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Looking for the best CPU Cooler for the Ryzen 9 9950x?
If you’re after bleeding-edge performance, the Ryzen 9 9950X is one of very best CPUs that AMD has to offer today. Both productivity and gaming performance are just impressive. Pair that with great energy efficiency, and you have a beast of a CPU.
Of course, you still need a good CPU cooler to keep it cool and bring out its full power.
In this guide, I’ve hand-picked the 2 best CPU coolers for the 9950x, one if you need the absolute best cooler and another one which is the best option all things considered while prioritizing performance, value, and noise levels.
Our Top Picks
- Noctua NH-D15 – Best Premium CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9950x
- Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO – Our Top Pick
(affiliate links)
Why Should You Trust Us
With over two decades spent building PCs and more than 10 years deeply immersed in the tech industry, Konstantinos Chiotis combines hands-on experience with genuine passion for hardware. His longstanding dedication to testing motherboards, GPUs, and CPU coolers ensures each recommendation is accurate, unbiased, and practical. Konstantinos’s expertise helps readers confidently make informed decisions when assembling or upgrading their gaming rigs and productivity systems.
Buyer Guide
Choosing the right CPU cooler for your Ryzen 9 9950X is crucial for maximizing its impressive performance and longevity. With such a high-performance CPU, ensuring effective cooling helps maintain stability, reduce throttling, and extend the lifespan of your components. Here are essential considerations to help you select the best CPU cooler tailored specifically to the Ryzen 9 9950X:
Air vs. Liquid Cooling: Which One Should You Choose?
Both air and liquid coolers have their unique advantages and drawbacks:
- Air Coolers:
- Generally more affordable and easier to install.
- Highly reliable due to fewer moving parts.
- Some premium air coolers can match liquid cooling performance, ideal for users concerned with noise levels and long-term reliability.
- Liquid Coolers (AIO):
- Superior cooling performance, especially under continuous heavy loads.
- Cleaner aesthetics with less space used near the CPU socket, beneficial for RAM clearance.
- Ideal for users pushing the Ryzen 9 9950X to its performance limits.
Important Features to Consider:
- Cooling Performance:
- Look for CPU coolers specifically rated to handle CPUs with high thermal outputs like the Ryzen 9 9950X. Excellent heat dissipation through multiple heat pipes or a large radiator (240mm or larger) is essential.
- Noise Levels:
- Coolers with lower RPM fans or models featuring silent operation modes significantly reduce noise, making your setup more comfortable during intensive tasks like gaming or content creation.
- Compatibility and Clearance:
- Double-check the cooler’s dimensions against your case specifications, especially when considering larger air coolers or sizable AIO radiators.
- Verify RAM clearance, especially with high-profile modules, as some bulky air coolers might obstruct RAM slots.
- Installation Ease:
- Coolers with straightforward mounting systems and clear instructions save considerable setup time and reduce installation errors.
- Longevity and Support:
- Opt for brands known for their build quality, warranty, and future support. Reliable manufacturers often provide mounting kits for upcoming CPU sockets, ensuring your investment lasts longer.
Quick Comparison: Air vs. Liquid Cooling for Ryzen 9 9950X
| Aspect | Air Cooling | Liquid Cooling (AIO) |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | High (Premium models) | Very High |
| Noise Levels | Low to Medium | Medium (varies by model) |
| Installation | Simpler | Slightly more involved |
| Space Requirements | Larger around CPU socket | Smaller at CPU socket; Radiator requires extra case space |
| Reliability | Excellent | Good, but more points of failure |
| Cost | Affordable to Moderate | Moderate to High |
Additional Tips for Optimizing CPU Cooling:
- Ensure good airflow within your PC case by arranging your intake and exhaust fans appropriately.
- Periodically clean dust from fans and radiators, as buildup can significantly impact cooling efficiency.
- Use quality thermal paste, and ensure proper application to maximize heat transfer.
In conclusion, selecting the best CPU cooler for your Ryzen 9 9950X comes down to your specific needs in performance, noise preferences, and setup complexity. Whether you opt for a high-quality air cooler known for reliability or an advanced liquid cooler optimized for peak performance, prioritizing these key factors ensures your CPU remains cool, quiet, and performing at its best.
2 Best CPU Coolers For Ryzen 9 9950x Reviews
Noctua NH-D15 – Best Premium CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9950x
When it comes to air coolers, Noctua is as good as it gets. They have built a name for themselves by producing high-end air coolers with exceptional performance, and the NH-D15 chromax black is no exception. It offers superb performance and even better acoustics. Although a bit on the expensive side, the performance makes it worth the expense.
This isn’t a new cooler, in fact, it’s the full-blacked-out version of the award-winning NH-D15, popular for its impeccable performance. The main issue with the original was the unorthodox color choice, which made it hard to match it with builds. The chromax.black version solves this problem. Making it the perfect choice for an Ryzen 9 9950X build.
As for the design, this is a dual-tower air cooler with two 140mm fans capable of operating at a maximum RPM of 1500. Because the fans are mounted on top of the CPU, they also provide airflow and cooling for other heatsinks and motherboard components. Suffice to say, when it comes to performance, this cooler does not disappoint.
One of the main issues that comes with using a cooler like NH-D15, is memory clearance. The NH-D15 is a beefy cooler, which does cause some serious clearance issues. While the fan clip does allow you to adjust the fan for more clearance, doing so might make it incompatible with certain cases.
Apart from the clearance issues, the aesthetics might also be a source of discourse. While the simplistic and single-color design is appealing, it can be a deal breaker for some people. The complete lack of RGB might push people away. To combat this, Noctua does offer customizable heatsink covers and anti-vibration pads sold separately, but does further inflate the cost.
However, where this cooler shines is the acoustics. Noctua NH-D15 is nearly silent, even under heavy loads. On top of that, the Low Noise Adaptors can reduce the noise further by decreasing the fan RPM from 1500 to 1200. While that may cause a decrease in performance, it’s nice to have the option to decrease noise even further.
To top it all off, Noctua promises to offer mounting hardware for future upgrades, making this cooler a good long-term investment. On top of that, it comes with a 6-year warranty, making it quite future-proof.
It is worth mentioning this cooler is a bit expensive. There are cheaper options on the market, like the DeepCool AK620 and the Thermalright Phantom Spirit. Both options are excellent, but the NH-D15 has proven to be the most reliable air cooler out there. Spending a bit more money for that peace of mind is a good idea.
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO – Our Top Pick
The Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO is arguably the best air cooler on the market. It has a sleek all-black appearance, tasteful RGB lighting, highly impressive performance, and a very aggressive price point. It easily beats higher-end competitors both in terms of performance and price, so it’s a safe recommendation as the best-value CPU cooler these days.
This variant builds on the foundation of its predecessor, the original Phantom Spirit 120, which already earned praise for its dual-tower efficiency. This time around, the EVO version features 7 heat pipes instead of 6, a denser fin array for better heat dissipation, and improved high-performance fans.
Design-wise, the Phantom Spirit 120 EVO has a very stealthy appearance. It’s a dual-tower cooler with a staggered aluminum fin array (58 fins per tower) and has a matte black coating on top that gives it a sleek industrial look. The fin stacks are asymmetrical, which improves RAM clearance. It comes with two TL-K12 fans with RGB lighting zones at the corners, and they are rated for 1500RPM with a quiet 25.6-decibel noise level.
Out of the box, you get a generous tube of Thermalright TF7 thermal paste, a universal mounting kit for Intel LGA 1700/1200 and AMD AM5/AM4, and a low-profile screwdriver for hassle-free installation. The cooler’s dual-tower design adds some heft at 750g, but the reinforced backplate ensures motherboard flex isn’t an issue.
However, this cooler does have a gigantic footprint, meaning it won’t fit into most ITX cases. In fact, it might even have some trouble fitting into microATX cases, which is something to be aware of.
Thankfully, all that size is put to good use with impressive performance. Even with high-end processors like the Ryzen 9 9950x, the temperatures don’t peak too high. That’s while pushing the CPU to 100% load, so the results are nothing to scoff at. Noise levels at full load also stay around 45 decibels.
Installation is straightforward for a dual-tower cooler. The spring-loaded screw mounts eliminate uneven pressure, and the pre-applied silicone fan gaskets dampen vibrations. AMD users can install it in minutes using the stock AM5 brackets, while Intel builders get a no-nonsense backplate-and-standoff system.
In terms of competition, the only cooler that provides such high-end performance at a low price is the Deepcool AK620. Both coolers have clean designs, fantastic performance, and low noise levels. The only problem is that Deepcool products are not available anymore in the US due to sanctions, giving the Thermalright cooler an anticlimactic win by default.
In summary, the only thing that might bother you about this cooler is its gigantic size. However, if you can fit into your case, you’re getting a beast that can outperform competitors that are twice its price. I highly recommend it for both mid-range, and high-end CPUs like the Ryzen 9 9950x
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I really need a premium cooler for my Ryzen 9 9950X?
Yes, a premium CPU cooler is highly recommended for the Ryzen 9 9950X. This CPU generates significant heat due to its powerful performance, and using a premium cooler ensures it stays cool, maintains peak performance, and extends its lifespan.
2. Is an air cooler sufficient, or do I need liquid cooling for the Ryzen 9 9950X?
An air cooler can effectively cool a Ryzen 9 9950X, provided it’s high-quality and designed for high-performance CPUs. While liquid coolers offer slightly better cooling performance, a premium air cooler can provide similar results at a lower cost and quieter operation.
3. How do I know if a CPU cooler is compatible with Ryzen 9 9950X?
A compatible CPU cooler will explicitly state support for the AM5 or AM4 socket used by Ryzen CPUs. Always check the product specifications for socket compatibility to ensure it will fit your Ryzen 9 9950X.
4. Does size matter when choosing a CPU cooler for the Ryzen 9 9950X?
Size is crucial when choosing a cooler for your Ryzen 9 9950X. Larger coolers generally provide better cooling but might have clearance issues with RAM and cases. Always measure your case clearance and RAM height before selecting a large cooler.
5. How important is noise level when picking a cooler for Ryzen 9 9950X?
Noise level is significant, especially if you value a quieter environment. Premium coolers often use high-quality fans and include features like anti-vibration pads or low-noise adaptors, providing effective cooling with minimal noise.
6. Should I replace the thermal paste that comes with my CPU cooler?
Most premium coolers come with high-quality thermal paste sufficient for excellent performance. However, upgrading to a specialized thermal paste can sometimes reduce CPU temperatures slightly, improving overall efficiency and longevity.
7. Can using a better CPU cooler improve my gaming experience with the Ryzen 9 9950X?
Yes, a better CPU cooler can improve gaming performance indirectly by keeping temperatures low, allowing your Ryzen 9 9950X to sustain higher clock speeds without throttling, ensuring smooth and stable gameplay.
8. Are dual-tower coolers always better than single-tower coolers for the Ryzen 9 9950X?
Dual-tower coolers usually provide better cooling performance compared to single-tower models due to greater surface area for heat dissipation. However, they are larger and may not fit in all PC cases, so ensure your case has enough room before buying.
9. How long can I expect a good CPU cooler to last with my Ryzen 9 9950X?
A high-quality CPU cooler typically lasts several years, often well beyond five years. Choosing one from a reliable brand with a strong warranty ensures long-lasting performance and future compatibility with newer CPU sockets.
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