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Choosing the Best CPU Cooler for Intel’s Core i5-9600K

Find out how to choose the best CPU cooler for Intel’s 9th generation Core i5 9600K processors.

This article will discuss choosing a CPU cooler for Intel’s Core i5 9600K processor.

Check out our Recommended LGA 1151 Coolers below.

Best Liquid Cooler

CORSAIR iCUE h250i ELITE LCD Liquid CPU Cooler

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Best Air Cooler

Noctua NH-D15, Premium CPU Cooler

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Check another CPU:

13th Gen Core i9-13900KS 13th Gen Core i9-13900K 13th Gen Core i9-13900KF 13th Gen Core i9-13900F 13th Gen Core i9-13900 13th Gen Core i7-13700K 13th Gen Core i7-13700KF 13th Gen Core i7-13700F 13th Gen Core i7-13700 13th Gen Core i5-13600K 13th Gen Core i5-13600KF 13th Gen Core i5-13600 13th Gen Core i5-13500 13th Gen Core i5-13400F 13th Gen Core i5-13400 13th Gen Core i3-13100F 13th Gen Core i3-13100 12th Gen Core i9-12900KS 12th Gen Core i9-12900K 12th Gen Core i9-12900KF 12th Gen Core i9-12900F 12th Gen Core i9-12900 12th Gen Core i7-12700K 12th Gen Core i7-12700KF 12th Gen Core i7-12700F 12th Gen Core i7-12700 12th Gen Core i5-12600K 12th Gen Core i5-12600KF 12th Gen Core i5-12600 12th Gen Core i5-12500 12th Gen Core i5-12400F 12th Gen Core i5-12400 12th Gen Core i3-12300 12th Gen Core i3-12100 12th Gen Core i3-12100F 11th Gen Core i9-11900K 11th Gen Core i9-11900KF 11th Gen Core i9-11900F 11th Gen Core i9-11900 11th Gen Core i7-11700K 11th Gen Core i7-11700KF 11th Gen Core i7-11700F 11th Gen Core i7-11700 11th Gen Core i5-11600K 11th Gen Core i5-11600KF 11th Gen Core i5-11600 11th Gen Core i5-11500 11th Gen Core i5-11400F 11th Gen Core i5-11400 10th Gen Core i9-10900K 10th Gen Core i9-10900KF 10th Gen Core i9-10900F 10th Gen Core i9-10900 10th Gen Core i9-10850K 10th Gen Core i7-10700K 10th Gen Core i7-10700KF 10th Gen Core i7-10700F 10th Gen Core i7-10700 10th Gen Core i5-10600K 10th Gen Core i5-10600KF 10th Gen Core i5-10600 10th Gen Core i5-10505 10th Gen Core i5-10500 10th Gen Core i5-10400F 10th Gen Core i5-10400 10th Gen Core i3-10325 10th Gen Core i3-10320 10th Gen Core i3-10305 10th Gen Core i3-10300 10th Gen Core i3-10105F 10th Gen Core i3-10105 10th Gen Core i3-10100F 10th Gen Core i3-10100 9th Gen Core i9-9900K 9th Gen Core i9-9900KF 9th Gen Core i9-9900 9th Gen Core i7-9700KF 9th Gen Core i7-9700K 9th Gen Core i7-9700F 9th Gen Core i7-9700 9th Gen Core i5-9600K 9th Gen Core i5-9600KF 9th Gen Core i5-9600 9th Gen Core i5-9500F 9th Gen Core i5-9500 9th Gen Core i5-9400 9th Gen Core i5-9400F 9th Gen Core i3-9350K 9th Gen Core i3-9350KF 9th Gen Core i3-9320 9th Gen Core i3-9300 9th Gen Core i3-9100F 9th Gen Core i3-9100

How to Choose the Best Cooler for the 9600K

Thermal Dissipation

A CPU cooler’s TDP (Thermal Design Power) rating indicates how much heat it can dissipate in watts. If the cooler can’t keep your CPU cool enough, your CPU may throttle (slow down), and your cooler will constantly run at full speed.

Intel CPU specifications indicate this power dissipation number as «Processor Base Power» and «Maximum Turbo Power.»

The Core i5-9600K has a TDP of 95 watts.

A CPU cooler can still work with a lower TDP rating than the TDP of a CPU. However, the CPU will eventually throttle itself to a lower frequency to allow itself to cool.

The CPU may not achieve or maintain maximum turbo speeds without adequate cooling.

Types of Coolers

Air coolers use a combination of heatsinks and fans. They are the cheapest, but also the loudest.

A Closed-Loop Cooler (CLC), also called an all-in-one (AIO) cooler, is a type of liquid cooler. All-in-one liquid coolers provide a more straightforward setup in a single pre-built package.

Liquid cooling can provide even better TDP performance at lower noise levels but are more expensive and take up more room. The noise level and ability to cool your CPU will depend on the liquid cooling solution’s radiator size and the number and size of the fans.

Find LGA 1151 AIO Coolers on Amazon (affiliate link).

Open-Loop Coolers are also a type of liquid cooler, except you construct them yourself. They allow for more flexibility in building your perfect cooling solution but can also be more complicated to set up. Open-loop systems give you the flexibility to cool additional devices, such as your graphics card’s GPU.

be quiet! BK022 Dark Rock Pro 4, 250-watt TDP

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Noise

More fans typically mean better cooling. However, they also mean more noise.

Larger fans are typically quieter than smaller fans, as they can move the same amount of air at lower speeds.

If a cooler is struggling to cool a CPU, it will run at its maximum speed, which will be louder.

Fan noise levels are measured a dB. Lower dB values are quieter.

You can often configure your motherboard’s BIOS to use specific fan speeds at particular temperatures. This configurable fan speed allows you to have a near-silent computer while your computer is idle.

Mounting Brackets

CPU coolers can have various mounting brackets to work with different socket sizes. Make sure that your cooler comes with a compatible mounting bracket.

The easiest way to find a CPU cooler that will work for your computer is to search by socket type.
For example, the 9600K uses an LGA 1151 socket, so you would search for an LGA 1151 CPU cooler.

In some cases, such as when a new socket size is released, there may not be many compatible coolers. In these cases, you can often purchase a separate mounting/retention kit to work with the new dimensions.

Size

Before buying the biggest cooler possible, ensure that your case and motherboard configuration have room.

Also, ensure that other components on your motherboard won’t interfere due to size constraints. For example, do your memory modules (DIMMs) have tall heat spreaders?

Dual-fan coolers often take up quite a bit of room. Liquid cooling solutions typically position fans at the top or bottom of the case.

Lighting

Some CPU cooler fans come with LED lighting. Similarly, liquid cooling pump heads can also come with LEDs or even LCDs!

If you want to turn off the lights when they get annoying, make sure your CPU cooler has that option.

Price

In general, air-based coolers will be lower cost than liquid cooling systems.

CPU coolers that support a higher TDP are also typically correlated with a higher price.

The more advanced lighting features tend to also come at an extra cost. You can decide between a practical, low-cost solution and a dazzling light show.

Check out our Recommended LGA 1151 Coolers below.

Enermax Liqmax III 360

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What Is the TDP of the 9600K?

Intel CPU specifications indicate this power dissipation number as «Processor Base Power. «

The Core i5-9600K has a TDP of 95 watts.

What Is the Best Type of CPU Cooler for a Gaming PC?

An air cooler can be adequate for a gaming PC if you don’t plan to overclock your CPU. However, not all CPU air coolers can dissipate the same amount of heat. Coolers should indicate their supported heat dissipation (TDP) in watts (e.g., 180 W).

Games and other CPU-intensive tasks can keep your CPU at the higher end of their TDP ranges, so you’ll need at least a larger air-cooled heatsink with one to two fans to avoid CPU throttling.

Even if you aren’t overclocking the CPU, you could opt for a liquid cooling solution if you want to keep noise levels to a minimum.

Overclocking

If you plan to overclock your CPU, your success will be dependent on how well you can keep it cool. Inadequate cooling will either cause it to throttle to a slower speed or could cause the CPU to be damaged.

You may achieve some level of overclocking with a good air cooler. However, if the cooler is struggling to keep the CPU cool enough, your fans will remain at their maximum speed, which could be a little noisy.

Liquid cooling can generally achieve better TDP levels compared to air cooling. Additionally, liquid cooling allows for a quieter system, depending on the radiator size, fan size, and the number of fans used.

Best AIO Liquid Cooler: Enermax Liqmax III 360

  • This Enermax liquid cooler has an excellent cooling capability with a 360-watt TDP (Thermal Design Power).
  • Supports a variety of CPU sockets, including Intel LGA 2066, 2011-3, 2011, 1700, 1200, 1366, 1156, 1155, 1151, 1150 and AMD AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2+, FM2, FM1.
  • Quiet operation at 14-27 dBA.
  • Make sure your computer case dimensions support this, as it will take up a decent amount of space!

    Enermax Liqmax III 360

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Best Dual-Fan Air CPU Cooler: Be Quiet! BK022 Dark Rock Pro 4

  • Quiet operation at 12. 8-24.3 dB.
  • The dual fans (120 mm and 135 mm) do a great job of cooling LGA 1151 CPUs with a 250-watt TDP (Thermal Design Power).
  • Supports a variety of CPU sockets, including Intel LGA 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1366, 2011(-3) square ILM, 2066 and AMD AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, AM4, FM1, FM2, FM2+.
  • Smaller models are available if you don’t need as much cooling ability.
  • You can even add another 120 mm fan to it for more cooling!

    be quiet! BK022 Dark Rock Pro 4, 250-watt TDP

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Runner-Up — Dual-Fan Air CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15

  • Dual 140 mm fans provide 220-watt TDP (183 NSPR) of cooling capability.
  • Supports a variety of CPU sockets, including Intel LGA 1700, 1200, 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 2011, 2066 and AMD AM4, AM3, AM3+, AM2, AM2+, FM2, FM2+.
  • Quiet operation at 24. 6 dBA.

    Noctua NH-D15, Premium CPU Cooler

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Featured Socket LGA 1151 Air Coolers ›

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DeepCool GAMMAXX AG400 CPU Air Cooler 220w TDP 6mm x 4 Nickel Plated Copper Heat Pipes CPU Cooler with 120mm Fan PWM 2000RPM 75.89CFM for Intel LGA 1700/1200/1151/1150/1155 AMD AM5/AM4

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Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE CPU Air Cooler, Dual Tower 6 Heat Pipe, Dual 120mm TL-C12C PWM CPU Fan, for AMD AM4/AM5/Intel LGA 1700/1150/1151/1200, AGHP Technology, Aluminium Heatsink Cover

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Learn More About the Intel Core i5-9600K

  • Which Chipsets Work With Intel’s Core i5-9600K CPU?
  • Choosing the Best CPU Cooler for Intel’s Core i5-9600K
  • Choosing the Best Power Supply for Intel’s Core i5-9600K
  • Is the Core i5-9600K CPU Good for Gaming?
  • Choosing the Best RAM for Intel’s Core i5-9600K CPU
  • Choosing the Best Motherboard for Intel’s Core i5-9600K
  • How Many Cores Do Intel Core i5-9600K CPUs Have?
  • What Is the TDP of the Core i5-9600K CPU?

You can find detailed 9600K specifications on Intel’s site.

Other Considerations When Building a PC

Want to brush up on other new technologies to consider when building a computer? Check out these articles:

  • Cases:
    • How to Choose the Best PC Case
  • CPUs:
    • The Best CPUs for Gaming
    • Which Intel and AMD CPUs Support PCIe 5.0?
    • Which Intel and AMD CPUs Support PCIe 4.0?
    • LGA 1700 CPU List
    • LGA 1200 CPU List
    • Look up an Intel or AMD CPU on TechReviewer for related recommendations:
  • CPU Coolers:
    • What is the Best Type of CPU cooler for a Gaming PC?
    • How to Choose a CPU Cooler for Your PC
    • Best LGA 1700 CPU Cooler for Intel’s 12th Gen Core Processors
    • Best AM4 CPU Cooler for AMD Processors
  • Storage:
    • Can an SSD Improve PC Gaming Performance? and Does an SSD Increase FPS for PC Gaming?
    • Storage Type Comparison: M.2, U.2, NVMe, SATA, SSDs, HDDs
  • Memory:
    • How to Choose the Best RAM for Your PC
    • How Much RAM Do You Need for Gaming? and Is 32 GB of RAM Worth It for Gaming?
    • DDR4 vs. DDR5? Which You Should Buy
    • Is DDR5 Worth It? The Benefits of DDR5 and What Is DDR5?
    • Which Intel and AMD CPUs Support DDR5?
  • PCI-Express:
    • Is PCIe 5.0 Worth It?
  • Motherboards:
    • Which Motherboards Support PCIe 5.0?
    • Which Motherboards Support PCIe 4.0?
    • Which Motherboard Should You Buy for Intel’s 13th Gen CPUs?
    • Which Motherboard Should You Buy for Intel’s 12th Gen CPUs?
  • Graphics Cards:
    • Which Graphics Cards Support PCIe 4.0?
  • Power Supplies:
    • How to Choose the Best Power Supply for a Gaming PC
    • How to Choose a PC Power Supply
  • Keyboards:
    • Best Mechanical Keyboard for Gaming
  • Monitors:
    • How to Choose a Gaming Monitor

Have a suggestion or correction for this article? Send us an email at:

corrections@techreviewer. com

You can also contact the author at:

[email protected]

Best CPU Coolers for i5 9600k in 2023

Having an Intel K series processor is all fun until you have overclocked it and then you are left with a overheated system that isn’t going to last for long.

if you never want that to happen you must definitely consider purchasing a cooler for your i5 9600K. not able to choose one? no worries as today I am going to reveal 7 Best CPU cooler for i5 9600k.

Intel released their K series especially for the purpose of heavy gaming and other professional works like editing or streaming.

however, such work do require a lot of power that in turn makes the system heated up in no time and eventually destroying it in a few seconds.

I have tried and tested many CPU coolers for i5 9600k and shortlisted 7 of them to make it easier for you to decide. so lets dig them up one by one!

Best CPU Coolers for i5 9600k at a Glance:

  1. DEEPCOOL Castle 240EX
  2. ID COOLING ZOOMFLOW
  3. Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo CPU Cooler
  4. ID-COOLING AURAFLOW X 240
  5. be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4
  6. Cooler Master MasterAir Maker
  7. Cryorig H7 Tower Cooler

Best CPU coolers for i5 9600k You Can Buy Today


DEEPCOOL Castle 240EX

Best stylish CPU cooler

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SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Deep Cool | Cooling Method: Water
| Material: Copper | Noise Level: 17. 28 dB

First, I will talk about a CPU cooler that holds the award for the best-looking CPU cooler for i5 9600k, the Deep cool Castle 240EX. I always work on the performance and never on aesthetics. Many of you guys asked me to review a CPU cooler that would look beautiful and perform up to the mark, so your wish is my command.

First and foremost, let me praise the technology this CPU cooler has. It has some awesome anti-leak technology. This technology offers a robust cooling effect and protects your system from getting damaged. The flow route inside is optimised and provides the safest cooling effect ever.

On top of all these features, it has the quietest operation. It operates fully and works better, yet you will hardly notice any disturbing noise. The 25% extra fin area made of copper provides a spacious heat absorption area. At least, this is what the manufacturers have advertised.

Initially, it comes with 2 fans TF120 and, of course, a 3-pin of 5V addressable RGB that can be controlled from the RGB header and controller. The radiator here is 240mm, as the name says, and the pump block is very attractive.

I like everything about the installation because the mounting is really simple. Overall the brackets didn’t make me worry or stress about anything because installation lasted merely 30-40 minutes.

Now let me share the benchmarks with you all that would prove whether this one is worth the chance or not. Oh, and I also had this Corsair h200 RGB in my store and found it is similar to the Castle 240EX, so why not compare it?

So I first tried the 50 DB normalised test, and the temperature for the 240EX was 60 degrees Celsius. At the same time, for the h200, it was 66 degrees Celsius. There is a considerable temperature difference among these CPU coolers, and I love this reduction.

Also, I tested the CPU cooler at 25% and 100% fan speed. So at 100% fan speed, the temperature reduced to 57 degrees Celsius, which is a huge accomplishment. While at 25% fan speed, the temperature was 60 degrees Celsius.

Even though the difference between the temperature of 25 to 100% fan speed is only 3 degrees, the noise at 100% was indeed unbearable. Many people would look for the decibels reading for this CPU cooler, so here I will tell you that it is 58 decibels here, and this is definitely some very loud CPU cooler here.

I personally think that if you can reduce your CPU temperature by considerable degrees without paying the same price for an h200i that has the same radiator as Castle 240 EX is awesome. I would definitely get the 240 EX if the noise was somehow bearable. Still, unfortunately, I don’t want a CPU cooler as loud as a fighter jet.

REASONS TO BUY

✓Considerable temperature drop

✓Easy to set up

✓Affordable 240mm CPU cooler

✓Easy to adjust fan curves

REASONS TO AVOID

✗Very loud

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WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE THIS CPU COOLER?

The Deep Cool Castle 240EX cooler has an extravagant cooling system and aesthetic visuals, making it one of the best stylish CPU coolers. But do keep one thing in mind that the noise level you would get here is just annoying as hell.

ID COOLING ZOOMFLOW

Best compact CPU cooler

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SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: ID-Cooling | Cooling Method: Water
| Material: Copper | Noise Level: 26.4 dB

Now, this CPU cooler is for all those followers who do not want to compromise a bit on the space and still want a good-performing CPU cooler. The Zoom flow 240X ARGB is one of the best compact CPU coolers for i5 9600k. Read on further to know whether this one is worth the hype or is just another fancy CPU cooler.

One thing I want to clarify about this CPU cooler is that it is a water-cooling CPU cooler. If you aren’t sure about getting a water-cooling CPU cooler, steer clear of this one. This cooler works using water to cool down your system. It has a maximum airflow of 62 CFM and is compatible with many modern Intel series.

This water-based cooler for i5 9600k comes with a spacious 240 mm radiator along with a pump. This provides the cooler to act efficiently and provides better heat and quick heat dissipation. In terms of colours, it has many options to choose from, but I went for that white build because I am planning to own a snow-themed PC build.

With two 120mm PWM fans, this cooler works as excellent heat dissipation by detecting a slight rise in the temperature. Not only this, but these fans also improve the airflow to provide you with an incredible cooling performance.

Additionally, the fan speed advertised is about 2100 RPM, and I will share further about them once I have them tested. Also, the noise level is mentioned to be 25 dB which I will test if it is correct or not through the benchmarks.

In the box, you will see a lot of mounting gear for different processors, including AMD and Intel. It also has this handy manual, which I guess is really easy to understand, and I will see whether it helps me install the CPU cooler.

A robust RGB on the pump and over the fans is one of the plus points of this cooler. You can easily sync these RGB with the motherboard. Or you can adjust them just to get in accordance with your system. It also has an RGB controller if your motherboard is non-RGB.

I did not have any issue with the installation process as it was simple, and the mounting gear and the manual made the process for me easier. Another thing I love for those users who want to build a clear CPU case is that this CPU cooler has some sturdy tubing that isn’t giving that messed-up look.

At first, I normalised the fan speed to 25%, and the temperature here of my i5 9600k was around 65 degrees Celsius. Next, I tried turning the fan speed to max and see how loud the fans get and what is the possible temperature reduction here. So, the temperature at maximum speed was 55 degrees Celsius. And the good thing here was that the fans remained dead silent; that is amazing!

REASONS TO BUY

✓Works well for overclocked systems

✓Effective temperature reduction

✓Low noise level

✓Slim fit design

REASONS TO AVOID

✗Expensive

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WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE THIS CPU COOLER?

I loved this cooler because of its slim-fit design; it took up much less space. However, I would suggest going for this one only if it’s up on sale because it is a bit expensive for an AIO cooler. Still, again the performance will be worth every penny.

Budget Pick

Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo CPU Cooler

Best Budget CPU Cooler for i5 9600k

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SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Cooler Master | Cooling Method: Fan
| Material: Aluminum | Noise Level: 36 dB

The wait is over, and I have brought the best overclock CPU cooler for core i5 9600k that you can have without breaking your bank balance. The CPU cooler here might be on a budget, but the quality is compromised in no way.

From its physical design, I learned that this CPU cooler has an awesome combination of aluminium fins and 4 direct contact heat pipes. This provides a perfect cooling effect over the system. Additionally, its compact size makes it easy to install in cramped spaces.

isThese a wide range of PWM fans coming towards the ans; it also has a unique wave-shaped blade design. I am hopeful that this outstanding design will further help to increase airflow and provide an excellent cooling system.

Moreover, as advertised, the fins will also provide a well-balanced operation and optimised speed. You can also alter the speed variations between high and low-speed operations. In the next few lines, I will share whether this one is worth the excitement.

The CDC technology (continuous, direct contact technology) has direct contact heat pipes that accelerate the surface-to-surface thermal transfer. The heat sink is made of aluminium, which helps the robust dissipation of heat.

Speaking of the installation, it was a little difficult. When mounting this cooler, you must be careful since your motherboard could suffer harm if you do it wrong.

Now comes the benchmark part; let’s begin our tests and trials to determine how well this cooler operates. My system gave a better temperature curve than the Hyper 212 Black when I first tested it with a 95W load.

The Hyper 212 EVO now operates at a significantly lower temperature than the Hyper 212 Black at 125W load. The 212 Black maintained a temperature of 78 degrees Celsius while the 212 EVO reached a temperature of less than 75 s.

However, the noise level must eventually be considered because the Hyper 212 EVO features a strong cooling system. The Hyper 212 Evo was now emitting up to 38 dB of noise. You may observe a significantly lower temperature than the Noctua NH-U12S if I compare the findings of our cooling system to those of that device.

However, I want to point out that the Noctua is a premium CPU cooler; therefore, it is in no way comparable to the Hyper 212 EVO. The 212 EVO delivers excellent performance but differs from other expensive coolers in several ways.

I adored how reasonably priced and effective the cooling was, but I hate how this one had to be installed. I actually cut my fingers while mounting this in my CPU in this instance.

REASONS TO BUY

✓No noise operation

✓Affordable

✓Effective cooling

✓Excellent airflow

REASONS TO AVOID

✗Somehow bulky measurements

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WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE THIS CPU COOLER?

It dissipates heat considerably more quickly than other typical CPU coolers thanks to the continuous, direct technology of the heated pipes. Be cautious when installing, though, as I slashed my fingers while mounting this one. Please measure the space available before buying any component, as I usually advise. I’m unsure if this cooler would fit in every system because it is somewhat bulky.

ID-COOLING AURAFLOW X 240

Best CPU cooler for Overclocking

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SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: ID-Cooling | Cooling Method: Water
| Material: Copper | Noise Level: 35.2 dB

Here I have another ID-Cooling CPU cooler, the Auraflow X240 CPU. This water cooler is a perfect example of an affordable yet effective CPU cooler for i5 9600k. Made of copper, this water-based CPU cooler has a cool design and a quick heat dissipation technology. I consider it one of the best value CPU coolers for i5 9600k.

Equipped with a 240 mm radiator and a pair of 120 mm PWM fans, I guess this will make your system ice cold even on the heaviest duty days. You don’t have to worry about your system getting fired because this cooler solves all your overheating issues. The maximum airflow for these dual PWM fans is 74.5 CFM, and the noise level lies around 18-35.2 DB.

Another thing I notice here is the RGB lighting, which is just another bonus point with this cooler for CPU and makes it ‎ ‎the best CPU cooler for i5 9600 for overclocking. And the most fascinating thing about this RGB lightning is that it can be controlled. It is present on the pump and fan area, and you can easily adjust them to match the aesthetic of your pc.

In the installation part, I faced major problems like sticking this one at its position. Like, this thing is really beefy, and I don’t know how to adjust this one without having my pc jam-packed. Also, the wiring on this one is pretty messed up, and it took me ages to decide where to put them up.

Now let’s jump onto benchmarks, so I started testing my CPU cooler temperature with the stock cooler. Here the temperature obtained was 48 degrees Celsius while the system was running in control mode. Next, with the 240 installed, the temperature dropped to 42 degrees Celsius.

While playing Fortnite, the temperature remained 49-50 degrees Celsius. Then I ran a stress test and got a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius. This was a good range for me because the stock cooler couldn’t give me a temperature below 75 degrees Celsius. The noise level all this time was pretty inaudible; I am really happy about that.

REASONS TO BUY

✓Beautiful aesthetic

✓Robust cooling effect

✓Affordable AIO CPU cooler

✓Dead silent operation

REASONS TO AVOID

✗Flimsy wiring

✗A bit thick for some builds

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WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE THIS CPU COOLER?

With so many features, including RGB, PWM fans, and an attractive price tag, it is the best CPU cooler for i5 9600K overclocking on my list. Besides the flimsy wiring and beefy thickness of this CPU cooler, I didn’t have any problem with this one as it cost less than the Zoom Flow 240 one.

Best Pick

be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4

Best Low Noise CPU Cooler

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SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Be quiet! | Cooling Method: Fan
| Material: Copper | Noise Level: 24.3dB

When you guys ask about a low-noise CPU cooler, it is obvious that I will mention the Be Quiet Dark Rock Pro 4. And guys, here the name says it all! This beast literally stays quiet while doing all the business. The dark rock pro 4 from the be quiet is actually one cooler that literally has zero noise but double the cooling power.

This is one of the best low-noise CPU coolers because it has inaudible two silent wings PWM fans. The design features advanced fluid dynamic bearings, smooth six poles, and airflow-optimised fan blades. All of these components provide high air pressure while making the system cool. And this is all because of its funnel-shaped air inlet with vibration-isolating elements on the heat sink.

It has an impressive rating of 250w TDP. This cooler works in silence for overclocked systems and intensive graphics applications. Therefore giving low temperature even when the system is performing at its peak.

The heat conduction is neutralised with 7 advanced technology 6 mm copper pipes. This maximises the heat conduction, and the specific texture over the fins helps the better circulation the hot air outward. It has about two aluminium heat sinks. When you get your hands on it, you will get to know it has 2 fans, but you can also install another one for better performance.

Now talking about the installation, guys, this one is pretty hard to install in your pc case. Let me first exaggerate the bridge this one comes with; it is the same as a clumsy ninja. Even if you give your 101% to this CPU cooler, you will still be unable to put it in place. I would advise you to be careful as I don’t want you guys to suffer any major loss.

Here I would advise the manufacturers to have the bridge permanently fixed onto this CPU cooler so we won’t have to go through this hassle in the future. Like, come on, guys, every sort of socket would need that bridge, then why isn’t it attached there permanently?

It has roughly seven cutting-edge 6 mm copper pipes and a copper heat sink. It has around two fans already, but if you want a completely effective performance, you may add another.

Now comes the time for benchmarking, which is genuine testing. The Be Quiet Dark Rock Pro 4 could hold my CPU at 53 degrees Celsius at 100 fan speeds when I ran a CPU benchmark for this. And as for the noise aspect, this CPU cooler is completely silent. I’m happy that there is no noise coming from the fans.

In conclusion, I recommend this CPU for practically everyone considering overclocking their system. This is where the dark rock pro 4 would function best because such systems are already popular. Now, I would advise choosing the Dark Rock 4 for systems that aren’t overclocked.

REASONS TO BUY

✓Best looking CPU cooler

✓Considerable temperature reduction

✓Whisper quiet

✓Low maintenance

REASONS TO AVOID

✗expensive

✗Clumsy installation

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WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE THIS CPU COOLER?

Even though this is one of my most expensive selections, I will continue to indulge in it. The major justification for doing so is its exceptional longevity, completely silent operation, quick cooling capabilities, and reliable screwdriver. Be careful with the hardware because the installation procedure can occasionally be awkward.

Staff Pick

Cooler Master MasterAir Maker

Best high-end Fan CPU cooler

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SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Cooler Master | Cooling Method: Fan
| Material: Aluminum | Noise Level: 24 dB

If you love to purchase high-end components for your PC, then you would like the Cooler Master Masterair Maker 8. This CPU cooler here is hell expensive; however, at the same time, the performance you will get is premium. Because of this reason, I consider this one as the best high-end CPU cooler for i5 9600k.

In terms of features, I would like to say as it comes with a premium price tag, you can already expect it to have some high-end features too. The cooler’s advanced 3D vapour chamber offers an incredible cooling effect. It quickly dissipates heat and protects your essential components.

Additionally, the manufacturers have advertised the airflow to be around 66 CFM while the noise level is 24 dB. Moreover, they have also claimed that this CPU cooler has inaudible noise and is nothing like those air coolers that make annoying sounds.

In terms of heat pipes, it comes with 8 heat pipes that offer 250W TDP. With all these features, it also has a spacious heatsink that will help speed up the cooling process. To cater to your preferences, it has interchangeable top covers. You can alter it just according to the build-up of your CPU. Additionally, it comes with a special bracket design.

You can remove or adjust and even replace these fans easily. It easily supports both 140 mm and 120 mm fans. Installation was pretty straightforward, but there are some things that I want to discuss before suggesting you guys this one.

So this CPU cooler has a very odd placement of fans because the cooler remained a bit outside of the CPU case even though I had it installed perfectly. The next thing I would like to share is that I tried installing this CPU cooler when the motherboard and the setup weren’t built, so I guess this was easy.

However, I think installing this CPU cooler with a pre-built CPU would be a hassle indeed. Also, guys, this cooler is bully and heavy, and if it comes up at the top of the RAM slots, I guess it would give rise to some RAM clearance issues in some builds. Now here I would suggest measuring the components of your pc before making a purchase, as I always do.

Here is the time for our favourite part: looking at the benchmarks. I also have this Noctua D15 here, which somehow falls into the same category as the MasterAir Maker 8. In an idle state, the MasterAir Maker 8 gave me a temperature of 34 degrees Celsius. In comparison, the temperature remained near 70 degrees Celsius under average load.

For the same settings, the Noctua D15 at idle state had a temperature of 37 degrees Celsius. In comparison, under load, it was 70 degrees Celsius. Despite its high price, I didn’t see this one perform like the high-end ones, which was the most disappointing part for me. While for the noise part, it didn’t have any silent operation or the loudest. It remained between 35 to 45 decibels.

I didn’t have any issue with the performance. Still, guys, I would prefer a 240 or 280mm radiator CPU cooler at the same price this MasterAir Maker 8 comes with. Seriously, the price I am paying is insane, and I am still not getting the best performance; that is something to ponder.

REASONS TO BUY

✓Easy to install

✓Elegant design

✓Great for overclocking system

✓Solid build

REASONS TO AVOID

✗Pricey

✗RAM clearance issues

view on amazonRead Customer Reviews

WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE THIS CPU COOLER?

This CPU cooler is all you need to invest in if you want a fan cooler for your system and want to indulge in something high-end. The price does cover its incredible cooling features and effective heat dissipation. But guys, remember that this CPU cooler does come with RAM clearance issues, but if you have a spacious pc case, I would advise you to get this one for casual tasks.

Cryorig H7 Tower Cooler

Best heavy duty CPU cooler

Check Price

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Cryorig | Cooling Method: Air
| Material: Aluminum | Noise Level: 14 dB

The Cryorig H7 is declared one of the best heavy-duty CPU coolers Under $40, and I will test whether this one will perform the best. First of all, I am going to talk about the features that actually amazed me. So, this CPU cooler has an innovative Hive Fin structure.

And this special design, I guess, will reduce turbulence and, at the same time, strengthen the durability of the fin stacks. This is one of the coolest innovations I have ever encountered with a CPU cooler.

First, I would make an announcement here that this one was just under $40, and I didn’t expect it to have that decent design. The box here has all the mounting gear you would need this CPU cooler to put in place.

And the installation is pretty simple because it comes with a heatsink pre-installed. Sadly I didn’t like the back plate because it is made of some metal; however, it is of PBT, and I guess it would perform well too.

The fans here are 120mm, and I am guessing these fins will help you in quick heat dissipation.
Additionally, according to the specs, the RPM here is in between 330 to 1600. Also, the advertised specs, the noise level here is 14 decibels which I guess would be true, but I can only reveal that when I go through the benchmarks.

Now let me share my favourite part, which is the benchmarks; so with the H7 at idle state, the temperature was 27 degrees Celsius; however, under load, it was 84 degrees Celsius. I also had this Ninja 4; here at idle, the temperature was 28 degrees Celsius, while it was 84 degrees Celsius under load.

Additionally, the noise here wasn’t annoying but was somehow bearable.

Overall I like the performance with this one, but I am disappointed that this won’t come with a lot of sockets for the modern-day processors.

REASONS TO BUY

✓Fairly easy to install

✓Fits perfectly

✓No noise

✓Affordable

REASONS TO AVOID

✗Incompatibility of sockets

view on amazonRead Customer Reviews

WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE THIS CPU COOLER?

Overall I am in love with this CPU cooler. It is fairly easy to install and can tackle almost anything you throw at it. Make sure you check the compatibility and size before purchasing this. Other than that, it is worth every penny of yours.

Conclusion

To sum it up, Intel Core i5 9600k is amongst the best processors Intel has ever worked on. Because of its powerful performance, it runs at high speed. It might need a cooler at times to keep it at that perfect temperature.

To have your processor’s full performance, consider going for a cooler for your CPU. Choosing one might not be a piece of cake, but with our guide to the 7 best CPU coolers for i5 9600k, you don’t have to worry. Here are my favourite picks if you aren’t sure which one to go for.

  • If you want a CPU cooler that is dead silent, then buy yourself the Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 is one of the best low-noise CPU coolers for i5 9600K.
  • Looking for a high-end CPU cooler for i5 9600k than the Cooler Master Masterair Maker
  • Lastly, for budget PC builders, the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo CPU Cooler is the best budget CPU cooler for core I5 9600K.

So order one now and let the game begin!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Do I Need A Cooler For i5 9600k?

because the intel K series are the only intel CPUs that can actually be overclocked. overclocking generates a lot of heat in the system and to keep your system working the best it needs to dissipate the heat properly. therefore, a better cooling system works effectively to get rid of the excess of heat.

What Size Of Radiator Is Enough For i5 9600K?

usually a 240 mm radiator is more than enough for an i5 9600k processor. this radiator is able to keep your processor cool effectively. moreover, if you are not thinking of overclocking the system then consider going for a cooler having a 140W TDP or higher.

Can A Stock Cooler work for i5 9600k?

a stock cooler will be more than enough until you are doing light editing or gaming. however, if you are thinking to run some high-performance software or rendering 4K videos then a stock cooler wont be enough. in this case consider going for a liquid or air cooler.

I am Shaheer Ali, a passionate gamer who loves to write about all things tech. I’m always looking for the latest, greatest technology to report on here at Gamingonpoint.

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