Best AIR Cooler for Ryzen 9950X

[brandonj26]

Hey everyone,
I'm heading to Microcenter this weekend to pick up a Ryzen 9950X along with a motherboard kit, RAM, PSU, case, and other components. I'm planning to go with air cooling rather than liquid, and I want to make sure I get something that can handle this processor effectively.
What air coolers would you recommend for the 9950X? I'm particularly interested in ones Microcenter might carry so I can grab everything in one trip, but I'm also open to overnighting one off Amazon if there's something significantly better.
Any advice on specific models, experiences, or things to watch out for would be greatly appreciated! 

[Hinjima]

7 minutes ago, brandonj26 said:

Hey everyone,
I'm heading to Microcenter this weekend to pick up a Ryzen 9950X along with a motherboard kit, RAM, PSU, case, and other components. I'm planning to go with air cooling rather than liquid, and I want to make sure I get something that can handle this processor effectively.
What air coolers would you recommend for the 9950X? I'm particularly interested in ones Microcenter might carry so I can grab everything in one trip, but I'm also open to overnighting one off Amazon if there's something significantly better.
Any advice on specific models, experiences, or things to watch out for would be greatly appreciated! 

 

Do you want absolute peak performance or do you also want value?

The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE or Phantom Spirit are great value coolers that is up there with the Noctua NH-D15 in cooling.

There is also a SE 140 version for larger fans.

 

The Be Quiet DARK ROCK PRO 5 is a damn solid top tier AirCooler but costs significantly more than the Thermalright coolers.

 

[brandonj26]

1 minute ago, Hinjima said:

Do you want absolute peak performance or do you also want value?

The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE or Phantom Spirit are great value coolers that is up there with the Noctua NH-D15 in cooling.

There is also a SE 140 version for larger fans.

 

The Be Quiet DARK ROCK PRO 5 is a damn solid top tier AirCooler but costs significantly more than the Thermalright coolers.

 

Peak performance since I'm a full time editor/content creator using premiere/after effects. I'm also looking at the pop air case for optimal airflow throughout.  

[Hinjima]

5 minutes ago, brandonj26 said:

Peak performance since I'm a full time editor/content creator using premiere/after effects. I'm also looking at the pop air case for optimal airflow throughout.  

 

From Microcenter it would be the Be Quiet DARK ROCK PRO 5 or NH-D15.

I would also look at other cases for optimal airflow.

 

Airflow, noise levels and dust filters are my main concerns with buying a case and I landed on the Fractal Torrent.

Its expensive, Its massive... but it has 2x180 front fans and 3x140mm pre-installed and its the 2nd top case tested by Gamers Nexus when it comes to airflow and acoustics.

The airflow will definitely help keep an AirCooler ( like mine ) cool and quiet  

 

 

If size is a problem then we gotta look at something else. Maybe the Fractal Torrent Compact.

[brandonj26]

38 minutes ago, Hinjima said:

From Microcenter it would be the Be Quiet DARK ROCK PRO 5 or NH-D15.

I would also look at other cases for optimal airflow.

 

Airflow, noise levels and dust filters are my main concerns with buying a case and I landed on the Fractal Torrent.

Its expensive, Its massive... but it has 2x180 front fans and 3x140mm pre-installed and its the 2nd top case tested by Gamers Nexus when it comes to airflow and acoustics.

If size is a problem then we gotta look at something else. Maybe the Fractal Torrent Compact.

definitely will go with the NH-D15 and either the torrent or north cases. What PSU would you recommend? 

[freeagent]

If you want peak performance from this CPU you should be using an AIO. If it is anything like a 9900X, then it rips.

 

[Hinjima]

6 minutes ago, brandonj26 said:

definitely will go with the NH-D15 and either the torrent or north cases. What PSU would you recommend? 

Expensive but solid choice  

 

I was personally going to go with the Fractal North XL but reviewers did complain about noise levels due to turbulene from the front wooden panel.

I have not encountered this issue with the Fractal Torrent.

Its whisper quiet with decent fanspeed for airflow.

 

What GPU do you plan on pairing with the 9950X?

 

I personally only use Corsair RMx series of PSU's, I stand by their reliability.

I have 5 RMi/RMx PSU's.  I use a RM1000x 2024 ATX 3.1 model in my main rig.

Seasonic got some solid options like their Focus or higher end Vertex lineup.

All with 10 year warranty and Vertex with 12 year warranty.

[brandonj26]

1 minute ago, Hinjima said:

Expensive but solid choice  

 

I was personally going to go with the Fractal North XL but reviewers did complain about noise levels due to turbulene from the front wooden panel.

I have not encountered this issue with the Fractal Torrent.

Its whisper quiet with decent fanspeed for airflow.

 

What GPU do you plan on pairing with the 9950X?

I plan on keeping my 3060ti until the market gets back to semi-normal, then probably going for a 4070 or something similar 

[Hinjima]

1 minute ago, brandonj26 said:

I plan on keeping my 3060ti until the market gets back to semi-normal, then probably going for a 4070 or something similar 

I edited the post above.

A solid 850w will be enough for that setup  

[podkall]

44 minutes ago, Hinjima said:

The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE or Phantom Spirit are great value coolers that is up there with the Noctua NH-D15 in cooling.

There is also a SE 140 version for larger fans.

The 140 isn't that noticeably better than 120, not sure if there needs something specific for the 140 version to be better.

 

42 minutes ago, brandonj26 said:

Peak performance since I'm a full time editor/content creator using premiere/after effects. I'm also looking at the pop air case for optimal airflow throughout.

There are of cases to get that have good airflow.

 

Lian Li LANCOOL 216 RGB

Fractal Design North

Fractal Design Torrent

Phanteks XT PRO ULTRA

Montech AIR 903 MAX

 

 

2 minutes ago, Hinjima said:

I was personally going to go with the Fractal North XL but reviewers did complain about noise levels due to turbulene from the front wooden panel.

I have not encountered this issue with the Fractal Torrent.

I heared Torrent being pretty loud too though, not sure if it's fan curve issue or specific case issue.

 

1 minute ago, brandonj26 said:

I plan on keeping my 3060ti until the market gets back to semi-normal, then probably going for a 4070 or something similar 

Check out the 5070 Ti, it's a pretty decent GPU if it's price ever drops back to it's supposed one.

[freeagent]

5 minutes ago, podkall said:

I heared Torrent being pretty loud too though, not sure if it's fan curve issue or specific case issue.

Its the motor noise from the 180s. I haven't used the newer Fractal 140s though.

[podkall]

5 minutes ago, freeagent said:

Its the motor noise from the 180s. I haven't used the newer Fractal 140s though.

Oh there's 2 versions with different sized fans?

[freeagent]

16 minutes ago, podkall said:

Oh there's 2 versions with different sized fans?

The full sized Torrent comes with the 2x 180s and I think 4x 140s, the Compact just comes with the 2x 180s, and the Nano or whatever comes with 1x 180 I think. With the compact you can squeeze a Thermalright TL or TY series fan into the rear exhaust, it will just snap into place, no screws needed. And you can fit 2x 120s or 2x 140s at the bottom of the Compact. The way I had my Compact setup was probably the best air cooled chassis you could use right now.. but certain concessions have to be made to use it. For most people it is fine, but their are some situations that kind of bothered me with it. But that was with my AM4 system. Now I have a brand new AM5 setup, and I kind of want to go back.. but this case I am using now is just as good, has way more space, is quieter, and my AIO can take 6 fans and I cant use the top grill lol.. I can if I take a set of fans off.. but that is no fun.

 

Edit:

 

This case comes with 2x 200x38 ProArt fans, and a 140x38. They are quiet at full speed, pretty badass.

[CatTNT]

 Recently built a 9950X system for my brother using the only cooler we had, a Phantom Spirit 120SE (~$35). Using standard DDR5-6000 CL30 RAM, and a PBO profile called "Thermal Point 85" (throttles at 85C), the CPU performs above stock at ~43-44K Cinebench R23 multicore points. single core speed also appears to be normal too. I don't know HOW it's so good, but there appears to be zero downsides, so unless he comes to me with an issue (no issues for the past 2 months), then the cooler is perfectly good and there's no point paying for anything more. 

[podkall]

5 hours ago, CatTNT said:

 Recently built a 9950X system for my brother using the only cooler we had, a Phantom Spirit 120SE (~$35). Using standard DDR5-6000 CL30 RAM, and a PBO profile called "Thermal Point 85" (throttles at 85C), the CPU performs above stock at ~43-44K Cinebench R23 multicore points. single core speed also appears to be normal too. I don't know HOW it's so good, but there appears to be zero downsides, so unless he comes to me with an issue (no issues for the past 2 months), then the cooler is perfectly good and there's no point paying for anything more. 

What case do they use?

[CatTNT]

7 hours ago, podkall said:

What case do they use?

Don't remember, it's some old Corsair case that been used since he had a Ryzen 2400G.

Also added 1-3 Bequiet! fans (be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm)

[podkall]

1 hour ago, CatTNT said:

Don't remember, it's some old Corsair case that been used since he had a Ryzen 2400G.

Also added 1-3 Bequiet! fans (be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm)

3000D/4000D? big mesh front panel?

 

[CatTNT]

7 hours ago, podkall said:

3000D/4000D? big mesh front panel?

 

 

 

No way, from a little looking on Amazonit appears to be most similar to a Corsair Carbide Spec-Delta or Spec-Omega, but it's red and has tempered glass. Those are the most similar, but not the actual case. 

Anyways, the case is old and dusty and I don't think it's helping the 9950X achieve its amazing performance, it's most likely a hinderance that we won't bother to fix. I'm sure any modern LianLi or similar case would be far better. 

[podkall]

7 hours ago, CatTNT said:

No way, from a little looking on Amazonit appears to be most similar to a Corsair Carbide Spec-Delta or Spec-Omega, but it's red and has tempered glass. Those are the most similar, but not the actual case. 

 

yeah if it's similar to this that's pretty good, still mesh front pannel and 3 intake fans

 

7 hours ago, CatTNT said:

Anyways, the case is old and dusty and I don't think it's helping the 9950X achieve its amazing performance, it's most likely a hinderance that we won't bother to fix. I'm sure any modern LianLi or similar case would be far better. 

you can try this:

 

Also vacuum cleaner, or both, safely blasting the dust while the vacuum cleaner picks the lifted dust from the air, or if you have a backyard or something you can just dust the PC outside.

 

These aren't that expensive, and there's electric versions, if you consider buying one, remember not to shake or tilt too much, because inside there's liquid.

[freeagent]

Cans of air are so antiquated. Get one of these and never look back.

 

DATAVAC® ELECTRIC DUSTER®