The best CPU coolers for Ryzen 5 5600X
In this world of technology, everyone deals with computers in their homes and workplaces. And computers, with continuous advancement in technology, have evolved too. Modern-day PCs require more power to function than they used to. Moreover, the more hectic tasks you perform, the more rugged your system has to be, or thermal throttling will ruin it. A processor like the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X (Amazon) will suit you the most if you are a hardcore gamer or a user who throws a lot on his system to handle. The product is just the right choice and is a powerful beast with six cores and twelve threads. However, this article will discuss the best CPU cooler for Ryzen 5 5600X, not the CPU itself. That is because even a strong entry like the 5600X would not be able to cope with the enormous heat.
But some of you who ignore minor hardware pieces might wonder what a CPU cooler is and why they need it. The gear we are talking about removes all that nasty heat a processor generates while handling challenging tasks. The system is bound to produce heat if a gamer spends hours on the PC. That heat may damage the rig in the long run, so you need to nip the evil in the bud. That is why a CPU cooler is an essential component. It lowers the temperature and keeps the thing running in optimal conditions, thus increasing the lifespan. There are many CPU coolers in the technical market right now, and this dizzying array might cause trouble for the buyer. So we have composed this guide for your assistance.
Our recommendations for The best CPU coolers for Ryzen 5 5600X
- Noctua NH-U12A
- be quiet! Dark Rock Slim BK024
- Arctic Freezer 34 esports edition
- NZXT Kraken X73 360mm
- Arctic Liquid Freezer II 240
Noctua NH-U12A
Quiet and powerful
PROS
+Dual NF-A12 fans
+SecuFirm2 mounting kit
+Low-Noise Adaptors and PWM
CONS
-No thermal pads
-Bland color scheme
Before anything else, let’s talk about the Noctua NH-U12A because as soon as we hear the words ‘CPU cooler’, there is no way that we think of anything other than Noctua. The company is one of the most recognized businesses, and the crowd has always been after its products. The item we are discussing is a crowned accomplishment of the manufacturers and works well with many Intel and AMD sockets. You can play your favorite games for hours and still not worry about your rig being throttled, as the cooler does its job perfectly. Nothing is better than this splendid gear for a processor from AMD’s Ryzen 5 series.
The item possesses high-quality dual fans with PWM control. The fans are blazing-fast and are made of robust materials. There are hardly a few cons to this item, but we should mention those too. It does not have mounting brackets for the LGA775 socket, and there is no RGB lighting. Moreover, the color scheme is dull and would not match the theme-based builds. However, who cares about looks when you can get your hands on the ultimate performer, right? So no matter how harsh you go on the system, this thing will always have your back. Apart from all other features, the warranty is another ravishing factor.
be quiet! Dark Rock Slim BK024
Extra quiet
PROS
+Low noise level
+Add-on accessories
+Highly compact construction
CONS
-No RGB illumination
-Only one fan included
The be quiet! Dark Rock Slim BK024 is a top-notch product from the Dark rock series that comes with an enchanting fit and finish. This attractive gear offers a 180-watt TDP at an accessible rate. The black paint does not hinder heat dissipation as it has ceramic particles embedded in it and a brushed aluminum top cover with a diamond-cut finish. This heat sync comes with a 120 mm PWM fan, and this fan at max produces 23 dB of noise that is barely audible at all. This CPU cooler provides impressive cooling despite its slim form factor and, unlike other coolers from this series, doesn’t have space issues.
This impressive thing doesn’t cover up or interfere with RAM slots, and users can install any high-profile RAM easily. It performs as well as other coolers of the same range and form factor and is even better in many cases. But the most impressive thing about this cooler is that it is considered the quietest cooler on the market and is a significant feature in this form factor. Right out of the box, the product comes with AMD and Intel mounts and thermal compound separately bagged and appropriately labeled for user convenience and easy installation. It also comes with an extra fan mount. So you can mount an additional fan to the heat sink if you want to work with a push-pull configuration.
Arctic Freezer 34 esports edition
Cheap cooling
PROS
+High-quality bearing
+Sturdy heatsink with 54 fins
+AM4 & AM5 sockets compatible
CONS
-No manual included
-Bothersome installation
The Arctic Freezer 34 esports edition is a tremendous single fan 120mm CPU cooler that comes at a very user-friendly price. It still provides high performance and excellent cooling at this price point. This cooler’s four copper heat pipes directly interact with the processor. That allows faster and more effective dissipation of heat. The heat sink has a thermal coating that produces microturbulence and is better at transferring heat. It comes with a BioniX P-fan with an extended RPM range of 200-2000. This best-in-town cooler has a slim form factor and causes no issues with RAM clearance. Moreover, it doesn’t cover the slots.
It is a PWM fan with high static pressure and suitable quality bearings. It comes with a male and female PWM connector that allows an extension. Extra fan mounting clips are provided so you can add another to the heat sink. It comes with good quality arctic mx4 thermal paste in the box. It can be easily installed using thumb screws within a few minutes as all the mounting hardware is provided and packed separately. It works at noise levels and produces 28dB in a case. It comes in great colors that are aesthetically pleasing and has a premium finish, so looks great and is the best CPU cooler for Ryzen 5 5600X. Overall it gives you the best output for the little amount you pay for it and provides your CPU with ample cooling so it can perform without heating up.
NZXT Kraken X73 360mm
Premium liquid cooling
PROS
+Infinity mirror and LCD
+Next-gen Asetek pump
+Admirable thermal performance
CONS
-No fan control
-No threadripper bracket included
NZXT provides some of the best AIO coolers in the market. After the previous one, the latest model, NZXT Kraken X73 360mm, has improved aesthetics, performance, and compatibility. X73 claims to be the most efficient cooler. It has a new and improved 7th generation pump, a higher RPM range, and a 360 mm aluminum radiator with 22 fins per inch dense fin array. It has three 120 mm Aer p120 fans with 500 -2000 RPM that can quickly push plenty of air through the radiator to keep it cool. They are also relatively quiet, with 21dB at low speeds and up to 36dB at maximum speed. It comes with pre-applied thermal paste and is super easy to install.
A splitter is also included with new models to power the fans and chain them. The tubes connecting the water block and radiator are 400 mm long and thus are compatible with more oversized cases. The new infinity mirror ring led looks perfect and can be rotated now so it can be mounted in any direction. It has a micro-USB connector for the mother connection and a break-out cable with a 10-pin connector. The CAM software allows you to customize the fan and pump speeds with many different options. Also, the RGB is customizable and gives your build a cool look. Although you cannot call it a budget-friendly device, it still impresses with its all-rounder nature.
Arctic Liquid Freezer II 240
Mid-level cooling
PROS
+Fluid Dynamic Bearing
+Thermal paste included
+High-quality fiber-reinforce EPDM tubing
CONS
-No software to control the pump
-No compatibility with TR4 x399 motherboards
The Arctic Liquid Freezer II 240 is an excellent cooler with the surprisingly incredible performance considering its affordable price range. This item is a value-to-money product, and if you want a cost-effective liquid cooler with outstanding performance, this product is for you. The cooler is relatively easy to install and comes in a simple, neat black finish and an excellent fan design. The fans have extended speed ranges of 200-1800 rpm, making them more power efficient and silent under low loads. It has a 38 mm thick radiator with high fin density and a power-efficient, low, noise water pump.
The cooler has a 200-watt TDP which can effectively cool down even high-performance and heat-producing chips. It also features a VRM fan, a unique feature not typically seen in other products, and can keep your VRM a bit cooler. The fan and other cables are integrated and covered along with the tubing, so you don’t have to deal with cable management, and your setup looks cleaner. The cooler outperforms its competitors and many high-end, highly-priced AIOs of the same size.
Final Words
We have provided readers with a list of products to help them find the best CPU cooler for Ryzen 5 5600X. The more powerful a processor is, the more heat it produces while tackling intricate tasks. Intensive gaming sessions and consecutive hours of live streaming make the system more vulnerable to heat. That temperature rise eventually leads to thermal throttling and bottlenecks in the system. The Ryzen 5 5600X is one of the best offerings of the class-leading brand AMD. It handles all that you throw at it like a breeze. However, prolonged exposure to heat may cause damage to it too. You need to pair it with one of the most well-acclaimed coolers.
After vigorous testing and research, we picked the top items of various brands and came up with the shortlisted ones. You can choose between the two types of CPU coolers; air coolers and liquid coolers, which we also term AIOs. You may get utterly confused due to the plethora of options available, but to assist you, we have reviewed the top picks and mentioned their positive and negative points. So all you need to do now is know the requirements of your system and your budget. After that, you can pick the most captivating thing to enhance the overall performance by many folds. Above all, you don’t have to roam the market since you can get the item right at your doorstep.
Learn More About the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Other Guides When Building a PC
- GPU
- Motherboard
- CPU Cooler
- RAM