Best CPU Cooler for i5-13600K – Our 3 top picks for cooling efficiency

Looking for a way to keep your i5-13600K cool?

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What is the best CPU cooler for the i5-13600K? The Core i5-13600K, part of Intel’s 13th Gen Raptor Lake series initial lineup, has garnered widespread acclaim for its exceptional gaming performance and competitive value, almost rivaling the Core i9-12900KS in single-threaded applications. Now, let’s explore the ideal CPU cooler for the i5-13600K.

Efficient CPU cooling is essential, especially for the 13th-generation Intel CPUs, as these processors can generate significant heat beneath the Raptor Lake hood. We here at WePC have tested thousands of CPU and Cooler configurations, giving us the expertise to guide you to the best CPU cooler for the 13600K. We highly recommend the utmost in cooling solutions, thanks to the heat the 13th generation generates. In our opinion, you should exclusively consider a 240mm All-in-One (AIO) liquid cooler or explore options for a custom cooling loop to effectively manage the thermal demands of Raptor Lake CPUs.

However, don’t rush to your nearest computer store just yet. If you are planning to buy the Core i5-13600K, you will need a new aftermarket CPU cooler to go along with it. Despite an improvement in efficiency, the new Raptor Lake CPUs tend to put out a lot of heat thanks to their expanded power budgets. We keep this article constantly updated and consider the very latest in CPU cooling technology, below is what we believe are the best CPU coolers for the i5-13700K right now.

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Best CPU Cooler for i5 13600K – Lian Li GALAHAD AiO 360mm RGB

Here we will explain why our selected CPU coolers stand out from the crowd, and why you should consider them for your Core i5 13600K build.

Lian Li GALAHAD AiO 360mm RGB

Lian Li Galahad 360 Black

Cooler size

360mm

Number of fans

3

Airflow capacity

72.0 cubic_feet_per_minute

Meterial

Aluminum , Plastic

How We Review

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Pros

• High performance cooler
• Aesthetically pleasing no matter which version you get
• RGB fans

Cons

• Expensive

The Lian Li GALAHAD 360mm liquid cooler might be on the expensive side for the Core i5 13600K, but it is one of the very best AiOs currently available on the market. The GALAHAD 360mm AiO provides excellent thermal performance as well as quiet operation, which is essentially all you need from a CPU cooler.

Lian Li also offers the GALAHAD liquid cooler in a 240mm variation, but we recommend the 360mm variant for the premium choice in our roundup because of its higher thermal headroom. You can overclock the i5 13600K comfortably on this CPU cooler without even touching the fan curve. The pump and radiator design is truly remarkable and does an excellent job of cooling down your CPU.

Three Lian Li fans are included with the GALAHAD 360mm liquid cooler, and they are optimized for static pressure. The fans can reach a maximum static pressure of 2.6mm H2O and have a rated airflow of 69.17 CFM which is pretty respectable for use in an AiO cooler. Moreover, the fans also have plenty of RGB lighting for gamers out there.

Speaking of lighting, the GALAHAD has very attractive RGB implementation on both the pump block as well as the fans. The pump’s overall design is very unique and the integrated RGB lighting just elevates it to another level.

All things considered, the Lian Li GALAHAD 360mm RGB liquid cooler should be on the top of your priority list if you want to buy a premium liquid cooler for your Core i5 13600K.

Best Air cooler for i5 13600K – Noctua NH-D15 Chromax Black

Here is what we consider to be the best air cooler for the i5 13600K.

Noctua NH-D15 Chromax Black

Noctua NH-D15 Chromax Dual Tower CPU Cooler

Item Dimensions LxWxH

5.31 x 5.91 x 6.5 inches

Brand

Noctua

Cooling Method

Air

Compatible Devices

Desktop

Noise Level

24 dB

How We Review

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Pros

• Silent – Even quieter than some AIO systems.
• Ultimate Cooling – Dual fans and heavy heatsink dissipate heat extremely efficiently.
• Single Fan Mode – SFM enables 64mm clearance for RAM.

Cons

• Price – Expensive for air cooling (but still cheaper than liquid)
• Installation – The weight can make installation tricky.

Noctua is a household name when it comes to air cooling, and the NH-D15 is one of the most popular air coolers of the last decade. It gets its popularity thanks to its incredible cooling performance and high value for money, which is why we chose this cooler as our mid-range pick for the i5 13600K.

The NH-D15 Chromax Black is a special all-black edition of the legendary NH-D15, but you can get the regular one as well if you so prefer. The NH-D15 is one of the most powerful air coolers on the market and can handle an advertised power output of up to 220W according to Noctua. With its six heat pipes and two impressive fans, the NH-D15 is an ideal pairing for the Core i5 13600K.

You can even try your hand at overclocking the i5 13600K with the NH-D15. The two NF-A15 PWM fans do an excellent job of dissipating the heat from the gigantic fin stack of the dual tower CPU cooler, and they don’t make a lot of noise either. The fans can spin up to 1500 RPM which is quite respectable for air cooling.

Noctua is not known for its attractive designs or aesthetics, and that can be seen quite clearly with this product. Even though the NH-D15 Chromax Black looks very decent and understated, it lacks any sort of RGB lighting or other unique design elements.

The Noctua NH-D15 is a gigantic CPU cooler so you have to make sure that it fits in your case before you finalize your purchase decision. You should also check that your memory modules do not interfere with the fin stack of the cooler. In essence, you can’t go wrong with the Noctua NH-D15 in this price category thanks to its impressive cooling performance and decent bang for the buck.

Best Budget Air cooler for i5 13600K – Deepcool Assassin III

Here is what we consider to be the Best Budget Air cooler for i5 13600K

Deepcool Assassin III

Deepcool Assassin III

Dimensions

6.34 x 5.51 x 6.5 inches

Fans

2x 120mm

Cooling capacity

280W

How We Review

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Pros

• Inexpensive
• Easy to set up
• High performance for an air cooler

Cons

• Not as high performance as some basic liquid coolers

In a more budget-oriented price bracket, we like the Deepcool Assassin III air cooler as it offers much of the same features as the Noctua NH-D15 but at a cheaper price. The thermal performance of this cooler is not quite at the same level as the iconic Noctua offering, but it is not far off either.

The Deepcool Assassin III is a truly enormous air cooler so you need to check case compatibility before finalizing your purchase decision. The two fans and seven heat pipes allow this cooler to handle up to 280W of heat output according to Deepcool.

It can get a bit noisy under load and the fans are not the best in terms of quality, but the overall package is still very impressive considering the price. We would have liked to see a splash of RGB lighting or an all-black color option, but those are not offered by Deepcool in this model.

The Deepcool Assassin III air cooler surely punches way above its weight when it comes to thermal performance. It should definitely be considered by i5 13600K users who want to upgrade their cooling solutions without completely breaking the bank.

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Things to consider when picking the best CPU cooler for i5 13600K

When choosing the best CPU cooler for an Intel Core i5-13600K, which is a mid-range processor, there are several factors to consider to ensure efficient cooling and system performance. Here are some key considerations:

• Cooling Performance: Look for a CPU cooler that can effectively dissipate heat and keep the i5-13600K within safe temperature ranges, especially during demanding tasks. Consider coolers with a good balance of cooling performance.
• TDP Rating: Ensure that the CPU cooler’s Thermal Design Power (TDP) rating matches or exceeds the TDP of the i5-13600K. A cooler with a higher TDP rating can handle the CPU’s heat output more effectively.
• Air vs. Liquid Cooling: Decide whether you prefer an air cooler or a liquid cooler. Air coolers are typically quieter and suitable for stock CPU configurations, while liquid coolers with larger radiators are more efficient for overclocking.
• Clearance and Compatibility: Check the CPU cooler’s dimensions to make sure it fits within your PC case without interfering with other components like RAM, motherboard components, or the graphics card. Ensure that the cooler is compatible with the LGA 1700 socket of your motherboard.
• Noise Level: Consider the noise level of the CPU cooler. Quieter coolers are desirable for a peaceful computing experience. Many coolers come with variable fan speed controls to balance cooling performance and noise.
• Overclocking Considerations: If you plan to overclock your i5-13600K, opt for a CPU cooler that can handle the extra heat generated during overclocking. Liquid coolers with larger radiators or high-end air coolers are excellent choices for overclocked setups.
• Build Quality: Look for a CPU cooler with solid construction and durable materials. High-quality materials, such as copper heat pipes and a robust pump (in the case of liquid coolers), can ensure longevity and optimal performance.
• Aesthetics: If the appearance of your PC matters to you, select a CPU cooler that matches your system’s overall design and color scheme. Some coolers feature RGB lighting options to enhance aesthetics.
• Ease of Installation: Consider how easy the cooler is to install. Some CPU coolers have complex mounting systems, while others offer straightforward installation procedures. Choose a cooler that aligns with your technical skills and comfort level.
• Price: Your budget is an essential factor. Mid-range CPU coolers come in various price ranges, so make sure the cost is in line with the cooler’s features and performance.

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Why is cooling so important?

Cooling your CPU is essential because it helps maintain the optimal temperature range necessary for the processor to function efficiently and reliably. The CPU generates heat as it processes data, and if the temperature rises too high, it can lead to thermal throttling or even damage the processor. This can cause the system to slow down or crash, potentially resulting in data loss or hardware failure.

Adequate cooling is, therefore, critical to ensuring the long-term health and stability of your system. Additionally, overclocking, which can provide higher performance, can significantly increase the amount of heat generated by the CPU, making proper cooling even more critical in these situations.

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Other useful links

• Best CPU for gaming
• Best CPU coolers
• Best Air coolers
• Best Intel CPU
• Best AMD CPU

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Final word

No matter what CPU cooler you choose, you’re in good hands. All of the CPU coolers on this list are capable of keeping your i5-13600K cool and functioning correctly. We’d recommend staying away from high overclocks on the air coolers. That’s something that should be done with ample cooling, not something that JUST scrapes over the CPU’s TDP We hope you enjoyed our best CPU Cooler for i5-13600K article.