Best CPU Cooler for Ryzen 9 5900x Reviewed & Rated (2024)

You would want to squeeze every last bit of performance out of a high-end CPU. The Ryzen 9 5900x falls under this category. But while pushing your rig further, overheating can be a big issue.

No worries, mate! I’m here for you. After hours of researching, I came up with the following set of CPU coolers.

Or, stay with me right through this post to get the best one for your build.

Best Ryzen 5900x Cooler Reviewed

Gaming at stock speeds won’t do any harm to your build. But with a CPU like Ryzen 9 5900x, you ain’t gonna game like that for sure.

I know that you will tweak your system for getting the max output. And while doing so, lowering the temps should be your top priority.

But on the question of liquid vs air cooling, which one is better? Which direction should you go for? Well, to be honest, it’s not that easy to answer this question. To ease your hassle, I’ve picked the best coolers for the Ryzen 9 5900X.

Here are the best CPU cooler for Ryzen 9 5900x:

1. NZXT Kraken Z63

As it happens, CPU liquid cooling comes ahead against air coolers where money is not a limiting factor. So our first pick for the Ryzen 9 5900X is an AIO.

Good looks with impressive performance; this is what the NZXT Kraken Z63 stands for.

All of the cooling solutions in the Kraken series are top-end. The Kraken Z63 is no different, and it promises to deliver a top-notch solution for your AMD build. On top of that, this cooler finds its way to become one of the best NZXT AIO coolers.

This model from NZXT has some excellent specs:

• 280 mm radiator
• 2.36 inch LCD
• Fluid Dynamic Bearings

Believe me, I got amazed with the elegance in the design. But what’s more important than the design is its performance.

This cooling solution from NZXT won’t give you any chance to complain. Be it design or performance, it would never let you down.

It’s an all-in-one package for any top-end gaming rig. The cooler sports a 280 mm radiator, giving your build enough headroom. So, worry not about accommodation.

It’s a great cooler for your CPU. However, if something appears wrong, such as the pump, this guide shows how to tell if the CPU pump is running.

I loved the implementation of 2x fans. They bear fluid dynamic bearings and do a splendid job of controlling static pressure. But when it comes to the question of static pressure vs airflow fans, NZXT’s selection is correct, as for radiators, static pressure fans do a much better job dissipating heat.

That said, I didn’t like the absence of RGB in the fans. I expected much from NZXT, at least in this particular model.

Though, don’t be sad about non-RGB fans.

Because, If not on the fans, there are RGB elements on the pump face. So, as an RGB freak, you won’t find this cooler disappointing.

Now, let me tell you something that made me rate this Cooler as the best one.

I found a 2.36-inch LCD as the best thing about this Ryzen 9 5900x CPU cooler. At the time of testing, my expectations from this LCD were on the lower side.

But guess what!

It proved me wrong. It is highly customizable, and most importantly, it adds a unique aesthetic value. Therefore it is one of the best coolers with a screen.

The CAM software is there for customizing. NZXT finally paid heed to all the complaints about its software. I found it way less buggy and more responsive.

Pretty sure you will find it too.

Overall, as a top-end CPU cooler, it’s a bit costly. Then again, the top-notch liquid cooling performance makes it even-stevens. If budget isn’t an issue, I would highly recommend you buy this cooler.

2. Noctua NH-D15 Chromax Black

If you want an air-cooling solution, Noctua’s model can be the perfect choice for your build.

The Noctua NH-15 Chromax Black comes with some superb specs:

• Dual-fan design
• NT-H1 thermal compound
• 6-years warranty

All-black schemes look quite natty. When I had the first glance at this air cooler, I found its all-black coating kickass.

One lingering question is whether such coating will affect overall thermal performance.

Well, to tell you the truth, there isn’t any such thing. When I tested this, this cooler delivered the same cooling performance as its original iteration.

If you want RGB fans in your Ryzen 9 5900x cooler, then I am sorry. This cooler doesn’t come with RGB implementation in its dual NF- A15 fans.

However, you will have some anti-vibration pads of different colors. I know that it won’t have the same flair as that of RGB lights. Still, it’s better than almost nothing.

You will have a lot of ease with the installation process. It’s easy-going, thanks mainly to the dual-tower design. Also, you will love its almost silent operations. At full load, it’s whisper-quiet.

Overall, for cooling the Ryzen 9 5900X, the Noctua NH-D15 Chromax Black is an excellent choice. and it’s on par with most liquid cooling options.

Both of the first two coolers on our list are great. For more insight, you can check the comparison between NZXT Kraken Z63 and Noctua NH-D15 to find the best one for your computer.

3. EK 120mm AIO D-RGB

EKWB, as a brand, is suitable for liquid cooling solutions. Most gaming enthusiasts prefer their EK-AIO series.

This EK-AIO D-RGB is of the best from their AIO line of coolers. I believe it can be the perfect liquid cooling solution for your Ryzen build.

This model comes up with the following features:

• Pump Speed:450-2000 RPM
• Fan Speed: 550-2000 RPM
• Warranty of 5 years

This water cooler sports an aluminum 120 mm radiator. It is the reason behind the heaviness that you will feel while installing.

I found the fittings to be top-notch. The way they set up the whole cooler has an elegant touch. The build quality is awesome. It will give you a top-end feel.

The pump this cooler sports has a semi-transparent white accent. It is something you won’t find on most coolers.

There are LED lights, which are covered with black aluminum brackets. When these LEDs light up, let me tell you something, mate.

The combination of white accents with the lights offers you a whole new level of soothing experience. I can bet that you won’t find anything like this on any cooler present in the market.

However, if the aesthetic RGB fan doesn’t work, check out the easiest way to fix CPU cooler not lighting up.

About the fans: They are chunky and can hit decent speeds.

At the time of testing, I found that there was less scope for air escape. That is because the fans are sealed at the back.

I didn’t like the loudness they produce at max speeds. If you don’t prefer any noise, then better you drop the speeds. The noise is much tolerable then.

Besides, this Ryzen 9 5900x CPU cooler won’t give you any clearance issues. Obviously, that’s a great job done on its design.

Even if you rotate the pump, your memory and also the GPU won’t have any issues. The nature of RGB implementation is debatable. I loved it, but a few of my friends didn’t. Moreover, it has enough room for improvement to be on the best 120mm AIO cooler list.

Ending up: I would say it’s a pretty good option to consider. 5-years warranty and also an easy-going installation is something you should look into.

4. Deepcool Castle 240EX

Pretty yet pricey.

It sums up the white version of the Deepcool Castle 240EX.

This model from Deepcool attributes the following specs:

• Anti-leak tech
• Fan Speed: 500-1800 RPM
• Warranty of 3 years

It is a cooling solution with a handsome design. If you are looking to build a white-themed Ryzen build, I must say that this cooler would be a pretty good option.

The pump has a mirror-depth top. What makes the top attraction is the ARGB backlighting with pulsing effects. You can control this lighting thanks to the 5V motherboard sync option.

The best about this cooler is the anti-leak technology. The cooler features an EPDM pressure release bag in which you will find one of the sides is exposed. The other side is surrounded by coolant that is inside the radiator.

You will also be able to customize the logo used in the pump. What you have to do is just twist off the pump face. You will have the flexibility of adjusting in 4 directions.

In case, If you want to change the logo, there is an extra chip to allow you to do so.

As for the performance, I found the pump had low noise but didn’t like the loud fans. Also, having so many features makes this cooler pricey for budget buyers.

So, before you choose this white-themed cooler, just have a sneak-peak at your wallet.

5. Deepcool Captain 360X

Another one for your white-themed Ryzen build. Again, it’s from the brand Deepcool but a different model.  The Deepcool Captain 360X has the following features:

• Fan speed: 600-2000 RPM
• Anti-leak tech
• Fan noise: 17.6-39.3 dBA

It’s damn good-looking. The finishing given all over is top-grade. The whitish accent all-over will complement your white-themed Ryzen 9 5900x build.

I say that Deepcool nailed it absolutely with this design.

On top of that:

The build quality is also top-tier. I love the ease of the installation process. You won’t face many difficulties, even if you are a noob.

The 3x fans do a great job in air circulation. What adds more value to them is that you can remove their blades.

Also, the presence of fluid dynamic bearings enhances their performance. Now, don’t get thrilled with all these praises. There are a few downsides.

I felt the price performance for this cooler was on the higher side. If you compare its specs to Enermax Liqmax 120S, they are quite identical. Whereas the prices for both these coolers aren’t as the model from Enermax is relatively cheap.

Besides, The fans are loud under heavy loads.

To end up, all I can say is that the performance could’ve been better. Yet, it can be a good option for adding aesthetic value to your build since it’s attractive.

6. Noctua NH-U12S Chromax.black

This cooler is the black version of the Noctua NH-U12S. So, specs are identical. This model has the following features:

• PWM support
• NF-F12 120 mm fan
• Anti-vibration pads

This model from Noctua sets the perfect example of how silent a cooing solution can be. Like other chromax.black versions from Noctua, the black coating doesn’t mean anything to this cooler.

Just the aesthetic touch for all-black builds. No implications in terms of performance. I found the installation to be amazingly comfortable. You just need to screw down the install brackets to the original backplate, then install the cooler.

As for performance:

Usually, the noise is low. But it can get a bit high if you run at max speeds. That’s why it’s better if your fan speed is around 1800 RPM.

Overall, if you plan to have an all-black Ryzen 5900x build, it’s an excellent option to have. Besides, it’s one of the best Noctua coolers as well.

7. Noctua NH-L9a-AM4 Chromax.black

The last cooler in this list is for gamers who have a small compact build. If you are among them, I must tell you that Noctua’s model will satisfy all your needs.

This model comes with the following specs:

• Fan speed: 600-2500 RPM
• Noise level: 23.6 dBA
• NT-H1 thermal compound

Gaming rigs with limited space need to have the perfect cooling solution. And when the CPU is a high-end one like Ryzen 9 5900x, the task gets more challenging.

Speaking of the Ryzen platform, this cooler holds its crown as one of the best CPU coolers for the AM4 socket.

Your task to find the cooler for your Mini-ITX build won’t be tough. This model from Noctua is the cooler that I got for you. As a CPU cooler, this model offers the optimum cooling level, consuming the smallest of space. It is even appraised as the best low-profile cpu cooler.

The heatsink it sports is quite dense, with around 64 aluminum fins. Besides there are also two heat pipes attached.

About performance:

I assure you about its best quality. Don’t go by its size for measuring the performance. This cooler is the perfect example that size doesn’t matter. The whisper-quiet fan made me root for this cooler over other coolers with small factors.

Therefore, if you’re someone looking to buy Ryzen 9 5900x cooler for your build, I highly recommend purchasing this.

Ryzen 9 5900x Cooling Guide

A high-end CPU like Ryzen 5900x will heat up while you tweak your system. So, What’s the solution?

Well, here are some tips that you should follow for cooling your Ryzen 5900x build:

Clean the fans

You should often clean the fans present in your system. Clouds of dust settling down on the blades reduce the fan speed.

As a result, your CPU doesn’t get the cooling performance it requires. Proper air circulation halts. So, for optimum cooling performance, cleaning fans is a MUST!

Speed up the fans

If you feel that cleaning isn’t enough, try speeding up the fans using some software. There are programs like SpeedFan that enable your fans to run at a much higher speed.

The equation is simple. The higher the speed, the faster the air moves out, the lower the speed, the slower the air circulation. This also helps to achieve proper airflow optimization by a mile.

Keep the CPU away from the heat-sensitive area

Where did you place the CPU?Is it near the window or any heat-vent?

If the answer is yes, you are doing it all wrong, mate. Try keeping your build away from heat-sensitive areas.

Don’t allow Clutter

I might not judge you for the condition of your Gamestation. But can’t say the same about your CPU. If there are things that block the exhausts of your rig, then that’s a problem.

A VERY BIG PROBLEM!

That is why try to keep the surroundings tidy.

FAQ

Question: Does Ryzen 9 5900x come with a stock cooler?

Answer: No, the Ryzen 9 5900x doesn’t have a stock cooler.

Question: Is liquid cooling better for Ryzen 5900x?

Answer: Traditionally, liquid coolers are better performers. So, if you go by tradition, yes, it is better. However, few air coolers perform better than most liquid coolers.

Final Thoughts

So, these are the seven best cooling solutions for your Ryzen 9 5900x build. All these seven include both liquid and air coolers.

As for liquid cooling, I recommend NZXT’s Kraken Z63, and for air cooling, my personal favorite is Noctua NH-U12S Chromax.black.

Your choice can differ. So, feel free to choose any of the options from the list. Even after that, if there is any issue, feel free to drop a comment.