Whats the best CPU air cooler for an I7 8700k

E-gaming · Nov 10, 2017

So i'm planing on buying the I7 8700k cpu on the Asus ROG STRIX Z370-F motherboard but i was wondering what the best air cooler would be? for the chip so that i can overclock it.

If anyone can help me, the case that i'm using is the Zalman Z11 PLUS so i don't think the size of the cooler matters to much.

JalYt_Justin · Nov 10, 2017

Noctua NH-D15 (best cooling): https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608045
Dark Rock Pro 3: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=13C-001F-00002
Scythe FUMA (best value): https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=13C-0004-00074
Cryorig R1 Ultimate: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=13C-000U-00002

E-gaming · Nov 10, 2017

JalYt_Justin :

Thanks for the quick reply

Power94 · Nov 17, 2017

I have 8700k and air cooler is no go.
Only if you wanna be on stock speed 4.3GHz Max and its 65c-80c with dark Rock pro 3 on strest test so air cooler is no go.

JalYt_Justin · Nov 17, 2017

Power94 :

Sounds like you have other issues going on, maybe some TIM application between the die and IHS causing a significant temp disparity.

The high-end air coolers perform as well or better than 240mm AIO water coolers, cooling capacity is not the issue.

JalYt_Justin · Nov 17, 2017

Power94 :

Sounds like you have other issues going on, maybe some TIM application between the die and IHS causing a significant temp disparity.

The high-end air coolers perform as well or better than 240mm AIO water coolers, cooling capacity is not the issue.

Power94 · Nov 17, 2017

JalYt_Justin :

you have i7 8700k? im telling you 65c-75c stress test on 4.3ghz and i try 4.7ghz and its 95c+ on drp3 cooler AIR COOLER IS NO GO FOR I7 8700K!!!! i currently waiting for x62 but i thing delid is gonna be must go....

JalYt_Justin · Nov 17, 2017

Power94 :

Hate to burst your bubble, but even if you do get the X62 you will not see much of a temperature difference, maybe 10C MAX. Dark Rock Pro 3 is one of the best air coolers on the market, and there's no reason it shouldn't adequately cool a 8700k.

No, I don't have an 8700k, but I've done more than enough research from its launch to be able to figure out what's able to cool it or not. Nearly every tech channel on Youtube has done videos about the 8700k, whether that be cooling or gaming benchmarks.

Linus did this video on comparing cooling systems on an arguably similarly hot CPU, Ryzen Threadripper (which has much higher TDP, might I add. 8700k will only output more heat when it's HEAVILY overclocked.)

EDIT: Noctua's NH-D14/15 is similar to the Dark Rock Pro 3, which cool better than the U14S he shows in that video. H115i is comparable to Kraken x62.

Power94 · Nov 17, 2017

JalYt_Justin :

Power94 :

Hate to burst your bubble, but even if you do get the X62 you will not see much of a temperature difference, maybe 10C MAX. Dark Rock Pro 3 is one of the best air coolers on the market, and there's no reason it shouldn't adequately cool a 8700k.

No, I don't have an 8700k, but I've done more than enough research from its launch to be able to figure out what's able to cool it or not. Nearly every tech channel on Youtube has done videos about the 8700k, whether that be cooling or gaming benchmarks.

Linus did this video on comparing cooling systems on an arguably similarly hot CPU, Ryzen Threadripper (which has much higher TDP, might I add. 8700k will only output more heat when it's HEAVILY overclocked.)

man pls don't write again...even 4.7ghz on i7 8700k will blow your mind with the temp...if you buy one you will see..that is all what i gonna to say i hate arguing about something you cant understand so i will not explain to you...

JalYt_Justin · Nov 17, 2017

Power94 :

JalYt_Justin :

man pls don't write again...even 4.7ghz on i7 8700k will blow your mind with the temp...if you buy one you will see..that is all what i gonna to say i hate arguing about something you cant understand so i will not explain to you...

Yes it gets hot at 4.7GHz, nothing short of custom water cooling will really cool high overclocks like that adequately. But to say you can't cool it at stock or even moderate overclocks with air coolers is misleading at best, flat out wrong at worst.

biglizard · Nov 17, 2017

Power94 :

JalYt_Justin :

man pls don't write again...even 4.7ghz on i7 8700k will blow your mind with the temp...if you buy one you will see..that is all what i gonna to say i hate arguing about something you cant understand so i will not explain to you...

Do you understand this?

JalYt_Justin · Nov 17, 2017

biglizard :

Power94 :

Do you understand this?

One set of results is not nearly enough to quantify every single result based on significantly more thorough test procedures than yours. You can google many videos and articles about the 8700k where they use air coolers to great effect. Each CPU is different, yours included. Just because your set of data says one thing doesn't mean it defines the whole group.

We can debate about it all day. I can give numerous articles about cooling on the 8700k but to be honest it would kinda be a waste of effort. As for the OP, I wouldn't worry about cooling too much, the best air coolers on the market are more than capable of cooling an overclocked 8700k as long as you aren't pushing high clock speeds (4.6GHz+).

biglizard · Nov 17, 2017

JalYt_Justin :

biglizard :

One set of results is not nearly enough to quantify every single result based on significantly more thorough test procedures than yours. You can google many videos and articles about the 8700k where they use air coolers to great effect. Each CPU is different, yours included. Just because your set of data says one thing doesn't mean it defines the whole group.

We can debate about it all day. I can give numerous articles about cooling on the 8700k but to be honest it would kinda be a waste of effort. As for the OP, I wouldn't worry about cooling too much, the best air coolers on the market are more than capable of cooling an overclocked 8700k as long as you aren't pushing high clock speeds (4.6GHz+).

And?

The guy said it couldn't be done.

I've shown that it can be done. Whether another CPU can or cannot is irrelevant.

Certainly as you have pointed out that there is much more to obtaining a cool running OC then cooling solution alone.

Edit: You do realize that I'm on air right?

JalYt_Justin · Nov 17, 2017

Oops, totally didn't read names, my bad.

Power94 · Dec 1, 2017

Air coolers are bad for 8700k! I have that cpu and my Rock pro 3 on 4.7GHz 1min strest test 95c+ so dont use air cooler. Only if you gonna be on 4.3ghz max then use air (65c-75c)...i waiting for kraken x62 now..i think delid is must go....

localm007 · Jan 10, 2018

Power94 :

localm007 · Jan 10, 2018

This whole thread is so misleading... Why would The manufacturer sell this cpu if they knew their consumers would have obligation to "Delid" and avoid warranty....? Don't they run their own stress tests with heatsink a and liquid coolers??????

JalYt_Justin · Jan 11, 2018

localm007 :

Of course they do, but high overclocks like 4.6GHz+ are not extensively tested since, officially, it is against Intel/AMD policy to overclock. Also not every chip is made the same, so not all chips will perform the same. Differences in silicon quality, amount of TIM between the IHS and the die, and other factors contribute to variability in temps.

The stock heatsink could cool the CPU at stock. Overclocks are a different story.

localm007 · Jan 11, 2018

JalYt_Justin :

localm007 :

Of course they do, but high overclocks like 4.6GHz+ are not extensively tested since, officially, it is against Intel/AMD policy to overclock. Also not every chip is made the same, so not all chips will perform the same. Differences in silicon quality, amount of TIM between the IHS and the die, and other factors contribute to variability in temps.

The stock heatsink could cool the CPU at stock. Overclocks are a different story.

localm007 · Jan 11, 2018

Not trying to be rude and thanks for that response. I also had the same question as OC but you have someone making definitive statements that "delid" is a must... Not sure if the 8700k comes with a stock cooler so I was trying to find a prominent one.

cerimartin1 · Jan 22, 2018

I'm getting 5.2 on a rubbish 16 pound cooler max temps 81 under stress testing volt 1.36

omar.wageeh.n · Jan 23, 2018

Power94 :

JalYt_Justin :

you have i7 8700k? im telling you 65c-75c stress test on 4.3ghz and i try 4.7ghz and its 95c+ on drp3 cooler AIR COOLER IS NO GO FOR I7 8700K!!!! i currently waiting for x62 but i thing delid is gonna be must go....

what's your ambient temp tho?

cerimartin1 · Jan 23, 2018

omar.wageeh.n :

Power94 :

what's your ambient temp tho?

cerimartin1 · Jan 23, 2018

I have a 8700k on a £20 cooler running @ 5.2 1.27v under 80c in prime 95 so you don't have the best cpu.
In game max temps 71c
What thermal paste are you using and what motherboard

cerimartin1 · Jan 24, 2018

omar.wageeh.n :

Power94 :

what's your ambient temp tho?

Whats the best CPU air cooler for an I7 8700k

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