With the launch of the Ryzen 9000 series delayed, many are stumped that they have to wait longer to get their hands on the next-gen chips. However, the Ryzen 9 5900XT is up for grabs, and as for which CPU cooler would work best on it, we’ve got you covered.
We researched multiple CPU coolers from the market, put them through our rigorous in-house testing, and put together this in-depth guide that features the coolers that made the cut.
You’ll find their reviews, details, pros and cons–everything you need to make an informed decision. We also have you covered with our Where to Buy 5900XT page, which has multiple retailers listed in one place to save you time and effort.
- Best CPU cooler for Ryzen 9 5900XT overall
Noctua NH-D15
- Cooling Method: Air
- Material: Aluminium, Copper
- Max fan speed: 1500 rpm
- Noise level: 24.6 dBA
- Fan size: 140mm
- Thermal paste: Included
- Best AIO cooler for Ryzen 9 5900XT
ASUS ROG Ryujin III 240
- Cooling Method: Liquid
- Noise level: 36.54dBa
- Material: Copper, Aluminium
- Fan size: 120mm
- Max fan speed : 2,000 rpm
- Thermal paste: Included
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Best budget cooler for Ryzen 9 5900XTNoctua NH-L12S
- Cooling Method: Air
- Max fan speed: 1800 rpm
- Fan size: 120mm
- Material: Aluminium, Copper
- Noise level: 25.7 dBA
- Thermal paste: Included
How we picked
Our selections aren’t based on on-box specifications; instead, we take a hands-on approach and test the limits of each CPU cooler by running it against various benchmarking software like Aida64 and CPU-Z. You can learn more about how we test CPU coolers in-depth to get a better understanding of our selection and testing process.
In addition, we look at the CPU cooler’s brand, price, dimensions, and installation process. As this component will remain the same for the next few years, it needs to be invested in wisely.
Our top picks
- Cooling Method: Air
- Material: Aluminium, Copper
- Max fan speed: 1500 rpm
- Noise level: 24.6 dBA
- Fan size: 140mm
- Thermal paste: Included
- It has amazing cooling performance
- It has dual heatsinks and 140mm fans
- It has six copper and aluminum vapor chamber pipes
- It’s huge and will likely require a large casing to accommodate it
- The brown and white might not be according to everyone’s taste
- The quiet mode lowers the noise level at the cost of performance
The Ryzen 9 5900XT is a buffed-up version of the 5900X and comes with a TDP of 105W, which is higher than most Ryzen 9000 series processors. However, to cool this old but new fighter, we recommend the Noctua NH-D15, as it performed excellently during our testing for its review.
This CPU cooler is massive, with dual heatsinks and powerful 140mm fans with a maximum fan speed of 1500 RPM. It also has six aluminum and copper vapor chambers running through the heatsinks to ensure maximum heat transfer and dissipation.
If you think 1500 RPM isn’t enough, remember that 140mm fans don’t need to spin as fast as 120mm fans to achieve the same cooling results. That said, despite having dual 140mm fans, it had a noise level of 24.6 dBA during our testing, which is very quiet.
For the 14600K, this cooler is okay, it’ll easily cool any other CPU below 150W no matter the workload. If you can find this COU cooler for less than $90 and you aren’t trying to cool a 14900K or anything to that end, then this CPU cooler would be perfect for you.
PC Guide
To see how well this cooler performs, we brought in the Intel Core i5-14600K, which has a base and maximum TDP of 125W and 181W, respectively, compared to 5900XT’s 105W TDP.
At idle, the 14600 K’s maximum temperature was 34°C, and the air temperature behind the fan was 27.5°C. During the Aida stress test, which takes the CPU to its utmost operational limit, the maximum temperature was 86°C while the average CPU core temperature was 70°C.
The air temperature behind the fans was 30.2°C, which showcases how effective this cooler is in transferring and dissipating heat. This CPU cooler also comes with pre-applied thermal paste. However, many prefer to use their tried-and-tested brands. If you’re interested in exploring options to further increase its performance, check out our best thermal paste guide for the top picks.
Overall, the NH-D15 has excellent performance and value and should be more than enough for the Ryzen 9 5900XT if you’re looking for an air cooling option.
What users say
According to Amazon reviews, it is being praised for its build quality, cooling performance, and quiet operation. One reviewer stated: “I was able to get full overclocks on anywhere from a 8700k to a 13900k with this thing. It performs better than most AIOs I am aware of.”
- Cooling Method: Liquid
- Noise level: 36.54dBa
- Material: Copper, Aluminium
- Fan size: 120mm
- Max fan speed : 2,000 rpm
- Thermal paste: Included
- It has incredible cooling performance
- It uses Noctua fans
- It has 40cm sleeved rubber tubes
- It comes with a heavy price tag
- The CPU block can stand out due to the 3.5” LCD
For those who prefer an AIO cooler for the best cooling performance, we recommend the ASUS ROG Ryujin III. We don’t just recommend options based on the brand name, and as you’ll see in the Ryujin III 240 review, its cooling performance is second to none, which is why it’s on this list.
For starters, this cooler has dual 120mm fans that fit on the aluminum radiator and have a maximum speed of 2,000 RPM. On top of that, the pump block has an 8th-generation Asetek pump with a maximum RPM of 3600. This combination should ensure cool operation for even the toughest CPUs.
The CPU block has a 3.5” LCD, which can display pictures, gifs, or memes. While this doesn’t impact the cooler’s performance, it is certainly nice to have as it allows you to customize your build further.
An important component of any AIO cooler is its tubes, and this one has 40cm sleeved rubber tubes. This means you should be able to install the Ryujin III in different orientations according to your PC case.
The ASUS ROG Ryujin is a fantastic cooler that looks the part as well as plays it. It manages to keep our 14600K cool in every scenario, which is the most important factor when it comes to CPU coolers.
PC Guide
Regarding its performance, we used the same test bench with the 14600K, and it had an idle maximum temperature of 31°C and an average CPU core temperature of 28°C.
After we started the Aida stress test, these figures rose to 77°C and 61°C while the air temperature behind the fan increased to 32.1°C from 28.2°C. These temperatures for a stress test are phenomenal, making the Ryujin III one of the best CPU coolers you can get your hands on.
Many processors reach these temperatures during normal gaming, so it’s safe to say that it should be able to keep the 5900XT nice and breezy even if you’ve overclocked it. However, we don’t recommend running a CPU in an overclocked state for a long as it could damage it.
Overall, we’re very impressed with the ASUS ROG Ryujin III’s cooling performance. While it may come at a premium, it is certainly worth the investment, as you should be able to upgrade to even more powerful CPUs without worrying about overheating issues.
What users say
According to Amazon reviews, it is capable of taming even the hottest processors, and one reviewer said: “I’ve been looking for something to tame the beast of the i9 14900k so I decided on this. I got the noctua two fan and it’s definitely keeping my temps down. At high load and gaming I get about 50-65c.”
- Cooling Method: Air
- Max fan speed: 1800 rpm
- Fan size: 120mm
- Material: Aluminium, Copper
- Noise level: 25.7 dBA
- Thermal paste: Included
- It has a low-profile design
- It comes at a very affordable price point
- It had decent cooling performance against the 14600K
- It isn’t the best option for high-end processors
- For a full-sized PC, this cooler will be lacking in size and performance
Not everyone has hundreds of dollars to spend on a CPU cooler, and for those operating on a budget, we recommend the Noctua NH-L12S. This is the second Noctua cooler on this list, and this variant is like the toned-down version of our top pick.
During the Noctua NH-L12S review, it showcased decent performance, and we think it should be a good fit for cooling the Ryzen 9 5900XT.
This CPU cooler has a single 120mm fan, which has a maximum fan speed of 1800 RPM, and a single aluminum heatsink. That said, this cooler is designed to fit horizontally on the CPU instead of vertically, which we’re used to seeing.
It also has a low-profile design, making it an excellent installation option in the best micro ATX cases. It also has four heat pipes, so given its small size and humble design, we don’t expect it to cool processors like the 13900K, which we’ve reviewed, but it should be enough for the Ryzen 9 5900XT.
This is a cooler designed for the smallest of form factor PCs, you might struggle trying to cool higher power CPUs, but for the mid range compact solutions, look no further than the L12S.
PC Guide
That said, we checked how it fared against the 14600K. The idle maximum temperature was 39°C, with the average CPU core temperature around 34°C. During the Aida stress test, we saw a significant increase as the max temperature reached 98°C, with the average core temperature hovering at 78°C.
We experienced a 5% throttle, which wasn’t surprising since this cooler wasn’t designed to handle so much heat. That said, the 5900XT has a much lower TDP than the 14600K, and if you keep it from overclocking, its temperature should be kept under control.
Overall, this CPU cooler should be a good addition to your budget build as it doesn’t cost much and has decent hardware to tackle low TDP CPUs.
What users say
According to Amazon reviews, users are pleased with its performance and build quality. One reviewer said: “This coolers size is perfect for itx builds or small form factors its not too noisy and has great cooling preformance can go long gaming sessions with no issues, mounting is some what difficult but easy to set up uses the stock am4 and or am5 back plate”
How to pick the best cooler for this CPU
The processor is an integral part of any system, but its performance degrades if it gets too hot. That said, it needs to be cooled down, but spending top dollar on a fancy cooler isn’t a solution for everyone. There are some factors you must consider before purchasing so you don’t overspend or underspend, which could affect the CPU’s performance. We’ve listed some of these factors below:
Budget
The budget is the most crucial aspect when it comes to purchasing any component. So, it goes without saying that for a CPU cooler, you must also look at options your budget allows. While having a fancy AIO cooler has its appeal and excellent performance to boot, it comes with heavy price tags.
On the other hand, air coolers are comparatively cheaper, and you’ll find options that are capable of cooling even the hottest processors. So, filter the available options based on your budget and select the one that offers the best balance between performance and value.
Compatibility
A big factor you should not miss is the compatibility between the CPU cooler and the casing. We recommend that you always measure the cooler’s dimensions against the space available in your PC case, as if it is bigger, you won’t be able to close the side panel if it’s an air cooler. If it’s an AIO cooler, the radiator might be too big to fit inside, and you’ll have to replace it.
Besides that, the 5900XT is based on the AM4 platform, so ensure the cooler is compatible with it and comes with the relevant brackets for installation.
