Intel's 12th Gen Core i5-12600K processor (CPU) launched in November 2021, and it remains a great mid-range option for any PC users with gaming or productivity in mind. Many people swear by the Core i5 for its excellent price-to-performance ratio, and the fact you can now find it for about $180 puts it well within the range of a budget PC build.
Despite its advancing age, the 12th Gen Core i5-12600K is looking more attractive than ever due to Intel's issues with 13th and 14th Gen chips. A microcode fix is being deployed by Intel via its third-party motherboard vendors, but you might not want to invest in the newer desktop chips until it's confirmed that the issue — which leads to frequent crashes and eventual permanent degradation — has been solved. And thanks to 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen Intel chips all using the same LGA 1700 socket, a future upgrade is easy.
No matter your reasons for choosing the Core i5-12600K, you want to be sure that the chip is paired up with a capable CPU cooler. The chip doesn't come with a cooler, so it's a crucial part you need to buy and install before you attempt to power on the PC. I've included some great air coolers for average users who want something reliable and affordable, and I've also included some AiO water coolers for those who want to overclock their Core i5-12600K.
Best overall
Noctua's NH-D15 is arguably the best air cooler on the market today, with tens of thousands of glowing reviews and a tidy price of about $110. It features a chocolate brown color iconic of Noctua and stands 165mm tall. It'll need plenty of clearance inside your PC case with enough space for RAM, but its dual 140mm PWM fans spinning up to 1500 RPM provide controlled temps without getting too noisy.
Runner-up
A little thinner than its NH-D15 counterpart, the NH-U12S still provides impressive cooling via its single chocolate-colored PWM fan running up to 1500 RPM. It's a solid choice if you're running the Core i5 at stock speeds and have less space inside your case, plus you get the usual noise-dampening benefits typical of Noctua. It'll usually run you about $75.
Budget pick
Thermalright's Peerless Assassin 120 SE only costs about $37, but it has everything needed to keep your Core i5-12600K cool. It features a double stack of 120mm fans (at up to 1,550 RPM) each with six chunky heat pipes through the rads. It's available in a flat black finish or with RGB blades; each unit costs the same.
Mid-range pick
The Dark Rock Pro 5 is the successor to one of our favorite air coolers of all time, and it's a top option if you'd like near-silent operation with strong cooling. It's rather chunky, featuring two fans (one 120mm and the other 135mm) with speed up to 2,000 RPM, seven heat pipes, and a slick black finish. You can regularly pick it up for about $90.
Best AIO
For overclocking in a more compact build, the Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280 is a recommended option. It's an all-in-one (AIO) liquid cooler featuring a slim heatsink to cap the CPU, as well as dual 140mm PWM fans. The radiator measures 38mm thick, and the black finish can fit into practically any build. It usually costs about $130, placing it well within a reasonable price bracket for liquid cooling.
Best upgrade AiO
Corsair's H150i Elite LCD XT is one of our favorite AiO coolers, all thanks to its superb cooling performance, 2,1-inch LCD header display, three 120mm fans, five-year warranty, customizable RGB lighting, and black or white finishes. It's the right choice for those who want to overclock their Core i5-12600K, and it can usually be had for about $250.
Choosing the best CPU cooler for Intel Core i5-12600K
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Intel's Core i5-12600K does not come with a stock air cooler, so no matter what your end goal, you'll need to pick up a third-party option. If you want to push your 12th Gen i5-12600K to its limits, you'll need to control temperatures with a cooler best suited to your PC case. Ensuring the air or liquid AiO cooler can fit your PC case is step one; beyond that, it's all about price and performance.
For most users interested in air cooling, Noctua's NH-D15 will do a great job for about $110. It can handle an overclocked Core i5-12600K, it runs nearly silently, and it has that classic Noctua look that so many of us enjoy. If you're less interested in overclocking and instead just want the Noctua reliability and silent running, the NH-U12S costs less at about $75.
I also included the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE as a budget pick. It usually costs about $37 and it will be more than enough for a Core i5 running at a standard clock or even slightly overclocked. The be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5, at about $90, is another great mid-range option that can handle some overclocking.
If you want a more robust solution, all-in-one (AIO) coolers bring similar benefits to liquid cooling with fewer complex setup steps and less risk. Their compact heatsink pumps are perfect if space is lacking inside your case. Arctic Liquid's Freezer II 280 is a top pick at about $130, and it's the right choice for smaller builds where three fans won't fit.
On the other hand, the Corsair H150i Elite LCD XT we reviewed is a top option for optimal cooling in a larger build. It's available in black and white finishes to better suit your build, and you can usually find it for about $250. Windows Central's Harish Jonnalagadda called it "the ultimate AIO liquid cooler" in his review, and the drop in price since its launch helps raise its appeal.
Should you buy an air cooler or a liquid cooler?
Choosing between liquid and air cooling can be tough. Liquid cooling used to be more common with enthusiasts who didn't mind putting together their own loops, but the rise of AIO liquid coolers has drastically simplified the process. All you need to do now is seat the header on the CPU and install the radiator in your case.
Installing an AIO might be straightforward, but do you need one? That largely depends on how you're using your PC. An AIO can solve clearance issues with your CPU socket and RAM slots, as the header is typically much smaller than an air cooler with fans. An AIO is great for overclocking, and in most cases, it'll only add some aesthetic appeal to your build.
Air coolers are still a relevant choice, and you'll usually pay less for the hardware. Some to-end options will handle overclocking, while others focus more on delivering silent cooling for a stock chip. Keep in mind that an air cooler is more straightforward and typically has less chance for failure, though it might not run as quietly as an AIO.
