Best CPU Cooler for Core i9 10900K

Zakriya Aamir
Zakriya Aamir
Best CPU Cooler for Core i9 10900K

The new and powerful i9 10900K is making rounds as one of the hottest purchases in the market. This incredibly efficient high-end CPU with 10 cores and 20 threads operates at a base frequency of 3.70 GHz that can be easily turned up to an exceptional speed of 5.30 GHz. Getting the best out of this PC is convenient, but only if you have an adequate PC cooler to keep things in control. A high-end PC like the i9 10900K just wouldn’t do with a conventional single fan CPU cooler, but we’ll help you figure out and pick the best CPU cooler for i9 10900K that satisfies both; your preferences and the demands of this next-gen machine. 

List of 6 Best CPU Coolers for i9 10900K

Considering all things, the best and the balanced choice for the i9 10900K is a 240mm AIO cooler. Thus, here are our recommendations for the best 240mm cooler for i9 10900K.

AwardsProduct Price
Best Cooler for Overclocking Buy on Amazon
Performance: Editor’s Choice Buy on Amazon
Premium Cooler Buy on Amazon
Best CPU Cooler (water) Buy on Amazon
Best CPU Cooler (water) Buy on Amazon
Enthusiastic Cooler Buy on Amazon

Best Cooler for Overclocking

Arctic Liquid Freezer II

Key Features

  • 1800 RPM fans
  • Sleeved pipes
  • Stylish water block

On top of the list, we have the Arctic Liquid Freezer II. A multi-compatible AIO CPU cooler with around 5 different variants, and our pick is certainly the 240mm one. The Arctic Liquid Freezer is known for its highly efficient and well-carved All-in-one design available in the market right now. The 240mm variant consists of two 120mm fans connected to a compact water pump through fully sleeved tubes. Arctic’s Liquid Freezer II is one of the company’s best developments and has proven itself worthy by being a balanced cooler, providing satisfactory thermal performance, and being remarkably quiet.

One of the most incredible advancements in this CPU cooler is the in-house developed PWM-controlled pump. This compact pump with a copper base for better thermal performance and improved efficiency also maintains low power usage and minimum noise level excellently. PWM is a very well-known and appreciated phenomenon in fans, but for pumps, it’s even better; with Liquid Freezer II, your pump won’t be running at full load when idle. Instead, it will clock down, which will prompt it to not only be quiet but also consume far less power. And with all this, there is also an additional 40mm fan next to the pump to keep the VRM chips cool, which too is an extraordinary help, especially if you plan to overclock, and no disturbance at all. Another cherry-on-top is the sealed water loop, which makes it maintenance-free, requiring no refilling of the water or additives, taking convenience and ease-of-use to another level. 

The two P-Fans are also as good as they get. With a decent RPM range of 200 – 1800 that consumes less power and makes less noise overall, these P-Fans are further enhanced with high static pressure for increased cooling performance. The high-quality bearings are also a great help for improved performance and extended lifespan. The fans are also synchronized with the pump for PWM, so they both clock down when idle and save power consumptions, plus maintain a quieter operation when not in need. 

The overall design is very sleek and aesthetic. It is very well-designed and thus can easily be managed, especially the fully sleeved tubes do wonders for cable management. The fans are neatly placed over the fully covered radiator, and the water pump has a unique design that looks pretty cool on display. This heavily featured water pump has quite a fair price and is definitely a great choice for the best 240mm cooler for i9 10900K.

Specifications

ModelACFRE00046A
Supported Sockets       AM4,LGA1150,LGA1151,LGA1155,LGA1156,LGA1200,LGA2011,LGA2011-3,LGA2066
Liquid Cooler Yes
Radiator Size 240mm
Fan RPM         200 – 1800 RPM
Pros
  • Excellent performance
  • VRM fan
  • Novel pump and auxiliary fan design
  • Quiet operation
  • Fair price
  • Maintenance Free
Cons
  • slightly lower RPM range than the competitors
  • Boxed unit ships with pump and fans controlled by a single PWM splitter
  • Lack of RGB lighting

Performance: Editor’s Choice

EVGA CLC 240mm

Key Features

  • 5 years warranty
  • Solid build quality
  • Silent airflow

EVGA CLC 240mm is another reasonably priced 240mm All-in-one CPU cooler for the Core i9 10900K. The EVGA CLC 240 Liquid cooler provides an effectively powerful cooling performance with low noise and responsive software control for customization. This All-in-one cooler has almost the same technical design as that of the Arctic Liquid Freezer II, except it’s much more simple looking and the performance is almost close to Arctic Liquid Freezer II. It consists of two 120mm fans attached to a slim radiator which is connected to the pump head through two fully sleeved tubes. The cooling performance is adequate and even better in some cases for a high-demanding PC like the i9 10900k.

The two 120mm fans are EVGA’s new development. The curved housing of the fans helps significantly in enhancing airflow and reducing the noise level by limiting the vibration, while the unique blade design intensifies the cooling performance, which is already quite capable with an incredible speed of 500-2400. The Teflon Nano bearing takes things to another level by maintaining a smooth operation with minimum noise and stretching the overall lifespan of the fans. One of the most convenient features is that you can control the fan speed and curve via the EVGA’s software. The tubing leading from the radiator block beneath the fans to the pump head is fully sleeved, and every other wire is also intelligently managed, so the cable management is, on the whole, quite neat. 

The pump head with a brightly shining and prominent EVGA logo on top has also improved massively against the previous EVGA developments. The new block offers an improved flow rate and heat transfer surface area for tremendous cooling capability. This pump head is also maintenance-free, which is a huge step towards convenience because you won’t have to do any filling, or refilling for that matter. The copper base provides maximum heat dissipation for improved operation. The RGB LED on the pump head is fully controllable through the software. You can also choose a personal profile, and it will be saved in the firmware. 

The overall design of EVGA CLC 240 is conventional and simple. Thus it looks fine and aesthetic in the minimalist’s case. The RGB is also simple and looks very cool on display. The control that the EVGA software offers is incredible and makes the experience a whole lot easier. EVGA goes on to specify the overall life span of the fans to 80,000 hours, which is quite nice, considering there is also the 5-year manufacturer’s warranty. The price is quite reasonable, for almost the same performance as the Arctic Liquid Freezer II, and does a wonderful job for the i9 10900k.

Specifications

Model400-HY-CL24-V1
Supported Sockets       AM2,AM2+,AM3,AM3+,AM4,FM1,FM2,FM2+,LGA1150,LGA1151,LGA1155,LGA1156,LGA1200,LGA1366,LGA2011,LGA2011-3,LGA2066
Liquid Cooler Yes
Radiator Size 240mm
Noise Level     16.0 – 39.9 dbA
Fan RPM         500 – 2400 RPM
Pros
  • Great cooling Performance
  • Excellent fan speed
  • Easy to Install
  • Maintenance-free
  • Reasonable price
  • 5-year manufacturer’s warranty
  • fully-addressable RGB
Cons
  • Noisier in comparison to the competitors
  • The bugs and issue with the software

Premium Cooler

be quiet! BW006 Pure Loop

Key Features

  • Pure loop support
  • Extra decoupled pump
  • Silent water flow

There is a list of be quiet! CPU coolers that provide incredible performance and minimum noise. Our recommendation is the be quiet! BW006 Pure Loop, an efficient All-in-one CPU cooler with a very low noise level. It comes from the BW00X series, which includes other variants, mainly different in size, of the same model. The BW006 is the 240mm variant of the be quiet! Pure Loop. It consists of two 120mm fans attached to a neatly designed radiator which is connected to the pump head through fully sleeved and flexible tubes. The Pure Loop 240mm is incredibly good for high-end demanding PCs and certainly the “be quiet!” is well-known for the quiet operation of its components, but the price of this AIO cooler is even better than the previous two recommendation, but let’s see how good is it in comparison. 

The renowned Pure Wings 2 fans are part of this AIO CPU cooler. These 120mm fans provide excellent cooling performance at an adequate speed of 2000 RPM (100%). Its nine airflow optimized fan blades are a significant development to ensure incredible cooling operation at minimum noise levels. They are the perfect match for the Pure Loop’s aluminum radiator. The rifle bearing also promotes even quieter operation and stretches out the overall lifespan. The PWM technology is enabled in these fans, and it’s always welcome having to process less power usage and super-quiet operation when on idle.

The All black design and the white LED illuminated pump head has a class of their own. The doubly decoupled pump head is effectively dampened to cause minimal noise to ensure the absolute quiet performance that the manufacturer’s brand name stands for. This aluminum-styled cooling block is the pinnacle of minimalist aesthetics and looks stunning on display. The Pure Loop requires maintenance, unlike the previous recommendations, but it is made highly convenient for the users by making the refill port easy to access and ensuring safe and comfortable refilling and maintenance. The included coolant bottle is added to guarantee a long lifespan.

The overall aesthetics of the be quiet! Pure Loop is a sight for sore eyes. It takes the spotlight with its elegant and minimalist style and design. The nickel-plated cold plate allows optimum use of a liquid metal thermal compound which is another appreciated step towards convenience. The Pure Loop offers incredibly powerful cooling performance at a minimum noise level, and it works great for the most demanding high-end PCs. The 3-year manufacturer’s warranty is a nice little cherry-on-top.

Specifications

ModelBW006
Supported Sockets       AM2,AM2+,AM3,AM3+,AM4,FM1,FM2,FM2+,LGA1150,LGA1151,LGA1155,LGA1156,LGA1200,LGA2011,LGA2011-3,LGA2066
Liquid Cooler Yes
Radiator Size 240mm
Noise Level     19 – 39.5 dB
Fan Speed2000 RPM
Pros
  • Excellent cooling performance
  • Super quiet operation
  • Durable
  • Minimalistic design
  • 3-year manufacturer’s warranty
  • Fair Price
Cons
  • Lack of RGB (if you are looking for that option)
  • The design is an acquired taste

Best CPU Cooler (water)

NZXT Kraken Z53

Key Features

  • Premium quality water block and radiator
  • LCD display
  • RGB supported

The NZXT always targets an elite audience, so we added a recommendation from their line-up for those that are willing to spend freely. Here, we have the NZXT Kraken Z53, an excellent high-functioning 240mm All-in-one cooler with a state-of-the-art pump head. The Kraken Z53 offers superior liquid cooling performance through an impressively whisper-quiet operation. This 240mm AIO cooler consists of two deep black fans attached to a slim radiator, which is connected to its pump head, with a spectacular LCD on top, through two extended (400mm) fully sleeved and reinforced tubings. The NZXT Kraken is pure class when it comes to a stunning display, and the performance and whisper-quiet operation doesn’t fall further behind and have proven to be worthy of the premium price tag.

The two 120mm Aer P fans running at the speed of 500-2,000 (+300) RPM are the perfect radiator fans for the job; with chamfered intake and fluid dynamic bearings, they bring not only the efficient and incredible cooling operation but also at minimum noise level and along with long-term reliability. The Kraken Z53’s pump head is the real deal. With an All-new 7th gen Asetek pump, you get the best cooling performance and impressive 800RPM low-noise operation. The bright 2.36″ LCD screen displaying 24-bit colors is the most prominent feature of this AIO CPU cooler. Another coolest part is that you can customize the look with custom gifs or CAM data to get a more personalized display. You can also rotate the logo to any angle, which will allow you to mount your pump head in whichever angle it fits on your motherboard with good clearance. 

The NZXT is known for its premium AIO CPU coolers, and the Z53 is the pinnacle example of that. The elite design and aesthetics are to kill for because it looks absolute fire on display, and with the pump head LCD personalization, you can take it to a whole new level. Both the fan and the pump are equipped with PWM technology for low power usage and ultimate quiet operation when on idle. It is much pricier than the previous recommendations, but most enthusiasts would consider it a bang for the buck. The NZXT CAM software is also a great help that makes everything a whole lot easier. The specified life of the fans is at around 6 years, and so is the manufacturer’s somewhat peculiar warranty period, having a shorter life span but all covered in the warranty, against the previous recommendations that had a longer lifespan but shorter warranty period.

Specifications

ModelRL-KRZ53-01
Supported Sockets       AM4,LGA1150,LGA1151,LGA1155,LGA1156,LGA1200,LGA1366,LGA2011,LGA2011-3,LGA2066,sTR4,sTRX4
Liquid Cooler Yes
Radiator Size 240mm
Noise Level     21 – 36 dB
Fan RPM         500 – 2000 RPM
Pros
  • Excellent cooling performance
  • Quiet operation
  • Stunning LCD on the pump head
  • Spectacular design
  • NZXT CAm software is a huge help
  • Can switch between silent and performance mode
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Lower fan life expectancy than competitors who are much less expensive
  • Lack of RGB

Best CPU Cooler (water)

Corsair iCUE H100i Elite Capellix Liquid CPU Cooler

Key Features

  • Enthusiastic look
  • Full RGB support
  • Easier to install

Next up, we have the iCUE H100i Elite Capellix. Manufactured by the renowned Corsair; It is a powerful All-in-one CPU cooler with a 240mm radiator that provides the most efficient cooling performance through small technical developments. This sleek-looking AIO CPU cooler offers an incredible cooling solution for a fair price. Two 120mm fans are attached to a 240mm radiator, which can support up to six fans in the same way. The radiator is then attached to the boxy little pump head via two black sleeved low-permeation rubber tubings. The iCUE H100i Elite Capellix also ensures that you get the best possible performance with the lowest noise levels possible.

The Cappelix is equipped with two 120mm elite CORSAIR ML RGB Series PWM fans that are designed phenomenally to exhibit power and style. These fans deliver excellent airflow at a decent speed of 2400 RPM and bare minimum noise and look stunning on display with 8 RGB LEDs installed per fan. The Zero RPM mode is available so you can save up on power and keep away from even the least bit of noise when cooling isn’t required, and clock the fan down. Corsair’s iCUE software can be a huge help in setting up these fan profiles and personalizing the whole experience according to your preferences. 

The Elite Cappilex’s RGB Pump head is a stunning little thing. It houses 33 ultra-bright CAPELLIX RGB LEDs to accompany its gorgeous RGB fans. With a split-flow copper cold plate design and a high-density stack of 128 micro-skived fins per inch, the cooling block works efficiently to ensure incredible cooling performance. While being extremely paced in performance at a flow rate of up to 0.82L/min, the pump makes an impressively low noise of less than 20dBA. The pump already looks spectacular as it is, but it also comes with two separate pump camps, so if you want to change your look, you can go from the stylish, glossy black pre-installed cap to the transparent alternate pump cap, which will allow the CAPELLIX LEDs to shine through.

The iCUE H100i Elite Cappelix is a premium AIO CPU cooler at a fairly reasonable price. The deep black design is stunning and puts on a further charm with the well-equipped Corsair RGB LEDs. The mounting is extremely convenient because of the modular, tool-free mounting bracket. The Corsair iCUE software is an excellent interface to customize and keep a check on everything that entails. For a 240mm CPU cooler, the Elite Cappelix is an excellent choice for our i9 10900k.

Specifications

ModelCW-9060050-WW
Supported Sockets       AM2,AM2+,AM3,AM3+,AM4,FM1,FM2,FM2+,LGA1150,LGA1151,LGA1155,LGA1156,LGA1200,LGA1366,sTR4,sTRX4
Liquid Cooler Yes
Radiator Size 240mm
Noise Level     10 – 37 dBa
Fan Speed        2400 RPM

Enthusiastic Cooler

MSI MAG CORE LIQUID 240R

Key Features

  • Enthusiastic CPU block
  • Rotatable Blockhead Design
  • Full RGB support

Last but not least is the MSI’s MAG Core Liquid 240R. An excellent All-in-one CPU cooler for the i9 10900k. The Core Liquid is the MSI’s battle tank, the cutting edge design and the excellent cooling performance are guaranteed, but the incredible durability and long lifespan are what makes it one of the best development. For a 240mm AIO CPU cooler, the Core Liquid 240R is another excellent choice for entry-level gaming enthusiasts, and it can easily handle any other demanding software. It consists of two 120 fans, with a cutting-edge housing design, attached to a slim radiator, which is then connected to a 270-degree rotatable and stunning pump head through three layers of netted plastic tubing and a reinforced mesh exterior.

The two 120mm fans run at a decent speed of 500 – 2000 RPM and with an incredibly quiet operation. The PWM mode is available so you can get an even quieter experience when the cooler is processing not much load. The ARGB LEDs are a stunning display of color; it is also compatible with Mystic light, so you can personalize it and synch it with other components for a spectacular side-glass exhibition. MSI has made quite a lot of improvements in the radiator to improve the cooling performance, including the radiator pump design, where a pump has been integrated into the radiator for sound dampening and noise reduction. This also gives the pump a safe space away from the heating source, which in turn ensures an extended lifespan for the pump. An enduring three-phase motor at the heart of the pump produces minimal vibrations for long-lasting operation.

Further on, the radiator has been designed with a split pathway through it, which will help rapidly dissipate heat and enhance the cooling process.

The 270-degree rotatable heat pump is connected to the radiator through three layers of netted plastic tubing and a reinforced mesh exterior, which makes the tubing evaporation proof. The circular-shaped pump head has a triangular design with an MSI dragon logo on it, and it can be oriented any which way in a 270-degree rotation. The mounting and the installation is made convenient for new users. The pump head is also equipped with stunning ARGB lighting that goes nicely with the fan’s LEDs. 

The MAG Core Liquid 240R has a stunning design that is aesthetically pleasing even without the lighting, but the nicely placed ARGB LEDs make the display a whole lot more spectacular. This AIO Cooler might not be the quietest, but the MSI did its best to dampen the noise and bring down the sounds to 10% less than the competitors, and the airflow is excellent, which makes it worth the buck. 

Specifications

ModelMAG Core Liquid 240RMAG CORELIQUID 240R306-7ZW1B31-813
Supported Sockets       AM2,AM2+,AM3,AM3+,AM4,FM1,FM2,FM2+,LGA1150,LGA1151,LGA1155,LGA1156,LGA1200,LGA1366,LGA2011,LGA2011-3,LGA2066
Liquid Cooler Yes
Radiator Size 240mm
Noise Level     14.3 – 34.3 dBa
Fan RPM         500 – 2000 RPM
Pros
  • Excellent cooling performance
  • Quiet operation
  • 270-degree rotatable blockhead
  • Pump-mounted in the radiator for a better experience
  • Elegant ARGB LEDs
  • Easy Installation
Cons
  • No PWM splitter

Conclusion

The Core i9 10900K is a powerful CPU, and it requires a very capable cooler to handle its load. In order to maximize its potential, we highly recommend using the Arctic Liquid Freezer II for greater results. In terms of the looks and beautification of your PC build along with greater temperatures, we recommend the MSI MAG CORE LIQUID 240R.

These 240mm coolers are the most balanced and adequate choice for the task. Depending on your use, you can figure out what works for you and make a choice. Make sure that your choice has a justified price, or you could do better with a bigger cooler with more fans count.

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