The Core i7-6700K was Skylake’s flagship unlocked chip, and owners still push its multiplier for extra frame rate. Overclocking raises power well beyond its 91W rating, so the stock-friendly towers many owners use run out of room. The best CPU coolers for overclocking i7 6700K Skylake builds add real headroom. These six LGA 1151 picks do.
Quick verdict
For an overclocked i7-6700K, buy the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO. Its seven heat pipes and two 2150rpm fans give the most air-cooling headroom per dollar here, about $47 on Amazon US as of November 2026. For a budget overclock, the $30 ID-Cooling Frozn A620 Pro SE works, and the Frozen Notte 360 V2 is the liquid pick.
| Cooler | Type | Height or radiator | Fans | Best for | Amazon US, Nov 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO | Dual tower | 157mm | 2 x 120mm, 2150rpm | Best overall overclocking air | about $47, 4.8 stars, 519 ratings |
| ID-Cooling Frozn A620 Pro SE | Dual tower | 157mm | 2 x 120mm | Budget overclock | about $30, 4.7 stars, 638 ratings |
| be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 Black | Dual tower | about 155mm | 2 x 120mm | Quieter mid-price overclock | about $55, 4.6 stars, 542 ratings |
| Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black | Single tower, dual fan | 158mm | 2 x 120mm | Premium, RAM-friendly | about $120, 4.8 stars, 2,836 ratings |
| ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 A-RGB | 280mm AIO | 280mm radiator | 2 x 140mm | Liquid with a six-year warranty | about $100, 4.4 stars, 751 ratings |
| Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 Black ARGB V2 | 360mm AIO | 397 x 120 x 27mm | 3 x 120mm | Maximum headroom on a budget | about $55, 4.4 stars, 977 ratings |
Prices and ratings are Amazon US snapshots as of November 2026 and will change. All six list LGA 1151 or LGA 115x support.
How we selected these coolers
This is a research-based roundup, not a lab test. Intel’s spec page lists the i7-6700K as a four-core, eight-thread Skylake chip at 4.0GHz base and 4.2GHz turbo, with a 91W TDP on FCLGA1151, launched in late 2015 and sold without a cooler. Wikipedia’s Skylake table gives the same 91W for the i5-6600K, the other unlocked Skylake chip.
Overclocking with higher voltage pushes power above 91W, and we found no reliable figure to quote, so we sized for headroom: dual-fan towers and AIOs with clear capacity beyond a stock 91W load. Each cooler had to list LGA 1151 or 115x.
We used Amazon US data collected on November 11, 2026, favoring models with hundreds or thousands of ratings. Specs come from maker or retailer pages where available, otherwise the listing. We did not test temperatures, clocks or noise, and ranking never follows commission.
What a 6700K overclock asks of a cooler
At stock, a 91W i7-6700K is comfortable on a single 120mm tower. A multiplier overclock changes that, because higher voltage raises power faster than clock speed. The cooler now has to move more heat under sustained loads, and a single small fan has to spin fast to keep up, which is when noise rises.
Dual-tower coolers with two fans spread that heat over more fin area, so the fans can run slower. AIOs move heat to a radiator that has its own fans, often at the front of the case where intake air is coolest. Either approach is a sensible step up from a stock-oriented tower.
LGA 1151 shares its 75mm hole pattern with LGA 115x and 1200, per Wikipedia’s LGA 1155 entry, so all six picks mount with a standard 115x bracket. Most also list LGA 1700 and AM5 for a later upgrade.
The best CPU coolers for overclocking i7 6700K Skylake, reviewed
The picks run from the best overall air cooler to the 360mm AIO. For each one you get who it suits, the specs we could source, LGA 1151 support, pros and cons, and a buy-or-skip line. Prices are Amazon US snapshots as of November 2026, so check the current listing before buying.
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO
The Phantom Spirit 120 EVO is the best overall pick for overclocking a 6700K on air. Seven heat pipes and two fans that reach 2150rpm give it more airflow headroom than the standard SE models, and it still costs under $50. It suits mid-towers with at least 162mm of clearance.
The Amazon listing gives 125 x 135 x 157mm, seven 6mm heat pipes and two TL-K12 fans at up to 2150rpm, rated 69 CFM and up to 27 dBA. Its bullet lists AM4 and AM5 plus LGA 1700, 115x and 1200, and the title adds LGA 1851. We did not check a Thermalright page for this model.
It was listed around $47 on Amazon US as of November 2026, rated 4.8 out of 5 from about 520 ratings. The faster fans help most at high load, so a fan curve keeps idle noise low.
- Pros: seven heat pipes and fast fans for overclocking; strong rating; LGA 115x listed
- Cons: fans can be loud at full speed; 157mm needs a mid-tower
Buy if you overclock on air and want the most headroom for under $50. Skip if your case is under 162mm.
ID-Cooling Frozn A620 Pro SE
The Frozn A620 Pro SE is the budget overclocking pick. It is a dual tower with two 120mm fans and six heat pipes for about $30, so it gives a 6700K owner dual-tower capacity for roughly the price of a single tower. It suits mid-towers and owners on a tight budget.
The Amazon listing gives a dual-tower design with two 120mm PWM fans, 157mm height, six 6mm heat pipes, up to 27.2 dBA and 58 CFM, 40mm of RAM clearance with a 63mm cut-out, and Intel LGA 1851, 1700, 1200 and 115x plus AM5 and AM4. The 260W figure in its title is a seller claim. We did not check ID-Cooling’s page.
It was listed around $30 on Amazon US as of November 2026, rated 4.7 out of 5 from about 640 ratings. The RAM clearance figure matters on boards with tall DDR4.
- Pros: dual-tower capacity at a budget price; RAM cut-out; LGA 115x listed
- Cons: specs from the listing only; seller TDP claim
Buy if you want dual-tower headroom on a budget. Skip if you prefer a manufacturer-verified spec sheet.
be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 Black
The Pure Rock Pro 3 Black is the quieter mid-price dual tower. Its six heat pipes and two Pure Wings 3 fans suit owners who overclock but care about noise, and its adjustable front fan helps with tall RAM. It sits between the budget and premium tiers.
The Amazon listing names six 6mm heat pipes, two Pure Wings 3 120mm fans, an adjustable front fan, AM5 offset mounting, and Intel LGA 1851, 1700, 1200 and 115x plus AM5 and AM4. Its title carries a 250W figure that is a seller claim. The listed dimensions translate to roughly 155mm; bequiet.com blocked our request.
It was listed around $55 on Amazon US as of November 2026, rated 4.6 out of 5 from about 540 ratings.
- Pros: noise-focused brand; two fans; adjustable front fan for RAM
- Cons: height not confirmed on a maker page; costs more than the Frozn for similar hardware
Buy if you want quieter dual-tower cooling for an overclock. Skip if the Phantom Spirit EVO fits and noise matters less.
Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black
The NH-U12A chromax.black is the premium pick for overclockers who want a slimmer cooler. A single tower with two NF-A12x25 fans and seven heat pipes cools more like a dual tower while staying clear of RAM. It suits compact mid-towers and boards with tall memory.
A retailer spec page lists 158mm with fans, two 120mm NF-A12 fans and sockets including Intel 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1200, 1700 and 1851 plus AM4 and AM5. The Amazon listing for the standard NH-U12A adds seven heat pipes, an offset mounting option and a six-year warranty. noctua.at blocked our request.
The chromax.black version was listed around $120 on Amazon US as of November 2026, rated 4.8 out of 5 from about 2,800 ratings. You pay a premium for fan quality, finish and warranty.
- Pros: two premium fans on a slim tower; six-year warranty; RAM-friendly
- Cons: expensive; 158mm height
Buy if you want premium, quiet overclocking headroom in a slim package. Skip if budget matters more than noise.
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 A-RGB
The Liquid Freezer II 280 A-RGB is the liquid pick with the longest warranty here. A 280mm radiator with two 140mm fans gives more area than a 240mm AIO, and ARCTIC routes fan cables inside the hose sleeve for a tidy build. It suits cases with a 280mm front or top mount.
The Amazon listing gives a 280mm radiator, fans at 200 to 1900rpm with A-RGB, fan cables in the hose sleeve, LGA 1700 compatibility, and listed sockets of Intel 115x, 1200, 1700, 2066 and 2011(-3) plus AM5 and AM4, with a six-year warranty.
It was listed around $100 on Amazon US as of November 2026, rated 4.4 out of 5 from about 750 ratings. Check your case for 280mm support, since many older cases only take 240mm.
- Pros: 280mm capacity; six-year warranty; tidy cable routing
- Cons: needs a 280mm mount; costs nearly twice the Frozen Notte 360
Buy if your case takes 280mm and you value a long warranty. Skip if you can fit a 360mm radiator.
Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 Black ARGB V2
The Frozen Notte 360 V2 gives the most headroom here at a low price. A 360mm radiator with three fans has the largest area in this list, which helps an overclocked 6700K hold clocks under long loads without high fan speeds. It suits mid-towers with a 360mm front or top mount.
The Amazon listing gives a 397 x 120 x 27mm radiator, 450mm tubes, a pump up to 5300rpm and three TL-E12B-S V2 fans at up to 2000rpm, rated 72.37 CFM and up to 27.7 dBA, with Intel LGA 1150 through 1851 and AM4 and AM5. The listing does not state a warranty.
It was listed around $55 on Amazon US as of November 2026, rated 4.4 out of 5 from about 980 ratings. Older cases from the Skylake era may not have a 360mm mount, so check first.
- Pros: largest radiator here; low price; long tubes
- Cons: needs a 360mm mount; warranty not stated
Buy if your case has a 360mm mount and you want maximum headroom. Skip if your case only takes 240mm or 280mm.
Buying guide for a 6700K overclock
An overclocked 6700K needs headroom, but the right cooler also depends on case size, RAM height and noise. These checks help you choose and set up the cooler so the overclock stays stable, and they apply equally to the i5-6600K, which shares the same socket and power rating.
Sizing the best CPU coolers for overclocking i7 6700K Skylake builds
For a mild overclock, a dual tower like the Frozn A620 Pro SE is enough. For a higher overclock on air, the Phantom Spirit 120 EVO has more airflow. For the most headroom, choose the Frozen Notte 360 V2 or Liquid Freezer II 280. We do not quote target clocks or temperatures, since they vary by chip.
Raise the multiplier and voltage in small steps and check stability and temperatures each time.
Case clearance and radiator mounts
Check your case’s height limit and keep a 5mm margin. A Noctua study of more than 100 cases found that 56 deviated significantly from their listed clearance. The air picks are 155mm to 158mm tall, so plan for at least 162mm of clearance in your case.
Older cases often have only 240mm radiator mounts. Confirm 280mm or 360mm support before buying the AIOs.
RAM and board layout
Many Z170 boards sit DDR4 slots close to the socket. Dual towers can overhang tall RAM; the Frozn A620 Pro SE lists 40mm of RAM clearance with a cut-out, and the Pure Rock Pro 3’s front fan adjusts. The NH-U12A’s slimmer single-tower body avoids most clashes.
AIOs avoid RAM clearance entirely, which suits builds with tall RGB modules.
Noise under load
Overclocked chips push fans harder, and fan noise is usually the first sign that a cooler is near its limit. Two fans or larger radiators let the cooler run slower for the same heat. Set a BIOS fan curve that ramps gradually, and base AIO fan speed on CPU temperature rather than spikes.
The Phantom Spirit 120 EVO’s 2150rpm fans are fast at full speed, so a curve matters most there.
FAQ
These answers cover common i7-6700K overclocking and cooling questions. They use Intel’s spec page, Wikipedia’s Skylake entry and the cooler listings above, and we avoid clock, voltage and temperature numbers because we did not test these coolers on an overclocked 6700K ourselves.
Does the i7-6700K come with a cooler?
No. Intel’s spec page says the boxed i7-6700K ships without a fan or heatsink. You need an aftermarket LGA 1151 cooler from the start, and if you plan to overclock, it makes sense to buy one with headroom, such as a dual tower or AIO, rather than a basic single tower.
Is a Hyper 212 enough to overclock a 6700K?
For a mild overclock, a single tower can cope with a four-core 91W chip. For higher voltages, a dual tower or AIO gives more margin and lower noise. That is why this list starts at dual-tower capacity. We have not tested a Hyper 212 on an overclocked 6700K.
Air or AIO for a 6700K overclock?
Both work. A strong dual tower like the Phantom Spirit 120 EVO costs less and has no pump. A 360mm AIO like the Frozen Notte 360 V2 has more radiator area and frees RAM clearance, which helps for higher overclocks. Choose by your case’s mounts and your noise target.
Will these coolers fit a newer PC later?
Yes. Every pick lists LGA 1700, and most list LGA 1851 and AM5 as well. The Liquid Freezer II 280 A-RGB does not list LGA 1851. Buying one of these for a 6700K means you can carry it to a newer platform without buying another cooler or a separate bracket kit.
Conclusion
Buy the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO. It mounts on LGA 1151, its seven heat pipes and fast fans give an overclocked i7-6700K the most air-cooling headroom per dollar here, and it costs about $47 as of November 2026. Only choose the Frozen Notte 360 V2 if your case has a 360mm mount and you want maximum headroom.
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