The best CPU coolers for Ryzen 7 5800X

Javed Ali Updated

Almost everybody knows that the flow of electrons in a circuit can cause electronics to heat up. CPUs are complex architecture consisting of conductors that produce heat when utilized. AMD Ryzen 7 5800X (Amazon) is a top-seller CPU for gaming and content creation. It generates around 105W of heat which only the best CPU cooler for Ryzen 7 5800X can remove. There are tons of products in the market for cooling CPUs, as Ryzen has been using the AM4 socket since 2016. We have compiled a list of coolers compatible with this CPU dimensionally and with heat removal. There are mainly two types of coolers to choose from air type and liquid coolers. Both release heat into the environmental air but take heat from the processor through different methods.

Liquid coolers are designed for high-end overclocking applications where heat can be detrimental to the overclocking limit of the CPU. The processor doesn’t require overclocking for most modern gaming and applications, but if you are a content creator, the faster frequency will reduce the encoding times. Currently, most games are bottlenecked by the graphics card but if you want to build a future-proof gaming PC, going with 5800X is a logical decision. An air-based cooler can be economical, but you should consider its dimensions as it can hinder the PC case or components. Air-based coolers have lower moving parts, thus providing better reliability. With the right mounting system, AM4 is entirely covered by the listed CPU coolers.

Our recommendations for The best CPU coolers for Ryzen 7 5800X

  1. Noctua NH-U12A
  2. Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280
  3. NZXT Kraken X73 360mm
  4. be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 TR4
  5. Scythe Fuma 2 CPU air cooler

Noctua NH-U12A

Best air Noctua NH-U12A View on Amazon

PROS

+Low noise adapter included

+SecuFirm2 mounting system

+Soldered Heatpipe and fin for reliability

CONS

-No RGB lighting

-Unappealing beige and brown color

Noctua is known to make precision products that are quiet when operating and designed to deliver what they show in specifications. Noctua NH-U12A is the best CPU cooler combination for Ryzen 7 5800X. The cooler provides 169W of TDP (thermal design power) in a single tower two-fan configuration. The extra room for overclocking is ideal for the AMD processor. It produces a mere 22.6 dB(A) noise at its maximum capacity. While running at 2000 RPM, it manages to push 102.1m³/h of air. The push and pull configuration of the two premium grade Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM fans makes the design compact, ensuring that the PCIe slot remains unobstructed. The 5th generation design of the successful NH-U12 design provides 37% more fin area than its predecessor. 

Noctua has improved its RAM compatibility with this design. The rear fan will stay above the RAM modules, so you are limited to 42mm height above the DIMM slot. However, you can move the fan’s neutral position slightly upward to accommodate a taller RAM. There will be a decrease in performance, but the margin in TDP between the processor and cooler will keep the CPU within its operating parameters. Its compact design keeps it clear for touching the side panel of the PC case owing to the 120mm fan size and the 7-heatpipes. Another change to the invention is the soldering between the heatpipes and fins. The different material expansion rates of aluminum and copper may lead to losing joints eliminated by soldering for long-lasting, consistent performance.

Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280

Best AIO Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280 View on Amazon

PROS

+Power-efficient design

+Excellent VRM heatsinks

+Efficient PWM Controlled Pump

CONS

-Build quality could improve

-No flexible joint for water block

It doesn’t matter which CPU you want to cool Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280 will remain our best liquid cooler in design. It combines the powerful overclocking headspace with the component cooling property of an air cooler. An air-based cooler moves air through the PC case from the front to the back, which aids in cooling RAM, VRM Modules, and PCIe slots. However, if you use a traditional liquid cooler, it uses a water block placed on the CPU with a pump inside. The water block moves the liquid to the radiator to cool it. Arctic has placed a VRM cooler alongside the water block pump. The VRM cooler pushes air towards the motherboard leaving a cooling effect for all other components, especially the VRM heatsinks that get hot under overclocked conditions. 

The cooler can keep a 200W TDP CPU within its operating range effortlessly. It has been designed in-house, with the pump consuming from 0.7-4.7 W depending on the usage of the CPU. It produces only a 25.7dBA which is very low for a liquid cooler thanks to the 38mm thick densely finned radiator. The Arctic ensured compatibility with the current products as well as the future. AMD is finally thinking of changing its socket size, and the Arctic immediately released a mounting system to support the AM5 socket. The fans used on the radiator are based on static pressure maintaining a solid 2.4mmH2o pressure. A densely packed radiator always needs a high static pressure fan, and the Arctic promises performance with a 6-year warranty.

NZXT Kraken X73 360mm

Best premium NZXT Kraken X73 360mm View on Amazon

PROS

+RGB infinity mirror

+User-friendly software

+Top-tier cooling performance

CONS

-No Threadripper bracket

-Can cause clearance issues

There is no chance the Ryzen 7 5800X will heat up with the NZXT Kraken X73 360mm taking away its heat. The premium quality liquid-based cooler looks stunning and performs even better as the best CPU cooler for Ryzen 7 5800X. It can take away 340W of heat with a Ryzen processor overclocked beyond its optimum 105W TDP. The performance was benchmarked with a rig similar to a CPU socket and heated up to 340W. Different parameters of the cooler were observed to judge the performance of the liquid cooler. It managed to maintain a 22.2°C over the ambient temperature. At 0.0719 °C/Watt, the thermal resistance of the cooler was way above any other liquid cooler on the market. Premium products come with a high-end price tag. 

NZXT provides a 6-year warranty to back their product built quality. The pre-filled loop flows liquid from the pump to the radiator via nylon mesh-sleeved tubing to ensure a leak-tight enclosure. Three 120mm Aer P fans sit on the radiator, releasing heat from the fins to the air. Their 2.93 mm-H₂O high-static pressure design allows them to run at lower noise, and thanks to the large 360mm radiator removing 105W of heat from the Ryzen 7 5800X will not be a problem. The water block consists of a copper base plate that is round in shape and a top with an 80mm diameter cap. The rotation of the water block is accommodated by turning off the top cap at 30° intervals. Considering its compatibility with the AM5 socket and an after-market LGA1700 mounting system, it’s a future-proof design.

be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 TR4

Super quiet be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 TR4 View on Amazon

PROS

+Durable copper heat pipes

+Cutouts enhance the RAM compatibility

+Two virtually inaudible Silent Wings PWM fans

CONS

-No support for AM5 yet

-Sharp fin edges may cause injury

Be quiet has led in mechanical engineering with high-end products that last long and perform extravagantly. The prime example in air coolers is there be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 TR4. The large black-colored heat fin with subtle looks that easily blend in with the enclosure makes it an ideal choice for minimalists. Their design makes it the best low-noise cooler on our list. You could be running Red Dead Redemption at 4K resolution, and your processor 5800x will not feel any heat with Dark Rock Pro 4 TR4. Its 250W TDP provides a whopping 145W of overclocking headspace. You might be worried about the noise levels of the cooler at its peak, but it is surprising to see that it generates a mere 24.3dB(A) at a max 250W TDP. 

Due to the ample overclocking headspace, the cooler runs quieter. The small changes in temperatures reduce thermal stresses on the material, making it long-lasting. Two 120mm fans, one on the front and one in the middle of the twin tower design, work in a push and pull configuration. It does pose a 40mm RAM height limitation, but the fan can be displaced to make room by compromising slightly on the performance. Simply put, it’s overkill for the Ryzen 7 5800X, but due to its exceptional future compatibility and excellent record, it’s an ideal choice for any PC build. Just be sure that the PC case side cover is at a 162.8mm distance from the top of your processor; otherwise, it won’t fit.

Scythe Fuma 2 CPU air cooler

Best budget Scythe Fuma 2 CPU air cooler View on Amazon

PROS

+100% RAM height compatibility

+Anti-vibration pad on 120mm fans

+Included thermal compound paste & Y fan cable

CONS

-No thermal pads

-No low-noise adapter

Running on a budget is not a problem; we have covered you with the incredible Scythe Fuma 2 CPU air cooler. Do not let the price tag deceive you; it’s 100% compatible with the Ryzen 7 5800X as it can handle 200W safely. The margin of extra heat of 95W is more than enough for experimenting with overclocking. At first glance, you will find the combination of black, silver, and grey attractive. The cooler will look stunning over a white or black motherboard. Fitted with two 120mm fans and an anti-vibration pad, the noise levels are kept within 25dB(A) under a maximum load of 200W. Since the Ryzen will only challenge it with a 105W under specified Turbo Frequencies, the air cooler will run much quieter.

Scythe has been around long enough to build trust amongst PC enthusiasts. Its users have earned excellent reviews and reported minor manufacturing issues. Its asymmetrical design makes it a heavy module with 1Kg of weight overall. However, it allows for 100% 55mm RAM compatibility for most motherboards. The fans run in opposite directions to keep the airflow smooth and static pressure high for low noise operation. It is a. They used a slim fan and a thicker fan for optimum performance. You can achieve 51 CFM of airflow at maximum load with the fans. The six sintered heat pipes run from the base plate to the heatsink. Its 155mm height poses little problem for the PC case, and the future compatibility of the cooler will require an after-market purchase of the mounting system.

Final Words

CPU coolers can boost your system performance boost by a significant amount. In our review, we have listed the best choices for the best CPU cooler for Ryzen 7 5800X; you have to pick the right one for your build. We aimed to provide enough headspace for overclocking beyond the specified limits for enthusiasts. 5800X is an ideal processor for gaming and content creators. It consumes low power and offers high-end performance. Air-based coolers have lower overclocking headspace than liquid coolers but are long-lasting with extended warranties for reliability. Liquid coolers or air coolers, both types, have pros and cons.

If you plan to frequently perform iterative workloads, the 5800x, when overclocked, will reduce solution times significantly. However, the heat produced might increase above the specified limits, but all the coolers on the list will support its performance. All you need to consider is clearances on the motherboard, PC case, RAM, and PCIe slots. Most manufacturers have improved their designs leading to asymmetry in assembly. Some have opted for fan displacement to make space for RAM. Modern gaming graphics cards take up significant space, which may hinder a cooler. The Arctic, be Quiet!, NZXT, and Noctua all consider the clearances required by modern hardware. Overall we hope you will find your favorite product from the list.