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Ryzen’s 9 series CPUs are the ones that I look forward to the most, and the 9900X from this generation is no different. The CPU packs several upgrades over its predecessor, including an architectural overhaul, lower TDP, and a substantial performance uplift. All of that means you can’t go wrong with the cooling solution used for the CPU, and my list of options is going to help you with exactly that.
Below you can go through my top picks after thorough testing, all compared with each other.
We have also tested and rounded up:
Best CPU Coolers For Ryzen 9 9900X
These are my favorite coolers that I would recommend to pair with the Ryzen 9 9900X:
- Best Overall: Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos
- Best Value: ENERMAX LIQMAXFLO 360mm A-RGB
- Best Performance: EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB
- Best Air: Noctua NH-D15 G2 LBC
Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos
Best Overall CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X
Cooler Type: 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler | Dimensions: 394x119x53.2mm | Fans: 3x SickleFlow Edge 120mm A-RGB fans | Fan Speed: 2500 RPM | Noise Level: 27.2 dB(A) | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 1151, 1150, 1155, 1156 AMD: AM4, AM5 | RGB: Yes
Pros
- Remarkable cooling performance
- Customizable pump cover
- Reasonable price
- A lot of RGB
Cons
- Cable management isn’t the best
The Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos ranks among the best-performing coolers we have tested. The cooler packs three of Coolermaster’s Sickleflow Edge 120 fans, which provide a maximum fan speed of 2500 RPM as well as an airflow of 70.7 CFM. In our tests, we found that noise levels aren’t too bad either, measuring in at 40.8 dBA at an ambient of 35 dBA.
The pump, on the other hand, incorporates a dual-chamber design while offering a maximum speed of 3200 RPM. In addition to the solid overall performance, you also get 100 percent RAM compatibility. Personally, I am also a huge fan of its design, and the ability to swap out the top plate for any 3D printed design is especially nice to see on a relatively affordable 360mm cooler such as this one.
During my review, I was blown away by how much Cooler Master has been able to pack into the MasterLiquid 360 Atmos. Here’s what I said:
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 Overall CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X
Outstanding thermal performance, a swappable pump top, and solid build quality all at an affordable price almost sounds too good to be true, yet the Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos achieves exactly that, making it the Best Overall CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X.
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 9/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Design: 9/10 |
ENERMAX LIQMAXFLO 360mm A-RGB
Best Value CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X
Cooler Type: 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler | Dimensions: 400x120x64.8 mm | Fans: 3x 120mm | Fan Speed: 1800 RPM | Noise Level: 23.46 dB(A)| Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 115x, 2066, 2011, 2011-3, 1366 AMD: AM4, AM5 | RGB: Yes
Pros
- Low Noise Output
- Great Price-To-Performance
- Integrated VRM Fan
Cons
- Can’t Control VRM Fan speed
The Enermax Liqmaxflo 360mm comes with a rated TDP of 370W, and that was put into display during our tests, with the Liqmaxflow delivering phenomenal results. Enermax has equipped the cooler with a 38mm radiator, a dual-chamber pump, and 120mm fans rated for a maximum speed of 1800 RPM, all of which contribute to its excellent cooling prowess.
The cooler comes with plenty of RGB on both the fans and the pump, which are always nice to see. In addition to all of that, it also has a separate VRM fan on the block, a surprising addition to such a budget-friendly package. The VRM fan can spin at a speed of up to 3000 RPM; however, its speed cannot be controlled separately, which means it’ll depend on the pump.
The cooler’s remarkable feature set was also enough to impress our Senior Hardware Reviewer, Nauman Siddique. He had this to say about it during his review:
The ENERMAX LIQMAXFLOW 360mm is a powerful AIO CPU cooler perfect for high-end CPUs. It features a thick radiator, dual-chamber pump, and a unique VRM fan to keep your CPU cool and quiet, even under heavy load. It’s also compatible with a wide range of sockets, has a refill port, and is rated for 400W TDP, making it an excellent value for the price.
What Makes It The Best Value CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X
Sure, the Enermax Liqmaxflo 360 might not be the most powerful 360mm AIO liquid cooler available, but, it sure does pack a punch when it comes to performance. In fact, its sheer price-to-performance alone is enough to make it the Best Value CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X.
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 10/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Design: 8/10 |
EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB
Best Performance CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X
Cooler Type: 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler | Dimensions: 400 x 124 x 53 mm | Fans: 3 x K-FPT Fan-120ER D-RGB | Fan Speed: 2300 RPM | Noise Level: 36 dB(A)| Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1200, 2011, 2011-3, 2066 AMD: AM4, AM5 | RGB: Yes
Pros
- Fantastic Cooling Performance
- Well-Built
- Uncompromised RAM Clearance
- Easy Installation
Cons
- Slightly Expensive
If chart-topping performance is what you are after, then there’s no better pick for you than the EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB. The cooler exceeded our expectations during our hands-on review, providing performance adequate for a processor like the Ryzen 9 9900X. It achieves that performance through the FPT 120 D-RGB fans, which are capable of reaching speeds of up to 2300RPM, and the capable pump.
That said, noise level might be a concern given their rated output of 36 dBA. Apart from that, EK has also provided several solutions for easier installation including daisy-chainable fans, a rotatable pump top, and rotatory fittings.
Our hardware reviewer, Awais Khan, was surprised by the thermal performance of the EK Nucleus AIO CR360, stating:
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 Performance CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X
The EK-Nucleus AIO CR360 has become my go-to recommendation for anyone who wants powerful cooling and for good reason. Not only has EK not compromised on performance, but you also get RGB lighting, and a rotatable pump head, making it the Best Performance CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X.
Among all the coolers on my list, the EK Nucleus AIO CR360 LUX A-RGB stands out as the top performer, which is what makes it my preferred choice for the Ryzen 9 9900X. I believe that its uncompromised cooling performance makes for the perfect inclusion to a Ryzen 9 9900X build, guaranteeing users a great experience.
– Hayyan Serwer
| Performance: 10/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Design: 9/10 |
Noctua NH-D15 G2 LBC
Best Air Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X
Cooler Type: Dual-Tower Air Cooler | Dimensions: 168 x 150 x 152 mm | Fans: 2x NF-A14x25r G2 PWM | Fan Speed: 1500 RPM | Noise Level: 24.8 dB(A)| Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1851, 1700, 1200, 1156, 1155, 1151, 1150 AMD: AM4, AM5 | RGB: No
Pros
- Best-possible performance
- 6-year warranty
- Excellent build quality
Cons
- No RGB
- Fairly Expensive
I’ve always been surprised by how well the original NH-D15 was able to keep up with current-gen air-coolers and I’m happy to report that their G2 LBC variant is even better. The cooler comes with two of Noctua’s NF-A14x25r fans with renowned SSO2 bearings. These fans offer a maximum speed of 1500 RPM, and an airflow of 155.6 m³/h while also keeping noise levels in check at just 22.4 dBA.
Combine that with its eight-heat-pipe design, and you get an air cooler that’s essentially unrivaled in terms of performance. Furthermore, Noctua has gone out of their way to ensure that installation doesn’t take more than a few steps, which I appreciate. The cooler also comes bundled with a 6-year warranty, but it’s safe to assume you probably won’t need that given the cooler’s already exceptional build quality.
During his review, Nauman Siddique had this to say about the Noctua NH-D15 G2 LBC:
What Makes It The Best Air Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X
The Noctua NH-D15 G2 LBC takes everything great about the original NH-D15 and takes it up a notch, improving upon the fin density, heat pipe count, as well as overall build quality. That, combined with its decent RAM compatibility makes it the Best Air Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X.
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 7/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Design: 9/10 |
CPU Coolers For Ryzen 9 9900X I Didn’t Consider
Even aside from my picks, there were several good releases over the course of the past year. Here are a few CPU coolers that hold up quite well, but weren’t able to make it onto the list.
- DeepCool Mystique 360: Despite being a solid performer, the DeepCool Mystique 360mm wasn’t able to make it onto the list due to its availability issues in some regions.
- Valkyrie SYN360 ARGB: The Valkyrie SYN360 ARGB performed well in our tests; however, its higher overall price makes it a worse value compared to my current picks.
Benchmarks Of Our Selection
I have also compiled the benchmarks for the CPU coolers I have selected so you can gauge each cooler’s cooling capabilities at a glance.
Specifications Comparision
Sort the CPU Coolers based on their specifications:
| CPU Cooler | Fan Speed (RPM) | Static Pressure (mm H2O) | Airflow (CFM) | Fan Noise Output (dBA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos ARGB | 2500 | 3.61 | 70.7 | 27.2 |
| ENERMAX LIQMAXFLO 360mm A-RGB | 1800 | 2.4 | 58 | 23.4 |
| EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB | 2300 | 2.7 | 72 | 36 |
| Noctua NH-D15 G2 LBC | 1500 | 2.56 | 91.5 | 24.8 |
Important Cooling Terms
These are some key CPU cooling terms that can confuse beginners:
- Heat Pipes: Tubes that quickly move heat away from hot components using a liquid-vapor cycle.
- TDP: Thermal Design Power, the maximum amount of heat a CPU or GPU is expected to produce under normal gaming loads.
- Thermal Throttling: When a CPU or GPU slows down to avoid overheating, which can affect gaming performance.
- FPI: Fins Per Inch, a measure of how densely packed the cooling fins are on a radiator, affecting its cooling efficiency.
- Radiator: Part of a liquid cooling system that disperses heat from the coolant, keeping your CPU’s temperature down.
- RPM: Revolutions Per Minute, indicating how fast a fan spins; higher RPM means more cooling but often more noise.
- Fan Bearings: Components inside fans that reduce friction and allow smooth rotation, important for durability and noise levels.
- PWM: Pulse Width Modulation, a technology that adjusts fan speeds based on temperature, balancing cooling and noise.
- Static Pressure: The ability of a fan to push air through dense objects like radiators or heatsinks, crucial for effective cooling in tight spaces.
- CFM: Cubic Feet per Minute, a measure of how much air a fan can move, essential for keeping components cool in a gaming rig.
How I Tested These Coolers For My Round-Up
Our testing methodology is quite exhaustive to make sure that all the AIOs and air coolers are tested to their limits. However, I always focus on four key aspects during my reviews:
- Thermal Performance: I started by checking the thermal benchmarks. After all, the goal was to find coolers that could handle the Ryzen 9 9900X effectively, not just in theory but under heavy use.
- Noise Profile: A loud cooler can be annoying, so I prioritized finding ones that kept noise to a minimum while still providing excellent cooling.
- Design: Performance is crucial, but aesthetics matter too. I searched for coolers that not only perform well but also add some visual appeal to your setup.
- Overall Value: I also considered the value of each cooler I recommended. It’s not about spending the most money but about finding the best performance for the price.
Share Your Thoughts
FAQs
No, a Ryzen 9 doesn’t necessarily need a water cooler. Most higher-end air coolers will also provide enough performance for the CPU.
Yes, the Ryzen 9 9900X does run hot when paired with an inadequate cooler.
Yes, the Ryzen 9 9900X can be air cooled.
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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