An LGA 1151 PC with a Core i7-8700K or i9-9900K can still game well in 2026, and a new cooler is one of the cheapest ways to make it quieter. The best 1151 CPU coolers below all name LGA 1151 in their Amazon US listings, from a 148mm budget tower to 240mm and 360mm AIOs, and most also fit newer Intel sockets.
Quick verdict
For most LGA 1151 desktops, the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO is the cooler to buy: seven heat pipes and two fast fans for under $50. On a budget, the Assassin X 120R SE V2 costs about $17. For liquid, the Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V3 is the value 360mm pick.
| Cooler | Type | Height or radiator | Best LGA 1151 use | Newer Intel sockets listed | Amazon US price, Nov 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO | Dual-tower air | 157mm | i7-8700K, i9-9900K | LGA 1700 (1851 in title) | about $47 |
| Thermalright Assassin X 120R SE V2 | Single tower | 148mm | i5 and 65W chips | LGA 1700, 1851 | about $17 |
| Noctua NH-U9S | Compact tower | 125mm | Small cases | LGA 1700, 1851 | about $70 |
| Noctua NH-L9x65 | Low profile | 65mm | Mini-ITX, 65W chips | LGA 1700, 1851 | about $70 |
| Thermalright Frozen Notte 240 Black ARGB V2 | 240mm AIO | 240mm radiator | Budget liquid | LGA 1700, 1851 | about $47 |
| Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L RGB V2 | 240mm AIO | 277 x 119.6 x 27.2mm | Proven older platform AIO | LGA 1700 with separate kit | about $90 |
| Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V3 | 360mm AIO | 360mm radiator | i9-9900K with liquid | LGA 1700, 1851 | about $55 |
How we chose these LGA 1151 coolers
This is a research-based roundup, not a lab test. We used Amazon US listings collected on November 11, 2026, and kept only coolers whose listings name LGA 1151 directly. We then checked heights, radiator sizes, fans and warranties against manufacturer pages where we could, and flag details that came from Amazon only.
Intel’s specification pages set the cooling job. The Core i7-7700K is rated at 91W, the Core i7-8700K and Core i9-9900K at 95W, and the non-K Core i7-8700 at 65W. Intel also lists most of these K-series chips as boxed without a fan or heatsink, so many owners are still running a budget cooler bought years ago.
We mixed air and liquid because LGA 1151 owners split into two groups: those keeping an older PC alive for a few more years, and those buying a cooler they will move to a new platform. Prices, star ratings and review counts are a snapshot from Amazon US as of November 2026. Ranking never follows commission.
Best 1151 CPU coolers compared
Each section explains which LGA 1151 system the cooler suits, its verified specs, socket support beyond LGA 1151 and its trade-offs. Air coolers come first, from the best all-round tower to compact and low-profile options, then three AIOs. If your case is small, check the height and radiator sizes before reading further.
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO
This is our best overall LGA 1151 pick. It suits six- and eight-core K chips such as the Core i7-8700K, i7-9700K and i9-9900K, which can boost well above their 95W TDP on Z370 and Z390 boards, and owners who want the cooler to move to a newer platform later.
The Amazon listing gives 125 x 135 x 157mm, seven 6mm heat pipes with a black finish, and two TL-K12 120mm PWM fans up to 2,150 RPM, 69 CFM and 27 dB(A). The bullet socket list names LGA 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1200, 1700, 2011 and 2066 plus AM4 and AM5, with LGA 1851 in the title.
It was listed around $47 on Amazon US and rated 4.8 out of 5 from about 520 ratings as of November 2026. Its fast fans give headroom for an eight-core chip but will be audible at full speed.
- Pros: seven heat pipes and fast fans; LGA 1151 named; HEDT sockets too.
- Cons: 157mm height; louder at full speed; LGA 1851 only in the title.
Buy it if you run an eight-core LGA 1151 chip in a mid-tower. Skip it if your older case clears less than 160mm.
Thermalright Assassin X 120R SE V2
The Assassin X 120R SE V2 is the budget pick. It suits four- and six-core LGA 1151 chips and 65W models such as the Core i7-8700, and owners replacing a noisy stock or old budget cooler for very little money. At 148mm it also fits many older mid-towers.
The Amazon listing gives 120 x 71 x 148mm, four 6mm heat pipes and one TL-C12C-L V2 120mm PWM fan at 1,550 RPM, 66.17 CFM and up to 25.6 dB(A), with S-FDB bearings. Sockets named include LGA 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1200, 1700 and 1851, plus AM4 and AM5.
It was listed around $17 on Amazon US and rated 4.7 out of 5 from about 180 ratings as of November 2026. One fan and four heat pipes are fine for gaming on a six-core chip, but a Core i9-9900K under long loads needs more.
- Pros: very low price; 148mm height; LGA 1151 named.
- Cons: limited headroom for eight-core chips; smaller rating base; warranty not stated.
Buy it if you want the cheapest sensible upgrade. Skip it if you run a Core i9-9900K hard.
Noctua NH-U9S
The NH-U9S suits LGA 1151 systems in small or older cases that cannot take a 150mm tower. At 125mm it fits many Micro-ATX and HTPC cases, and its 92mm fan and five dual heat pipes suit 65W chips and lightly loaded K chips such as the Core i7-7700K at stock settings.
Noctua lists 125mm height, one NF-A9 PWM 92mm fan with clips for an optional second fan, five dual heat pipes, and support for LGA 1851, 1700, 1200, 115x, AM5 and AM4, with a six-year warranty. It does not overhang the RAM or PCIe slots on most boards.
It was listed around $70 on Amazon US and rated 4.8 out of 5 from about 1,840 ratings as of November 2026. A 92mm cooler has less headroom than the full-size towers, so pair it with modest power use.
- Pros: 125mm height; no RAM or PCIe overhang; six-year warranty.
- Cons: expensive for its size; limited headroom for six- and eight-core K chips.
Buy it if your case clears about 125 to 130mm. Skip it if a full tower fits.
Noctua NH-L9x65
The NH-L9x65 is the pick for LGA 1151 Mini-ITX and HTPC builds. At 65mm with a slim 92mm fan, it fits slim cases where towers will not, and it suits 65W chips such as the Core i7-8700 or Core i5 non-K models in compact living-room or office PCs that run quietly.
The Amazon listing specifies 65mm total height, an NF-A9x14 slim 92mm PWM fan up to 2,500 RPM, NT-H1 paste and SecuFirm2 mounting for LGA 1851, 1700, 1200, 115x, AM5 and AM4. It does not overhang RAM or PCIe slots on most boards, and carries a six-year warranty.
It was listed around $70 on Amazon US and rated 4.7 out of 5 from about 2,970 ratings as of November 2026. Noctua recommends it for chips with low to moderate heat output, so it is not the right tool for a Core i9-9900K.
- Pros: 65mm height; no RAM overhang; six-year warranty.
- Cons: limited headroom; pricey for a small cooler.
Buy it if you have a slim LGA 1151 system with a 65W chip. Skip it if your case fits a tower.
Thermalright Frozen Notte 240 Black ARGB V2
The Frozen Notte 240 V2 is the budget liquid pick. It suits LGA 1151 owners whose case has a 240mm mount and who want to free space around the socket or add ARGB lighting to an older build, at a price close to a mid-range air tower and with a clean look.
The Amazon listing describes a 240mm aluminum radiator, two TL-E12B-S 120mm PWM fans up to 2,000 RPM, 72.37 CFM and 27.7 dBA, a copper-based pump head and 5V 3-pin ARGB. Sockets named include LGA 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1200, 1700 and 1851, plus AM4 and AM5. Thermalright’s page for the non-V2 Frozen Notte 240 Black lists a five-year warranty.
It was listed around $47 on Amazon US and rated 4.6 out of 5 from about 470 ratings as of November 2026. Many Z170 and Z270 boards lack 5V ARGB headers, so check your board before counting on the lighting.
- Pros: low-cost 240mm AIO; LGA 1151 named; ARGB lighting.
- Cons: ARGB may not work on older boards; pump adds a failure point.
Buy it if you want affordable liquid cooling on an older board. Skip it if a dual tower fits, which is simpler.
Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L RGB V2
The ML240L RGB V2 is a long-running 240mm AIO with one of the largest rating counts in our data. It suits LGA 1151 owners who want a well-known liquid cooler with broad legacy socket support, including LGA 1151, 1150, 1155, 1156, 1200, 1366, 2011 and 2066.
The Amazon listing gives a 277 x 119.6 x 27.2mm radiator, a third-generation dual-chamber pump, two SickleFlow 120mm RGB PWM fans and EPDM tubing. LGA 1700 requires a separate kit sold on Amazon, and LGA 1851 is not listed. Amazon lists a two-year warranty.
It was listed around $90 on Amazon US and rated 4.6 out of 5 from about 9,600 ratings as of November 2026. It costs about twice the Frozen Notte 240 V2, so choose it for its track record rather than its value.
- Pros: huge rating base; very broad legacy sockets; slim radiator.
- Cons: LGA 1700 needs a separate kit; no LGA 1851; two-year warranty.
Buy it if you want a proven AIO for an older Intel platform. Skip it if you plan to move to LGA 1851.
Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V3
The Aqua Elite 360 V3 is the liquid pick for a Core i9-9900K. A 360mm radiator gives the most capacity in this guide for eight-core chips under long loads, and it suits LGA 1151 owners whose case has a 360mm front or top mount, at roughly the price of a mid-range tower.
Thermalright lists TL-C12B-S V2 120mm fans, a pump rated at 2,800 RPM and 23 dBA, a three-year warranty and support for LGA 115X, 1200, 1700 and 1851 plus AM4 and AM5. The Amazon listing adds three fans at 1,500 RPM and 25.6 dBA, and its bullets name LGA 1151.
It was listed around $55 on Amazon US and rated 4.6 out of 5 from about 400 ratings as of November 2026. Older cases rarely have 360mm mounts, so check before buying.
- Pros: 360mm capacity for eight-core chips; three-year warranty; low price.
- Cons: needs a 360mm mount; radiator dimensions not stated in text.
Buy it if your case fits a 360mm radiator and you run a Core i9-9900K. Skip it if your case only has 240mm or 120mm mounts.
LGA 1151 cooler buying guide
For an LGA 1151 system, four questions decide the right cooler: how hot your chip runs, whether the cooler mounts on LGA 115x, how much space your older case has, and whether the cooler should move to a new build. These sections cover each, using Intel’s specs and the verified data above.
Size the cooler to your 1151 chip
Four-core chips such as the Core i7-7700K are rated at 91W, and six- and eight-core Coffee Lake chips at 95W. A single tower handles four-core chips and 65W parts, while the eight-core i7-9700K and i9-9900K benefit from a dual tower or larger AIO under long loads.
Remember that TDP is not a hard limit on Z370 and Z390 boards. Many allow K chips to boost above it for extended periods, so give eight-core chips extra headroom, or set a power limit in the BIOS if you choose a smaller cooler.
Mounting on LGA 1151
LGA 1151 shares a 75 x 75mm cooler hole pattern with LGA 1150, 1155, 1156 and 1200, so any cooler listing LGA 115x fits. Both generations of LGA 1151 boards use the same mounting, even though their CPUs are not interchangeable between the two board generations.
Newer Intel sockets, LGA 1700 and LGA 1851, use a 78 x 78mm pattern. Most picks here include hardware for both, but the ML240L RGB V2 needs a separate LGA 1700 kit and does not list LGA 1851, which matters if you plan to upgrade.
Older cases and radiator mounts
Cases from the LGA 1151 era often have less cooler height and fewer radiator mounts than current designs. Check the manual for maximum cooler height and supported radiator sizes, and leave a margin, since a 2026 Noctua study found 56 of more than 100 cases deviated significantly from listed clearance.
For AIOs, confirm a 240mm or 360mm mount, radiator thickness plus fans, and clearance around old optical drive bays. Mount the radiator so the pump is not the highest point of the loop.
Keep the old PC or carry the cooler forward?
If the PC will be retired in a year or two, a budget cooler such as the Assassin X 120R SE V2 gives most of the noise benefit for very little money. Spending more makes sense when the cooler will move to a new build, since a good tower or AIO can outlast several CPUs.
All picks except the ML240L list LGA 1700 and LGA 1851 hardware or support. Keep the LGA 115x brackets and backplate after an upgrade, because you may want to reuse or sell the old system with a working cooler.
FAQ
These answers cover common LGA 1151 cooler questions: whether liquid is worth it on an older platform, whether old coolers fit, and whether a new cooler improves performance. They use the same Intel specs and verified cooler data as the product sections above, so they stay consistent with our verdict and picks.
Is liquid cooling worth it for an LGA 1151 PC?
Only in some cases. A dual tower such as the Phantom Spirit 120 EVO handles most LGA 1151 chips for less money. Liquid makes sense for an eight-core i9-9900K under long loads, or when a tall tower will not fit but a 240mm or 360mm radiator mount exists.
Will a new cooler make my 1151 CPU faster?
It can help a little. A better cooler lets K chips hold their boost clocks longer under heavy loads, and it reduces fan noise. It will not change the chip’s maximum rated speeds, but it can prevent thermal throttling with an old or undersized cooler.
Do the best 1151 CPU coolers fit LGA 1200 too?
Yes, all seven list LGA 1200 or LGA 115x hardware, since LGA 1200 shares the 75 x 75mm hole pattern. Most also list LGA 1700, which uses a different 78 x 78mm pattern, so check the box contents for the right brackets before moving the cooler to a newer board.
Conclusion
For most LGA 1151 PCs, buy the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO: seven heat pipes and fast fans keep an i7-8700K or i9-9900K in check for under $50, and it moves to newer sockets later. Choose the Assassin X 120R SE V2 to save money, or the Aqua Elite 360 V3 for liquid.
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