Best Liquid Cooler for i7 8700k
Gamers like to keep up-to-date on popular and top-class releases, so you may have already heard all about Intel’s 8th generation processor, the i7-8700K. This Coffee Lake processor (as Intel calls its 8th generation processors) has a Ryzen chip and contains 6 cores and 12 threads.
With a speed of 3.7GHz (and extra tacked on when on turbo), this processor gives you a lot of leeways when it comes to overclocking, and it’s very effective for gaming. If you’re on the hunt for a new gaming CPU or you happen to own the i7-8700K already, cooling might become an issue when you have a workhorse processor like this one.
Liquid coolers are a strong choice and are a great way of making sure you keep a fast processor cool and under control. When you use a liquid cooler, then you can also make sure that every part of the CPU is cooled, something which a normal fan might not necessarily be able to guarantee.
Also, a lot of coolers come with RGB lighting, which is the signature look for a dedicated gamer. You’ll definitely make some waves when you’re streaming with your friends.
With that said, you might be wondering what the best liquid cooler for i7-8700K is. Well, we can give you some top candidates, so keep reading if you’re in the market for one!
10 BEST LIQUID COOLER FOR I7 8700K REVIEW
1
NZXT KRAKEN X53 RGB 240MM
Features
NZXT KRAKEN is a pricey one to start with, but in order to manage heat well, you need a strong liquid cooling system. You don’t want to settle for any cheap off-brand product on the market because you won’t get the results you want. You may end up damaging your processor in the long run.
NZXT makes premium computer hardware, and of course, they also make some highly customizable accessories for your computer systems. The AER RGB V2 is a liquid cooling system with large LED fans, which operate quickly and quietly.
The LED ring is rotatable, and the wiring has a nylon mesh sleeves over rubber tubing. This adds a level of protection, so you won’t have to deal with any leakage issues when the fans are in operation.
The radiator fans themselves have a deluxe, polished look, and the pump is made of aluminum. You’re definitely getting quality for the money you’re paying here, and a strong cooling effect is guaranteed.
When it comes to RGB, you can use NZXT’s CAM interface to customize as you like, and the fans have an infinity mirror design which makes them look even fancier.
If you happen to have other products in the NZXT ecosystem, your gaming setup will be a thing to behold. A 6-year warranty sweetens the deal.
Pros
Cons
2
CORSAIR ICUE H150I ELITE CAPELLIX LIQUID CPU COOLER
Features
Corsair is pretty well-known for its gaming gear; you might even own Corsair PCs or keyboards. However, their products tend to be expensive, and this one does come with a high price tag too. But as you can imagine, it’s well worth the cost.
The Elite Capellix Series cooler comes with three ML120 radiator fans and an RGB pump. Although this particular product is in black, white fans are also available (although you might have to pay a little more). The liquid cooler is highly compatible and should fit smoothly into your Intel or AMD sockets.
At this price, this is probably the best liquid cooler for i7-8700K, and a total of 57 LEDs will really light up your gaming space. Whether you’re playing World of Warcraft or settling in for another round of Dungeons and Dragons with your friends, this is an unbeatable cooler that will easily enhance your processor performance.
The fans are built for efficient cooling, and cold copper plating helps to facilitate a strong cooling effect. The fans also have a high surface area for better heat management. The iCUE commander core is included, using which you can customize fan speed and lighting very easily.
If you want to buy additional fans for this setup, you can get three more and use the commander core to customize them too. There’s no doubt that Corsair makes expensive products, but your CPU will thank you for the investment.
Pros
Cons
3
COOLER MASTER MASTERLIQUID ML240L RGB V2
FEATURES
Moving on to more affordable options, this cooler from Cooler Master comes in at under $80, which isn’t exactly cheap, but it’s what you can expect to pay for a solid product from a popular brand. And for the amount, it’s good value for money.
Cooler Master is using some pretty good technology, with a new SickleFlow exterior design to enhance both the RGB lighting and the fan functioning for an improved cooling effect. The fans are larger, and this helps to combat any heat issues.
The Dual Chamber design is also a huge plus when it comes to the cooling effect, and the entire product is a powerhouse when it comes to heat management. The frosted fan blades are also quite attractive and produce an airflow of 62 CFM. All in all, this product is no slouch.
You also don’t need to worry about any leakages, as the MasterLiquid ML240L has an Industrial Grade Seal, so these fans will last you a long time. You can customize RGB lighting effects, and a wired controller is provided for ease of control.
You can choose from a variety of settings and colors. No doubt there are fancier fans available, but this is quite good at getting the job done at a fairly reasonable price point.
It’s perfect for gamers who are just starting out and want high quality but are wary of making an over-the-top investment in terms of money. So if that’s you, this is the best liquid cooler for i7-8700K for you.
Pros
Cons
4
EVGA CLC 280MM ALL-IN-ONE
Features
At a little over $110, Evga CLC is a great option that has more of an industrial look, but of course, once you’ve got the RGB running, it’ll look just as gamer-ready as the other fans on this list. EVGA has paid a fair bit of attention to building this to be an efficient heat-tackler, with an improved cooling block to give you a better flow rate and enhance overall cooling.
The tubing is also fully sleeved, so there won’t be any accidents, and everything will last longer. As for the two fans themselves, they’re housed in a slightly curved structure to keep noise levels low, and the blade design is specifically meant to improve the cooling effect.
Also, these fans have a rather minimalistic, plain design, so that’s not a bad idea either if, when you’re not gaming, you’d prefer to have them blend in with the rest of your decor or not stand out too much.
You also get access to EVGA software, which allows you to control everything from fan speed and the pump to RGB. You can save your favorite color profiles, cycle colors, or keep one color flashing at all times.
You shouldn’t face too much of a challenge with installation either. EVGA has a winner of a cooler here, and you’re guaranteed quality performance.
Pros
Cons
5
MSI MAG SERIES RGB CPU LIQUID COOLER
FEATURES
This is a set of three radiator fans from MSI, and in terms of compatibility, this might be the best liquid cooler for i7-8700K. It’s compatible with a ton of sockets and CPUs (from AMD and Intel), so if you want to switch around your setup, you can easily do so without having to purchase a new liquid cooler.
The MSI Coreliquid 360R has a radiator pump design, where the pump is part of the radiator, which cuts down on any excess noise. The pump is powered by a dampened three-phase motor, so you won’t have to worry about much whirring while you’re making your way through a marathon gaming session.
And the tubing is well protected, with an additional mesh layer. This is a great bit of equipment for any gamer to have, although it can be a bit out of budget for some. However, the fact that it’s constructed for durability means that if you’re buying this, you won’t have to return it to the store in a few months.
In that sense, this is a bargain. When it comes to RGB lighting, you get full control via the software provided by MSI.
If you’ve got an eye for detail, you’ll also appreciate the blockhead design of the fans, and the irregular style is a quirky but artistic choice on the part of MSI that will really make your gaming setup stand out.
Pros
Cons
6
ID-COOLING ZOOMFLOW 360X ARGB
FEATURES
If you’re looking for something a bit more affordable, ID-Cooling has a pretty good option with their Zoomflow 360X that comes in at well under $100. This is a three-fan set that boasts an enhanced airflow and a well-rated heat transmission system.
While it isn’t as widely compatible as some of the previous products, it should serve very well as a liquid cooler for your i7-8700K. The pump has a large motor to ensure good heat management, and the addressable RGBs with accompanying lighting effects are a plus at this price range.
If you’re a newbie shopping on a budget, this is also a good option because it’s easy to set up as well. It won’t be whisper-quiet, but the noise levels will be at a minimum and shouldn’t interfere with your Dungeons and Dragons sessions with your friends.
Pros
Cons
7
PHAT DIRECT BURIAL UNDERGROUND RG6
FEATURES
If you’re on the hunt for a premium set of radiator fans, then this is the best liquid cooler for i7-8700K we can recommend. These fans will look great in your room even when they’re not running. They’re made with high-quality industrial-grade materials, so they’re bound to stand the test of time.
The set comes with a frosted acrylic water-block that’s universally compatible, and you can also customize your RGB setup from your motherboard or using a controller. If you can’t be bothered with the hassle of setting up the fans, then you’re in luck.
This cooler comes pre-filled with coolant and pre-assembled as well. All you have to do is screw on the CPU block, plug, and play. This does come at a bit of a hefty price point, but if you’ve got cash to burn, then this is a fantastic choice. It’ll definitely elevate your gaming!
Pros
Cons
8
ENERMAX LIQMAX III 240
FEATURES
This is another more reasonably-priced option at around the $80 mark. A two-fan set from Enermax, the Dual Chamber design on the pump in this cooler works to prevent any major heat surge and creates a faster system of heat transfer.
The dual convex blades and rubber pads help to maximize airflow while cutting down on excess noise, and with the RGB lighting, you have access to 16.8 million colors with which to brighten up your gaming room.
You can also sync the RGB setup with a bunch of different software and switch up the lighting effects, or you can always sync to your motherboard to make adjustments. This is a solid choice for gamers on a budget!
Pros
Cons
9
DEEPCOOL CASTLE 360EX WHITE
FEATURES
If black fans just aren’t your jam and your gaming setup happens to be in all-white, then this is the best liquid cooler for i7-8700K on this list for you. That white, monochrome look is very much in fashion nowadays, and the fans will pair well with your gaming setup if you’ve got a similar theme going.
The two-layered fan blades help to amplify airflow and also have noise-dampening frames. The cooler has a copper base with skived fins to increase heat absorption, so while this product might be pretty stylish, it’s not skimping when it comes to getting the work done.
You can control the RGB lighting via your motherboard or a controller as well.
Pros
Cons
10
ENERMAX LIQFUSION 360 ADDRESSABLE
FEATURES
Finally, here’s a liquid cooler from Enermax that falls somewhere in the mid-range category in terms of price. The large cooling surface promises improved performance, and the fans also come with a flow indicator so you can check up on coolant levels.
The pump is attached to the tubing to maximize its dampening properties so you won’t be bothered by any noise while you’re gaming. Many liquid coolers also don’t include RGB controllers, but this one does, in case you’re worried your motherboard can’t do the job.
You can cycle through the lighting effects and also adjust brightness and speed. The fans are also well-designed and less chunky than some of the others on the market, so if that’s your style, then these might be right up your street!
Pros
Cons
BUYERS GUIDE FOR BEST LIQUID COOLER FOR I7 8700K
Now that we’ve looked at some of the best liquid coolers you can buy for your i7 8700k, let’s look at what you need to keep an eye out for in case you’re shopping around.
- Which cooling system should you choose?
The first thing to know for our purposes is that everything on this list is an All-In-One (AIO) cooler. A lot of people might prefer open loop cooling systems, and they might be more effective, but buying them can run you into the thousands. So, we’ve kept everything relatively budget-friendly here, and you won’t be spending more than $200 on a single product. However, if you have the cash, then you can look into open loop cooling systems.
- Looking at dimensions
If you are buying an AIO, then make sure you’ve prepared a larger case because the radiator needs to be integrated into your setup. Make sure there’s a lot of space in your room to set up the cooler properly and that you’ve assessed how much room everything will take up. Check dimensions carefully. Otherwise, you’ll have wasted money on a setup that won’t fit.
- The fan number
How many fans will your setup require? This is quite important to consider. Most of the coolers listed here sell between 1-3 fans per set, but you can always buy more if you have a larger cooling capacity. However, that may increase the overall noise produced, so if that bothers you, it’s better to stick to 2-3 fans.
- The RGB lighting factor
Almost all coolers these days come with RGB lighting. You should make sure that there’s an off switch; however, otherwise, you’ll be running RGB LEDs all the time, even if you’re not in the mood.
- Fan prices
Make sure you pick a budget option if you’re a cautious spender. In that case, you can pick any of the ones here under $100, and you’ll still have a very good product on your hands. If you can stretch the finances a little, you can spring for the more expensive ones.
CONCLUSION
So now that you’re well-read on all the specifics of AIO cooling, you can go ahead and pick your cooler. While nothing here is as cheap as $50, they’re all quality products that will definitely help you to stay on top of your game.
Whether you’re playing through the latest Assassin’s Creed, streaming, rendering video for Youtube, or any other graphics-heavy task, you’ll be good to go. The best cooler for your i7 8700k is on this list, so go on and buy it!
FAQ
You might be thinking, what’s wrong with a good old-fashioned air cooler? Well, water absorbs heat much quicker and cools down as it goes through a radiator. So the best way to manage the heat generated by your CPU is with a liquid cooler!
If you’re not a tech whiz, you might find the prospect of setting up a liquid cooler a bit challenging. But many of the coolers on this list are pretty much plug-and-play.
They come with thermal paste applied, and often all you have to do is mount them and turn everything on. Also, videos and instructions are provided, and if all else fails, you can always turn to Youtube to give you a blow-by-blow.
Although we mentioned that open-loop cooling systems could be more effective, they’re also much more of a pain to set up. All the coolers on this list are AIO, and they’re relatively simple to set up.
Air coolers are generally more compact, but liquid coolers come with radiators. The larger the radiator, the better the heat management. So measure carefully before ordering your new cooler, and make sure you choose a case that fits the setup.
Yes! Liquid coolers are by far the best choice for overclocking.
