Best CPU Coolers For i9-14900KF [Budget, Performance, Tested]

Since the Intel Core i9-14900KF has cemented its status as one of the best CPUs for gaming, enthusiasts are flocking to get their hands on the CPU. However, with its performance, it also generates a lot of heat. Therefore, after extensive research, we have compiled a list of CPU coolers for the Intel Core i9-14900KF that fit well.

Here’s a quick look at my top picks for the best CPU coolers for i9-14900KF and a brief comparison of their specs:

Last update on 2023-12-13

Buying the i9-14900KF? Check our following tested round-ups:

• Best RAM for i9-14900KF
• Best GPU For i9-14900K
• Best Motherboards For i9-14900K

Best CPU Coolers For i9-14900KF

Here is a selection of our best CPU coolers for the i9-14900KF:

1. Best Overall CPU Cooler For i9-14900KF: ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB
2. Best Performance CPU Cooler For i9-14900KF: EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB
3. Best Air Cooler For i9-14900KF: DeepCool Assassin IV
4. Best Budget CPU Cooler For i9-14900KF: Thermalright Frozen Magic 360 Scenic V2
5. Best 240mm CPU Cooler For i9-14900KF: Corsair iCUE H100i Elite CAPELLIX XT
6. Best 420mm CPU Cooler For i9-14900KF: Corsair iCUE H170i Elite LCD XT

ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB

Best Overall CPU Cooler For i9-14900KF

Cooler Type: 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler | Dimensions: 398 × 38 × 120mm | Fans: 3x 120mm 4-pin PWM Fans | Fan Speed: 1,800RPM | Noise Level: 10.64dB(A) | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011-3, 2066 AMD: AM4, AM5 | RGB: Yes 

Cooling Performance: Impressively, the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360mm AIO provides superb cooling performance throughout our tests, owing to its high-quality pump and radiator. In our dedicated testing, the cooler kept the CPU at a nice, steady temperature quite comfortably.

Build Quality: There’s no denying the exceptional craftsmanship present in the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II. The innovative pump block is expertly built, providing dependable and effective cooling. The top-notch fiber-reinforced tubing not only improves longevity but also has cable management built right in.

Aesthetics: The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB is an illustration of modern minimalism in terms of both form and function. We loved the pump block that is finished in a subtle all-black color. Moreover, the spaceship-like design stands out, giving the cooler the limelight it deserves.

Describing the cooler’s capabilities, our hardware reviewer, Awais Khan stated:

“The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360 is a no-frill design that is cost-effective and a low-noise cooling solution from the manufacturer.”

Buy It If

You want the ideal cooler for i9-14900KF while prioritizing VRM temperatures: Considering its excellent cooling performance and overall reliability to keep VRM temperatures cool, the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360mm AIO provides remarkable value and overclocking capabilities.

Don’t Buy It If

You want RGB lighting on the pump: Even though the pump block looks fine to our eyes, a hint of RGB lighting would have made it even better.

What Makes It The Best Overall CPU Cooler For i9-14900KF?

The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360mm AIO features a low noise level of just 10.64dB(A), a respectable thermal capacity of 290W, and solid value for money, making it the best overall CPU cooler for the i9-14900KF processor.

• Read Our ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB Review
• Best 360mm AIO Coolers

Performance: 9/10	Value: 9/10
Features: 9/10	Design: 9/10

EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB

Best Performance CPU Cooler For i9-14900KF

Cooler Type: 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler | Dimensions: 400 × 27 × 124mm | Fans: 3x 120mm 4-pin PWM Fans | Fan Speed: 2,300RPM | Noise Level: 36dB(A) | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011-3, 2066 AMD: AM4, AM5 | RGB: Yes 

Cooling Performance: The EK Nucleus AIO CR360 provides exceptional cooling performance in our experience. When paired with the Core i9-14900KF in our testing, the cooler kept the CPU cool and comfortable without even breaking a sweat. Overclocking is also a breeze with the AIO, and you can get a decent performance uplift.

Talking about the AIO’s cooling performance, Awais Khan stated in his review:

“It packs a solid performance punch that the competition has to manage. The digital RGB lighting is quite brilliant. We have everything to love about this cooler, albeit a bit high price tag.”

Build Quality: One glance at the EK Nucleus AIO CR360 gave us a good idea about its premium build quality and high-quality finish. Under the hood, we found that the copper cold plate maximizes its heat dissipation capacity, while the diamond-cut brushed aluminum side panels truly make the AIO stand out.

Aesthetics: With an extremely pleasing holographic light effect on the pump block and diffused A-RGB lighting on the three provided fans, we think the EK Nucleus CR360 is one of the most visually pleasing AIO coolers on the market. With well-diffused internal LEDs, the lighting in the fans is particularly impressive to us.

Buy It If

You want to overclock the Core i9-14900KF: Thanks to its extraordinary cooling performance, we were able to achieve extraordinary overclocking results with the Intel Core i9-14900KF without worrying about temperatures.

Don’t Buy It If

Your budget is limited: Although its value proposition remains positive, we think that it is still an expensive CPU cooler that can deplete your savings.

What Makes It The Best Performance CPU Cooler For i9-14900KF?

The EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux can comfortably handle an overclocked i9-14900KF, featuring exceptional thermal dissipation capabilities and high-quality EK Vardar-S fans, making it the best performance CPU cooler for i9-14900KF.

• Read Our EK-Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB Review

Performance: 10/10	Value: 7/10
Features: 9/10	Design: 9/10

DeepCool Assassin IV

Best Air Cooler For i9-14900KF

Cooler Type: Dual Tower Air Cooler | Dimensions: 144 × 147 × 164mm | Fans: 1x 140mm 4-pin PWM Fan, 1x 120mm 4-pin PWM Fan | Fan Speed: 1,700RPM | Noise Level: 29.3dB(A) | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011-3, 2066 AMD: AM4, AM5 | RGB: No

Cooling Performance: The DeepCool Assassin IV’s 240-watt heat dissipation capacity is on par with many AIO coolers, and the Assassin IV also has the advantage of reliability. While overclocking the Intel Core i9-14900KF might not be possible, our dedicated testing found that the Assassin IV doesn’t thermal throttle the CPU.

Build Quality: Under the premium fan shroud, we see that the dual-tower heatsink is mated to a whopping seven copper heat pipes. The cooler uses a relocatable 120mm fan. Moreover, we found that the fan shroud is an example of expert craftsmanship.

Aesthetics: The fan shroud is undoubtedly the cooler’s most visually pleasing component for us, but the heatsink is also powder-coated to attain a level of stealth. We feel like the aesthetics would have been improved even more with a touch of RGB lighting. It’s a perfect cooler for darker builds, though.

According to Nauman Siddique, one of our hardware reviewers, the DeepCool Assassin IV provides an impeccable design and cooling performance:

“This cooler has quite some looks to it with its concealed design which is well synchronized and it has a top-tier performance while remaining highly competitive in the price point.”

Buy It If

You want the best air cooler for i9-14900KF: Many users prefer air cooling to water cooling, and we think that the DeepCool Assassin IV is the best choice for air cooling enthusiasts.

Don’t Buy It If

You’re using larger RAM kits: If you’re using larger RAM kits, the DeepCool Assassin IV might not be the best choice because of its RAM clearance issues.

What Makes It The Best Air Cooler For i9-14900KF?

The DeepCool Assassin IV exhibits tremendous cooling capabilities thanks to its 240W heat dissipation capacity, exceptional reliability, and multiple performance modes, therefore making it the best air cooler for i9-14900KF.

• Read Our DeepCool Assassin IV Review
• Best LGA 1700 CPU Coolers

Performance: 8/10	Value: 9/10
Features: 8/10	Design: 8/10

Thermalright Frozen Magic 360 Scenic V2

Best Budget CPU Cooler For i9-14900KF

Cooler Type: 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler | Dimensions: 397 × 27 × 120mm | Fans: 3x 120mm 4-pin PWM Fans | Fan Speed: 2,150RPM | Noise Level: 28.1dB(A) | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011-3, 2066 AMD: AM5, AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2+, FM2, FM1 | RGB: Yes 

Cooling Performance: The Thermalright Frozen Magic 360 managed to keep the i9-14900KF’s temperatures in check during our dedicated testing while being a value-oriented AIO cooler. You can even try your hand at manual overclocking but with reasonable expectations. Personally, we didn’t find any bottlenecking issues through overclocking, either.

Talking about the cooler’s performance, Awais Khan states in his review:

“The Thermalright Frozen Magic 360 Scenic V2 is a hidden gem when it comes to the liquid coolers’ paradise. It has a high-performance capability, particularly on the latest platforms, and it does so without breaking the bank.”

Build Quality: The Frozen Magic 360mm AIO features superb build quality. We found that the pump block uses an aluminum casing, giving a premium feel to the central component of the AIO. We also love that the tubing is protected using multi-woven polymer sleeves for protection against abrasions and evaporation.

Aesthetics: The Thermalright Frozen Magic 360 stands out, particularly for its unique all-white design that is tailor-made for your white PC build. The pump block has a refined mirror finish with A-RGB lighting. The non-RGB fans match well with a white PC case. We believe the AIO is one of the best white CPU coolers on the market.

Buy It If

You want the best value for money from a white AIO cooler: Thanks to its affordable price tag and superb cooling, we concluded that the Thermalright Frozen Magic 360 is a value champion. The cooler is also a perfect fit for a white PC build which further increases its value.

Don’t Buy It If

You want RGB lighting on fans: Thermalright decided to go with all-white fans for this CPU cooler, which means that they lack RGB lighting. This may be a let-down for many gamers, making them stay away from the cooler.

What Makes It The Best Budget CPU Cooler For i9-14900KF?

When paired with the Core i9-14900KF, the Thermalright Frozen Magic 360 delivers solid cooling performance while also being supremely quiet and relatively affordable, making it the best budget CPU cooler for i9-14900KF.

• Read Our Thermalright Frozen Magic 360 Scenic V2 Review
• Best Budget CPU Coolers
• Best CPU Coolers Under $100

Performance: 8/10	Value: 10/10
Features: 8/10	Design: 9/10

Corsair iCUE H100i Elite CAPELLIX XT

Best 240mm CPU Cooler For i9-14900KF

Cooler Type: 240mm AIO Liquid Cooler | Dimensions: 277 × 27 × 120mm | Fans: 2x 120mm 4-pin PWM Fans | Fan Speed: 2,100RPM | Noise Level: 34.1dB(A) | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011-3, 2066 AMD: AM4, AM5, sTR4 | RGB: Yes 

Cooling Performance: Surprisingly, the Corsair H100i Elite Capellix XT handled the Core i9-14900KF quite well at stock settings in our dedicated tests, which is great news for value hunters. Although its overclocking capabilities are limited, you can still use the i9-14900KF comfortably without bottlenecking issues.

Build Quality: Equipped with premium crafting materials and tight tolerances, we feel that the Corsair H100i Elite is extremely well-made. The fiber-reinforced tubing is a great addition to the package, while the Corsair AF RGB Elite PWM fans certainly take the build quality of the cooler to the next level.

Aesthetics: The central CPU block is the main attraction of the Corsair H100i Elite Capellix XT, with RGB lighting illuminating a very distinct pattern on the block that elevates the design of the cooler. We appreciate the Corsair AF RGB fans that come with supremely well-implemented A-RGB lighting.

Buy It If

You want a compact liquid cooler without thermal throttling your CPU: With a 240mm radiator footprint, we observed that the Corsair H100i Elite can fit into most PC cases without thermal throttling high-end CPUs.

Don’t Buy It If

You want a quieter cooling solution: Although we found the acoustic profile to be quite comfortable even at its maximum fan speed of 2,100RPM, the peak noise level of 34.1dB(A) is pretty noisy and can get disturbing for many users.

What Makes It The Best 240mm CPU Cooler For i9-14900KF?

The Corsair H100i Elite stands above its competition thanks to its excellent thermal capacity of 270W, superb build quality, and excellent value for money, making it the best 240mm CPU cooler for i9-14900KF.

• Read Our Corsair iCUE H100i Elite Capellix XT Review
• Best 240mm AIO Coolers

Performance: 8/10	Value: 10/10
Features: 9/10	Design: 9/10

Corsair iCUE H170i Elite LCD XT

Best 420mm CPU Cooler For i9-14900KF

Cooler Type: 420mm AIO Liquid Cooler | Dimensions: 454 × 27 × 139mm | Fans: 3x 140mm 4-pin PWM Fans | Fan Speed: 1,700RPM | Noise Level: 33.8dB(A) | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011, 2066 AMD: AM4, AM5, sTR4 | RGB: Yes 

Cooling Performance: Undeniably, our testing shows that the Corsair iCUE H170i Elite shines in the cooling department, as one can expect from a 420mm liquid cooler. In our testing, the Corsair H170i Elite is one of the very few CPU coolers that can handle an overclocked i9-14900KF without breaking a sweat.

Build Quality: The high-quality materials used in the cooler are evident to us. Moreover, the fiber-reinforced tubing gives a palpable sense of luxury to the cooler. In our opinion, even the AF-series fans are crafted expertly using superb materials and fine workmanship.

Aesthetics: One look at the Corsair iCUE H170i Elite will showcase its glamorous design language in all its glory. The RGB illumination on the fans is expertly diffused and well-integrated, adding to the overall personality of the cooler. We also loved the LCD screen on the CPU block, which reinforces the aesthetics of the AIO.

Summarizing the Corsair iCUE H170i Elite’s performance and aesthetics, Nauman Siddique states in his review:

“With excellent thermal performance that is augmented by a well-executed LCD and extensive customization options using iCUE, the H170i Elite LCD XT is definitely a worthy contender should your wallet afford it in addition to your PC case.”

Buy It If

You want to overclock the i9-14900KF without losing out on aesthetics: Our testing shows that the 420mm radiator and well-crafted pump provide exceptional thermal performance, allowing you to overclock the i9-14900KF comfortably without losing out on remarkable aesthetics.

Don’t Buy It If

You’re using an ATX case: If you’re using a smaller ATX case, you might have compatibility issues with installing the radiator. If that is the case, we don’t recommend purchasing this AIO cooler.

What Makes It The Best 420mm CPU Cooler For i9-14900KF?

Apart from its unparalleled cooling capabilities, the Corsair iCUE H170i Elite also features premium build quality and unique personalization features, making it the best 420mm CPU cooler for i9-14900KF.

• Read Our Corsair iCUE H170i Elite LCD XT Review
• Best 420mm CPU Coolers

Performance: 10/10	Value: 7/10
Features: 10/10	Design: 9/10

Benchmarks Of The Best CPU Coolers For i9-14900KF

The cooling performance of a CPU cooler is the most important aspect to consider when making a purchase. Therefore, we have attached our performance results of all the coolers that are present in this article.

Important CPU Cooler Key Terms

Here are some important terms that you must know when shopping for a CPU cooler in 2023.

1. AIO: AIO cooling solutions come pre-assembled and sealed, making them easy to install without the need for custom loop setups. AIO coolers consist of a pump, radiator, fans, and tubing, providing efficient cooling for CPUs.
2. Heatsink: A passive component with fins that dissipates heat generated by the CPU, transferring it away to maintain a lower temperature.
3. Heat pipes: Heat-conductive tubes filled with coolant that transport heat from the CPU to the cooler’s fins for dissipation.
4. Airflow: The movement of air within the case to carry away heat, measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM).
5. Thermal Paste: A conductive material applied between the CPU and cooler base to enhance heat transfer and reduce temperature.
6. TDP: The maximum amount of heat a CPU cooler must dissipate to keep the CPU within its operational temperature range.
7. Noise Level: The amount of sound produced by the CPU cooler, indicating how loud it is during operation.
8. Socket Compatibility: The types of CPU sockets a cooler is designed to fit, ensuring it is compatible with your CPU and motherboard.
9. Overclocking: The process of increasing a CPU’s clock speed and voltage beyond its factory settings, often requiring a more robust cooler to manage increased heat production.
10. FPI: FPI refers to the number of fins packed into one inch of a heat sink or radiator in a liquid cooling system. Higher FPI values typically indicate better heat dissipation but may require more powerful fans to maintain optimal airflow.

How We Picked The Best CPU Coolers For i9-14900KF

Buying a CPU cooler can be a complicated process, especially if you are new to the world of DIY PC building. However, considering a few key factors in your purchase decision can help you save a lot of time and get the ideal cooler for your needs. Here are a few factors you should take into consideration:

• Cooling Performance: It is important to research and compare benchmarks to assess the cooler’s efficiency in various situations. A well-built cooler not only keeps temperatures in check at stock settings but also enhances the overclocking potential for your i9-14900KF CPU.
• Noise Level: When buying a CPU cooler, check its rated decibel level and the maximum speed of its pump and fans. It is also vital to check acoustic benchmarks in various situations with different components as well as load levels. Fans with fine PWM control and smoother fan curves provide a better acoustic experience.
• Design: A CPU cooler takes up the central spot in your PC case and, therefore, contributes greatly to its overall look. Nowadays, CPU coolers come with different color options, design patterns, and RGB lighting for added customization. Some high-end models include a personalized LCD display on the pump block for better aesthetics.
• Value For Money: When buying a CPU cooler for the i9-14900KF, it is vital to assess the price tag and the price-to-performance ratio the cooler offers. A more expensive cooler may not necessarily be the better choice, and similarly, a more affordable cooler might not provide the performance necessary to cool down your i9-14900KF CPU.

Looking for more options? We have you covered:

• Best CPU Coolers For i9-14900K
• Best CPU Coolers For i7-14700K
• Best CPU Coolers For i7-14700KF
• Best CPU Coolers For i5-14600K
• Best CPU Coolers For i5-14600KF

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