Looking for something to keep the high 13900K temps at bay? Well look no further.
Updated: Oct 20, 2022 3:06 pm
Intel’s i9-13900k is here, it is many things, but cool isn’t one of them. Although the 13900K is the fastest CPU In the world right now, It certainly works up a sweat holding its pole position In the industry. Here’s the best CPU cooler for Intel Core i9-13900K.
Now read: Where to buy 13900K
There’s some phenomenal technology packed under the 13900K’s IHS, new Raptor Cove core technology, increased L2 cache, and various core speed improvements. These are all contributing factors in the 13900K’s TDP climbing above 250W at peak performance. so not only is it the fastest CPU in the world, but it’s also one of the hottest.
Best CPU cooler for Intel Core i9-13900k: First look
01
Best cooler for 13900K
ASUS ROG RYUJIN ii 360mm
Asus ROG RYUJIN II 360 CPU Cooler
02
Runner up best cooler for 13900K
Corsair iCUE H150i Elite Capellix
Corsair iCUE H150i Elite Capellix Liquid CPU Cooler
03
Budget cooler for 13900K
anteks Glacier One 360
Phanteks Glacier One 360MPH
Why are CPU coolers so important?
If a CPU had an arch-enemy, it would be heat. Any electrical component produces heat when used, the more power that component consumes, the hotter it will become.
If an electrical component gets too hot, it will become damaged, basically frying and burning itself. CPU coolers are designed to stop this and keep the CPU cool to avoid damage.
It’s not just about avoiding damage, CPUs are more power efficient at lower temperatures too.
The more powerful your CPU is the hotter it will get, this of course means you need a more powerful CPU cooler to keep high temperatures at bay.
Can you use an air cooler for the Intel Core i9-13900k?
Yes, if you want it to blow up. No seriously, using an air cooler is not the greatest idea when it comes to the 13900K.
This CPU has the highest TDP of any desktop CPU we have ever tested, we managed to make the 13900K throttle during a stress test with a 360mm AIO.
The i9-13900K’s massive TDP of 253W at boost should only be handled by AIO CPU coolers above 240MM and full custom loops, you can pretty much forget about air cooling altogether for now, if this changes we’ll let you know.
Should I water cool the i9-13900K?
In general, it’s always a good idea to water-cool any PC component if you can. There’s nothing more taxing on a PC component than constant exposure to rising and falling temperatures. So if you can, you need to try and keep your CPU temperatures as low as possible.
Watwecooling the 13900K is almost a necessity, as a massive TDP drives temperatures up quickly, especially under load.
It’s a good idea to water-cool this CPU. It will really improve the longevity of the CPU and motherboard, this is an especially good idea if you don’t plan on upgrading for a while.
Best CPU cooler for Core i9-13900K
Here we will list the best CPU coolers that we think are suited to keep the mighty 13900K from burning up under its own performance.
ASUS ROG RYUJIN ii 360mm
Asus ROG RYUJIN II 360 CPU Cooler
CPU Block Dimensions
78.15 x 87.5 x 81 mm
Socket Support
Intel: LGA 1150, 1151, 1152, 1155, 1156, 1200, 1366, 2011, 2011-3, 2066 AMD: AM4, TR4*
Fans
3x Noctua NF-F12 InductrialPPC 2000 PWM Fans
Features
3.5″ Full Color LCD Screen
Pros
- LCD Screen
- High Performance
- Aesthetically, one of the best looking AIOs on the market
Cons
- Expensive
- More affordable options that perform similarly
The ASUS ROG RYUJIN ii is an ideal candidate to keep the 13900K in check, it’s a premium CPU cooler designed to handle the heavy hitters in terms of performance and TDP.
The RYUJIN was originally designed on the 12th gen platform but can be used across a multitude of different hardware thanks to its incredible cooling capacity.
The RYUJIN ii features an LCD screen that allows any image or GIF to be displayed. The LCD screen has full AIDA64 support, meaning you can display current system state information on the 3.5″ full-color screen.
The Ryuijin ii also features 380mm sleeved tubing comprised of thick rubber, to add durability and improve the visuals over the duller tube designs.
Corsair iCUE H150i Elite Capellix
Corsair iCUE H150i Elite Capellix Liquid CPU Cooler
Item Dimensions LxWxH
15.63 x 4.71 x 4.71 inches
Pros
- Quiet Running Volume – This system should rarely break 36dBA.
- RGBs – bright and punchy, these RGBs will breathe new life into your case.
- Pump Design – A split-flow copper cold plate and a ton of micro-skived fins enable you to push your CPU to the limit.
Cons
- Price – You may have to liquidate your assets to afford this liquid asset.
- Installation – The fans can be difficult to screw into place.
The Corsair H150i iCUE Elite Capellix is one of the more popular CPU coolers out there, it’s been around a little longer than the RYUJIN, and it’s from a cooler brand we all know and love, Corsair.
The ELITE holds its own in terms of cooling performance, thanks to its massive 360MM aluminum radiator and three Corsair 120MM RGB fans.
The ELITE not only holds up in performance aspects but in aesthetics too. This CPU cooler is available in both White and Black, and the option to add RGB fans if that’s your thing.
You can also purchase an LCD screen upgrade for this CPU cooler if you struggle to find the LCD version of this cooler on sale anywhere. Making it almost identical in performance AND design to the RYUJIN ii
Phanteks Glacier One 360
Phanteks Glacier One 360MPH
Item Dimensions LxWxH
273mm x 120mm x 27mm
Pros
- Amazing cooling potential
- Visually epic
- riple 120mm MP PWM fans optimized for high static pressure and silent operation
Cons
- Block is not as beefy as the ASUS model
The Phanteks Glacier One 360 has been around for a little while now, but we feel it needs a little introduction. This CPU cooler has to be one of the better-looking coolers on the market to date.
The 360mm aluminum radiator will ensure it has the appropriate cooling capacity to keep the high TDP of the 13900K at bay.
Sleeved rubber tubes mean that no amount of bending could ever break these robust tubular liquid-transporting components. Perfect for advantageous positioning within the PC case.
The performance is top-notch and definitely gives users another ent to consider when looking for a CPU cooler for the 13900K.
Final word
no matter what CPU cooler you choose on this list, you’ll always be covered for the 13900K. Nothing on this list will miss a beat and they are all up to the massive challenge of cooling a 253W peak TDP CPU.
Keep your eye out for new CPU coolers hitting the market, as the CPUs we have now all have their work cut out for them. We really need some new cooler technology soon, we’re cooking in a desert of scorching CPUs this generation.
