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The Ryzen 7 9700X falls right in the mid-range category of the 9000 series lineup, achieving remarkable performance thanks to its 8 cores, 16 threads, and boost clock speed of 5.5 GHz. It also benefits from an architectural upgrade, making it more efficient than its predecessor; however, you will still have to pair it with a capable cooler to get the most out of it. Well, now that we have reviewed the Ryzen 7 9700X and thoroughly tested its power consumption, we have a clear understanding of which coolers are the right ones for it.
These are my recommendations, all compared with each other:
We have also tested the Ryzen 5 9600X, which is an impressive processor in terms of power efficiency. Regardless, if you want to get the most performance out of your 9700X, make sure to read about the top motherboards for it.
Best CPU Coolers For Ryzen 7 9700X
Here are my top picks for the Best CPU Coolers For Ryzen 7 9700X:
- Best Overall: EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB
- Best Value: ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 360 A-RGB
- Best Performance: Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos ARGB
- Best Air: Noctua NH-D15 G2 LBC
EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB
Best Overall CPU Cooler For Ryzen 7 9700X
Cooler Type: 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler | Dimensions: 400 x 124 x 53 mm | Fans: 3 x EK Loop FPT Fans | Fan Speed: 2300 RPM | Noise Level: 36 dBA | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 1151, 1150, 1155, 1156, 2011, 2011-3, 2066+ AMD: AM4, AM5 | RGB: Yes
Pros
- Solid build quality
- Remarkable performance
- Rotatable pump top
Cons
- High noise output at full speed
- Slightly expensive
EK’s cooling solutions never fail to impress me and the EK AIO Nucleus CR360 LUX D-RGB is no different. It utilizes three of EK’s FPT fans, which provide a maximum fan speed of 2300 RPM while also offering 72 CFM of airflow. EK has also paid a lot of attention to the build quality of the cooler, which is evident thanks to the addition of brushed aluminum side panels on the radiator, daisy-chained fans, and sleeved rubber tubings.
Apart from that, the radiator isn’t too different from what I’m used to seeing on most other AIOs, featuring an FPI count of 20. That said, there is another compartment near the end to hide the tube connections, giving the cooler a cleaner overall look. The pump also delivers on the performance side of things, with a max speed of 3100 RPM. I like that EK has made the pump cap rotatable, allowing you to install it to your liking.
Our hardware reviewer, Awais Khan, was also surprised by how well the cooler managed to perform in our tests:
EK Water Blocks is back in business with its new generation of liquid coolers in the AIO category. Meet the EK-Nucleus AIO CR360 LUX D-RGB cooler, which is quite innovative from its design. 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 Overall CPU Cooler For Ryzen 7 9700X
The EK AIO Nucleus CR360 LUX D-RGB manages to deliver on both the performance and build quality, making it the Best Overall CPU Cooler For Ryzen 7 9700X.
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Design: 9/10 |
Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 A-RGB
Best Value CPU Cooler For Ryzen 7 9700X
Cooler Type: 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler | Dimensions: 398 x 120 x 65.5 mm| Fans: 3 x P12 PWM A-RGB | Fan Speed: 2000 RPM | Noise Level: 22.5 dBA | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1851, 1700 AMD: AM4, AM5 | RGB: Yes
Pros
- Great price-to-performance
- 60mm VRM fan
- Magnetic pump cover
- 6-year warranty
Cons
- Thicker radiator
- Slightly difficult installation
While Arctic has introduced several upgrades with the Liquid Freezer III A-RGB, it certainly hasn’t been at the expense of its value. If anything, the value proposition might just have improved thanks to the addition of a newer in-house pump design. The P12 fans have mostly remained the same, offering a speed of 2000 RPM as well as an airflow of 48.8 CFM.
I am a fan of the changes made to the pump. Arctic has made the cover magnetic, making it easier to remove. RGB is also well-integrated into the pump, and I found the ring design to be a lot more aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, the VRM fan has also received a slight upgrade, now measuring 60mm, while also reaching speeds of up to 2500 RPM. Unlike its predecessor, you’re now able to control the VRM fan separately as well.
I was also impressed by how much Arctic was able to pack into the Liquid Freezer III 360 A-RGB. Here’s what I said in my review:
The Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 Black A-RGB efficiently cools and offers great value for Intel LGA1700 and AMD AM4/AM5 sockets at an attractive price with a 6-year warranty. It features a large aluminum radiator, a copper cold plate, and three A-RGB fans, ensuring top performance and minimal noise.
What Makes It The Best Value CPU Cooler For Ryzen 7 9700X
Despite being relatively affordable, the Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 A-RGB packs a punch when it comes to performance. It achieves that without compromising on any other features, providing a proper cable management system, VRM cooling, and solid build quality, which is why I have crowned it the Best Value CPU Cooler For Ryzen 7 9700X.
Arctic’s Liquid Freezer III series has become my personal go-to recommendation for anyone looking for a high-performance cooler for a modern processor. Not only does it provide all the bells and whistles of a higher-end cooler, such as the additional VRM fan and RGB, but it also doesn’t fall short when it comes to the performance side of things, which is a must for someone like me who can’t compromise on cooling.
– Hayyan Serwer
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 10/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Design: 9/10 |
Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos ARGB
Best Performance CPU Cooler For Ryzen 7 9700X
Cooler Type: 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler | Dimensions: 394x119x53.2mm | Fans: 3 x Sickleflow Edge 120 A-RGB fans | Fan Speed: 2500 RPM | Noise Level: 27.2 dBA | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 1151, 1150, 1155, 1156 AMD: AM4, AM5 | RGB: Yes
Pros
- Outstanding cooling capabilities
- Plenty of RGB lighting
- Reasonable noise levels
- Customizable pump cap
Cons
- No proper cable management system
Our dedicated tests proved the Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos ARGB to be an absolute powerhouse when it comes to cooling capabilities, which is why I think it makes for a fantastic pair with the Ryzen 7 9700X. The cooler makes use of three SickleFlow Edge fans, each capable of ramping up to 2200 RPM. They also provide an airflow of 70 CFM while only generating 27.2 dBA of noise at maximum load.
The overall sound output was also fairly reasonable, coming out at 40.8 dBA in our tests conducted at an ambient of 35 dBA. I found the dual-chamber design of the pump to be equally impressive, and longevity has been accounted for with its MTTF rating of 210,000 hours. Speaking of the pump, you are also able to swap out the top cover for a custom 3D-printed design to improve the cooler’s look.
In my hands-on tests, I praised the MasterLiquid 360 Atmos ARGB for its cooling capabilities, saying:
The Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 ATMOS is a high-performance AIO liquid cooler with excellent thermal performance and low noise levels. The cooler also features a unique pump cover that allows users to design and 3D print their own custom designs. Overall, the Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 ATMOS is a great option for users who are looking for a top-performing AIO cooler with a unique design.
What Makes It The Best Performance CPU Cooler For Ryzen 7 9700X
Unparalleled performance, customizable design elements, and low noise levels make the Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos ARGB the Best Performance CPU Cooler For Ryzen 7 9700X.
| Performance: 10/10 | Value: 9/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Design: 9/10 |
Noctua NH-D15 G2 LBC
Best Air CPU Cooler For Ryzen 7 9700X
Cooler Type: Dual-Tower Air Cooler | Dimensions: 168 x 150 x 152 mm | Fans: 2 x NFxA14x25r G2 fans | Fan Speed: 1500 RPM | Noise Level: 24.8 dBA | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 1851, 1156, 1155, 1151, 1150 AMD: AM4, AM5 | RGB: No
Pros
- Best-in-class performance
- Exceptional build quality
- Comparatively lower noise levels
Cons
- Expensive
- Large dimensions
I’m never reluctant to pick Noctua’s offerings for my lists, even if it’s for the highest-end processors available. Fortunately, I can say the same about their latest entry in the series, the Noctua NH-D15 G2 LBC, which upholds Noctua’s values of reliability and top-notch performance. Noctua’s newer NFxA14x25r G2 fans are the main highlight here, managing an airflow of 91.5 CFM alongside a maximum speed of 1500 RPM.
Noctua is using an eight-heat-pipe design here, and 23 more fins have also been added to the heatsink. Apart from that, RAM compatibility is fairly reasonable too, with support for 59mm kits in single-fan mode. The Low Base Convexity variant of the NH-D15 G2 is specifically designed with AMD processors in mind, which should result in a performance uplift.
What Makes It The Best Air Cooler For Ryzen 7 9700X
When it comes to air cooling solutions, the Noctua NH-D15 G2 LBC is certainly the best option available. While its price is steep, it guarantees phenomenal performance as well as reliability through its well-designed structure, making it the Best Air Cooler For Ryzen 7 9700X.
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 7/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Design: 9/10 |
Coolers That Didn’t Make It Into My List
- Corsair iCUE Link H150i LCD: While the iCUE Link H150i RGB demonstrated excellent results in our tests, it comes in at a higher price than most of the coolers present in my list.
- DeepCool Mystique 360: The DeepCool Mystique 360 has availability issues in some regions, which is why I decided to exclude it from my list.
Benchmarks Of Our Selection
Here are separate benchmarks for my picks.
Specifications Comparision
Here is every cooler on my list compared against each other.
| CPU Cooler | Fan Speed (RPM) | Static Pressure (mm H2O) | Airflow (CFM) | Fan Noise Output (dBA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB | 2300 | 2.7 | 72 | 36 |
| Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 A-RGB ARGB | 2000 | 1.85 | 48.8 | 22.5 |
| Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos ARGB | 2500 | 3.61 | 70.7 | 27.2 |
| Noctua NH-D15 G2 LBC | 1500 | 2.56 | 91.5 | 24.8 |
Important CPU Cooling Terms To Know About
- Radiator: A part of a liquid cooler that removes heat from the coolant using fans.
- TDP (Thermal Design Power): This represents the maximum amount of heat a CPU is expected to produce, helping you choose the right cooler to handle the heat.
- Heatsink: A passive cooling device made of metal with fins that helps disperse the heat generated by the CPU into the surrounding air.
- FPI (Fins Per Inch): This measures how many fins are packed into one inch of a radiator. More fins can help cool your PC better by increasing the surface area that air flows through, but it also means you might need stronger fans to push air through the fins effectively.
- CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute): CFM tells you how much air a fan can move in a minute. A higher CFM means the fan can cool things down quicker by moving more air over your components. However, you’ll want to consider how loud the fan might get.
- Static Pressure: Static pressure is the power of a fan to push air through tight spaces like radiators, heatsinks, or dust filters.
- Heat Pipes: Pipes filled with a liquid coolant that transfers heat from the CPU to the heatsink, boosting the cooler’s effectiveness.
How I Tested And Rounded Up The Best Coolers For Ryzen 7 9700X
My team and I have tested tens of different air coolers and AIOs to shortlist the top options for the Ryzen 7 9700X. These are the key aspects that I focused the most on:
- Performance: I tested each cooler to see how well it managed the heat from the Ryzen 7 9700X. By analyzing different benchmark results, I could identify which coolers kept temperatures in check and supported overclocking without overheating. Of course, keeping in mind their pricing so their value aligns well with a 9700X build.
- Aesthetics: I also considered the coolers’ visual appeal, especially those with customizable RGB lighting.
- Compatibility: I checked whether the air coolers would fit inside a standard PC case without getting in the way of other components like RAM.
- Noise Levels: I paid close attention to how loud each cooler got during heavy use. Coolers with adjustable fan speeds or PWM controls were especially useful in managing sound levels.
FAQs
The Ryzen 7 9700X launches with an MSRP of $359.
The Ryzen 7 9700X comes with a rated TDP of just 65W.
Yes, the Ryzen 7 9700X can be air-cooled.
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[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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