Hi all! I'm in search of a reliable air cooler for my i9-12900K CPU. My previous AIO, the Antec Vortex 360, broke down after just a year, so I'm hesitant to try another liquid cooler. I mainly use my PC for gaming. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
1 Answer
You should definitely check out the Thermalright Phantom Spirit. It's really comparable to my Noctua NH-D15 from the first generation, and it works fantastic with the 12900K. Also, consider getting the Thermalright Contact Frame V2 if you don't have one yet; it's crucial because the V1 is not as effective. The stock ILM on motherboards can put too much pressure on the CPU over time, which can hurt your thermals. After installing the contact frame, my temps improved significantly! For thermal paste, I'd recommend the Arctic MX-7 for a slight temperature advantage over the previous MX-6. Good luck!

Thanks a ton! I'm definitely leaning towards that cooler now. You're a lifesaver!