Intel Core i9-9900k offers more cores, it also offers a higher performance-boosting solder TIM and higher frequencies. The above features make the chip the fastest mainstream processor in the market.
When it comes to selecting a CPU cooler there are two choices, you could either settle with the air cooler or the liquid cooler. The above are not yet complete because they will also need a carbon-based paste or a Silicon-based thermal paste. Other dynamics of the CPU cooler that are worth looking at are its fan size, the noise produced, and speeds.
If you have invested in a CPU cooler before, you must have experienced the tedious assembly process that varies depending on the type of cooler that you have, either the Intel CPU system or the AMD. You will, therefore, find that some coolers come optimized with CPU socket sizes that easily integrate with both the Intel CPU system and the AMD. Let us now look for some of the best reliable CPU coolers for the Core i9 9900k.
Best CPU cooler for i9 9900k- Comparison Table
| Best CPU cooler for i9 9900k | Brand | Noise level | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4, BK022 | Be Quiet | 24.3 dB | Check Price Here |
| Corsair iCUE H150i Elite Capellix Liquid CPU Cooler | Corsair | 36db | Check Price Here |
| Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition CPU Air Coolor | Cooler Master | 26db | Check Price Here |
| Noctua NH-D15 chromax.Black | Noctua | 19.2 decibels | Check Price Here |
| NZXT Kraken Z73 360mm - RL-KRZ73-01 - AIO RGB CPU Liquid Cooler | NZXT | 21 db | Check Price Here |
| Noctua NH-C14S, Premium CPU Cooler with NF-A14 PWM 140mm Fan | Noctua | 24.6db | Check Price Here |
Best CPU Cooler for i9 9900k
Be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4, BK022
Dark Rock Pro 4 is a product from the “be quiet” brand and has been equipped with two PWM fans that are characteristic of the fluid-dynamic bearings, and which are made complete with the pole motors and airflow optimized blades. The cooler has been designed with the front wings fans known to offer extremely high pressure, courtesy of the funnel-shaped air inlet in the frame.
The cooler also offers an impressive rating of 250w TDP and has been designed to achieve low temperatures especially when the CPU is at peak performance. The innovative unit features up to 7 advanced technology copper heat pipes and which helps to maximize heat conductance. Notable is that the contoured cooling fins with small dots on the surfaces help increase air circulation.
The special black coating that is characteristic of ceramic particles makes the transfer of heat possible. The manufacture of the unit has incorporated two heat sinks, while the provided cutouts conveniently enhance the cooler’s RAM compatibility. The unit is upgradable and it can therefore take another 120mm fan for enhanced cooling. This unit comes with two pre-installed fans.
Installation of the cooler is a breeze and it can be installed on the motherboard from above. You will also notice that the unit is aesthetically pleasing thanks to the brushed aluminum top cover that has been made complete with a diamond-cut finish.
Pros
- Offers immense cooling power
- The cooler is equipped with seven advanced technology
- Offers an almost silent operation
- It is aesthetically pleasing and easy to install
Cons
- It is not compatible with all the systems
- The fans click at higher loads
Corsair iCUE H150i Elite Capellix Liquid CPU Cooler
For efficient cooling at all loads, the Corsair iCUE H150i features an optimal cold plate design and a high-density stack of 128 micro-skived fins per inch. Corsair iCUE has additionally been configured to enable extreme cooling with low noise, and which it achieves with a flow rate of up to 0.82L/min while at the same time generating less than 20 dBA.
You will also notice that each ELITE CAPELLIX CPU cooler comes with two separate pump caps, but there is also a pre-installed pump cap that is not only stylish but glossy black. The alternate pump cap is on the other hand transparent thus allows the Capellix LEDs to shine through. This cooler can be customized with the powerful Corsair iCUE software that enables the control and synchronization of the RGB lighting with all iCUE compatible devices.
The software also allows the owner to monitor the CPU and coolant temperatures, and they can also adjust the fan and pump speeds from the intuitive interface. Equipped with up to eight RGB LEDs per fan, the CORSAIR RGB series PWM fans enable a powerful airflow that results in extreme CPU cooling performance. The unit remains efficient in its operations and through the zero rpm mode, which is accessible through the CORSAIR iCUE software allows fans to stop working at low temperatures consequently eliminating the fan noise.
The Corsair iCUE comes in three different sizes you can therefore choose to settle with the 240mm(H100i) which is highly compatible with different machines, you could also go with the 360mm(H150i) designed to offer a higher cooling performance or settle with the 280mm (H115i) that has combined the performances of the H150i and that of the H100i.
Pros
- Mounting is tool-free
- The cooler can be customized using the Corsair iCUE software
- Fan speeds can be tweaked from 400 to 2,400rpm
- Fans don’t work at low temperatures thus eliminates fan noise
Cons
- Installation is not easy, because fan holes are not lined up
- The pumps are not reliable
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition CPU Air Coolor
The Cooler Master Hyper 212 black edition is an improved version, it is now easier to install and performs much better when compared to the previous model. The unit features a sleek jet black which apart from improving the unit’s aesthetic appeal it also increases the cooler cooling performance. Cooler Master Hyper 212 has been fitted with stacked fin rays that enable the least airflow resistance.
The above feature allows cooler air to easily flow into the heat sink, and for effective and excellent heat dissipation it comes equipped with up to 4 heat pipes, that enable exclusive direct contact technology. This cooler suffices for use with the core i9 9900k because it features an exclusive silent driver IC technology that conveniently reduces noise and power output.
The fan blade design has also been established to pack more force into the space in front of the fan. What’s more, is that the optional push-pull fan configuration allows the addition of a fan that will conveniently pull heat from the heat sink faster. The above move helps to accelerate heat exhaust and prevent dynamic losses. Installation is a breeze thanks to the improved universal bracket design.
Pros
- Has smart fan sensor for jam protection
- Removing and upgrading the fan is easy
- The brush anodized aluminum offers a sleek finish
- Nickel-plated copper base enables optimal cooling
Cons
- Does not install easily
- The fan is noisy
Noctua NH-D15 chromax.Black
Of the three coolers that we have reviewed the Noctua NH-D15 is the first one that gives people the option of customizing the colors to suit the build color scheme. The above can be achieved by utilizing the optional NA-HC3 and NA-HC4, heat sink covers including the NA-SAVP3 anti-vibration pads that come in different colors including green, blue, white, yellow, and red.
Noctua NH-D15 has strayed from the standard single tower heat sinks and has incorporated six heat pipe double tower architecture that offers more surface area, enables better heat distribution while allowing superior airflow efficiency in dual fan mode. The coolers fin stack has also been widened from 140 to 150mm thus the heat pipes have now been placed further apart.
The above allows for a more uniform heat distribution over a large surface area and which ensures that the NH-D15 remains efficient. This cooler also provides a 64mm clearance for the tall memory heatsinks in single fan mode and which makes it compatible with the high-end RAM module in the market. Notable is that when using the cooler in dual fan mode, it would be best if it is used with the standard height RAM.
Most importantly is that this cooler has additionally been equipped with two of Noctua’s premium class NF-A15 140mm fans and which are supplied by the NH-D15 support PWM for reliable automatic speed control via the motherboard. Also, the maximum fan speed is customizable and can be adjusted from 1500 to 1200rpm, the above can be achieved through the low noise adapter designed to enable a quieter operation.
The incorporated fans in the NH-D15 are not only efficient for their chilling capabilities but have also been found to enable enhanced airflow over the surrounding motherboard components, and you can, therefore, be sure of excellent component cooling performance. The NH-D15 also comes with an optional NM-13 mounting kit, a feature that makes it compatible with the older LGA 1366 and the LGA 775 sockets.
Pros
- Users can get the optional NM-13 mounting kit for free
- It is compatible with the high-end RAM modules
- Enables quiet cooling efficiency
- Installation is easy and fast
Cons
- The cooler is noisy
- It is bulky
NZXT Kraken Z73 360mm – RL-KRZ73-01 – AIO RGB CPU Liquid Cooler
The NZXT Kraken liquid cooler is equipped with the 7th Generation Asetek pump and which enables improved cooling while offering up to 800rpm whisper-quiet performance. The unit also boasts of the Aer P radiator fans that have been conveniently designed for liquid-cooling perfection. NZXT also delivers a quiet operation, offers powerful cooling performance, and is highly reliable, all of which have been facilitated by the chamfered intake and the fluid dynamic bearings.
The NZXT is also RGB ready and has therefore been configured in such a way that the RGB channel easily integrates with any RGB accessory and which includes the AER RGB 2fans. The liquid cooler can also be customized through the CAM software, and which is characteristic of intuitive controls thus allows users to manage their Kraken performance with relative ease.
Pros
- The fine nylon mesh sleeves protect the cooler from mishandling
- The CAM software is easy to use
- It is especially easy to install
- Offers low noise to rpm ratio
Cons
- The cooler experiences pump failure
- The built quality is not study
Noctua NH-C14S, Premium CPU Cooler with NF-A14 PWM 140mm Fan
The Noctua NH-C14s has a C-type top flow design that enables a quiet cooling performance, it ensures excellent airflow over the RAM modules while maintaining a lower profile. The NH-C14s can easily be installed under the fin stack, the unit is 115mm tall, which is much lower when compared to the tower coolers with 120mm or 140mm fans. This feature allows the unit to integrate with different desktop styles or HTPC cases.
The cooler has also been designed to offer extended clearance underneath the fin stack, a feature that enables it to be compatible with the chipset coolers and among other RAM modules that have heat dissipators of up to 70mm in height.
The fan speed can be customized and reduced from 1500 to 1200 rpm, and this can be achieved using the low noise adapter that enables a quiet operation. The NH-C14s can also be made compatible with the older LGA1366 and the LGA 775 sockets. However, for the above to be successful the optional NM-13 mounting kit must be utilized.
Pros
- Comes with a 6 years warranty
- The fan can be installed both on top or under the cooling fins
- The cooler installs easily
- The 140mm fan offers a silent operation
Cons
- The CPU cooler is huge
- Retails at a higher price
FAQ’s
Will my AIO cooler fail because of an issue with leaking?
No, the AIO coolers don’t leak that often and if it is to fail, then it might be because of issues with the pump and not with leaking.
Between the fan on a CPU heatsink and liquid cooling, which one is quieter?
Liquid cooling has been found to generate less sound because the small pump is usually well insulated and the radiator fans run at lower rpm.
