Is your current gaming rig on its knees? Trying to figure out which CPU cooler is best for your new AMD Ryzen 9 3900X? We got your back!
Nothing grinds productivity to a halt faster than heat-related stress. So, you need to reduce the load on your hardworking CPU with a suitable cooler.
So, keep reading this guide to find out the top 5 best CPU coolers for the Ryzen 9 3900X AM4 socket.
5 Best CPU Coolers for Ryzen 9 3900X
- NH-L9A-AM4 – Overall Best CPU Cooler for Ryzen 9 3900X
- Noctua NH-U12A – Best Compact CPU Cooler
- Corsair iCUE H100i RGB Pro XT – Best Liquid Cooler with RGB
- NZXT Kraken Z63 – Best Cooler with Attractive LCD
- Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 – Best Super Quiet CPU Cooler
1. NH-L9A-AM4 – Overall Best CPU Cooler for Ryzen 9 3900X
NH-L9A-AM4
Do you want a simple, low-profile CPU cooler that is also small and lightweight? If so, then Noctua’s NH-L9a could be the one for you. This slim CPU cooler has been specifically designed to be compatible with AMD.
Pros: Cons:
Noctua’s NH-L9a is an incredibly tiny low-profile CPU cooler measuring only 37mm tall, 114mm wide, and 92mm long.
Freeing up the space above your motherboard for better airflow, it’s ideal for those with tight chassis who want to keep their PCs looking clean and elegant.
Its dimensions allow it to fit in any of the smallest cases available, whether intended for SFF or HTPC use.
The cooler’s heat pipe design is used the same way as a radiator and helps increase airflow to keep your CPU cool. It uses only two copper-made heat pipes with a diameter of 6mm each.
The NF-A9x14 HS-PWM is Noctua’s premium fan and a powerhouse. With its SSO2 bearing, stepped inlet design, and flow acceleration channels on the blade, this fan offers better airflow regulation than other fans in the market.
It has an airflow of 33.8 CFM, produces 2.11 MM/H2O of pressure, and uses the PWM connection to run at the speed set in the motherboard. Overall, this is an excellent fan for people with a tight budget.
2. Noctua NH-U12A Chromax.Black – Best Compact CPU Cooler
Noctua NH-U12A Chromax.Black
The Noctua NH-U12A is a premium air cooler designed for high-end CPUs. The sleek, all-black design provides an elegant appearance that doesn’t obstruct the refined color scheme of today’s high-end builds.
Pros: Cons:
Next to offering exceptional cooling performance, it also comes with mounting brackets for AM4, AMD, AM5, and a wide range of Intel sockets, making it suitable for many users.
You can get a Y-splitter PWM fan cable, which allows flexibility in placing your fan on Ryzen 9 3900X. Besides, you will also get an adapter to lower the RPM of your fan by 50%, but this is unnecessary if you decide to install a quieter case instead.
Noctua NH-U12A Chromax.Black is a CPU cooling solution with a standard height of 158 mm and a width of 125 millimeters. It has a depth of 58 mm and 150W TDP, which is not much more than the standard variant of this model (something that users who use RAM sticks with tall heatsinks will appreciate).
The Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM is the market’s best fan cooler, retaining cooling power in 120 millimeters. It performs well while reducing noise.
The NF-A12x25 PWM fans are nearly inaudible even at 100%, as rated at only 18.8 decibels with the low noise adapter or 22.6 decibels without it.
What’s great is it comes with a 6-year warranty, so you can rest assured that if something goes wrong, you will get your money back.
3. Corsair iCUE H100i RGB Pro XT – Best Liquid Cooler with RGB
Corsair iCUE H100i RGB Pro XT
The Corsair iCUE H100i is a complete liquid cooling solution that consists of a pump head, two Corsair ML fans, 16 RGB LEDs, and a 240mm radiator. Equipped with a high-performance pump and cold plate, this immensely efficient AIO CPU cooler from Corsair provides outstanding cooling performance without making too much noise.
Pros: Cons:
The Corsair iCUE H100i is a superb cooling system that keeps the 3900x and 3950x processors cool. Its ML (Magnetic Levitation) fans improve airflow and ensure maximum cooling.
Take it up a notch – using the Zero RPM mode, your fans will stop spinning when they are not required. And this means less noise and less power consumption, giving you absolute peace during work or sleep.
The iCUE software gives you complete control over the RGB lighting features and lets you change between different modes to match your setup.
From speed control to RGB synchronization, you’re entirely in control of your cooler, whether it be Ryzen 9 3900x or 3950x. Just plug in Corsair H100i and play!
4. NZXT Kraken Z63 – Best Cooler with Attractive LCD
NZXT Kraken Z63
If you are looking for an ultimate cooling solution for the Ryzen 9 3900X and 3950X, look no further than the NZXT Kraken Z63. It offers brilliant cooling performance, minimum noise, and enough power to handle your high-end CPU configuration. While this will cost you a hefty sum, there’s little doubt it will be worth every penny spent.
Pros: Cons:
Get the most out of your high-end CPU with this 2.36” LCD screen to display 24-bit color.
State-of-the-art features include two 140mm long fans. Not only that, it has a pump head with a 2.36” LCD screen to show fan speeds and temperature. What’s great is you can even customize it with your name, logo, or image.
The Kraken Z63’s Aer P140 PWM fans are designed for maximum cooling efficiency, making them ideal for liquid-cooled PCs. The FDB engines, chamfered intakes, and anti-vibration mounts help to reduce noise while maximizing airflow.
There is no doubt that this cooling pad is on the higher end pricing-wise. However, what you get is a high-end cooling pad with top-of-the-line performance and a 6-year warranty.
So, given this product’s high quality, we highly recommend it.
5. Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 – Best Super Quiet CPU Cooler
Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4
Be Quiet! is one of the most trusted brands in the CPU cooling industry, not just for their high-quality and reliable products but also for their outstanding performance. Their Dark Rock Pro 4 is an excellent example of what we are talking about. This beast offers impressive cooling power for any overclocking enthusiast or high-end PC user.
Pros: Cons:
It consists of two aluminum heat sinks with 140mm pre-installed fans and 6mm copper heat pipes. It has enough room for another optional fan installation.
The Dark Rock Pro 4 dissipates heat with a rating of 250W TDP, making it an ideal option for handling the most demanding CPUs.
The Silent Wings 3 PWM fans are designed with a black frame and black, non-marking rubber pads to ensure silence and performance. The advanced technological changes make them efficient at moving air and pretty inaudible at 23.6dB(A), even at full speed.
Moreover, the Dark Rock Pro 4 outshines other CPU coolers in functionality and sleek design. Its mounting kit complements its dark black finish beautifully.
The Dark Rock Pro 4 is one of the most efficient coolers with a 3-year warranty. It provides a relaxed gaming experience, thanks to its ultra-quiet operation and excellent cooling performance. You do not have to worry about annoying noise from the fan or CPU again!
Buyer’s Guide – What Factors to Consider While Buying CPU Coolers?
Cooling your PC is essential to ensuring your machine lasts as long as possible. If you don’t take care, heat can cause damage to the internal components of your computer and lead to expensive repairs or even more costly replacements.
That is why it’s crucial to invest in a good CPU cooler that can effectively remove heat from the processor and keep your system running smoothly.
So, you should look for the following factors while choosing the best CPU cooler.
Thermal Dissipation
Thermal dissipation is the amount of heat that can be removed from the processor.
A CPU cooler’s TDP (Thermal Design Power) rating indicates how much heat it can dissipate in watts. If your CPU is running at full speed all the time because your cooler can’t keep it cool enough, your CPU may throttle down to prevent injury or damage.
For instance, the Ryzen 9 3900X features a TDP of 105 watts.
You will see performance issues if you’re using a CPU with a higher TDP rating than the cooler you’re using. Your CPU will throttle down to allow itself to cool. It will never be able to reach full boost speeds, which can lead to lower performance across all applications.
So, the higher the rating of the CPU cooler, the better.
Size
Before buying a CPU cooler, look at the size of your case and motherboard, the size of the cooler, and how it will fit.
Also, check if any obstructions may prevent a good fit. Finally, check if you have enough room for all your other components, such as memory modules with tall heat spreaders or graphics cards larger than popular mid-towers.
While dual fan coolers will take enough room, liquid coolers will have the fans positioned at the case’s top or bottom.
Noise
One of the most important factors to consider while buying a CPU cooler is its noise level. The cooler’s noise level depends on several factors, such as the number of fans, shape and size, fan speed, and how well they are designed to reduce noise.
We measure noise level in decibels (dB). The higher the number, the louder it sounds.
If you want to keep your PC as quiet as possible while gaming or working on projects, choose a CPU cooler with low noise levels. Ideally, look for a CPU cooler with a noise level of 25 to 30 dB or lower.
Mounting Brackets
Mounting brackets are part of the CPU cooler that is responsible for mounting it to your motherboard. It is important to note that all mounting brackets are incompatible with all motherboards.
So if you want a new CPU cooler, make sure it supports your motherboard before you purchase it.
Price
You should go for a CPU cooler with features within your budget. The price may vary depending on the brand and features of the CPU cooler.
However, you should not compromise the quality of the CPU cooler just because it is cheaper than others.
Lighting
If you’re building a gaming PC and want to show it off, you might opt for a liquid cooling system with LED lighting or LCD screens.
Similarly, if you don’t like the lights when they get annoying, you may want to avoid them. Most CPU coolers can turn off the LEDs if that’s your desire. So, check for this feature before you finalize your purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of CPU cooler is best for a gaming PC?
A liquid cooling system will be the most efficient for playing games in high settings. It will keep your processor at the right temperature and help it run faster.
However, other options will suit your needs if you don’t want to avoid spending money on a liquid cooling system. An air cooler is much cheaper than a liquid cooler but will be less effective at keeping your CPU cool.
However, they are easier to install than liquid coolers because there’s no need for tubing or pumps—just stick them on top of your processor and plug them in!
Does the Ryzen 9 3900X have a stock cooler?
The Ryzen 9 3900X has a stock cooler. It’s a Wraith Prism LED Cooler, the same style of cooler that comes with the Ryzen 7 3700X.
Wrap Up!
This guide has explained five of the best CPU coolers for Ryzen 9 3900X with pros and cons. All these coolers have garnered positive user reviews due to their functionality and cooling performance. So, choose one of these CPU coolers and prepare for a hot gaming session!
