mm radiator enough for 11700K? 

If you don’t plan on overclocking your i7-11700K, then anything under 240mm will be enough to keep it nice and cool. If you’d like to overclock it, however,we recommend getting a CPU cooler with at least 280mm of radiator surface area.
Finally, if you wish for even greater performance, then you should take a look at our article on the best liquid cooling kits for this processor.

Final words

These are the 10 best cpu coolers for an i7 11700k right now. All these CPU coolers are great options for users who are after maximum cooling performance without worrying too much about noise levels. You should definitely get one of these coolers if you want to keep your CPU at low temperatures under high load conditions or when overclocking it.

However, keep in mind that some of these models are quite expensive compared to other CPU coolers currently available on the market. All of them are compatible with Intel sockets LGA2011, LGA115x or AMD AM2, AM3+, FM1 and FM2. Make sure to take a look around the site to see other great products! 


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Aaron
By Aaron


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