Socket 1150 PCs from the Haswell era, such as Core i7-4790K builds, are still common, but many current coolers have dropped older Intel sockets entirely. This guide to the best socket 1150 CPU coolers lists seven air and liquid models that still name LGA 1150 support, with Amazon US data from November 2026.
Quick verdict
For most socket 1150 systems, the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE ARGB is the best buy: seven heat pipes, two fans, LGA1150 in its listing and a price around $36 on Amazon US as of November 2026. On a budget, the Vetroo V5 costs about $20; for liquid, the Frozen Notte 240 Black ARGB V2 has a 5-year warranty.
| Cooler | Type | Height or radiator | Socket 1150 support | Best for | Amazon US, Nov 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE ARGB | Dual tower | 154mm | Yes | Best overall, 4790K | about $36, 4.8 stars, 999 ratings |
| Vetroo V5 | Single tower | about 148mm | Yes | Most reviewed budget pick | about $20, 4.6 stars, 6,185 ratings |
| ID-Cooling Frozn A620 Pro SE | Dual tower | 157mm | Yes (115X) | Budget dual tower | about $30, 4.7 stars, 638 ratings |
| Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black | Single tower | 152mm | Yes (115x) | Familiar name, wide retail | about $30, 4.7 stars, 8,263 ratings |
| CRYORIG CR4S Plus Darkened | Single tower, two fans | not captured | Yes | Push-pull single tower | about $33, 4.5 stars, 768 ratings |
| Thermalright Aqua Elite 120 V3 | 120mm AIO | 120mm radiator | Yes | Liquid for small cases | about $35, 4.6 stars, 483 ratings |
| Thermalright Frozen Notte 240 Black ARGB V2 | 240mm AIO | 240mm radiator | Yes | Best liquid pick | about $47, 4.6 stars, 467 ratings |
Prices and ratings are Amazon US snapshots as of November 2026 and will change. Socket support is from manufacturer pages or listings; confirm the box contents before installing.
How we picked the best socket 1150 CPU coolers
We started from coolers on Amazon US in November 2026 and kept only those whose manufacturer page or listing names LGA1150 or the LGA115x family. That matters because LGA1700 and LGA1851 boards use a 78x78mm hole pattern, while socket 1150 uses the 75x75mm LGA115x pattern, and some current coolers ship only the newer hardware.
We wanted a spread of air and liquid options at prices that make sense for an older PC, from about $20 to about $47. We favored coolers that also list current sockets, so the cooler can move to a new build later, and weighted Amazon review volume and stated warranties.
Chip power framed the picks. Intel lists the Core i7-4790K at 88W, and the Pentium G3258 Anniversary Edition at 53W with an unlocked multiplier. Every pick here has capacity for those ratings. We did not test any cooler and quote no temperatures or overclocks.
Socket 1150 cooler reviews
The seven coolers below run from the overall pick to the liquid options. Each review confirms socket 1150 support from a cited source, gives the key specs, notes how it suits Haswell chips and whether it can carry forward to a newer board, and closes with a buy-or-skip line.
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE ARGB
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE ARGB is the best socket 1150 cooler for most systems. The Amazon listing gives 125x135x154mm, seven 6mm heat pipes and two TL-C12B-S V2 ARGB fans rated 1500rpm, 66.17 CFM and 25.6 dBA, with Intel LGA1700, LGA1851, LGA1150, LGA1151 and LGA1200 plus AM4 and AM5.
Seven heat pipes and two fans give it far more capacity than a Core i7-4790K needs at its 88W rating, which leaves headroom for overclocking and keeps the fans slow at stock. Thermalright’s page for the related non-ARGB model confirms 154mm and the same socket family. It also lists current sockets, so it can move to a new build.
At 154mm it needs a mid-tower; older cases vary, so measure. As of November 2026 it listed around $36 with 4.8 stars from about 1,000 ratings.
- Pros: seven heat pipes and two fans; LGA1150 and current sockets; strong ratings
- Cons: 154mm and dual-tower width; warranty not stated on pages read
Buy if you have a mid-tower and a 4790K or want to reuse the cooler later. Skip if your case clears less than 155mm.
Vetroo V5
The Vetroo V5 is the budget pick with the largest review base. The Amazon listing gives five heat pipes, a 4-pin PWM fan at 800 to 1700rpm rated 52 CFM and 30.8 dB, 5V ARGB sync, support for LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1150, AM5 and AM4, and a 761g weight.
Five heat pipes at about $20 are generous, and LGA1150 is named directly. It suits a locked Haswell Core i5 or i7 well and a 4790K at stock. The listing gives dimensions of 5.83×5.04×2.95in, which suggests a height of about 148mm; confirm against the product drawing for a tight case.
As of November 2026 it listed around $20 with 4.6 stars from about 6,190 ratings, the most among the picks here. The warranty length was not stated in what we read.
- Pros: five heat pipes for about $20; LGA1150 named; huge review base
- Cons: higher fan noise rating; height and warranty need confirming
Buy if you want a cheap, proven upgrade. Skip if quiet operation is your priority.
ID-Cooling Frozn A620 Pro SE
The Frozn A620 Pro SE is the budget dual tower. The Amazon listing gives a 157mm dual tower, two 120mm PWM fans, six 6mm heat pipes, RAM clearance of 40mm (63mm with the cut-out), a 27.2 dBA maximum and 58 CFM, with LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA115X, AM5 and AM4 support.
Six heat pipes in a dual tower give it capacity well beyond Haswell’s needs at about $30. The RAM cut-out helps on boards where the first slot sits close to the socket, which is common on older micro-ATX boards.
As of November 2026 it listed around $30 with 4.7 stars from 638 ratings. At 157mm it is the tallest air pick here.
- Pros: dual tower at about $30; RAM cut-out; quiet fan rating
- Cons: 157mm height; dual-tower width
Buy if you want a dual tower on a budget. Skip if your case clears less than 160mm.
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black
The Hyper 212 Black is the familiar name in this guide, from a cooler line that many socket 1150 owners already know. Cooler Master lists 125x74x152mm, four heat pipes, one SickleFlow 120 Edge fan and support for LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA115x, AM5 and AM4, with a 2-year warranty.
The Hyper 212 line has been a default upgrade for socket 1150 systems for years, and the current Black version keeps LGA115x mounting. Four heat pipes and one fan suit locked Haswell chips and a 4790K at stock. The Amazon listing appears as “Hyper 212 Black II”.
As of November 2026 it listed around $30 with 4.7 stars from about 8,260 ratings. It costs about the same as the Frozn A620 Pro SE but has less fin area.
- Pros: huge review base; wide retail availability; LGA115x and current sockets
- Cons: four heat pipes; 2-year warranty; less capacity for the price
Buy if you value the name and review history. Skip if you want the most capacity for $30.
CRYORIG CR4S Plus Darkened
The CR4S Plus Darkened is a single tower that ships with two fans. The Amazon listing gives a four-heatpipe single tower with dual 120mm ARGB PWM fans rated 1800rpm, 75.09 CFM and 30.67 dB, with AM4, AM5, LGA1150, LGA1200, LGA1851 and LGA1700 support.
A push-pull pair on a slim single tower leaves more RAM room than a dual tower while adding airflow over one fan. It suits a 4790K at stock. The listing did not give a clear height, so check the product drawing for your case.
As of November 2026 it listed around $33 with 4.5 stars from 768 ratings.
- Pros: two ARGB fans; slim tower; LGA1150 named
- Cons: height not confirmed; louder fan rating than Thermalright
Buy if you want push-pull on a single tower. Skip if you need a confirmed height.
Thermalright Aqua Elite 120 V3
The Aqua Elite 120 V3 is the liquid option for small socket 1150 cases. Thermalright lists a 1500rpm TL-C12B-S V2 fan rated 25.6 dBA, a pump rated 3300rpm and 23 dBA and a 3-year warranty, with LGA115X through LGA1851, AM4 and AM5; the Amazon listing names LGA1150 directly.
A 120mm AIO mounts at the rear exhaust, which suits older micro-ATX cases that cannot fit a 150mm tower. It handles a 4790K at stock comfortably.
As of November 2026 it listed around $35 with 4.6 stars from 483 ratings.
- Pros: fits a rear 120mm mount; quiet fan rating; 3-year warranty
- Cons: one fan; needs room for pump and tubes
Buy if your case is small but has a 120mm mount. Skip if it fits a tower.
Thermalright Frozen Notte 240 Black ARGB V2
The Frozen Notte 240 Black ARGB V2 is the best liquid pick for socket 1150. Thermalright lists TL-E12B-S 120mm fans, a pump rated 5300rpm and a 5-year warranty, with Intel LGA115X, LGA1200, LGA1700, LGA1851, LGA2011 and LGA2066 plus AMD AM4, AM5, AM3(+) and FM; the Amazon listing names LGA1150.
A 240mm radiator gives the most capacity in this guide, useful if you overclock a 4790K or G3258. The 5-year warranty is long, and the wide socket list means it can move to almost any later build.
As of November 2026 it listed around $47 with 4.6 stars from 467 ratings. You need a 240mm mount, which many older cases lack.
- Pros: 240mm radiator; 5-year warranty; very wide socket list
- Cons: needs a 240mm mount; louder fans at full speed
Buy if your case supports 240mm and you overclock. Skip if your case lacks a radiator mount.
Socket 1150 cooler buying guide
Choosing a cooler for socket 1150 means checking mounting hardware first, then the case, then your chip and plans. The sections below cover each, including the carry-forward question that decides whether a slightly pricier cooler is better value than the cheapest that fits.
Confirm the mounting hardware
Socket 1150 uses the 75x75mm LGA115x pattern, shared with LGA1151, LGA1155, LGA1156 and LGA1200. LGA1700 and LGA1851 moved to 78x78mm. Every pick here names LGA1150 or LGA115x, but check the kit in the box, especially for current coolers that may ship separate brackets.
Measure older cases
Haswell-era cases range from slim office towers to roomy mid-towers. Heights here run from about 148mm to 157mm for towers. A Noctua study reported by The FPS Review found that more than half of 100-plus cases deviated significantly from their listed clearance, so measure rather than trust old spec sheets.
Match the cooler to your chip
The 88W Core i7-4790K is comfortable with any pick here at stock. If you overclock it or a G3258, which has an unlocked multiplier, choose a dual tower like the Phantom Spirit 120 SE ARGB or the 240mm Frozen Notte. Locked chips need only a basic tower.
Think about carrying it forward
All seven picks also list current sockets such as LGA1700, LGA1851 or AM5, so the cooler can move to a new build. That makes a $30 to $47 cooler good value even on an old PC. Keep the spare brackets, screws and manual in the box when you install it so the move is simple later.
Socket 1150 cooler FAQ
These are the questions socket 1150 owners ask most often when buying a new cooler for an older Haswell system. Answers rely on the specs and listings cited above rather than on our own testing, since temperatures depend on the case, the chip and its age.
Are the best socket 1150 CPU coolers the same as LGA 1151 coolers?
Mostly yes. LGA1150 and LGA1151 share the same 75x75mm mounting pattern, so coolers that list LGA115x fit both. Always check the cooler’s socket list, since some current models ship only LGA1700 and LGA1851 hardware, which uses the wider 78x78mm pattern.
Do I need an AIO for a Core i7-4790K?
No. At its 88W rating, a good tower like the Phantom Spirit 120 SE ARGB or Vetroo V5 is enough at stock. An AIO makes sense if your case suits a radiator better than a tower, or if you plan a sizable overclock that pushes power well above the chip’s rating.
Will a new cooler fit an old socket 1150 motherboard?
If it lists LGA1150 or LGA115x and includes the matching Intel backplate, yes, it should mount normally. Remove the old cooler carefully, clean off the old paste, and check that the board’s CPU fan header works before you install the new cooler and apply fresh paste.
Is it worth buying a new cooler for an old PC?
Often, yes, if the stock cooler is loud or failing. A $20 to $36 tower quiets the system and can move to your next build, since every pick here also lists current sockets. That makes it a low-risk upgrade even if you replace the rest of the PC within a year or two.
Conclusion
Buy the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE ARGB for most socket 1150 PCs: it names LGA1150, has seven heat pipes and two fans and costs about $36 as of November 2026. On a tight budget, choose the Vetroo V5. If your case has a 240mm mount and you overclock, the Frozen Notte 240 Black ARGB V2 is the liquid pick.
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