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The i7-3770 (and overclockable 3770K) run cool enough that even a mid-range air cooler handles stock speeds easily — the real question is how much headroom you want for overclocking and how much noise/space budget you have. These range from a solid budget air cooler to full liquid cooling.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo | $30–$40 | Amazon · eBay |
| 2 | Cryorig H5 | $25–$35 | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | Noctua NH-D15 | $100–$120 | Amazon · eBay |
| 4 | be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 | $90–$110 | Amazon · eBay |
| 5 | Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R RGB | $140–$180 | Amazon · eBay |
The picks, in detail
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo
The budget benchmark — solid build quality and a direct-contact heat pipe design that’s more than enough for stock or mild overclocks.
- Direct-contact heat pipe design
- 120mm PWM fan
- Wide motherboard compatibility
- Excellent value, a long-running budget benchmark for good reason
- Handles stock speeds and mild overclocks easily
- Huge aftermarket support and compatibility
- Installation on some Intel sockets is fiddlier than newer coolers
- Not enough headroom for aggressive overclocking
Cryorig H5
A better overall deal than the Hyper 212 Evo — costs less while outperforming it, with a slim fan profile that avoids RAM clearance issues.
- Slim-profile 120mm fan
- Avoids RAM clearance issues
- Strong price-to-performance ratio
- Outperforms the more famous Hyper 212 Evo at a similar or lower price
- Slim fan design avoids the RAM overhang problem some coolers have
- Good value pick overall
- Less brand recognition than Cooler Master or Noctua
- Aftermarket support/mounting kits are less abundant than for the 212 Evo
Noctua NH-D15
One of the best air coolers available for the i7-3770K specifically — dual-tower design with six heat pipes and two premium fans for serious cooling headroom.
- Dual-tower, six heat-pipe design
- Two premium-grade 140mm fans
- 6-year manufacturer warranty
- Exceptional cooling performance, rivals many liquid coolers
- Low noise levels despite the cooling capacity
- Outstanding build quality backed by a 6-year warranty
- Large dual-tower size may not fit smaller cases
- Premium price for an air cooler
be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4
Another top-tier dual-tower air cooler with seven heat pipes and a 250W-rated silent fan, a strong Noctua alternative.
- Dual-tower, seven heat-pipe design
- 250W-rated silent fan
- Whisper-quiet operation
- Genuinely whisper-quiet even under load
- High cooling capacity comparable to the Noctua NH-D15
- Distinctive all-black aesthetic if you don’t want Noctua’s brown/tan colorway
- Similarly large size to the NH-D15 — check case clearance
- Premium pricing similar to Noctua
Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R RGB
A liquid AIO option for the most aggressive overclocks or the quietest possible operation at max load, at a real price premium.
- 360mm radiator, triple-fan design
- AIO liquid cooling
- Addressable RGB lighting
- Top-tier cooling performance for aggressive overclocking headroom
- Large 360mm radiator handles heat with fan speeds kept low and quiet
- RGB lighting for builds that want the aesthetic
- Most expensive option on this list by a wide margin
- Requires a case with 360mm radiator clearance, and carries the (small but real) long-term pump-failure risk of any AIO
Buying tips
- For stock clock speeds, the Hyper 212 Evo or Cryorig H5 is genuinely all you need — the i7-3770 doesn’t run hot enough to justify a premium cooler unless you’re overclocking.
- If you have a 3770K and plan to overclock meaningfully, step up to the Noctua NH-D15 or Dark Rock Pro 4 — both give real thermal headroom over the budget options.
- Measure your case’s CPU cooler height clearance before buying a large dual-tower air cooler like the NH-D15 — these are tall coolers that don’t fit every case.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.