Skylake is not one chip family: it covers sixth-gen Core desktop processors on LGA 1151 and the Skylake-X Core i7 and i9 chips on LGA 2066, from 35W up to 165W. This guide to the best cpu coolers for skylake cpus compares seven coolers sorted by socket and power, so an X299 workstation and a 65W office PC each get the right fit.
Quick verdict
If you run Skylake-X on LGA 2066, buy the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO: seven heat pipes, two 2150rpm fans and LGA 2066 listed, for about $47 on Amazon US as of November 2026. For a 140W-plus chip like the i9-7900X under long loads, the be quiet! Pure Loop 2 FX 360 adds liquid headroom.
- Best for Skylake-X on LGA 2066: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO.
- Best liquid for high-core Skylake-X: be quiet! Pure Loop 2 FX 360mm.
- Best 240mm AIO for both sockets: Thermalright Frozen Notte 240 Black ARGB V2.
- Best compact tower for both sockets: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Mini Black.
- Best quiet tower for LGA 1151: be quiet! Pure Rock 3 Black.
- Best budget for LGA 1151: Thermalright Assassin X120 Refined SE.
- Best low-profile for LGA 1151: Noctua NH-L9x65.
Quick comparison table
The socket column shows which Skylake platform each cooler lists in the manufacturer or listing data we read. Prices and ratings are Amazon US snapshots from November 2026 that only place each cooler in a price tier and will change. Fan speeds are manufacturer maximums, and noise figures differ in how each brand measures them.
| Cooler | Type | Height or radiator | Skylake sockets listed | Amazon rating, Nov 2026 | Amazon US price, Nov 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO | Dual tower, 7 heat pipes | 157mm | LGA 115x, LGA 2066 | 4.8 (about 520) | About $47 |
| be quiet! Pure Loop 2 FX 360mm | 360mm AIO | 360mm radiator | LGA 115x, LGA 2066 | 4.6 (about 590) | About $70 |
| Thermalright Frozen Notte 240 Black ARGB V2 | 240mm AIO | 240mm radiator | LGA 115x, LGA 2066 | 4.6 (about 470) | About $47 |
| Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Mini Black | Dual tower, 6 heat pipes | 135mm | LGA 115x, LGA 2066 | 4.6 (about 170) | About $34 |
| be quiet! Pure Rock 3 Black | Single tower, 4 heat pipes | 154mm | LGA 115x | 4.5 (about 500) | About $38 |
| Thermalright Assassin X120 Refined SE | Single tower, 4 heat pipes | 148mm | LGA 115x | 4.7 (about 1,860) | About $16 |
| Noctua NH-L9x65 | Low-profile | 65mm | LGA 115x | 4.7 (about 2,970) | About $70 |
How we chose the best CPU coolers for Skylake CPUs
This is a research-based list built from manufacturer, retailer and listing specs plus our November 2026 Amazon US data, not from bench testing. Wikipedia’s Skylake article lists T models at 35W, the i5-6400 at 65W and the 6600K and 6700K at 91W, and it lists the Skylake-X i9-7980XE at 165W on X299. Intel lists the i9-7900X at 140W on FCLGA2066.
That range, from 35W to 165W, means a single list cannot treat all Skylake chips the same. We picked four coolers that list LGA 2066 for Skylake-X workstations, and three LGA 1151 coolers for desktop Skylake, covering budget, quiet and low-profile needs.
Socket listing was the hard filter. Many current coolers have dropped LGA 2066 from their kits, so we included only models where a manufacturer page or the Amazon listing names it. Intel says both the i9-7900X and i7-6700K boxes ship without a cooler, so owners of those chips always needed an aftermarket one.
Product analysis
The first four picks list LGA 2066 and also fit LGA 1151, so they suit Skylake-X workstations and high-end desktop builds alike. The last three are LGA 1151 picks for sixth-generation Core desktops. Each entry covers the verified specs, sockets and the main trade-off.
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO
The Phantom Spirit 120 EVO is the best air cooler here for Skylake-X because it lists LGA 2066 and has the capacity for 140W chips. The Amazon listing gives 125x135x157mm, seven 6mm heat pipes and two TL-K12 fans at 2150rpm, 69 CFM and up to 27 dBA, with LGA 115x, 1200, 1700, 2011 and 2066 plus AM4 and AM5.
Its faster fans give more airflow headroom for an i9-7900X than a 1500rpm dual tower, at the cost of more noise near full speed. It was rated 4.8 out of 5 from about 520 Amazon ratings and listed near $47 on Amazon US as of November 2026. We did not verify the socket list on Thermalright’s site.
- Pros: seven heat pipes, LGA 2066 listed, under $50.
- Cons: louder top speed; 157mm height; manufacturer page not checked.
Buy if you run an i7 or i9 Skylake-X chip and prefer air cooling. Skip if your case is under 160mm.
be quiet! Pure Loop 2 FX 360mm
The Pure Loop 2 FX 360 is for high-core-count Skylake-X chips such as the 165W i9-7980XE. The Amazon listing describes three Light Wings 120mm fans, an ARGB-PWM hub and support for Intel 1700, 1200, 2066, 115x and 2011 plus AM5 and AM4, and a Tech4Gamers review of the non-FX Pure Loop 2 360 describes a refill port on the radiator.
A 360mm radiator gives more surface than any air cooler here, which suits long all-core loads on a 10-core-plus chip. It needs a 360mm mount, and LGA 1851 is not listed. It was rated 4.6 out of 5 from about 590 Amazon ratings and listed near $70 on Amazon US as of November 2026.
- Pros: 360mm radiator, LGA 2066 listed, refill port on the Pure Loop 2 line.
- Cons: needs a 360mm mount; pump noise; dimensions not confirmed on be quiet!’s site.
Buy if you run an i9 Skylake-X and your case takes a 360mm radiator. Skip if you run a desktop Skylake chip, where this is overkill.
Thermalright Frozen Notte 240 Black ARGB V2
The Frozen Notte 240 V2 is the value AIO that covers both Skylake sockets. Thermalright’s Frozen Notte 240 page lists TL-E12B-S fans, a pump up to 5300rpm, a five-year warranty and Intel 115x, 1200, 1700, 1851, 2011 and 2066 plus AM4 and AM5. The Amazon listing gives two fans at 2000rpm and 72.37 CFM.
Note that the Amazon listing names only LGA 1150 to 1851, so confirm the LGA 2066 hardware is included before buying for an X299 board. A 240mm radiator suits an i7 Skylake-X or an overclocked 6700K. It was rated 4.6 out of 5 from about 470 Amazon ratings and listed near $47 as of November 2026.
- Pros: five-year warranty, ARGB, low price.
- Cons: LGA 2066 not named in the Amazon listing; pump noise.
Buy if you want a cheap 240mm AIO for an i7-7800X-class chip or an overclocked K chip. Skip if you cannot confirm the LGA 2066 kit.
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Mini Black
The Peerless Assassin 120 Mini Black suits compact cases on either Skylake socket. Thermalright lists 125x110x135mm, 700g, six 6mm heat pipes and one TL-D12B 120mm fan at 1500rpm, 66.87 CFM and 25.6 dBA, with Intel LGA 115x, 1200, 1700, 1851, 2011 and 2066 plus AM4 and AM5.
At 135mm it fits cases that rule out full towers. One fan limits its headroom for 140W-plus Skylake-X chips, so it best suits LGA 1151 chips and lighter LGA 2066 loads. It was rated 4.6 out of 5 from about 170 Amazon ratings and listed near $34 on Amazon US as of November 2026.
- Pros: 135mm height, six heat pipes, LGA 2066 on the manufacturer page.
- Cons: single fan; warranty not on the page; fewer ratings.
Buy if your case limits coolers to about 135mm to 150mm. Skip if you run an i9 Skylake-X at full load.
be quiet! Pure Rock 3 Black
The Pure Rock 3 Black is the quiet single tower for LGA 1151 Skylake desktops. A cdrinfo summary of be quiet!’s specs lists 71x124x154mm, one Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM fan, a 190W rating and a three-year warranty, and the Amazon listing confirms four 6mm heat pipes with Intel 1851, 1700, 1200 and 115x plus AM5 and AM4.
LGA 2066 is not listed, so it is not for Skylake-X. On a 91W 6700K or a 65W non-K chip, a 190W-rated tower can run its fan slowly. It was rated 4.5 out of 5 from about 500 Amazon ratings and listed around $38 on Amazon US as of November 2026.
- Pros: three-year warranty, 154mm, quiet-focused brand.
- Cons: no LGA 2066; costs more than the Assassin X120.
Buy if you want a clean, quiet tower for a sixth-gen Core PC. Skip if you run Skylake-X or want the cheapest option.
Thermalright Assassin X120 Refined SE
The Assassin X120 Refined SE is the budget pick for LGA 1151 Skylake. Thermalright lists a 148mm height, four 6mm heat pipes and one TL-C12C fan at 1550rpm, with LGA 115x, 1200, 1700 and 1851 plus AM4 and AM5, and the Amazon listing gives 66.17 CFM and 25.6 dBA.
It costs very little and has a large rating base: 4.7 out of 5 from about 1,860 Amazon ratings, listed near $16 on Amazon US as of November 2026. LGA 2066 is not listed. For a 65W i5 or i7 it is all most people need.
- Pros: very low price, 148mm, large rating base.
- Cons: no LGA 2066; one fan; warranty not stated.
Buy if you have a desktop Skylake chip and want a cheap, quiet upgrade. Skip if you run Skylake-X.
Noctua NH-L9x65
The NH-L9x65 is the low-profile pick for LGA 1151 Skylake in slim cases. Its Amazon listing gives a 65mm height, an NF-A9x14 92mm slim fan up to 2500rpm and 23.6 dBA, NT-H1 paste and SecuFirm2 mounting, with LGA 1851, 1700, 1200 and 115x plus AM5 and AM4.
Noctua describes it for low-to-moderate heat, which suits 35W T models and 65W non-K chips rather than an overclocked K. It was rated 4.7 out of 5 from about 2,970 Amazon ratings and listed near $70 on Amazon US as of November 2026, high relative to an older PC’s value.
- Pros: 65mm, Noctua quality, large rating base.
- Cons: expensive; moderate heat only; no LGA 2066.
Buy if your Skylake PC is in a slim case and runs a 65W or 35W chip. Skip if budget matters, or you need to cool a K chip hard.
Buying guide
Choosing a cooler for a Skylake CPU starts with the socket, since LGA 1151 and LGA 2066 need different hardware. The four checks below cover sockets, power, case fit and noise, so you can narrow the seven picks before comparing prices, and avoid a cooler that arrives without the bracket your board needs.
LGA 1151 versus LGA 2066
Wikipedia lists sixth-gen Core desktop chips on LGA 1151 with Intel 100 Series chipsets, and Skylake-X on X299 boards. Intel lists the i9-7900X on FCLGA2066. These sockets use different mounting, so check the cooler names your socket, not just Skylake.
Four picks here list LGA 2066: the Phantom Spirit 120 EVO, Pure Loop 2 FX 360, Frozen Notte 240 V2 (on Thermalright’s page) and Peerless Assassin 120 Mini Black. The other three are LGA 115x only. Many newer coolers have dropped LGA 2066 from the box, so confirm before buying.
Matching the best CPU coolers for Skylake CPUs to power
Skylake ranges widely. Wikipedia lists T models at 35W and the i5-6400 at 65W, and Intel lists the i7-6700 at 65W and the 6700K at 91W. Any cooler here handles those. Intel lists the i9-7900X at 140W, and Wikipedia lists the i9-7980XE at 165W, which call for the EVO or an AIO.
Overclocking raises heat beyond these ratings, especially on K and Skylake-X chips. If you plan to push clocks, choose the cooler one tier up from your chip’s rating so the fans can stay slower at your target clocks.
Case fit and RAM
Check your case’s cooler clearance before you order, since Skylake-era cases vary. The towers here run from 135mm to 157mm, the low-profile NH-L9x65 is 65mm, and Noctua’s study of more than 100 cases found many listed clearance figures were inaccurate. Leave margin.
Many X299 boards have eight memory slots around the socket, so dual towers can block tall DIMMs. AIOs avoid that issue but need a 240mm or 360mm radiator mount. On LGA 1151 Mini-ITX or micro-ATX boards, the single towers and the NH-L9x65 leave the most room.
Noise and value
Larger, slower fans are usually quieter. The Assassin X120 Refined SE and Peerless Assassin Mini use fans around 1500 to 1550rpm, while the Phantom Spirit EVO’s 2150rpm fans trade quiet for headroom. Published noise figures are maximums and not comparable across brands.
For value, the Assassin X120 Refined SE at about $16 as of November 2026 covers most desktop Skylake chips. Skylake-X owners should budget about $47 to $70 for the EVO, Frozen Notte or Pure Loop 2, because the chips need more cooling and fewer coolers still support LGA 2066.
FAQ
These questions come up often for owners of Skylake desktop and Skylake-X systems. The answers rely on Intel and Wikipedia specs and the listing data cited above, not on our own testing, which we have not done, and the prices and ratings are November 2026 snapshots that will change.
Do Skylake-X processors include a cooler?
No. Intel’s page for the i9-7900X states that the boxed product does not include a fan or heatsink, and the same applies to the 6700K on LGA 1151. Non-K desktop Skylake chips like the i7-6700 included Intel’s thermal solution, according to Intel’s page for that model.
Can I use an LGA 2011 cooler on LGA 2066?
Several coolers list both sockets together, including the Phantom Spirit 120 EVO and Pure Loop 2 FX 360, which suggests shared mounting. Check that your specific cooler lists LGA 2066 by name, and confirm the hardware in the box before you remove your current cooler.
Is liquid cooling worth it for an i9-7900X?
It helps for long all-core loads. Intel lists the i9-7900X at 140W, which a strong dual tower like the Phantom Spirit 120 EVO can handle, but a 360mm AIO like the Pure Loop 2 FX gives more margin and lower fan speeds. For gaming or light work, the tower is the simpler choice.
Conclusion
For a Skylake-X workstation, buy the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO: it lists LGA 2066, has seven heat pipes for 140W chips and costs about $47 as of November 2026. On a desktop LGA 1151 Skylake, skip it and buy the Assassin X120 Refined SE for about $16, which covers 65W and 91W chips.
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