The Core i7-8700K is a six-core, 12-thread LGA 1151 chip rated at 95W, and Intel sold it without a cooler. Many owners bought it to overclock, which pushes heat well past that rating. This guide to the best cpu coolers for 8700k builds covers seven coolers that still ship LGA 115x hardware, from a budget dual tower to a 360mm AIO.
Quick verdict on the best CPU coolers for 8700K overclocking
The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE is the best value for an 8700K: a six heat pipe dual tower that lists LGA 115x and costs about $35 as of November 2026. For heavier overclocks, the Noctua NH-D15 is the premium air pick, and the Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V3 is the budget 360mm AIO.
- Best value: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE.
- Best air cooler under $50: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO.
- Best quiet compact dual tower: be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 Black.
- Best RAM-friendly premium tower: Noctua NH-U12A.
- Best premium air cooler: Noctua NH-D15.
- Best value 360mm AIO: Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V3.
- Most-rated 240mm AIO: Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L RGB V2.
Quick comparison table
All seven coolers list LGA 1151 directly or as LGA 115x in the sources we read. Prices and ratings are rounded Amazon US snapshots from November 2026; they change often, so use them to compare price tiers and check the live listing before ordering for your 8700K.
| Cooler | Type | Height or radiator | Fans | Amazon rating, Nov 2026 | Amazon US price, Nov 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE | Dual tower, 6 heat pipes | 155mm | 2x 120mm | 4.7 (about 3,390) | About $35 |
| Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO | Dual tower, 7 heat pipes | 157mm | 2x 120mm, 2150rpm | 4.8 (about 520) | About $47 |
| be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 Black | Compact dual tower, 6 heat pipes | About 6.1in | 2x 120mm | 4.6 (about 540) | About $55 |
| Noctua NH-U12A | Single tower, 7 heat pipes | 158mm | 2x 120mm | 4.8 (about 3,710) | About $110 |
| Noctua NH-D15 | Dual tower, 6 heat pipes | 165mm | 2x 140mm | 4.8 (about 11,610) | About $110 |
| Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V3 | 360mm AIO | 360mm radiator | 3x 120mm | 4.6 (about 400) | About $55 |
| Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L RGB V2 | 240mm AIO | 277mm radiator | 2x 120mm | 4.6 (about 9,610) | About $90 |
How we chose coolers for the i7-8700K
This shortlist is research-based, built from Intel’s spec page, manufacturer and retailer pages, and our November 2026 Amazon US data rather than our own testing. Intel lists the 8700K at 95W TDP with six cores, 12 threads, a 4.7GHz maximum turbo, FCLGA1151, and no cooler in the box.
Overclocking raises power well above that 95W rating, so we focused on dual towers, a two-fan seven heat pipe tower, and 240mm and 360mm AIOs. The deciding filter was mounting: each cooler had to list LGA 1151 or LGA 115x, which ruled out popular models such as the ARCTIC Freezer 36 that support only LGA 1700 and 1851 on Intel.
We kept coolers with hundreds or thousands of Amazon ratings, used manufacturer data over listing text where we had both, and did not rank coolers by seller TDP claims. Where retailers disagreed on a height, we used the taller figure in the fit advice.
The best Intel i7-8700K coolers in detail
Each section explains who the cooler suits, which specs we confirmed, LGA 1151 notes, pros and cons, and a buy or skip rule. Since the 8700K came without a cooler, these are also sensible choices for a new build around a used chip, not just upgrades over an older aftermarket cooler.
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
The Peerless Assassin 120 SE is the best value for an overclocked 8700K. Its six heat pipe dual tower and two 120mm fans give it far more fin area than a single tower, it stays at 155mm tall, and its huge Amazon rating base suggests a well-understood product with predictable mounting.
Thermalright lists 155mm height, a 125x110x155mm heatsink, six 6mm heat pipes, TL-C12C fans at 1550rpm and 25.6 dBA, and support for LGA 115x, 1200, 1700, 1851, AM4 and AM5. The Amazon listing names LGA 1151 and confirms two fans at 125x135x155mm. It was listed around $35 on Amazon US with a 4.7 out of 5 rating from about 3,390 ratings as of November 2026.
- Pros: strong capacity per dollar; explicit LGA 1151 support; reusable on newer sockets.
- Cons: dual towers can crowd tall RAM on Z370 and Z390 boards; warranty not stated on the product page.
Buy if you want a strong, inexpensive cooler for a moderate 8700K overclock. Skip if you plan a very aggressive overclock, where the NH-D15 or a 360mm AIO gives more margin.
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO
The Phantom Spirit 120 EVO adds a seventh heat pipe and faster fans over the Peerless Assassin, which suits 8700K owners who push all-core clocks and want more airflow available. It remains an air cooler under $50 as of November 2026, so there is no pump to worry about.
The Amazon listing gives 125x135x157mm, seven 6mm heat pipes, two TL-K12 fans at 2150rpm with 69 CFM and 27 dBA or less, and support for Intel LGA 1700, 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1200, 2011 and 2066 plus AM4 and AM5. It was listed around $47 on Amazon US with a 4.8 out of 5 rating from about 520 ratings as of November 2026.
- Pros: seven heat pipes; fast fans for heavy loads; LGA 1151 named in the listing.
- Cons: 157mm tall; faster fans can be louder at full speed.
Buy if you want more air cooling headroom than the Peerless Assassin for little extra cost. Skip if quiet operation matters more than maximum airflow.
be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 Black
The Pure Rock Pro 3 Black is the compact, quiet-focused dual tower option for an 8700K. be quiet! rates it at 250W and uses an offset layout to improve RAM and VRM clearance, which suits Z370 and Z390 boards with tall VRM heatsinks around the socket area.
The Amazon listing gives six black copper heat pipes with a nickel-plated base, two Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM fans, an adjustable front fan, and support for Intel 1851, 1700, 1200, 1151, 1150 and 1155 plus AM5 and AM4. Listed dimensions are 5.47×4.88×6.1 inches. It was listed around $55 with a 4.6 out of 5 rating from about 540 ratings as of November 2026.
- Pros: offset design for RAM and VRM clearance; quiet-focused brand; LGA 1151 listed.
- Cons: exact millimeter height and warranty were not on the listing we read; the brand’s 250W rating is not an independent figure.
Buy if you want a quieter all-black dual tower that leaves more room around the socket. Skip if you want the most cooling per dollar.
Noctua NH-U12A
The NH-U12A is the premium single tower for an 8700K in builds where a dual tower would block tall memory. Noctua fits it with seven heat pipes and two NF-A12x25 fans, and says it rivals many 140mm coolers in a 120mm footprint that does not overhang RAM on LGA 1200 and similar boards.
Noctua’s Amazon listing gives 158mm height, seven heat pipes, two NF-A12x25 PWM fans with Low-Noise Adaptors, NT-H1 paste, SecuFirm2 mounting for LGA 1851, 1700, 1200 and 115x plus AM5 and AM4, and a six-year warranty. It was listed around $110 on Amazon US with a 4.8 out of 5 rating from about 3,710 ratings as of November 2026.
- Pros: RAM-friendly footprint; premium fans; six-year warranty.
- Cons: costs about three times the Peerless Assassin; 158mm needs a mid-tower.
Buy if you use tall memory and want premium air cooling for an overclock. Skip if cost matters most.
Noctua NH-D15
The NH-D15 is the premium air cooler for a heavily overclocked 8700K. Two 140mm fans on a six heat pipe dual tower provide the most air cooling capacity here, and Noctua’s SecuFirm2 hardware still includes LGA 115x mounting for older Intel boards such as Z370 and Z390.
Noctua’s Amazon listing gives six heat pipes, two NF-A15 140mm PWM fans with Low-Noise Adaptors, NT-H1 paste, SecuFirm2 mounting for LGA 1851, 1700, 1200 and 115x plus AM5 and AM4, and a six-year warranty. QuietPC lists 165mm height, and another retailer lists 170mm, so plan for 170mm. It was listed around $110 with a 4.8 out of 5 rating from about 11,610 ratings as of November 2026.
- Pros: highest air cooling capacity here; six-year warranty; very large rating base.
- Cons: tall and wide; can block tall RAM and the first PCIe slot.
Buy if your case clears 170mm and you want strong air cooling for a big overclock. Skip if you use a compact case.
Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V3
The Aqua Elite 360 V3 is the budget 360mm AIO for an 8700K. A triple-fan radiator gives a lot of surface area for sustained overclocked loads, and Thermalright lists LGA 115x support, so it mounts on Z370 and Z390 boards as well as current platforms.
Thermalright lists three TL-C12B-S V2 fans at 1500rpm with 66.17 CFM and 25.6 dBA, a 2800rpm pump, support for LGA 115x, 1200, 1700, 1851, AM4 and AM5, and a three-year warranty. The Amazon listing names LGA 1151. It was listed around $55 on Amazon US with a 4.6 out of 5 rating from about 400 ratings as of November 2026.
- Pros: large radiator for a low price; clear socket area; LGA 1151 support.
- Cons: needs a 360mm mount, which some older cases lack; pump adds a wear part.
Buy if your case takes a 360mm radiator and you run a high overclock. Skip if your case is from the 8700K era and only fits 240mm.
Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L RGB V2
The ML240L RGB V2 is a well-established 240mm AIO that fits cases where a 360mm radiator will not. Its Amazon listing names LGA 1151 alongside many other Intel and AMD sockets, which suits 8700K owners whose case has a 240mm front or top mount but no room for 360mm.
The Amazon listing gives a 277×119.6×27.2mm radiator, a third-generation dual-chamber pump, two SickleFlow 120mm ARGB PWM fans, EPDM tubing, and support for Intel LGA 1200, 1151, 1150, 1155, 1156, 1366, 2066 and 2011 plus AMD AM4 and older; LGA 1700 needs a separate kit. It was listed around $90 with a 4.6 out of 5 rating from about 9,610 ratings as of November 2026.
- Pros: very large rating base; LGA 1151 support; fits 240mm mounts.
- Cons: costs more than the Aqua Elite 360 V3; a 240mm radiator has less surface than 360mm.
Buy if your case only fits a 240mm radiator. Skip if it fits 360mm, where the Aqua Elite 360 V3 costs less.
Buying guide for an i7-8700K cooler
An 8700K’s cooler needs depend mostly on how far you overclock and how quiet you want the system. Confirm LGA 1151 mounting first, then match capacity to your clock targets, then check case height, radiator mounts and memory clearance on your Z370 or Z390 board, in that order.
LGA 1151 mounting
LGA 1151 shares the 75x75mm hole pattern used from LGA 1156 to LGA 1200, while LGA 1700 and LGA 1851 moved to 78x78mm. A cooler that lists only the newer sockets will not mount on an 8700K board without a separate bracket kit, and many brands do not sell one.
Look for LGA 1151 or LGA 115x on the manufacturer page, and check that an Intel backplate is included in the box rather than sold separately.
Stock versus overclocked capacity
At stock, Intel’s 95W TDP for the 8700K is well within the reach of any cooler here, and even a good single tower would do. Overclocking raises voltage and power well past that figure, which is why this list focuses on dual towers and AIOs rather than small single towers.
For a mild overclock, the Peerless Assassin 120 SE is enough. For a high all-core overclock, the NH-D15 or a 360mm AIO gives more margin.
Case height and radiator mounts
The air coolers here run from 155mm to as much as 170mm for the NH-D15. Check your case limit and leave a few millimeters spare, because a 2026 report on Noctua’s measurements found more than half of 100-plus cases deviated significantly from listed clearance.
For AIOs, confirm your case has a 240mm or 360mm mount and that the radiator does not hit the top of the motherboard.
RAM clearance on Z370 and Z390 boards
Dual towers such as the Peerless Assassin and NH-D15 can sit above the first memory slot. Tall RGB memory may force you to raise the front fan, adding height, or to choose a narrower cooler such as a single tower with offset fins or an AIO that leaves the slots clear.
The NH-U12A and both AIOs avoid most RAM clearance issues while still offering strong cooling.
FAQ
These answers cover common questions about cooling the Core i7-8700K. They rely on Intel’s specification page and the manufacturer and Amazon listings cited above, so check your own motherboard layout and case limits before buying a large cooler for this chip.
Does the i7-8700K come with a cooler?
No. Intel’s specification page for the i7-8700K states that no thermal solution is included in the box, so you need to budget for one alongside the processor itself. The same applies to the i9-9900K on the same socket, which Intel also lists without a cooler.
A dual tower like the Peerless Assassin 120 SE is a good starting point at about $35 as of November 2026.
Are the best CPU coolers for 8700K overclocks overkill at stock?
At stock settings, yes, somewhat. The 8700K’s 95W TDP, as Intel lists it, does not need an NH-D15 or a 360mm AIO. The extra capacity mainly lowers fan noise at stock, and it becomes genuinely useful once you raise clocks and voltage for an all-core overclock.
If you will never overclock, a cheaper single tower with LGA 1151 support is a sensible alternative.
Will these coolers fit a newer Intel CPU later?
Yes, for most of them in this list. The Peerless Assassin, Pure Rock Pro 3, NH-U12A, NH-D15 and Aqua Elite 360 V3 list LGA 1700 and LGA 1851 as well as LGA 115x. The ML240L needs a separate LGA 1700 kit, according to its Amazon listing, so factor that in.
That makes a strong 8700K cooler a reasonable long-term buy if you plan to upgrade the platform.
Conclusion
Buy the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE for an i7-8700K: it lists LGA 1151, handles a moderate overclock with its six heat pipe dual tower, and costs about $35 as of November 2026. Choose the Noctua NH-D15 only if your case clears 170mm and you plan a high all-core overclock.
Write Your Review
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!