Introduction
Intel’s Core i5 13500 is a lesser known CPU amongst the 13th-Gen line-up. Many consumers tend to gravitate towards the 13400, or 13600 options either side due to pricing, or better performance. So what makes the Core i5 13500 a solid option for consumers building a gaming PC, or even a workstation-based system?
Well, this CPU offers a solid set of cores, 14 in total, with 20 threads if we include hyper threading. In terms of clock speed, the 13500 can boost all the way up to 4.8GHz making it perfect for mid-range gaming at both 1080p and 1440p. The 13500 also comes in at a relatively low wattage too, maxing out at 154W when under intensive workloads, so this means you won’t have to spend a fortune on your power supply.
All in all, the 13500 has a decent set of specs, and pricing sits around the $250 mark, making it a pretty competitive offering too. But with any CPU, you’re immediately wondering what kind of heat it can output.
Is this CPU likely to reach the insane temperatures that we saw with Ryzen 7000 SKUs? Or is the Core i5 13500 a little bit cooler, opening up options when it comes to cooling. Either way, we’ll be answering both of these questions, and more with a roundup of the best CPU coolers to buy for the Core i5 13500!
Suggested Article: Best CPU Coolers for the Intel Core i5 13400F
Our Recommendations
1. Thermalright Peerless Assassin
👑 The best budget air cooler.
Introduction
First up in our roundup is the Peerless Assassin from Thermalright. This cooler is a rather recent entrant in the PC building space, offering excellent performance at a very strong price point. This air cooler is not only one of the cheapest options on the market right now, but it is also one of the best performing options geared towards budget and mid-range builds.
In terms of pricing, consumers can pick up the Peerless Assassin for around $50. This is subject to stocking, but $50 is an exceptional asking price considering the performance. Speaking of which, this cooler can hold it’s own against popular AIO options such as the Lian Li Galahad 240, or EK’s AIO 240 too. There are few options on the market that you can pick up right now that offers such solid performance versus the price.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | Thermalright Peerless Assassin |
|---|---|
| Max Fan Speed | 1550RPM |
| Connector Type | 4-Pin PWM |
| RGB | No |
| Heat Pipes | 6 |
| Socket Compatibility | Intel – LGA 1700, 1200, 115# / AMD – AM5, AM4 |
Things We Like
Brilliant all-round performance: As we’ve alluded to above, the Peerless Assassin is an excellent cooler for a budget or mid-range build. Performance is so strong that I’d argue there’s plenty of room to upgrade to a higher performing CPU in the future too.
Offers vast compatibility: Although we’re focusing on Intel mounting today, it is worth noting that the Peerless Assassin offers a vast set of compatibility for other mounting hardware including older Intel sockets, and AMD‘s most recent AM5 and AM4 sockets too.
Things We Don’t Like
Doesn’t offer much for aesthetic: If you’re the kind of consumers that likes flashy lighting and customisable RGB, this cooler won’t be a great option. Although it offers a relatively minimalist aesthetic, there isn’t much in the way of RGB.
Pricing can be somewhat volatile: Due to the strong performance and value of this cooler, pricing tends to be quite volatile. You may have to wait around for a bit to pick up this cooler if you’re wanting to secure it for MSRP.
Summary
Thermalright‘s Peerless Assassin is a refreshing and powerful cooler offering excellent performance across the board. This air cooler gives a multitude of 240mm AIOs a run for their money, showing how capable this option really is. Although it doesn’t offer the best aesthetic, I’d argue the exceptional price point will be the deciding factor for the majority of consumers.
Features: 3.8/5
Design: 3.7/5
Performance: 4.3/5
Value for Money: 4.2/5
Pros
- Great performance geared towards budget and mid-range systems.
- Exceptional price point.
- Versatile set of mounting hardware.
Cons
- Aesthetic isn’t great.
- Pricing can be very volatile.
Where to Buy
Buy the Thermalright Peerless Assassin on:
2. Deepcool AK400 White
👑 The best white cooler.
Introduction
Next up is an excellent option from Deepcool – the AK400. We’ve used this cooler in a number of budget builds in the past, because it serves as a great entry point for those looking to build a cheaper PC. We’ve picked this particular option, because it is also one of the best looking options for those prioritising aesthetic. The all-white design will blend in very well with other white components.
The AK400 is the cheaper and slightly smaller sibling of the AK500 and AK620, providing strong airflow and heat dissipation, but with a slimmer heatsink stack. This does mean that performance will be a little bit weaker compared to some of Deepcool’s other options, but the excellent price point and aesthetic makes it worth a consideration.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | Deepcool AK400 White |
|---|---|
| Max Fan Speed | 1850RPM |
| Connector Type | 4-Pin PWM |
| RGB | No |
| Heat Pipes | 4 |
| Socket Compatibility | Intel – LGA 1700, 1200, 115# / AMD – AM5, AM4 |
Things We Like
Awesome white aesthetic: White air coolers are a bit of a rarity due to demand, but Deepcool have provided this white variant of their AK400 which looks excellent in a full white build.
Solid price point: The AK400 is somewhat pricier than the Peerless Assassin, but still sits at a reasonable level when compared to the rest of the market. Consumers can secure this cooler for around $30-$50 dependent on stocking.
Things We Don’t Like
Not ideal for more powerful CPUs: Although the AK400 is pretty solid for budget systems, it will struggle as we start to climb up the 13th-Gen SKUs. We would recommend sticking to the mid-range and budget options, at the most.
Only has 1 fan: This cooler can disperse heat very effectively, but you’ll want to make sure you have a couple more fans in your case to ensure that airflow and pressure are maintained.
Summary
Deepcool‘s AK400 is an excellent white cooler that offers strong performance geared towards budget and mid-range systems. This air cooler is ideal for those with a more restrictive budget, serving as a great entry point for consumers looking to build their first PC.
Features: 4/5
Design: 4.4/5
Performance: 3.8/5
Value for Money: 3.9/5
Pros
- Good price point.
- Excellent white aesthetic.
- Size won’t cause clearance issues.
Cons
- Can only handle mid-range systems at the maximum.
- No RGB lighting.
Where to Buy
Buy the Deepcool AK400 on:
3. Noctua NH-U12S Redux
👑 The best silent air cooler.
Introduction
The next cooler recommendation is Noctua‘s NH-U12S, one of the best silent options on the market. This cooler offers similar performance to Noctua’s NH-D15 with one less heatsink, and fan. But despite this, the U12S can still give many liquid coolers a run for their money at the mid-range side of the market. We’ve also opted for the Redux edition which provides a better aesthetic, contrasting to the original beige design.
Pricing wise the U12S sits around $50, which is pretty reasonable considering the performance metrics. The U12S is also one of the best options when it comes to noise levels. This cooler is near-silent in operation even under higher load levels, making it ideal for consumers that prefer a quieter system. You won’t need to worry about annoying buzzing or whirring sounds with this cooler.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | Deepcool AK400 White |
|---|---|
| Max Fan Speed | 1700RPM |
| Connector Type | 4-Pin PWM |
| RGB | No |
| Heat Pipes | 5 |
| Socket Compatibility | Intel – LGA 1700, 1200, 115# / AMD – AM5, AM4 |
Things We Like
Extremely quiet: Noctua’s NH-U12S is perfect for consumers looking to keep noise levels at an all time low. Even at max RPM the fan can only reach 25.1 decibels, which won’t be noticeable at all with a headset on.
Consistently updated mounting: Noctua are well known for updating their mounting hardware once new sockets are released. If the past is anything to go by, consumers will be able to upgrade to new Intel and AMD CPUs when we see new sockets.
Things We Don’t Like
Can’t handle high wattage CPUs: The U12S offers great performance for mid-range and budget CPUs, but higher wattage options are a bit too much for this cooler to handle, so consumers will need to look at alternative options.
Weaker aesthetic: Unfortunately, Noctua isn’t particularly well known for creating awesome looking coolers, and although the Redux NH-U12S is better looking compared to their beige coolers, the overall aesthetic is a bit weak.
Summary
Noctua’s NH-U12S is an awesome silent cooler designed to keep noise levels at a minimum, whilst offering solid heat dispersion and thermal efficiency. The U12S can’t quite handle high wattage coolers, but much like the rest of the air options that we’ve looked at, this Noctua design is a great entry-level cooler for a mid-range or budget build.
Features: 4/5
Design: 3.7/5
Performance: 4/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Pros
- Near-silent performance.
- Solid performance for mid-range and budget builds.
- Is likely to be updated to later socket iterations.
Cons
- Can’t handle high wattages.
- Pretty weak on the design front.
Where to Buy
Buy the Noctua NH-U12S Redux on:
4. Gigabyte AORUS WATERFORCE X240
👑 The best top-end cooler.
Introduction
Gigabyte‘s AORUS WATERFORCE X240 is a bit of an underdog in the CPU cooling space. Much like the Peerless Assassin you’re probably thinking ‘I didn’t know Gigabyte made CPU coolers’. Well they do, and although this is a pricier option compared to the rest of this roundup, this cooler is excellent if you’re looking to keep thermals low, with the intention of upgrading later down the line.
The biggest standout feature of this cooler is the LCD display, which monitors temperatures allowing you to have a quick glance to see how your system is performing. I’m a big fan of the LCD, which can also be customised an configured with an array of different settings, allowing you to monitor system info, play a custom GIF, or even some plain old RGB. This cooler is definitely a winner for the enthusiast type of consumer!
Key Specs
| Key Specs | Gigabyte AORUS WATERFORCE X240 |
|---|---|
| Pump Speed | Not Listed |
| Max Fan Speed | 2500RPM |
| Connector Type | 4-Pin PWM |
| RGB | Yes |
| Socket Compatibility | Intel – LGA 1700, 1200, 1151, 1150, 1155, 2011, 2066 / AMD – AM5, AM4 |
Things We Like
Awesome LCD display: As we’ve alluded to above, the WATERFORCE X240 comes with a fully customisable LCD display that can be used to monitor system temps, play great memes, or just RGB. Definitely a great option for those that like to play around and customise components.
Plenty of room to upgrade: The AORUS WATERFORCE is a top-end cooler designed to handle high intensity workloads. Although this AIO will be perfect for the Core i5 13500, if you plan on upgrading to a more powerful CPU, you likely won’t need to upgrade.
Things We Don’t Like
Very expensive: LCD displays and other fancy features to drive a significant premium, hence why this cooler is so expensive. Consumers should expect to pay more than $150 to secure this option.
Tubes aren’t very pliable: One of the biggest downsides of this cooler is that in my experience, the radiator tubing was quite stiff. It was difficult to manipulate and move the pump or radiator around once one of them was mounted.
Summary
Gigabyte‘s AORUS WATERFORCE X240 is a rather expensive, but impressive cooler. The LCD display is an awesome feature to showcase whether you’ve decided to display a GIF or system stats. Performance makes this cooler ideal for a top-end system which means there’s upgrade options later down the line. Although this cooler is pricey, I’d argue it is definitely worth the money if you have upgradeability in mind.
Features: 4.5/5
Design: 4.5/5
Performance: 4.5/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Pros
- LCD display looks excellent.
- Top-end performance provides upgradeability for more powerful CPUs.
- Very quiet.
Cons
- Very very expensive.
- Tubing is quite stiff.
Where to Buy
Buy the Gigabyte AORUS WATERFORCE X240 on:
5. Cooler Master MasterLiquid PL240 Flux
👑 The best RGB liquid cooler.
Introduction
For our final recommendation, we’ve picked out Cooler Master‘s PL240 Flux. This is an AIO that we’ve recommended time and time again, because it is perfect for a mid-range system that needs a little bit extra thermal performance. This cooler also offers an excellent set of lighting which can be fully customised in Cooler Master’s MasterPlus+ software.
This AIO offers a dual chamber pump, designed to increase flow, therefore increasing performance and heat dispersion. The high speed motor also increases flow, delivering water to and from the radiator much quicker, resulting in higher efficiency. In terms of RGB, the PL240 Flux uses Cooler Master‘s renowned Flux series fans that display vibrant RGB light, alongside the ARGB pump. All of this can also be controlled with the included ARGB hub too.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | Cooler Master MasterLiquid PL240 Flux |
|---|---|
| Pump Speed | Not Listed |
| Max Fan Speed | 2300RPM |
| Connector Type | 4-Pin PWM |
| RGB | Yes |
| Socket Compatibility | Intel – LGA 1700, 1200, 1151, 1150, 1155, 2011, 2066 / AMD – AM5, AM4 |
Things We Like
Awesome RGB lighting: Both the fans and pump of the PL240 Flux offer RGB lighting that looks excellent. Consumers can customise colours and styles to their heart’s content using the MasterPlus software on Cooler Master’s website.
Included RGB hub: The PL240 Flux comes with an addressable RGB hub that can handle a multitude of fans. This allows you to easily install a multitude of RGB components and sync them all up with few hindrances.
Things We Don’t Like
Pricier than air coolers: Although this isn’t the most expensive cooler that we’ve looked at, it is for all intensive purposes pricier than the vast majority of air cooling options, so if you’re on a budget, this won’t be a great choice.
Louder than other coolers: Noise levels on the PL240 Flux aren’t obscene, but if you prefer a silent system, you may want to look at other options, because the noise does ramp up with this AIO.
Summary
Cooler Master’s PL240 Flux is a liquid cooler that we’ve recommended time and time again, because it is awesome. Consumers get access to vibrant RGB, solid performance geared towards mid-range systems, all for a relatively reasonable price. This cooler is pretty difficult to argue with all in all.
Features: 4/5
Design: 4/5
Performance: 4/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Pros
- Excellent RGB lighting.
- Included ARGB hub.
- Perfect for mid-range systems.
Cons
- Louder than some similar coolers.
- Quite pricey.
Where to Buy
Buy the Cooler Master MasterLiquid PL240 Flux on:
Is Intel’s Core i5 13500 Any Good?
As we’ve alluded to in the introduction, the Core i5 13500 is a bit of an underdog in the PC gaming space. This processor offers slightly improved specs above the Core i5 13400F, with an increase to 14 cores instead of 10, which ramps up the thread count to 20, contrasting against 16. The boost clock also sees a nice improvement, with the Core i5 13500 sitting just slightly below the 5GHz mark with a speed of 4.8GHz maxed out.
We were pretty impressed with the specs as they look excellent on paper, so the big question that follows is – what is performance like? For starters, the 13500 can easily handle 1080p and 1440p gaming, with some legs in 4K too when paired up with the right graphics card. This CPU should be able to handle some productivity workloads too with the higher core count.
The biggest advantage considering all of this, is the excellent price point. The Core i5 13500 comes in at around $250 which is a fair bit below the 13600K, and much more competitive contrasting to the current generation of Ryzen CPUs. Although this CPU won’t be able to handle the most intensive workloads, much like the 13400F it serves as a great entry point for consumers looking to build a modern gaming system with some capability in productivity applications.
Intel Cooler Compatibility
As a general rule, Intel keeps their platforms alive for around two generations or so. This offers some benefits and disadvantages. To start off with a positive, if you’re worrying about whether coolers will be compatible with your shiny new Z790 or B760 motherboard, you don’t need to stress! Intel’s 13th-Gen range of motherboards have retained the exact same CPU socket (LGA1700) that we saw with 12th-Gen. This effectively means that any CPU cooler that worked on a 12th-Gen board will work on a 13th-Gen motherboard, so upgrading is very simple.
Moving onto the disadvantages, the biggest caveat is that 13th-Gen CPUs are likely to be discontinued at the end of this year. The LGA 1700 socket is at the end of its life cycle, so Intel will move over to an entirely different socket once we see a 14th-Gen series of processors. Generally, most modern CPU coolers will get an upgrade to work with the new socket, but you might need to wait. It is worth taking this with a pinch of salt, as not all coolers will see an upgrade to the mounting hardware. We would always urge checking that your CPU socket is supported with the cooler that you’ve chosen, as this can change.
Why You Can Trust Us
After taking a look at our recommendations for the best CPU cooler to pair up with the Core i5 13500, you’re probably wondering what makes us qualified to recommend these components. Our team of PC hardware experts are always hard at work to ensure that every product we have in the GeekaWhat office is thoroughly tested for gaming and productivity usage. For those curious about our editorial team, head over to the About Us section!
How We Tested CPU Coolers for the Intel Core i5 13500
In order to test and evaluate the range of CPU coolers we’ve recommended above, there are a number of factors that we take into account, these are:
- Cooling Performance
- Compatibility
- Aesthetic
- Value for Money
Conclusion
Best CPU Cooler for the Intel Core i5 13500: Thermalright Peerless Assassin
Thermalright‘s Peerless Assassin is one of the best CPU air coolers on the market, coming in at an exceptional price, whilst offering amazing performance geared towards budget and mid-range systems. This cooler is pretty quiet, and if you’re not a huge fan of the performance, you can always pick up another option, as this air cooler is extremely cheap.
Read our full Intel CPU Coverage, or Buy the Thermalright Peerless Assassin on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Worry About Clearance Issues?
Whenever you’re choosing components, you should always consider clearance. Liquid coolers tend to pose more of a problem than air coolers as you’re having to install a radiator. We always recommend checking case clearance when picking out a cooler for your system.
Are CPU Coolers Hard to Install?
Honestly it depends. The majority of manufacturers have streamlined hardware to make things easier, but it entirely depends on the cooler, and the available hardware.
Is the Core i5 13500 Overclockable?
In short, no. All of Intel’s overclocking capable CPUs have a ‘K’ suffix attached to the end of the name, which shows you that the core multiplier is unlocked.
Will My Old Mounting Hardware Work with My New Cooler?
It depends on the mounting hardware. If you’re changing from one manufacturer and moving to another, this won’t work, because mounting hardware will be totally different. As a general rule, we wouldn’t recommend using old hardware, just use the new hardware that comes with your cooler.
