BEST CPU COOLER FOR i5 8600k

2 years ago

For PC gamers, choosing a CPU cooler for their computer is one of the most important decisions they can make. A good CPU cooler not only keeps your processor from overheating and losing its ability to function properly but also allows you to overclock your processor without experiencing any issues.

The problem with this is that there are so many different options that choosing which one will be best for you can feel like an intimidating process. The following list should help narrow down your search by providing you with some of the Best CPU coolers for i5 8600k options in terms of cooling performance and price point!

Table of Contents

Best Air & Liquid CPU Cooler for i5 8600k

Features	CPU Coolers
Best High-end Air Cooler	Cryorig H7 Tower Cooler	Check Price
Best noctua cpu cooler for i5 8600k	Noctua NH-D14	Check Price
Best cpu cooler for i5 8600k for overclocking	Noctua NH-D15	Check Price
Premium cooler with amazing noise reductions	Be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4	Check Price
Best liquid cpu cooler for i5 8600k	Corsair Hydro Series H100i	Check Price
Best AIO cooler with maximum rpm	NZXT Kraken X62	Check Price
Top tier CPU cooler	Corsair H115I Pro	Check Price

Cryorig H7 Tower Cooler

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The Corsair H7 Tower Cooler stands out as the most authentic 120mm air CPU cooler. Through its absolutely efficient heat-dissipating operation, it will drag your CPU's cooling to a level that was earlier unattainable.

Thanks to Cryorig for putting together a fan that is composed of high-class features and is available at a fairly impressive price tag. This light and medium-sized fan best matches Core i5.

Mounting it for the first time is a demanding task, an inclusive installation guide could have made it easier. More into the fan, the blades are primarily designed for quicker exhaust of warm air and reduced air turbulence. The fan speed range is pretty good from 330 to 1600 rpm with the fan noise reaching its maximum at 14 decibels where you enjoy a heavenly silent cooling.

Moreover, it features a nickel-plated copper base with three copper heat pipes each measuring to be six millimetres. The fan outclasses its counterparts by its unmatchable aesthetics and performance.

A great balance between airflow and ratio is kept which gives you the best result in the form of optimal airflow and very little noise. At a budget-friendly price, this fan is good to go with.

Pros

Impressive price tag
Reduced air turbulence
High-end cooling
Silent operation

Cons

Difficult to mount
Not the best customer support

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Noctua NH-D14

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Noctua NH-D14 emerges as an efficient cooler by delivering phenomenal cooling performance. It has the best cooling solutions and is highly recommended for i5 8600k. Under 100 bucks, it provides two fans that are good enough.

Moreover, it features a chilly performance that is made possible by its proprietary cooling abilities enriched by a great airflow. The manufacturers put in one hundred percent to bring up a design that is unmatched and a way to superior cooling.

About its functioning, it has six heat pipes and two fans, the six heat pipe dual radiator design has many benefits over an ordinary fan.

It gives more surface area, higher airflow and better heat distribution. For those who want the setup to be simple, this fan proves to be the best pick for them as it does not have RGB lighting. Although it has a bulkier look, the asymmetrical design is very compatible which is indeed a plus point.

For beginners, the good part is that you can install it easily without any assistance. Like many other CPU coolers, these fans can be adjusted as well. A little thing we are quite disappointed about is the absence of RGB, it looks too plain, lacking attractiveness.

This might be a con for those who love the inclusion of RGBs in their setup although this view varies from person to person.

Read About:

Coolers & Heat sinks for Ryzen 2600/2600X

Pros

Asymmetrical design
Easy installation
Very silent
Better cooling even in intense gaming sessions

Cons

Lack of RGB lighting
It is huge, will not fit in a small case

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Noctua NH-D15

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The Noctua NH-D15 is the top-of-the-line air CPU cooler that has replaced the former Noctua NH-D14 and became a route to sensational cooling and insanely quiet functioning. In the pack, there are 2 140 mm fans but a pair of extra fan clips are there to install a third fan too.

This better and improved CPU cooler overcomes the shortcomings of the award-winning NH-D14 and aces in almost all cooling solutions. The cooler's spanned layout with dual fans enables it to cool down CPUs even when they reach maximum temperatures.

The CPU coolers dimensions are 165mm with fans protruding a little bit. The Aerodynamic Design of the fans allows faster and efficient exhaust of warm air while giving a boost to its cooling performance.

With six heat pipes dual tower design, it dissipates heat properly and generates a great airflow. Also, the fin stacks are now wider than NH-D14 which increases area hence boosting efficiency.

The low noise adapters come in the box to make noise reductions by decreasing speed from 1500 rpm to 1200 rpm. The splitter, thermal paste and mounting hardware are present in the package.

Pros

Third fan can be added
Six-year warranty
Thermal paste's quality is good
Fan speeds can be regulated
Quiet and perfect cooling
Simple installation

Cons

Ordinary appearance
It's so big

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Be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4

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Overclock your Core i5 8600k by be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 has a 250W TDP to achieve lowest temperatures even if the CPU is on a heavy workload.

Paired with an impressive cooling performance and inaudible operation, it manages to become the most premium air cooler. In an aesthetically black coloUr, it matches the setup very nicely.

It comes up with two Silent Wings PWM fans which use a fluid dynamic bearing and the fan blades are made for better airflow optimization. One fan is 135 millimeterS while the other one is 129 millimeterS. The 135mm fan is placed between the two heatsinks.

The front fan has stunningly high air pressure. The seven copper heat pipes spread over at the bottom and reach the top of the fan while going through the black ceramic coated fins. Its highly advanced and innovative design helps dissipate heat quickly and effectively.

Note that its cooling fins have small dots on them that increases air circulation and aid the heat transferring process. This noiseless fan at maximum load has only 25 decibels. It's the most silent and hushed quiet fan we have ever reviewed.

Pros

Very quiet
Aesthetic black finish

Cons

Installation is a challenging task
Relatively costly

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Corsair Hydro Series H100i

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Corsair Hydro Series H100i is a valuable and long-term investment, its firm build will keep your CPU at minimal temperature for a longer period of time.

When we are thinking about some great CPU coolers for our readers, Corsair is the first brand that comes to our minds. Corsair Hydro H100i is a pack of two 120mm magnetically levitated fans, each of which has a noise-free operation and functions powerfully to keep the CPU cool all the time.

Even on a substantial workload, it has been tested to supply utmost airflow and static pressure. At absolutely low temperatures, the fan runs on a Zero RPM mode to eliminate fan noise.

So this time when you're playing lots of games, don't worry about your CPU's cooling because a great CPU cooler is just some bucks away.

With low noise and great cooling performance, this cooler also charges you for a variety of options that it offers, through its built-in Corsair iCue software you can regulate fans speed, check the temperature and change RGB lighting.

Pros

Extremely silent
Sturdy built
Easy installation
RGB lights adds beauty to setup and can match with your build
Satisfactory cooling performance

Cons

Corsair link needs to be installed which takes some time

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NZXT Kraken X62

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This is the best match for core i5 8600k as it has the highest rpm i.e. 3000 starting from 300 rpm. The pump head has an impressive operating speed that forces out more liquid.

If quietness of the cooler is an issue for you, then you must upgrade your setup by giving it a try to the NZXT Kraken X62 which is deathly quiet, hence a worthy purchase. Even when fans are spinning at a faster pace they won't create noise.

With silence maintained, you'll also admire the stylish look of this cooler which is made even worthwhile by the addition of RGB lighting. The NZXT software has made customizations so easy.

The fan speed, RGB lighting effects, pump settings all can be regulated in just a few clicks, the way you desire. The fan is engineered for an outstanding performance where sufficient cooling is achieved while keeping the acoustic levels at the lowest.

A satisfactory performance to price ratio achieved by this cooler makes it a masterpiece. Anyone who's willing to spend a hundred bucks on a cooler can take a look at this cooler.

Pros

Build quality is good
Easy to install
Keeps temperature and noise low
Worth each penny
Looks attractive with RGBs

Cons

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Corsair H115I Pro

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Another top-notch CPU cooler by Corsair added to our list is the Corsair H115I Pro which is an upgraded version of Corsair H115I. Beginning with what you get in the box, there are two magnetically levitated, low noise 140mm fans.

While looking at the cooler, it is distinguishable that the cooler's pumper has been redesigned which is one of the changes they have made to make this improved version.

Besides, the RGB has also been polished up. The led pump head splashes a blast of vivid colours to match with the setup and make it attractive, with a great cooling it also has an enriched colourful look.

An incredible airflow is generated by the fans which is 55.4 CFM. At its maximum speed, the acoustic level reaches only 25 decibels which is up to par. Like other coolers offer, the RGB lighting, fan and pump speeds can be controlled through software.

To eliminate noise completely, it operates on a Zero RPM mode where fans stop when lowest temperatures are achieved. All in all, the fans are very quiet, have extraordinary performance and give amazing cooling results.

Pros

Better RGB
Improved pumper
High airflow and low noise

Cons

Time taking installation for beginners

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Buying Guide: Choosing the Best CPU Cooler?

CPU coolers are a must if you want to keep your processor running at an optimum level. Most modern CPUs can be cooled by the fans and heatsinks included with your motherboard but as you’ll quickly find out, these aren’t always up to par and require replacements.

Here's some factors to consider when choosing the Best CPU Cooler for you:

\ Price

Price should be considered when selecting a CPU cooler. The price of the cooler is an important factor because it dictates the life span of the system. It also dictates other aspects like whether you can afford to upgrade your system in a few years. High-end CPU coolers come with a higher price tag but they are likely to last longer and provide maximum cooling efficiency. Cheaper CPU coolers have lower quality and lifespan which will lead to high maintenance costs.

Noise-Levels ( Do you Want a Quieter PC? )

There's no doubt that cooler noises can be annoying. However, it is entirely possible to construct a quiet PC without investing in an expensive cooling system. There are two things to consider when it comes to noise levels. First of all, if you're looking for a silent PC, I would recommend at least getting one fan with controllable RPMs (such as PWM or voltage control). Secondly, since choosing the right CPU cooler doesn't only depend on performance but also on price/noise level, it is very important --if not vital-- to choose an air cooler that is quiet enough.

\ Build quality

The first thing you should look for when it comes to coolers is build quality cause it's the most important part. Now, why is that? Because if you have a low-quality cooler, it will not last as long and it might fail to provide good cooling performance consistently. You should look for things like PWM fans(for the built-in fan controller), good heat pipes, good base plate etc... When building up a pc, always make sure that it is as powerful as possible AND as reliable as possible (not all specs are good).

Airflow & Cooling Performance

CPU fans should be able to handle the heat without overtaxing the cooler. Liquid coolers are preferable because they don't produce much noise and can handle high heat levels efficiently. Air coolers work well for lower heat levels but make a lot of noise. Because dust gathers more readily in air coolers, they must be replaced more frequently. AIO liquid coolers work well in most situations, but require a large investment upfront and aren't feasible in some contexts, such as with cramped desks where the radiator has to be placed inside the case.

The cooling performance of a product not only relates to how well it can dissipate heat but also how stable that temperature will be. High performance cooler may run slightly slower than a lower-performance model, but it will have much less change in temperature. This means that the CPU will not be throttled as often and your PC should run much more smoothly.

Read More:

How to get rid of overheating issues

Compatibility: Is the CPU cooler compatible with my computer and motherboard?

It is equally important to have a look at compatibility between your new CPU cooler and the rest of your computer parts.

so let's see what can be compatibility issues:

The socket.

Firstly, the socket type on your motherboard needs to match up with the CPU cooler you purchase.

If there are any compatibility issues between these two components, it is impossible to install the CPU cooler you purchased onto your computer system. This means that you'll have to look for a new CPU cooler that matches up with your current motherboard socket even if this causes extra costs to be incurred. CPU coolers generally come in one of two sizes; 120mm 140mm and while most cases on the market accommodate 120mm fans, there are some that don’t so it's best to double-check before buying.

Weight

Some people purchase much lighter CPU cooler units in order to save space inside their computers while others purchase much heavier CPU coolers in order to maximize cooling performance over time without having to worry about replacing or maintaining it for several years. Furthermore, some people prefer equally weighted coolers since they don't want their motherboard to be further weighed down by an unnecessarily heavier CPU cooler. So, it is important that you keep in mind the weight of your new CPU cooler before making a purchase decision. You can find out more about this on some of the best CPU cooler reviews on the Internet. Compatibility with other components inside your computer.

Extra features

Every cooler would serve its purpose by protecting pc components from overheating but, only some of them will go a step further and add some extra features. Extra features worth considering are: Add a fan controller, LED lights or even water cooling.

Fan controller

This is not an extra feature for most people but it's still worth mentioning as sometimes this can be a great addition to improve convenience. If you have more fans in your pc case than the cooler you buy has pre-installed then it's a good idea to search for a cooler that has a fan controller included with it. It will allow you to control all of your system fans from one source and make the overclocking process much easier.

LEDs on CPU coolers can serve different purposes depending on the type of LED but usually, they're used as visual indicators of what level a certain function has been set to or what speed the fans are spinning. This can be very useful if you want to overclock your pc and see at a glance how cool the components are getting.

Water cooling is not necessary by any means but it does have some great benefits for maintaining optimal performance of your pc components especially if they have overclocking potential. It's also close to impossible to install water cooling without any sort of computer knowledge so check guides before attempting anything too complex with your cooler.

Installation Guide: How to install a CPU Cooler

Step 1: Figuring out which type of CPU cooler to buy.

The first thing you should do before installing a CPU cooler is to look at how much space is available, so measure the size of the CPU's socket and determine which CPU cooler will fit. You should have a look at the list of the best CPU Coolers mentioned above.

Step 2: Assemble everything for installation

You'll need to have a motherboard with a backplate, thermal paste, screwdriver and the screws that come with the CPU cooler already installed. You'll then want to have some q-tips or cloths on hand, as well as monitor your work area because things could get messy from the thermal paste (especially if you're not careful).

Step 3: Unbox the CPU cooler and open your motherboard.

If you have a CPU cooler that needs to be mounted from the backside, start by removing your motherboard from its case. Then, remove any plastic film covering the socket on your motherboard as this will prevent you from installing the CPU fan without damaging the motherboard.

Step 4: Attach CPU cooler bracket to motherboard and place CPU cooler on CPU socket.

This is a good time to check your CPU cooler's instruction manual for specifics, but generally, you will have some kind of backplate on which you install the four included screws from the inside of your case so that they go into the backplate and then into the motherboard. Make sure that they are tight but don't over tighten them or you may damage your motherboard.

Step 5: Apply thermal paste and attach heatsink to CPU with screws.

Once your CPU cooler is securely in place on your motherboard, install it by screwing it in with the screws you have available. If your CPU cooler uses a backplate, you should only need to screw in the four corner screws since the pressure from the other screws will keep everything put even without tightening them down.

Step 6: Plugin fan cables to motherboard and attach case power cables to motherboard's power connectors.

After this, just plug in your CPU cooler's cables into the correct motherboard power connectors and you're done!

Final Thoughts

If you have read till here then we're pretty sure that you exactly know which CPU Cooler will be best for i5 8600k.

It's important to take various factors into consideration before purchasing a new CPU Cooler, and just to serve this purpose we have added an in-depth buying guide for you.

For Air cooling, Cryorig H7 Tower Cooler is our recommended cooler while Corsair Hydro Series H100i for Liquid Cooling. So we hope that this guide helped you in making a decision.

Now it's your time to take action and choose the one which fits your needs

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a good CPU cooling fan last?

Depending on how often you use it, probably around 3-5 years. If you overclock your CPU often you might want to look at better quality fans. Higher quality bearings will usually last longer if taken care of correctly. However, this will also depend on the type of use and case conditions they are put in. This can mean anywhere from 6 months to 7 years for some types of users depending on usage.

What are things that can affect noise levels?

Noise level performance is slightly related to how well the airflow is directed and the airflow is directly related to the performance of heatsink fans. For optimal airflow and noise level performance, we would need to move our case fan in front of the CPU cooler and use a 120mm or larger variant on your rear exhaust fan to push more air through the radiator fins.

What is the Best CPU Cooler for i5 8600k?

For Air Cooling Noctua NH-D14 is preferred due to the quality and performance. For liquid cooling, we recommend Hydro Series H100i which has integrated fans and pump, easy plug and play installation system, support for bigger radiators like 240mm or 280mm (120mm clearance) and also comes with a 2x 140mm fan on the radiator bracket

What CPU cooler comes with i5?

You will surely find a lot of coolers but: Cryorig H7, Noctua NH-D14, Hydro Series H100i, NZXT Kraken X62 are the best CPU coolers/heatsinks for you!

What cpu cooler for i5 8600k coffee lake?

Cryorig h7 is a great option if you want a high-end CPU cooler, along with this Hyper 212 will also work great.

How to remove and install cpu cooler on i5?

(1). First identify the type of CPU cooler on your i5 (2). Locate the screws securing the cooler to your i5. (3). Use a screwdriver to remove the screws holding the CPU in place. You may need to use a pair of needle-nose pliers or a flathead screwdriver to help you get under them and loosen them. (4). Pull off the thermal paste from your CPU and wipe it down with an alcohol pad before installing the new thermal paste on top of it. Apply thermal paste in a thin layer, especially around any heat spreader areas on your CPU's surface. (5). Apply the new CPU cooler to the top of your i5. Secure it with screws, making sure that they are tight enough to be secure but not so tight that you are damaging your CPU by over-tightening them. (6). Plugin all necessary cables on your new CPU cooler. For example, fans or LED lights should have come with your new CPU cooler and should be securely plugged into it.

Zain

Zain is a writer and along with that he loves gaming and writing about stuff like that. He started his career in gaming almost 7 years ago and since then been interested in Pc gaming.Learning about Pc builds is a passion for him!