If you are searching for the best CPU cooler for i9 9900k, you are in the right place. In this article, we have identified the best coolers for Intel Core i9 9900k that’ll keep it cool.
We’ll explain each CPU cooler, from this, so you’ll know the answer to the question: is air cooling enough for i9 9900k? At the end of the article, you will choose the best cooler for your computer or gaming rig.
Contents
Comparison TableÂ
| Product | Details |
| EVGA CLC 280mm AlO RGB LED CPU Liquid Cooler
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| Be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4, BK022, 250W TDP
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| Noctua NH-D15, Premium CPU Cooler with 2X NF-A15 PWM 140 mm Fans (Brown)
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| Le Grand Macho RT (with Fan TY-147B)
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The 4 Best CPU Cooler for I9 9900K Reviews
We showed you the features of the CPU coolers for i9 9900k in the table above. In this section, we’ll explain how they will fare in the real world. By doing this, you’ll know what to expect from each CPU cooler.
1. Evga CLC 280 All-in-One Rgb CPU Cooler
Pros:
- It has a pre-applied thermal compound
- Equipped with voltage-regulated cooling
- Excellent CPU cooling like NZXT Kraken
- There is an onboard controller for the PWM fans
Cons:
- Fans are a bit noisy when working at 100 percent
- One-sided fan that makes “pull configuration” less appealing
The EVGA Close Loop Circuit (CLC) cooler is an AIO CPU cooler that will cool your CPU, as a result, it will not overheat. It has flow control software that lets you adjust the fans, pump, and RGB lighting. You can get the same in a Corsair Hydro series or ELITE CAPELLIX; both use the Corsair iCUE software. The fans can turn up to 2,400 RPM, as a result, they’ll push out air at a faster rate.
With such speed, you can do more intensive tasks on your CPU for longer periods, and it will remain cool. To help reduce operating noise, the fans have an indent at the center of their frames. The heat sinks on this EVGA CPU cooler have copper bases that allow it to conduct heat at a faster rate. That’s because Copper is a good heat conductor, and it absorbs heat faster and holds it for longer periods.
The cooling block of this liquid CPU cooler has sleeved tubes that prevent leaks during usage. This is a bonus compared to other liquid cooling solutions that don’t use these tubes. The pump has a USB connector that you can connect to the motherboard using a mini USB to 9-pin USB 2.0 cable. By doing this, you can control the pump and lights, as we’ve stated earlier.
For installation purposes, CLC 280 has the accessories that’ll get you running up and fast. Like other liquid CPU coolers, ensure your computer has room for the radiator. Mind you, the fans can get noisy when working at 100 percent, so it’s best if you have a closed computer case. For this reason, we give CLC 280 an 8 out 10 rating for design; 9 out of 10 for performance, cooling quality and noise levels.Â
Overview: The CLC 280 is an Intel 9900k cooler that gives you efficient AIO liquid cooling for your CPU. You’ll like it as a high-end computer user, and it has a pre-applied thermal paste. This means you’ll do less work when you want to install it compared to other AIO liquid coolers.
2. Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4, BK022, 250W Tdp
Pros:
- It’s quiet irrespective of the workload
- The design of the cooler has good aesthetics
- Seven high-performance copper pipes for heat absorption and dissipation
Cons:
- A premium cooler, so it’s expensive
- You’ll need prior experience installing CPU coolers
The mission of be quiet! is to avoid noise in computers, and this CPU cooler sticks to that philosophy. It has two towers and two Silent Wings Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) fans at 120 and 135 millimeters in width. Their funnel-shaped inlet raises air pressure, as a result, hot air gets out at a faster rate. Plus, they have six-pole motors and Fluid Dynamic Bearings, so you will not hear noise and the fans will last.
Still, on the fans, each one has a dedicated heat sink that has cut-outs, so you’ll get more memory clearance. This will let you use your tall and short memory sticks without interference from the cooler. Then you have the seven heat pipes, which is more than what you’ll get on most modern CPU coolers. This has many uses, first, it gives the cooler more surface area that allows heat to leave faster.
Second, your CPU will cool down faster, and you can use it for long hours under high workloads. For example, if you are working in Photoshop or playing the latest FIFA game, this cooler keeps your CPU in check. Also, if you plan on working longer hours on high CPU speeds, this cooler is up to the task. Besides aesthetics, this cooler will add a professional look to your computer.
For installation, the package of this cooler has all you’ll need. First, you have a mounting hardware and a magnetic screwdriver, so you can pick up screws with ease. Plus, a two-way Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) splitter and six installation manuals. With all the features, it’s evident Dark Rock Pro 4 is top-tier cooler, and that’s why it has received an outstanding 9 out of 10 in all its categories from us.
Overview:Â Be Quiet Dark Rock Pro 4 works well but not like Noctua. It will fit gamers that spend long hours gaming and will prefer a silent cooler during the process. Also, it can serve as a CPU cooler for i9-12900k and also compete with other AIO coolers.
3. Noctua Nh-D15
Pros:
- Two high-performance NF-A15 fans measuring 140 millimeters each
- This cooler provides good memory (RAM) clearance
- Known for excellent airflow management
- Equipped with NT-H1; an industry-recognized thermal compound
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other air coolers
- Heavy because both fans have their heatsink
The Noctua NH-D15 is an air cooler known in the tech industry for its amazing airflow management. As a result, when you combine this cooler with your i9 9900k, you’ll get immediate air cooling. So, your i9 9900k will not overheat no matter what you throw at it; whether it is 3D rendering or CPU overclocking. It has two Noctua NF-A15 fans rated up to 1,200 RPM, and they don’t make any noise.
This gives it an edge over CPU coolers that will generate noise when working at 100 percent, which is not good. This works thanks to an aerodynamic design measure called flow acceleration channels. That’s why NH-D15 is the best of its kind for your gaming rig and graphics card. Also, it has a spacious build and six heat pipes that allow it to dissipate heat at a faster rate.
With this design, you’ll get efficient cooling like what you’ll get in a Corsair Hydro. As a result, you can use your CPU at higher speeds for longer hours, and it’ll remain cool. This is a good thing if you are on a deadline, and you need to complete a client job using all the CPU resources you can get. It has a six-year warranty; so you can install it and enjoy it for years to come.
NH-D15 can work with high memory slots in single fan mode. If you are playing a 3D game or exporting 4K videos, this Noctua cooler will keep your i9 9900k in check. The installation process is not difficult thanks to the SecuFirm2 Mounting System. This provides good contact pressure for the CPU socket of your i9 9900k; all these is why we’ve scored NH-D15 10 out 10 in all its categories.Â
Overview: This Noctua air CPU cooler is among the best CPU coolers, and it’ll compete with AIO coolers. It’s the best i9 CPU cooler for overclockers and also one of the best CPU cooler for i9 12th gen. Due to its size, it’ll fit in large cases, and it’s heavy because each fan has a heatsink.
4. Le Grand Macho Rt
Pros:
- Affordable
- Designed for efficiency and comfortable use
- The copper base has Nickel plates that prevent rusting
Cons:
- A year warranty
- There is room for improvement
Thermalright Le Grand has a 140 mm TY-147B fan, so you’ll get good airflow and low sound. It has seven copper heat pipes and the pattern of the large heatsink allows more RAM clearance. As a result, you’ll have no issues using tall or small RAM sticks, this is a bonus when other coolers won’t allow this. The design of this CPU air cooler makes it the best budget CPU cooler on our list, read on to find out.
First, there is room for proficient cooling and its 280W TDP will let you overclock your CPU. Second, the fan uses Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB), this gives the fan an edge over other fans that don’t have FDB. A fan with FDB is the right choice for sustained use and operational silence even under loads. What’s more, FDB reduces fan wear and tear; this allows the fan to last.
This cooler has a one-year warranty, during this period, don’t overclock too much. The same applies if you have a Cooler Master Hyper 212 cooler. As compensation, it has an indirect normalization of the GPU temperature. You also get rust prevention thanks to its Nickel plating on the copper bases. This prevents the oxidation of the heat pipes and provides excellent thermal conductivity.
It weighs a little over two pounds, and it has an easy installation process. While in operation, the TY-147B fan can spin up to 1,500 RPM. Combined with the remaining features, we’ve scored it 8 out of 10 for design; 9 out of 10 for performance, cooling quality and noise levels.
Overview: This cooler from Thermalright is a budget CPU cooler, and it’s best for budget gamers. The fan speed ensures efficient airflow and the Nickel plating prevents rusting. Also, the Fluid Dynamic Bearings of the fans ensure they don’t generate noise while they work.
Buying Guide
At this stage, you have all the information on the best CPU coolers for i9 9900k. Now, we’ll explain the crucial features of one cooler to give you more clarity.
What Are the Benefits of Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 BK022, 250W Tdp?
It is an impressive cooler with lots of features that’ll delight an everyday user. But gamers will benefit the most thanks to its design that sets it apart; only Cooler Master V8 GTS comes close. With that said, the following list highlights its benefits:
- Silent Wings Pulse Width Modulation fans
- High air pressure
- High-performance copper heat pipes
- Enhanced RAM compatibility
- Quiet operation under load
In today’s high-tech world and with the new generation of intel processors, this CPU cooler is a must in your PC. It’s clear it fits the bill of a gamer thanks to its thermal efficiency, but it’s not exclusive to gamers only. Here is why; as a digital creator, you’ll have lots of tabs in Google Chrome, this will use memory and CPU. As you proceed with your work, CPU usage will go up, and you’ll notice using the Resource Monitor in Windows.
With this, the CPU speed will increase to cater to your needs and increase usage while you work. This CPU cooler in question will keep temperatures down, so your system will not overheat. You can confirm this if you play 3D games on a laptop for long hours, there is no doubt it will heat up, and you’ll hear fan noise. This can affect your CPU and the laptop itself, but this CPU cooler will prevent that from happening.
When we analyze in the next section, it will amaze you what this cooler can do for you. Compared to a low profile CPU cooler i9 9900k might need in some situations, this cooler is on a different level. The appearance adds pleasant aesthetics to your computer if you have an MSI motherboard. These motherboards have some red color, when combined with black, your PC will stand out.
Key Features To Know
The following are features of Dark Rock Pro 4 that makes it stand out from the remaining CPU coolers on our list. These are technical features, but we’ve explained them in plain English in order to prevent confusion.
– Silent Wings Pulse Width Modulation Fans
The fans have quality features that fit a high-end processor like i9-9900k. First, the fan blades have optimizations that enable the highest possible performance. Second, they have a speed switch that alternates the fan speed between three modes. These are medium-speed, high-speed and ultra-high speed with fan speed up to 3,000 RPM. Also, they have fluid-dynamic bearings and six-pole motors that help reduce vibration.
– High Air Pressure
The faster hot air can leave the heatsink; the better for your CPU. The design team behind this cooler knows this, and that’s why the fan has a design for high air pressure. It’s a funnel-shaped design located at the front of the fan. With this, dust will not enter the cooler, because this can be detrimental in the long run. Also, fresh air will come in faster and the heated air generated from your CPU will leave as soon as possible.
– High-performance Copper Heat Pipes
Most air coolers have between three and six heat pipes; this cooler has seven. Also, they are high-performance copper heat pipes known for their thermal efficiency. This has many advantages; first, copper is a good conductor of heat, so it’ll absorb heat faster. Second, it’ll retain this heat for longer periods, so while you work these pipes take the heat away from your CPU. By doing this, you’ll get the most out of your CPU, because the cooler ensures it operates at higher speeds.
– Enhanced Ram Compatibility
When a cooler obstructs your RAM sticks, it leads to an unpleasant experience that you did not expect. For this cooler, the cooling fins have airflow optimizations and cutouts. Both, combined, ensures you get the best possible memory compatibility. As a result, there is no issue with using your RAM sticks before and after installation. With this, if you have a fast DDR4 memory operation up to 3,200MHz, you can use it for a better computing experience.
– Quiet Operation Under Load
Some processor coolers will generate noise when working at 100 percent. With this cooler installed, irrespective of what you throw at your CPU, you’ll hear no noise. The fans play a role in this, and the design makes the cooler the perfect choice in two places. First, overclocked systems where the CPU goes more than the stock speed. Second, demanding workstations where efficiency is a requirement to get the job done.
Conclusion
The air and liquid coolers on our best list meet i9 cooling requirements. A cooler prevents i9 9900k from overheating, but not all have a universal CPU socket. For a quiet cooler even under heavy workloads, choose the Dark-rock cooler on our list. But if you prefer a liquid cooler, CLC 280 fits the bill, and it works like an NZXT Kraken. In the world of overclocking i9 9900k, NH-D15 from Noctua is the king of air coolers.