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Best CPU cooler for AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D – our top picks

Which CPU cooler will take the top spot?
Last Updated on July 9, 2024
Close-up view of the Corsair H150i ELITE LCD XT
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The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is currently one of the best gaming processors on the market. It has a 120W TDP, and according to the tests, it can get pretty hot sometimes. Therefore, to keep those temperatures down and maintain optimal performance you’ll need to find a compatible CPU cooler that can handle the heat of this gaming-focused 7000 series CPU.

Believe it or not, the 7800X3D isn’t that hard to cool, but it is very sensitive to high temperatures, thanks to the 3D cache contained within. This means we’ll have to ensure the X3D stays as cool as possible through those demanding workloads.

Products at a glance

How we picked the best cooler for Ryzen 7 7800X3D

Our team of experts benchmarks and tests these coolers in a multitude of workloads in the pursuit of finding the best CPU cooler. You can review our testing methodologies on our PC Guide labs page if you’re at all interested in how we test our coolers.

We also consider coolers that offer a balance between effective heat dissipation, noise levels, and longevity. Preference is given to coolers with proven track records of handling CPUs with similar or higher TDPs, ensuring they can comfortably manage the thermal demands of the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.

Best cooler for Ryzen 7 7800X3D
01
  • A Corsair H150i ELITE LCD XT computer liquid cooling system with a digital display and three fans illuminated by multicolored LED lights.
  • Close-up view of the baseplate of a Corsair CPU cooler, showing a square copper surface with screws along the edges. The background includes blurred computer components and the "PC guide" logo in the corner, highlighting the ELITE LCD on an H150i model.
  • A close-up view of a H150i CPU water block attached to a motherboard inside a computer case, highlighting the detail of computer components and connectivity with an ELITE LCD for precise monitoring.
  • A computer setup with three cooling fans displaying colorful LED lights, a GeForce RTX graphics card, and a motherboard visible. For an in-depth look at the cooling system's performance, check out the Corsair H150i ELITE LCD XT review.
Excellent
Specifications
  • Radiator Type: Aluminium
  • Fan Edition: 3x Corsair ML120 ELITE RGB PWM
  • Max RPM: 2000 RPM
  • Socket Support: Intel 1700, 1200, 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1366, 2011, 2066 AMD AM4, AM3, AM2, sTRX4, sTR4
Reasons to Buy
  • LCD screen to display system information
  • Excellent cooling performance
  • Fits almost any build aesthetic
  • Available without an LCD screen if that’s more your thing
Reasons to Avoid
  • Expensive
  • Big, won’t fit in smaller builds
  • Need iCUE to operate properly

As per our review, the Corsair H150i offers fantastic performance to those who are willing to foot the bill, but don’t let the price of this cooler put you off too much. This is one of the best-performing coolers that Corsair has on offer right now and is more than capable of handling a 120W TDP CPU such as the 7800X3D. It’ll even handle more if you wish to upgrade in the future.

If you need a CPU cooler to titillate the need to plaster memes all over the inside of your PC, or you’re more sensible and want to display system information to keep better track of your PC, then this cooler might be the one for you.

PC Guide

If you want a cooler that can display real-time information about the state of the CPU on its 480 x 480 LCD screen, then this cooler might be the right one for you. But the functionality of the screen doesn’t end there, you can put any image or GIF on the screen that you desire, making it a truly customizable piece of hardware.

The Corsair AF120 RGB ELITE PWM fans also deliver massive low-noise airflow with AirGuide technology along a high-surface area 360mm radiator for extreme CPU cooling performance. The fans alone cost roughly half of the value of the entire setup so that alone should be an indication of how valued they are.

What users say

The Corsair H150i LCD has a 4.3 rating out of 1,033 reviews. One user, said “This thing keeps my CPU cooler than a polar bear’s toenails. Seriously, I could probably fry an egg on my processor without this bad boy. So if you want a CPU cooler that’s as efficient as it is stylish, look no further than the Corsair iCUE H100i ELITE LCD XT”

Best Budget CPU cooler for Ryzen 7 7800X3D
02
Highly Recommended
Specifications
  • Cooling Method: Air
  • Material: Aluminium, Copper
  • Max fan speed: 1500 rpm
  • Noise level: 24.6 dBA
  • Fan size: 140mm
  • Thermal paste: Included
Reasons to Buy
  • Affordable
  • Easy to install
  • Decent performance for an Air cooler
Reasons to Avoid
  • Very little thermal headroom for upgrading
  • No control software
  • Limited color choice

This double-stack monster of an air cooler comes to us from the boffins at Noctua. This is the air cooler that means business and actually performs more like a 120mm AIO cooler. The reason behind this is the dual tower heatsink design and the multiple 140mm fans that push air through it.

This cooler is very popular in the air cooler market for many reasons, mainly its cooling performance. But Noctua has an industry-recognized aesthetic that works seamlessly in almost any build.

PC Guide

As per our review of the Noctua NH-D15, we showed extensively that this cooler is indeed incredibly capable, especially when facing the likes of the 14600k (the CPU we used to do our testing). That CPU has a TDP of 125w (max 181), so we know for sure that this cooler can handle the 120W TDP of the 7800X3D.

Most of this cooling prowess is generated by the 2 highly optimized NF-A15 140mm fans, with PWM and low-noise adapters for full, but silent autonomy. These fans are capable of moving air at an alarming rate and should be accompanying all CPU coolers in our humble opinion.

What users say

The Noctua NH-D15 has a 4.7 rating out of 5 on Amazon, based on 11,807 reviews. One user said: “I did not expect this beast to be the size it was, but after following the instructions and mounting it…what’s that…silence. Not only silence but also temperatures that rival my old AIO liquid cooler.”

Best middle ground cooler for Ryzen 7 7800X3D
03
  • ASUS Ryujin III 240 aluminium radiator
  • ASUS Ryujin III 240 box featured image
  • ASUS Ryujin III 240 out of the box and full box contents
  • ASUS Ryujin III 240 cold plate with pre applied thermal paste
  • ASUS Ryujin III 240 in test bench set up
Excellent
Specifications
  • Cooling Method: Liquid
  • Noise level: 36.54dBa
  • Material: Copper, Aluminium
  • Fan size: 120mm
  • Max fan speed : 2,000 rpm
  • Thermal paste: Included
Reasons to Buy
  • Great cooling performance
  • LCD screen
  • Fully customizable
Reasons to Avoid
  • Expensive
  • Need Armory crate to utilize fully
  • Bulky (just a style thing)

This is the Ryujin III 240, and as per our review, it’s almost a masterpiece. This CPU is capable of tackling flagship CPUs let alone the 7800X3D. If you need a CPU cooler that is capable of handling pretty much anything, comes in a smaller form factor, and has an LCD screen, then you’re definitely in the right place.

Half of the reason this cooler can cool so well is ASUS’ ongoing partnership with Noctua to provide the Ryujin with Noctua iPPC-2000 PWM fans to help keep things cool.

PC Guide

The LCD screen offers basically the same functionality as the Corsair one does, only this time you have to go through ASUS Armory Crate as opposed to iCUE, which is a bit of a bummer as Armorey Crate is notorious for, well, not working.

ASUS prides itself on quality products for the most part and has been in the cooling game for a long time. This is the third iteration of the Ryujin cooler, featuring an 8th-generation Asetek pump. So you can be sure you’re getting performance and quality to match.

What users say

The Ryujin III has a rating on Amazon of 4.6 out of 106 reviews, with one verified purchaser stating “You won’t be disappointed”, which kind of speaks for itself, don’t you think?

Features and Considerations

When selecting a cooler for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, it’s crucial to consider both its TDP rating and heat dissipation efficiency. With a 120W TDP, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D demands a cooling solution that can effectively manage its heat output, especially during intensive gaming or heavy computational tasks.

A good cooler not only maintains optimal temperatures but also extends the CPU’s lifespan by preventing overheating. Air coolers and liquid coolers are both viable options, with air coolers typically being more budget-friendly and easier to install, while liquid coolers offer superior cooling efficiency and aesthetic appeal.

Your cooler needs to be compatible with the size and layout of your case and motherboard. Some coolers are lower profile than others, potentially leading to RAM clearance issues. And if you opt for an AIO cooler with a longer radiator, you’d better check that the radiator fits somewhere within your case.

Is the Ryzen 7 7800X3D easy to cool?

The Ryzen 7800X3D is relatively easy to cool. Despite being a high-performance CPU, it has a manageable TDP of around 120 watts, which doesn’t typically exceed 90 watts. This means that it doesn’t generate excessive heat under normal operating conditions, making it compatible with a wide range of cooling solutions, from high-end liquid coolers to more budget-friendly air coolers.

Eve is a writer and copy editor at PC Guide, who focuses on a broad range of topics but main interest lies in the development of AI technology.