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Best CPU Cooler For i5-13600K (Liquid, AIO, Air)

Building a gaming PC system for excellent performance, intel’s latest processor should be used. So, we have listed some of the Best CPU Coolers for i5-13600K as this does not come with an integrated cooler. Some users work intensive hours while gaming or doing artistic work, so their systems are bound to heat up. Thus, it is important to choose a cooler that has the capability to handle the system’s overheating. 

Talking about socket compatibility, we have several options like Intel’s LGA115X, LGA1366, LGA2011, LGA2066, V3, 700, 1200, 2066, 1150, 1151, 1155, 2011(-3) Square ILM, LGA2011, LGA1126, LGA1700 (LGA17xx family) and LGA1156. On the other hand, AMD offers the following socket options: AM5,  AM4, AM3(+), AM2(+), FM2(+), FM2 and FM. All these options make sure you can use any type of motherboard for your system. All these features are available in all the products mentioned in this article. 

When considering the appearance of the CPU coolers, users prefer to have a part that gives good visual vibes. Noctua NH-D15 has brown-beige color that appeals to some users while some customers prefer Lian Li GA-360A Galahad has sleek white color. Moreover, some users fancy pure black color for coolers like Be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4, Cooler Master Hyper 212, Thermaltake ToughAir 510. In general, it depends on the preference of the user what color, build and type of cooler they want in their PC systems.

Noise levels are a concern for some people as they like to work in a reduced sound environment. Our recommended options include noise levels ranging from 20 dB to 34 dB. All features are prioritized differently by every user so we compiled a list of all best quality coolers available in the market as of now.  

Our Recommended list of the Best CPU Cooler For i5-13600K

  1. Be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4
  2. Noctua NH-D15, Premium CPU Cooler
  3. Lian Li GA-360A Galahad AIO CPU Liquid Cooler
  4. Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition CPU Air Cooler
  5. Thermaltake TOUGHAIR 510 180W TDP CPU Cooler
  6. MSI MAG Core Liquid P240 AIO CPU Liquid Cooler

Core i5-13600K CPU Cooler Requirements:

  • Requirement of the socket for Core i5-13600K is LGA1700, so that type of air cooler is recommended which supports the LGA1700 socket. 
  • Minimum number of fans required are 2, while recommended number of fans are 3. 
  • Air coolers are required for Core i5-13600K and  liquid coolers are recommended.
  • Rotation speed should start from 1500 RPM and can go up to 2000 RPM. 
  • Noise levels should be between 20 Db and 35 Db. 
  • RGB is solely for PC appeal.  

Core i5-13600K vs. Core i5-13600

  • Base frequency of 13600 is measured at 2.7 GHz while core i5-13600K has 3.5 GHz of frequency. 
  • In CPU performance, the 13600 has no unlocked multiplier while core i5-13600K has this feature. 
  • The GPU boost clock of core i5-13600 has a 1450 MHz limit while core i5-13600K measures around 1550 MHz. 
  • TDP of core i5-13600 is 65W while core i5-13600K is around 125W.
  • Both cores have the same number of cores and threads (14 and 20 respectively).

1- Be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4

Be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4

Be quiet is one of the best brands out there for all tech related products like coolers, fans, PC cases. One of these products is the Dark Rock Pro 4 CPU cooler providing the users with a great cooling system. This air cooler has 5.3 inch length, 5.7 inch width and 6.4 inch height respectively giving it great appearance points. Additionally, this cooler gives the rotation pace of 1500 RPM.

Installation of this cooler is reported to be quite simple even if you are a beginner. Moving on, the structure uses 2 Silent Wings 3 PWM fans which are also made by the be quiet brand. The fans differ in size as one is 135mm and one is 120mm which is a little higher which makes RAM installation easier. Airflow improved cooling fins elevate the chances of RAM being agreeable with the system.

As for the compatibility purposes, the intel sockets like LGA115X, LGA1366, LGA2011, LGA2066, V3, 700, 1200, 2066, 1150, 1151, 1155 and 2011(-3) Square ILM are provided. On the other hand, AMD sockets like AM5,  AM4, AM3(+), AM2(+) and FM2(+) are also compatible with this product and this is also compatible with Ryzen 7 5800X 3D and Ryzen 7 5700X.

Core i5-13600K requires the minimum of 125W TDP and the Dark Rock Pro 4 offers 250W TDP, making it one of the best options. At maximum fan speed, it only generates 24.3 Db of sound, which is great for working in a peaceful and quiet environment. Although no RGB system is present, the build quality with brushed aluminum is much appreciated by the users. 

Comparison:

Here we take the same brand’s product Pure Rock Slim 2 for comparison purposes with Dark Rock Pro 4. Although the size of the former mentioned model is smaller than the Pro 4, it lacks in TDP efficiency as it only goes as high as 130W. Noise level of Pure Rock Slim 2 is also more than Pro 4 model i-e; 25.4 Db.  

Pros:

  • Low noise levels
  • Excellent performance
  • Appealing appearance
  • Top notch build quality 

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • No RGB lightning system 

2- Noctua NH-D15, Premium CPU Cooler

Noctua NH-D15, Premium CPU Cooler

When the system gets slow during intense gaming sessions, the CPU would work better if it comes with Noctua NH-D15 cooler integrated. This is one of the best CPU coolers on the market as it comes with impressive build quality, binary tower design with expanded heatpipes. The physical measurements of this product are 6.5×5.91×5.31 inches of length, width and height respectively. One of the special features of this part is fan control as the user can control whether or not they want to use both fans or not.

Speaking of fans, the Noctua NH-D15 uses the NF-A15 PWM fans with measurement 140mm that helps in aerodynamic flow with great efficiency. Speed of the fans exceeds 1500 RPM which helps in cooling the system down when using heavy-duty softwares. Minimum fan rotation speed of this cooler lowers to 300 RPM which is an admirable feat.

Intel’s socket compatibility includes LGA2011, LGA1126, LGA1155, LGA1150, LGA1700 (LGA17xx family) LGA1200, LGA115x, LGA2011, LGA2066 where as AMD’s compatibility includes AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, AM4 and AM5 sockets. One more feature that makes this one of the best CPU coolers is the 6 year warranty so you don’t have to worry about changing the part entirely and this CPU Coler is also supported by i7-10700K Cooler.

The processor we are using here with the cooler is core i5-13600K which demands at least 125W of TDP. In answer, the Noctua NH-D15 provides a TDP of 205W which is more than enough when working with vigorous applications like Unity. Acoustic level of NH-D15 cooler peaks at 24.6 while with LNA, it drops down to 19.2 Db. However, no RGB lightning system comes with NH-D15 cooler but it does come in a brown-beige color that some users might like in a manner of physical aspect. 

Comparison:

Be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 can be compared with the Noctua NH-D15 model as they are both air coolers. Clearly, the latter model is more successful than the former as it has better cooling performance, low noise levels and is adaptable.  

Pros:

  • Excellent cooling performance
  • Well built structurally 
  • Convenient installation
  • 6 year warranty
  • Low noise level

Cons:

  • Brown color is not a popular option for some users
  • No RGB lighting system

3- Lian Li GA-360A Galahad AIO CPU Liquid Cooler

Lian Li GA-360A Galahad AIO CPU Liquid Cooler

Lian Li is one of the oldest companies in the tech world mainly famous for their PC cases and related products. Here, we discuss the GA-360A ‘Galahad’ CPU cooler that comes with physical features like removable aluminum magnetic top and white color. Moreover, it has an RGB system that switches between 17 colors to make lighting customization easier for the users. Dimensions of this cooler are 17.68×5.5×8.28 inches of length, width and height distributively.

To aid the cooling process, the cooler uses 120mm PWM RGB fans. Maximum speed of rotation in this device goes to 1700 RPM while minimum number goes to 800 RPM. The cooler is shown to last 40,000 hours that equals to almost 4.6 years. Intel’s compatibility sockets include LGA1700, 115X, 1366, 775, 1200, 2011, 2066 and AMD’s AM4.

Lian Li’s GA-360A Galahad passed all basic tests of pricing, appeal and performance with great marks. Acoustic level of this cooler reaches 20 Db while in the testing process, when using the fans at 1050 RPM then noise limit reached upto 29 Db which is still breareble for users. Power connector comes with 3 pins with a rated voltage of 12V. For radiator materials, aluminum and plastic are used while the bearing type is fluid dynamic bearings. 

Comparison:

For this purpose, we take Lian Li Galahad AIO 240 as this shares the same brand with the under discussion product. However, the 240 model makes more noise when it uses 100% RPM speed. Also, it doesn’t offer Intel’s LGA1700 socket option, making it incompatible with core i5-13600K.

Pros:

  • RGB lightning system
  • Excellent performance
  • Strongly built structure
  • Cost friendly

Cons:

  • Slightly higher noise levels 
  • Low compatibility options

4- Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition CPU Air Cooler

Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition CPU Air Cooler

Cooler master produces one of the finest tech related accessories in the technological world. One of these products is the Hyper 212 Black Edition CPU cooler which comes in dimensions 4.78×3.0x6.3 inches of length, width and height respectively. The entire product is in sleek black color which provides the users with a great dark aesthetic. Additionally, it comes with 4 RGB LEDs in the center of the fan to give gamers the right to set the mood for gaming sessions. this CPU Cooler is also perfect for Cryptocurrency.

Speaking of fans, it uses Silent  FP120 clear blades that supply static air flow to the cooler. Air flow of this cooler measures at 42 CFM while the pressure sustains at 2.0 mmH2O. Speed rotation of this cooler reaches 2000 RPM at maximum usage. Intel’s sockets for compatibility includes LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1151, LGA1156, LGA 1155, LGA1366, LGA2066, LGA2011 v3 and LGA 2011. On the other hand, AMD sockets consist of AM4, AM3+, AM3,  AM2, AM2+, FM2 and FM2+. Direct contact technology is used in the 4 heatpipes functionally providing heat loss. 

Maximum level of noise peaks at 26Db while the lowest limit reaches at 8Db supplying the user with productive silence. Processor i5-13600K demands at least 125W of TDP and the Hyper 212 model delivers a TDP of 150W which is enough for this processor to work efficiently. Installation process of this air cooler is easy for the user whether they are a beginner or not. 

Comparison:

Here we take Cooler Master’s MasterAir MA410M for comparison with Hyper 212. When talking performance wise, the former product has more cooling performance than the latter as it is a dual fan model. However, the Hyper 212 model has less noise levels than MAsterAir MA410M and is pricier for some users.  

Pros:

  • Efficient performance despite having a single fan
  • RGB lighting system
  • Sleek black appearance 
  • Easy installation process
  • Favorable cost for budget conscious users

Cons:

  • Single fan
  • Underperforms when compared with other cooling master products

5- Thermaltake TOUGHAIR 510 180W TDP CPU Cooler

Thermaltake TOUGHAIR 510 180W TDP CPU Cooler

Some users need tough cooling parts that can manage to turn heat down from their overworking systems. Thermaltake ToughAir 510 is one of the best products out there in the CPU cooler category. Its dimensions measure at 6.28 x 4.87 x 3.98 inches of length, width and height respectively. Installation of this cooler in the gaming CPU is pretty simple and any issue of the user can be solved by watching the instructional video on the brand’s official website.  

Single tower designed with two fans, 4 heat pipes in U-shape are installed that make heat discharge better. This cooler uses 120 mm high static pressure fans that enhance the cooling effect of the cooler. Air flow of this gadget measures at 58.35 CFM per fan while the pressure stands at 2.41 mmH2O. Moreover, the lifetime of ToughAir 510 is said to be 40,000 hours which is worth the investment as it will work for a long time.

For compatibility, Intel offers sockets LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA151 and LGA1150. Besides, the AMD processors offer AM4, AM3, AM3+, AM2, AM2+, FM2 and FM1 sockets. Acoustic levels of ToughAir 510 measure at 23.6 Db which provides the silence the user will appreciate. TDP of this cooler is rated 180 W which is sufficient for intel core i5-13600K to work efficiently. Even though there is no RGB system, the buyer will get a great cooling structure for heavy tasks like crypto mining. 

Comparison:

For comparative reasons we take the Thermaltake ToughAir 110 model because both of these share some features and mainly the brand name. However, the TDP of ToughAir 110 is less than ToughAir 510 by 40 RPM. Due to low RPM the ToughAir 510 is the much better option.

Pros:

  • Excellent cooling performance
  • Dual fans 
  • Low noise levels
  • Easy installation   

Cons:

  • No RGB lighting system
  • A bit expensive 

6- MSI MAG Core Liquid P240 AIO CPU Liquid Cooler

MSI MAG Core Liquid P240 AIO CPU Liquid Cooler

Computer systems can get overheated when gamers are engrossed in intensive gameplay for hours. So to battle this issue, MSI Mag Core Liquid P240 CPU cooler is used. Its dimensions consist of 10.71 inch length, 1.06 inch width and 4.72 inches of height accordingly. Main feature of this product is the fact that it cools the system using water and it is the only one on this list. Dual PWM fans in this device measure 4.7 x 4.7 x 0.98 of width, depth and height respectively. 

Airflow of the cooler is around 78.73 CFM while the rotation speed is 500 RPM minimum and 2000 RPM maximum. To make sure the water stays inside the loops, 400mm tubes with a triple layer of plastic shielded with a mesh exterior are created. Moreover, the radiator is made of aluminum and the pump is installed inside the radiator for noise reduction purposes. Hence, limiting the acoustic level of the pump to only 18 Db while the fan’s sound reaches up to 34 Db. 

Intel’s compatibility sockets include LGA 1150, LGA1151, LGA1155, LGA1156, LGA1200, LGA1366, LGA2011, LGA2011-3, LGA2066 and LGA1700. Whereas AMD’s sockets consist of AM5, AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2+, FM2 and FM1. For core i5-13600K, it is suitable as Mag Core Liquid P240 fulfills all requirements needed by the processor to run efficiently. Life expectancy of the pump is shown to be 100,000 hours, justifying the user’s investment in it.

Comparison: 

ASUS Rog Strix LC II can be compared with this product as it is also a liquid cooler. However, it offers less compatibility options with other processors than the Mag Core Liquid P240 model. Also, the noise level of the former cooler is more than the latter CPU cooler.   

Pros: 

  • Excellent liquid cooling process
  • Low noise levels
  • Several compatibility options
  • Strongly build product

Cons: 

  • No RGB lighting system
  • Expensive for some users

Best CPU Cooler For i5-13600K Buying Guide

While building your own system you need to know which CPU coolers are best to use as they are an essential piece of machinery. It cools down your system when it gets overheated by maximum usage. So, MSI Mag Core Liquid P240 is recommended by us as it is first and foremost a liquid cooler whereas all other options mentioned here are air coolers. It doesn’t mean air coolers are bad, it just depends what you are going to choose when using it with i5-13600K processor.

Some features should be considered when buying such a crucial part of a CPU, so we have listed some of them down for your ease.   

Compatibility

When using core i5-13600K, the socket LGA1700 is used. So when looking to buy any cooler, make sure it has the capability to be installed with this processor. All of the devices mentioned in this article have the LGA1700 socket option so you can choose any cooler you feel like is perfect for your usage. 

Cooler Type

2 cooler types exist in the tech world, these are categorized as air and liquid. The main difference is apparent by name as one type cools using air and the other uses water to bring heat levels down. Both options have their ups and downs as the liquid cooler is a little hard to maintain as there is always a chance of leakage. While some air coolers can be bulky in appearance and cause space issues for cases and motherboard’s other parts. So it depends on the user which type would suit their custom built PC systems.   

Fans

Fans are responsible for dissipating heat away from the PC system therefore making it work efficiently. You have the choice to pick from one, two and three numbers of fans best suited for your usage. If you are thinking of choosing an air cooling system, it would be wise to consider the Lian Li GA-360A Galahad as it has 3 fans and has a rotation speed of 1700 RPM. 

Acoustic Levels

Some people prefer to work in low sound related environments, so they would prioritize the kind of CPU cooler that makes the lowest decibel of sound. Liquid coolers tend to create less noise than air coolers on average. However, some air coolers can counter this statement as they are specifically designed for low acoustic levels.

Cost 

Prices may be a concern for some users as they don’t want to spend a fortune on a single piece of CPU. If you are a user who wants a cheaper option, go for air coolers as they don’t break the bank. They are great for cooling your systems down during intense gaming sessions. 

FAQs

Which CPU Cooler Should Be Used For Core i5-13600K?

For core i5-13600K, minimum TDP requirement is 125W. So, you should consider a CPU cooler that exceeds the 125W limit of TDP.

How Many Types of CPU Coolers Are There?

Two types of CPU coolers exist in this category, these are air and liquid coolers. Both of these have their advantages and disadvantages. Overall, liquid coolers are pricey and hard to maintain whereas air coolers don’t provide extreme cooling for intense working Pc systems.  

How Do I Know Which CPU Cooler Is Compatible  With Core i5-13600K?

For compatibility, we check the socket type and TDP of the CPU cooler so we know which one to choose. Intel core i5-13600K uses the socket LGA1700 and maximum TDP of 125W.   

Is RGB Lighting System Important In CPU Coolers?  

It depends on the user’s priority whether or not they want a lighting system for their computer setup.  

Author

  • Areesha

    Areesha is a tech enthusiast and a freelance writer who loves to share her insights on the latest gadgets and innovations. She has been reviewing tech products for over five years, covering everything from smartphones, laptops, cameras, smartwatches, headphones, and more. She enjoys testing out new features, comparing different models, and giving honest feedback to her readers. Areesha’s reviews are always informative, engaging, and easy to understand. Whether you are looking for a new device, a gift idea, or just curious about the tech world, Areesha’s reviews will help you make the best decision. You can find her work on various websites and blogs, such as [TechCrunch], [CNET], [The Verge], and [Gizmodo]. You can also follow her on [Twitter] and [Instagram] to get the latest updates on her reviews and projects. Areesha is always open to suggestions and feedback from her audience, so feel free to contact her anytime. She is looking forward to hearing from you!

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