Best CPU Cooler for i5 4690k

Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO

The Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO is a Great entry level cooler for the mid and full size desktops. It is large in size and that’s why it works best with larger cases. This cooler has some few drawbacks which are not that worrisome. Rather, the benefit you get from this one is more than that. It runs super cool, lowering the temperature more than 25 degrees. Also, the air flow makes the system cooler. You can even mount an optional second 120mm fan radiator. With this cheap budget, getting a cooler like 121 EVO is a great luck. Moreover, its high versatility makes it easier when you make a new build with different chipset.

The CM Hyper 212 EVO has a difficult installation process. While you assemble it, you will have to put some effort as the manual has some drawings, no proper instructions. Also, it has no pre-applied thermal paste. Apart from these problems, this cooler has a great effect on the CPU. It is a great value of money and it has more than enough of what you need with this price.

Key Features: The Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO comes with 4 - pin connector, 4 Direct Contact Heat Pipes, and Aluminum Fins. It is 120mm long, 80mm wide, and 159mm high. It weighs 1.03lb and the fan weight is 0.23lb. Moreover, it has a pre-installed 120mm fan.

Downsides: It has no second fan feature. Also, the instruction is messy and unclear.

Final Thoughts

The Hyper 212 EVO is perfect for the i5 4690k. It is really awesome at keeping the system cool and quiet.

NZXT Kraken X53

NZXT Kraken X53 is one of the nicest looking AIO. It is of great quality and works great as well. Even though it is an awesome AIO, it is a pricey one. The aesthetics are really beautiful. It works well, is not loud, and keeps the system cool. The installation process may be tricky for the beginners but is super easy. It has solid heatpipes and includes AM4 brackets. NZXT X53 is great even for the beginners. When you’re running the system, it is dead quiet. However, you can not control the fans from the software. Its infinity mirror and the performance is what makes it appealing to the buyers. This one keeps the CPU run at about 60 degrees during full load and 30-40 degrees during low load.

For this price, this is not the best value you can find, but it runs cool, installed easily, and provides excellent performance. Moreover, the infinity mirror, top-notch aesthetic looks, and good quality cooler are also its awesome features. The illumination can make your rig more beautiful and unique.

Key Features: The NZXT Kraken X53’s water block is 80 mm long, 80 mm wide, and 55 mm high. The tube length is 400mm and the radiator’s dimension is 123 x 275 x 30mm. It is made with aluminum. It supports 2 x fans which consumes 12V DC power.

Downsides: This one is a little expensive and could have RGB fans with this price.

Final Thoughts

NZXT X53 is good at keeping the system cool while staying quiet. It does the work well but could have been better at this price point.

Thermalright True Spirit 120

Thermalright True Spirit 120 was built to be possibly the smallest 120mm fan-based tower cooler. It is perfect for micro-ATX and smallest ATX case users. Thermalright has been making the best coolers out there. This one is the best out of what you can get with this price. Thermalright coolers as well as this one are easy to install and provides some outstanding performances. Its aesthetics are very beautiful and one of the prettiest looking coolers I have ever seen.

As it is one of the smallest coolers, its heat pipes are bent and look awesome as usual. It runs really cool and keeps quiet. Virtually you can’t hear any loud noises or something. Moreover, it astonishingly runs at a lower temperature than most other coolers even during overclocking. It runs at 20-26 degrees at idle, about 40-45 degrees at load, and around 55 degrees while it is at its full load.

This CPU cooler ensures the highest thermal efficiency between the processor and the heatsink through the Convex Copper base design. With this budget price, it offers more than what you need. Overall, it is an awesome cooler with its pretty looks, quiet and cool performance for the price you are giving.

Key Features: Thermalright True Spirit 120 is 132 mm long, 57 mm wide, and 145 mm high. It has 4 x units of 6 mm heat pipe, and 46 pcs of Fin. Also, it has a 4- pin PWM fan connector and the thermal design power is 160 watt.

Downsides: The noise levels are higher than most other coolers and the availability of this cooler is not good.

Final Thoughts

Thermalright True Spirit 120 is cooler ans quieter like its predecessors. It does its job really well.

Corsair H100i RGB PLATINUM

Corsair H100i RGB Platinum looks professional with its sleek black theme with some silver parts. It features RGB and will suit you if you are an RGB enthusiast. It does take a lot of money even if it has this RGB feature. It is not louder than most other CPU coolers of its age. Also, it runs cool and gives better feedback. The installation is easy but may look tricky at first. With lots of cables, it may look like a hassle but everything will be alright after you connect the parts. Then simple cable management will make your life easier.

The problem you may face is that your one can run at high temperatures and loudly only because of the RGB. In the end, the RGB is useless if it occurs and Corsair H100i needs room for improvement. However, it has a beautiful look and also good build quality. It will run quietly at lower RPM.

Key Features: The Corsair H100i RGB PLATINUM is 277 mm long, 120 mm wide, and 27 mm high.The fan is 120 mm long, and 25 mm wide. It has two fans, and its speed is 2400 RPM. Also, it has a PWM connector and has CORSAIR iCUE Compatibility.

Downsides: The H100i RGB PLATINUM is super expensive ofr what it has, and can be pretty loud at full load.

Final Thoughts

This CPU cooler is pretty good at what it needs to do but is expensive. You should skip this if you’re on a budget and want more of the features.

Noctua NH-D15

The Noctua NH-D15 is a strong candidate with a reasonable price and perfect performance. The Noctua has always been docile to its customers. It kept the best features and modified some features according to the customers. It offers excellent cooling performance for the price you are giving. There are many expensive coolers that do not even provide as good performance as The Noctua Nh-D15. It supports 150mm fans as well as 140 mm ones. Its low noise level is another feature that counts as awesome. The looks are not that bad but the performance is what we need during any circumstances.

It has six heat pipes which are soldered with the base and the process increases the efficiency of the cooler. As a budget cooler, Noctua does even greater work than most other high-end coolers.

Key Features: The Noctua NH-D15 is 160 mm long, 150 mm wide, and 135 mm high without the fans. It weighs 1320 g along with the fans. The voltage range is 12 V. The max speed of the fan is 1500 RPM.

Downsides: The brown and beige color scheme may not appealing to everyone.

Final Thoughts

Apart from the looks, the Noctua NH-D15 is awesome for a cooler with a great budget price. It looks decent, runs quiet and cool, and that too with a low price.