Best CPU cooler for Intel 14th Gen 2024 – top gaming picks

Best CPU cooler for Intel 14th Gen 2024 – top gaming picks
Rory Greig Updated on by

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If you’re looking for the best CPU cooler for Intel 14th Gen, then look no further. We’re bringing you all of our top recommendations based upon our own experience with the latest chipsets made by Team Blue so you can make an informed purchasing decision.

It’s a frustrating reality that, often, when you buy a brand new CPU, you pretty soon realise you need to buy a brand new CPU cooler too. With Intel’s brand new 14th Gen chips more powerful than anything the company has produced before, this is all the more likely to be true. It helps to be prepared.

There’s a lot to think about when going for a new CPU cooler too. With different cooling technologies, complex installation processes and competing brands, it can be hard to know which one to go for. With this list, we hope to help you cut through the noise. Let’s get into our picks.

Best CPU cooler for Intel 14th Gen at a glance

ASUS ROG Ryujin II 360

Dimensions

42.4 x 21.1 x 13

Power connector

4-pin

Voltage

12 Volts

Noise level

31 dB

Corsair iCUE H150i Elite Capellix Liquid CPU Cooler

Corsair iCUE H150i Elite Capellix Liquid CPU Cooler

Dimensions

397 x 119.8 x 26.9 mm

Socket Support

Intel LGA: 1200, 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 2011, 2066. AMD: AM4, AM5, sTR4, sTRX4

Fans

3 x Corsair AF120 RGB Elite PWM Fans

Features

iCUE Commander CORE RGB

Noctua NH-D15S chromax.Black

A black Noctua NH-D15S cpu cooler on a white background.

Dimensions

6.3 x 5.91 x 5.31in

Power connector

4-pin

Voltage

12

Noise level

24.6dB

Just like the best coolers for i9-13900K, the coolers on this list all feature LGA 1700 socket mounts, as this is the socket type you’ll find on the Intel 14th Gen series. This gives you one less thing to worry about when thinking about which cooler to go for. To help you out further we’ve also taken into consideration budget, noise level, and durability. Let’s get into it.

Best overall CPU cooler for Intel 14th Gen

ASUS ROG Ryujin II 360

Dimensions

42.4 x 21.1 x 13

Power connector

4-pin

Voltage

12 Volts

Noise level

31 dB

Pros
  • Quiet operation
  • Great look
  • Built-in screen
Cons
  • Pricey

The Asus ROG Ryujin II 360 has been arguably ruling the CPU cooling roost since its release. It scores highly in three of the most important areas: cooling ability, build quality and aesthetics, and this can be seen in the positive reviews it has received.

In terms of sheer cooling power, it’s certainly got enough to keep Intel’s 14th Gen under control, even the i9-14900K. This is thanks to its three Noctua NF 2000rpm fans, along aside a Seventh Gen Asetek pump. There’s even an embedded fan in the CPU socket area.

Then there’s the built quality of this thing. The pump cover is aluminium, the 380mm long tubes are built from thick rubber, and the sleeved tubing used for water cooling is reinforced. These measures ensure a durable product, as well as complement the cooler’s aesthetic by all following the same matte black colour scheme.

The ROG Ryujin II 360 is known for its brilliant look. As well as the matte black components there are ARGB lights which can create an almost infinite range of colours. This cooler even comes with a built-in screen which can convey real-time information about your system. The way these stats are conveyed can also be adjusted via customizable lighting controls with Asus Livedash software.

Best all-round CPU cooler for Intel 14th Gen

Corsair iCUE H150i Elite Capellix Liquid CPU Cooler

Corsair iCUE H150i Elite Capellix Liquid CPU Cooler

Dimensions

397 x 119.8 x 26.9 mm

Socket Support

Intel LGA: 1200, 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 2011, 2066. AMD: AM4, AM5, sTR4, sTRX4

Fans

3 x Corsair AF120 RGB Elite PWM Fans

Features

iCUE Commander CORE RGB

Pros
  • Air Guide technology
  • PWM controls
  • Durable build
Cons
  • Can be loud at maximum power

We’ve picked the Corsair iCUE H150i Elite as the best all-around CPU cooler for Intel’s 14th Gen because, not only does it have an impressive amount of cooling ability, but it is also deeply adjustable, allowing you to fine-tune it to your exact needs. As the reviews attest, this is one of the best CPU coolers for gaming, let’s get into exactly why.

To keep your 14th Gen Intel CPU cool, and overclockable, the iCUE H150i has a 360mm radiator, three 120mm fans, a copper cold plate and a pump head built for efficiency. The latter of these is lined with impressive Capellix LEDs too. The cooler also uses Corsair’s Air Guide technology, to ensure even the deeper recesses of your rig get adequate cooling.

This cooler really comes into its own thanks to the level of control it offers you. You can adjust the exact RPM of the fans, all the way up to 2,100 thanks to the PWM control, all the while maintaining a volume as quiet as 34.1dBa. When you aren’t putting your PC through its paces you can even select a 0 RPM PWM signal, meaning that operation will be totally silent.

Best air CPU cooler for Intel 14th Gen

Noctua NH-D15S chromax.Black

A black Noctua NH-D15S cpu cooler on a white background.

Dimensions

6.3 x 5.91 x 5.31in

Power connector

4-pin

Voltage

12

Noise level

24.6dB

Pros
  • Effective cooling
  • Reasonable price
  • 6 year warranty included
Cons
  • No liquid cooling

This air cooler from Noctua is one of the most impressive we’ve seen to date. With a dual tower and dual fan layout, the NH-D15 Cromax Black boasts six heat pipes and a pair of NF-A15 140mm fans. This means you can expect brilliant cooling for your Intel 14th Gen chip even in the middle of an intense gaming session, or when overclocking.

It’s quiet too with a Low-Noise Adaptor and PWM controls, meaning you can ramp down cooling when it is not necessary. If you’ve got any concerns about durability you can put those to bed to thanks to a 6-year warranty offered by Noctua.

It’s not hard to see why this is one of the best LGA 1700 CPU coolers which is perfect for keeping your 14th Gen chip from overheating. While not quite one of the best budget CPU coolers, it will also set you back less than the other two picks on this list.

Final word

Picking a CPU cooler can be a daunting task. You’ve got to think about compatibility, maintenance, energy efficiency and ease of installation, just to name a few things. If the coolers we’ve picked here are within your budget, we reckon they are a good starting place for those looking to keep the temperature of their Intel 14th Gen CPU under wraps. Pick the one that appeals most to you, do a bit of extra research, and then get stuck in.

Frequently asked questions

There are a few questions about CPU coolers which we’re seeing come up again and again. We’ve tried to answer a few of them here.

Are all CPU coolers compatible with Intel 14th Gen CPUs?

Not all CPU coolers are compatible with Intel’s 14th Gen CPUs out of the box. This is because they need to have an LGA 1700 socket mount, as this is the socket found on the 14th Gen chips. It is possible to get custom mounts for other CPUs but we would advise going for a cooler with inbuilt compatibility.

Do Intel 14th Gen CPUs come with a cooler?

No – Unless you get a specific deal, your Intel 14th Gen CPU will not come with a cooler included.

Do I need to use a cooler with Intel 14th gen CPUs?

Yes, you absolutely need to use cooling when using an Intel 14th gen CPU and that’s due to the intense heat that these processors can run at even when idle. To protect the life of the chipset and your system in general, you need a high quality air or water cooler.