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Let’s be honest: AMD has been on a roll recently. First, the RX 9000 series launch (which has been a hit in the community), and now the Ryzen 9000 series X3D processors. We have already seen fantastic performance gains with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, and a similar story follows the Ryzen 9 9900X3D as well.
While it’s not the cheapest CPU—priced at a whopping $599—it comes with a 128MB L3 cache (the leading star for the X3D processors), 5.5GHz boost clocks, and the standard 12 cores and 24 threads. Additionally, it has a lower 120W TDP. So, after exhaustive testing, my team and I have rounded up the best CPU coolers for the Ryzen 9 9900X3D.
Here’s a comparison chart of all the products:
If you’re seriously considering the Ryzen 9 9900X3D, I suggest going through our round-up of the best RAM for 9900X3D and the best motherboard for 9900X3D as well.
Best CPU Coolers For Ryzen 9 9900X3D
Here’s a list of the best CPU coolers for the Ryzen 9 9900X3D we selected after extensive testing:
- Best Overall: Corsair iCUE Link Titan 360 RX RGB
- Best Performance: EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB
- Best Value: ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 360 A-RGB
- Best Looking: be quiet! Light Loop 360
Corsair iCUE Link Titan 360 RX RGB
Best Overall CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X3D
Specifications: Cooler Type: 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler | Dimensions: 396 × 120 × 27mm | Fans: 3x RX120 non-PWM Fans | Fan Speed: 300 — 2,100RPM | Rated Noise Level: 36dB(A) | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1851, 1700 AMD: AM5, AM4 | RGB: Yes
Pros
- Replaceable pump caps
- Remarkable performance
- Six-year warranty
- Digital connectivity
- Magnetic faceplate
- Pre-applied XTM70 thermal paste
- Beautiful design and RGB
Cons
- No PWM control
- Expensive
Read Our Corsair iCUE Link Titan 360 RX RGB AIO Cooler Review
The Corsair iCUE Link Titan 360 RX RGB AIO cooler is a jack of all trades. From aesthetics to performance, you’ll find all of it in this cooler. For example, the AIO’s 24 A-RGB LEDs on the pump cover provide remarkable lighting control. We also see a magnetic faceplate, allowing users to change pump caps according to their needs. The lack of cable clutter is also a good sight for better aesthetics. However, these looks come at a steep price many might not want to pay.
Regarding its performance, the iCUE Link Titan 360 RX RGB has 3x RX120 non-PWM fans running at 2,100RPM speeds and 73.5CFM. In our testing, the temperatures were decent even under heavy loads, providing good overclocking opportunities. While the fans provide decent airflow control, I would have appreciated PWM control as well, which basically means you need to use Corsair’s iCUE software for fan customization.
Our hardware reviewer, Nauman Siddique, put the cooler through the wringer during his review. Here’s how he summarized it:
The Corsair iCUE Link Titan 360 RX RGB is a flagship liquid cooler, available in 240mm and 360mm sizes. It offers excellent cooling performance with a 3-phase motor, a precision cold plate, and powerful RGB fans, making it a top contender for high-end PC builds.
What Makes It The Best Overall CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X3D?
The Corsair iCUE Link Titan 360 RX RGB AIO cooler’s magnetic faceplate provides many customization possibilities. Based on your build, you can choose between black and white variants. But that’s not all; it also provides impressive thermal performance, lower noise levels, and a remarkable six-year warranty period. And for all of these reasons and more, there is no denying that it is the best overall CPU cooler for Ryzen 9 9900X3D.
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Design: 9/10 |
EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB
Best Performance CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X3D
Specifications: Cooler Type: 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler | Dimensions: 400 x 124 x 27mm | Fans: 3x EK Loop FPT 120mm Fans | Fan Speed: 550 — 2,300RPM | Rated Noise Level: 36dB(A) | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1851, 1700, 115X, 1200, 2011, 2011-3, 2066 AMD: AM5, AM4 | RGB: Yes
Pros
- Five-year warranty period
- EK OmniLink
- Sturdy build quality
- Hassle-free installation process
- Top-tier cooling performance
- Removable & rotatable lid
- Unique radiator design
Cons
- Slightly expensive
Read Our EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB AIO Cooler Review
The EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB AIO cooler provides high-end cooling while remaining fashionable with its digital RGB lighting. Thanks to the removable and rotatable top lid, you won’t have to worry about correcting the orientation of the EK logo after installation. The pump and fans are smothered in D-RGB lighting, and while we love it, so much lighting may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Lastly, for its looks, the daisy-chained fans keep cable clutter low.
What makes this cooler stand out isn’t its looks but its top-tier cooling. The 27mm thick radiator with the standard 20 FPI count is the highlight to keep thermal throttling at a minimum. The FPT fans churn at 2,300RPM speeds with a whopping 72CFM. You won’t have to worry about temperatures if the fans are kept at 100%, but that may also lead to slightly higher fan noise. All in all, the biggest issue with this cooler is its greater price, making it less viable for a few customers.
When Awais Khan took the AIO cooler for a spin in his in-depth review, here’s how he described its performance:
It packs a solid performance punch that the competition has to manage. The digital RGB lighting is quite brilliant. We have everything to love about this cooler, albeit a bit high price tag.
What Makes It The Best Performance CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X3D?
From its beautiful aesthetics, with tons of RGB lighting on the pump and fans and removable and rotatable top lid, to its incredible thermal performance thanks to its 27mm radiator and high-quality FPT 120mm fans, the EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB isn’t lacking in most areas. It also has a sturdy build quality, a longer five-year warranty period, and a hassle-free installation process, making it the best performance CPU cooler for Ryzen 9 9900X3D.
| Performance: 10/10 | Value: 7.5/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Design: 8/10 |
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 360 A-RGB
Best Value CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X3D
Specifications: Cooler Type: 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler | Dimensions: 398 x 120 x 38mm | Fans: 3x P12 PWM A-RGB Fans | Fan Speed: 200 — 2,000RPM | Tested Noise Level: 39.7dB(A) | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1851, 1700 AMD: AM5, AM4 | RGB: Yes
Pros
- Integrated cable management
- Refined pump and cold plate
- Beautiful aesthetics
- 60mm VRM fan
- Superb thermal performance
- Incredible pricing
Cons
- Thick NVMe heatsink obstructs tube connection
- Not all cases support a 65.5mm thick cooler
Read Our ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 360 A-RGB AIO Cooler Review
ARCTIC’s coolers are famous for their aesthetics, and the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 360 A-RGB is no exception. With a beautiful, rounded pump featuring a 60mm VRM fan, you see a lot of RGB lighting at the top and on the fans. The pump head also allows many customization possibilities, and the integrated cable management keeps the cooler’s installation process neat and clean. Unfortunately, the pump and fans don’t have RGB customization options, but other than that, the looks are on point.
This cooler houses 3x P12 PWM A-RGB fans, each with five blades. The fans have a 4-arm assembly, and each arm has a slop design due to which a spiral airflow is produced. We love that ARCTIC has engraved small arrows on the top of the fan, indicating the airflow’s direction, simplifying the fan installation process. During our testing, the AIO cooler had no issues keeping the CPU cool, while the fans were almost silent. We measured a 39.7dB(A) noise level, which is very low. While it’s a remarkable cooler for its price, the thicker radiator can cause compatibility issues because not all PC cases support a 65.5mm thick cooler.
After taking it for a swirl, I was pleasantly surprised by the AIO’s performance and value. He stated the following in his review:
With its excellent cooling efficiency and compatibility with RGB sync technologies, the AIO stands out for gamers who prioritize both performance and aesthetics.
What Makes It The Best Value CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X3D?
The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 360 A-RGB AIO cooler provides decent thermal performance without cutting down on aesthetics while keeping the product’s price as low as possible. The fans don’t produce much noise, the build quality is remarkable, and the cooler also features a superb 6-year warranty period. Hence, it is the best value CPU cooler for Ryzen 9 9900X3D.
The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 360 A-RGB is one of my favorite coolers for multiple reasons. Firstly, it has incredible value due to its lower price. Secondly, the aesthetics of this cooler rival many others outside its price range. Of course, you also get an incredible 6-year warranty period. If your PC case can fit it, I don’t see many reasons not to buy this product.
– Hayyan Serwer
| Performance: 8.5/10 | Value: 10/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Design: 9/10 |
be quiet! Light Loop 360
Best Looking CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X3D
Specifications: Cooler Type: 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler | Dimensions: 397 x 120 x 27mm | Fans: 3x Light Wings LX 120mm PWM Fans | Fan Speed: 2,100RPM | Rated Noise Level: 36.8dB(A) | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1851, 1700, 1200, 115X AMD: AM5, AM4 | RGB: Yes
Pros
- Distinct block design
- Powerful pump
- Lower noise
- Beautiful lighting with 64 LEDs
- A-RGB hub
- Excellent thermal performance
- Refill port with coolant
Cons
- 3-year warranty
- Cable clutter
Read Our be quiet! Light Loop 360mm AIO Cooler Review
Last on the list is the be quiet! Light Loop 360mm AIO cooler, which provides unique diversity in aesthetics. For starters, the cooler offers a white and black design, allowing users to choose whichever color they want. Our review used the white version, but the performance remains the same. The distinct block design quickly caught our eye with the diffuser on top, which has cutouts throughout its length. The cooler has handy features, like a refill port and extra coolant for easier serviceability.
Regarding performance, the AIO has a standard radiator with a 20FPI count and 12x channels for the coolant flow. The brunt of its thermal capabilities comes from the 3x Light Wings LX 120mm fans with 9x blades, running at 2,100RPM and rated for 61.8CFM. The noise levels were also pretty decent at 100% fan speed. However, a 3-year warranty sounds too low for its price point; we were expecting a 5-year period, at least. Moreover, while the included hub that supports up to six fans is a good feature, it adds more cable clutter, which is not something you want in a PC that is oriented toward looks.
Our review praised the AIO cooler’s performance, looks, and value. Here’s what we commented:
The be quiet! Light Loop 360 delivers strong thermal performance and reduced noise levels compared to previous models, but installation is somewhat complex, requiring multiple components. Overall, it’s a solid choice for those looking to manage high temperatures, though a longer warranty would have been appreciated.
What Makes It The Best Looking CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X3D?
The be quiet! Light Loop 360mm AIO cooler has a beautiful design, lots of A-RGB lighting, a hub that helps sync the lighting of the CPU block and 6x fans, while maintaining decent thermals. The distinct block and a snow-like white color design make this cooler perfect for white PC builds. Additionally, the lower fan noise, refill port, and extra coolant increase its overall value, making it the best looking CPU cooler for Ryzen 9 9900X3D.
| Performance: 8.5/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Design: 10/10 |
Specifications Comparison
I have created a chart with some basic on-paper specifications of our recommended CPU coolers to make differentiating them easier:
| CPU Cooler | Radiator Size (mm) | Number Of Fans | Fan Speed (RPM) | Rated Noise Levels (dBA) | CFM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corsair iCUE Link Titan 360 RX RGB | 360 | 3 | 2100 | 36 | 73.5 |
| EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB | 360 | 3 | 2300 | 36 | 72 |
| ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 360 A-RGB | 360 | 3 | 2000 | 39.7 | 48.82 |
| be quiet! Light Loop 3 360mm | 360 | 3 | 1900 | 36.8 | 61.8 |
Thermal Benchmarks Of Our Recommended Coolers
Knowing the thermal performance of CPU coolers is the most important factor before purchasing. To back our claims, we have stress-tested multiple AIO coolers and have attached our findings below:
Important CPU Cooler Key Terms To Know
PC hardware is filled with jargon that may throw you off when purchasing a new component. Here are a few crucial CPU cooler jargon key terms you should be aware of when hunting for one:
- Static Pressure: This term refers to how much air a fan can move through the PC case. Static pressure is measured in mmH2O, and many CPU coolers require high static pressure fans to move air effectively.
- FPI: Short for Fins Per Inch, FPI measures the number of fins stacked on one inch of a radiator. A higher FPI count is generally preferred, but then you also need fans with a higher CFM and better static pressure to make use of such a radiator.
- TDP: Thermal Design Power is usually interchangeably used for CPUs and coolers. However, that’s incorrect. A CPU cooler’s TDP indicates the amount of heat it can cool down (such as 300W, 350W, and so on). On the other hand, a CPU’s TDP dictates the amount of heat it will produce. Your CPU cooler’s TDP should always be higher than your CPU’s.
- CFM: Another acronym for fans, CFM stands for Cubic Feet per Minute. A fan’s CFM determines how much air it can move through a certain space within one minute. Rather than just the RPM, we prefer fans with a higher CFM to move more air effectively.
- Heatsink: These are metal devices with fins on CPU coolers that cool air and move it away from the processor and out of the PC. Heatsinks are made from highly thermal conductive materials like aluminum.
- Radiator: A component within All-in-One (AIO) coolers, the radiator comes in various sizes, which emphasizes the size of the AIO itself. Commonly, you’ll find 120, 240, 280, 360, and 420mm radiators, housing various numbers of fans. Radiators help remove heat from the coolant, while the fans are installed in the intake or exhaust to help with proper airflow.
How We Tested And Picked The Best CPU Coolers For Ryzen 9 9900X3D
When choosing a CPU cooler, there are numerous things to look for. To help you with your decision, we have shared our selection methodology below. The main aspects we considered were performance, value, noise levels, and aesthetics.
- Performance: The thermal performance of a CPU cooler is the most important factor when considering which product you want to purchase. Hence, our testing focuses on maximum load temperatures with the CPU to ensure the cooler doesn’t thermal throttle easily.
- Value: After the performance, you must look at the value the CPU cooler provides. This applies not only to its pricing but also to various features you may find with the cooler. For example, the be quiet! Light Loop 360mm AIO cooler provides a refill port and extra coolant for easier serviceability. Similarly, some coolers have better customization options, more fans, easier installation methods, less cable clutter, and more.
- Noise Levels: It’s imperative you look for CPU coolers that don’t sound like you’re on an airplane every time you play a game. Therefore, we only chose coolers that aren’t as noisy and provide decent thermal performance. Usually, coolers with PWM fans and easier fan curve customization have lower noise levels.
- Aesthetics: This is not the most important factor you should worry about, but if you’re buying a high-end processor, you might as well make your PC build look beautiful, right? Hence, we looked for coolers that provide greater customization through replaceable pump caps, A-RGB lighting, less cable clutter, or otherwise. More color options from the same cooler are also a plus.
FAQs
The Ryzen 9 9900X3D comes at a $599 MSRP price.
This CPU has a default 120W TDP, making it efficient.
Yes. You can overclock all AMD Ryzen 9000 X3D CPUs.
Thank you! Please share your positive feedback. 🔋
How could we improve this post? Please Help us. 😔
[CPU Coolers & RAM Expert]
Hayyan Serwer is a tech enthusiast, with a love for PC building and article writing. Hayyan specializes in writing about CPU coolers and RAM kits. Hayyan has been familiar with the tech industry for over half a decade now, and has now stepped into providing quality reviews for the latest and greatest tech.
Get In Touch: hayyan@tech4gamers.com
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