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The Ryzen 9 9950X is AMD’s top-of-the-line processor, offering a total of 16 cores, 32 threads, and a boost clock speed of up to 5.7 GHz. It’s rated for a TDP of 170W, which means you’ll have to pair it with an equally capable cooling to get all that the CPU has to offer. I’ve designed my list of the Best CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9950X to help you with exactly that.
Side-by-side Comparison Of My Top Picks
Best CPU Coolers For Ryzen 9 9950X
Here are my top picks for the Best CPU Coolers For Ryzen 9 9950X:
- Best Overall: Corsair iCUE Link H150i RGB
- Best Value: Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos ARGB
- Best Performance: EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB
- Best Air: Noctua NH-D15 G2 LBC
Corsair iCUE Link H150i RGB
Best Overall CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9950X
Cooler Type: 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler | Dimensions: 397x120x53mm | Fans: 3x Corsair QX120 fans | Fan Speed: 2400 RPM | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 1151, 1150, 1155, 1156 AMD: AM4, AM5 | RGB: Yes
Pros
- Impeccable build quality
- Top notch performance
- Visually striking design
Cons
- Price tag
- High noise output at full speed
Corsair leaves no stone unturned when it comes to their top-of-the-line coolers, and the iCUE Link H150i RGB is no different. The cooler comes equipped with Corsair’s new QX120 fans, which offer a maximum static pressure of 3.8 mm H2O while also ramping up all the way up to 2400 RPM. These fans come with a total of 34 ARGB LEDs and can be daisy-chained together.
Visually, the cooler looks incredible. RGB lighting is well integrated into the fans and the pump, allowing for a lot of customization through the software. Even aside from the main highlights, I like the improvements Corsair has implemented to ease cable management. This is achieved through Corsair’s newer iCUE link system, which allows users to connect every component through a single cable.
Our Senior Hardware Tester, Nauman Siddique, found the cooler to be exceptional in all aspects, with him stating:
The Corsair iCUE Link H150i LCD is a premium liquid cooler, distinguished by its 2.1” IPS LCD screen and striking ARGB lighting. It excels in thermal performance and is compatible with major Intel and AMD sockets. The design minimizes cable clutter, enhancing aesthetics.
What Makes It The Best Overall CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9950X
The Corsair iCUE H150i is filled to the brim with features you’d only find on a top-of-the-line cooling solution, including a neat cable management system, great software support, as well as plenty of RGB lighting. Plus, it provides that while also offering uncompromised thermal performance, making it the Best Overall CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9950X.
| Performance: 10/10 | Value: 7/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Design: 9/10 |
Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos ARGB
Best Value CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9950X
Cooler Type: 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler | Dimensions: 394x119x53.2mm | Fans: 3 x Sickleflow Edge 120 A-RGB fans | Fan Speed: 2500 RPM | Noise Level: 27.2 dBA | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 1151, 1150, 1155, 1156 AMD: AM4, AM5 | RGB: Yes
Pros
- Excellent price-to-performance
- Plenty of RGB lighting
- Customizable pump cover
- Easy installation
Cons
- No cable-management system
If value-for-money is something you are concerned about, then the Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos ARGB is going to be my top recommendation for a few reasons. The cooler not only matches the performance of other high-performing AIOs we have tested thanks to the inclusion of Cooler Master’s Sickleflow fans and the dual-chamber pump, but it also provides easier installation, requiring only 15 components in total.
At the same time, the MasterLiquid 360 Atmos doesn’t fall behind on extra features either. For instance, it gives users the ability to swap out the top cover for any other 3D-printed design while also offering plenty of built-in RGB on the pump and the fans. Additionally, noise levels aren’t too bad either, only reaching a maximum output of 40.8 dBA in our tests conducted at an ambient of 35 dBA.
The Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos exceeded my expectations during the initial review. Here’s what I had to say about the cooler:
The Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 ATMOS is a high-performance AIO liquid cooler with excellent thermal performance and low noise levels. The cooler also features a unique pump cover that allows users to design and 3D print their own custom designs. Overall, the Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 ATMOS is a great option for users who are looking for a top-performing AIO cooler with a unique design.
What Makes It The Best Value CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9950X
The Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos offers remarkable thermal performance at a reasonable price, which is why I have deemed it the Best Value CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9950X.
I love the Master Liquid 360 Atmos for the amount of performance it provides at such a reasonable price, which is why it is among my top recommendations for the Ryzen 9 9950X.
– Hayyan Serwer
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 10/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Design: 9/10 |
EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB
Best Performance CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9950X
Cooler Type: 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler | Dimensions: 400 x 124 x 53 mm | Fans: 3 x EK Loop FPT Fans | Fan Speed: 2300 RPM | Noise Level: 36 dBA | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 1151, 1150, 1155, 1156, 2011, 2011-3, 2066+ AMD: AM4, AM5 | RGB: Yes
Pros
- Chart-topping cooling performance
- Top-notch build quality
- Daisy-chained fans
Cons
- Higher noise output
- Expensive
The EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB is without a doubt a top-performing CPU Cooler, which was also evident in our hands-on tests. In addition to sustaining heavy workloads with the Ryzen 9 9950X, the EK Nucleus AIO CR360 also provides you with enough thermal headroom for a decent bit of overclocking. The cooler utilizes EK’s Loop FPT fans, which are capable of reaching speeds of up to 2300 RPM while generating a maximum airflow of 72 CFM.
EK has kept the build quality in check, which is showcased through the dense micro fin copper cold plate, brushed aluminum side panels on the radiator, and sleeved tubings. I also found other quality-of-life features such as the daisy-chained fans, and the rotatable pump top to be welcome additions.
Our hardware tester, Awais Khan, was also impressed by how well the cooler was able to perform in our tests, stating:
It packs a solid performance punch that the competition has to manage. The digital RGB lighting is quite brilliant. We have everything to love about this cooler, albeit a bit high price tag.
What Makes It The Best Performance CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9950X
The EK-Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB packs enough thermal performance to allow users to push the Ryzen 9 9950X to its very limit, making it the Best Performance CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9950X.
| Performance: 10/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Design: 9/10 |
Noctua NH-D15 G2 LBC
Best Air Cooler For Ryzen 9 9950X
Cooler Type: Dual-Tower Air Cooler | Dimensions: 168 x 150 x 152 mm | Fans: 2 x NFxA14x25r G2 fans | Fan Speed: 1500 RPM | Noise Level: 24.8 dBA | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 1851, 1156, 1155, 1151, 1150 AMD: AM4, AM5 | RGB: No
Pros
- Remarkable performance
- Solid build quality
- Low Base Convexity For AMD
- 6-year warranty
Cons
- Higher price
When it comes to air coolers, it’s hard to look past Noctua’s lineup, especially the newly released NH-D15 G2 LBC, which I think makes for a phenomenal pair with the Ryzen 9 9950X. Compared to the original D15, the G2 version comes with an increased fin count, a slightly smaller size, and eight heat pipes. It also benefits from the addition of the newer NF-A14x25r G2 fans, which max out at 1500 RPM.
In addition to that, the “Low Base Convexity” variant of the NH-D15 G2 is specifically designed to favor AMD CPUs, with the flatter cold plate allowing for better contact between the processor and the cooler. Performance aside, it’s clear that the Noctua NH-D15 G2 LBC isn’t the most visually appealing cooler you can buy. Still, it keeps up well in terms of performance, which is what most people are going to care about anyway.
What Makes It The Best Air Cooler For Ryzen 9 9950X
Between the low base convexity of this variant to carefully designed NFxA14x25r fans, Noctua seems to have perfected even the smallest of details with the NH-D15 G2 LBC, making it the Best Air Cooler For Ryzen 9 9950X.
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 7/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Design: 9/10 |
CPU Coolers That We Didn’t Consider
- Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 420: The Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 420 comes in at a significantly higher price than my recommendations.
- ENERMAX AQUAFUSION ADV 360: Despite its solid performance, its price-to-performance falls slightly short of other budget CPU coolers within the same price range.
Benchmarks Of The Best CPU Coolers For Ryzen 9 9950X
We have also tested every cooler on this list separately, allowing readers to get an idea of their performance.
Specifications Comparision
I’ve listed the specifications for all the coolers in this table.
| CPU Cooler | Fan Speed (RPM) | Static Pressure (mm H2O) | Airflow (CFM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corsair iCUE Link H150i RGB | 2400 | 3.8 | 63.1 |
| Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos ARGB | 2500 | 3.6 | 70.7 |
| EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB | 2300 | 2.7 | 72 |
| Noctua NH-D15 G2 LBC | 1500 | 2.5 | 91.5 |
Key Cooling Terms To Know Of
- TDP: This is the maximum heat a CPU is designed to handle. Knowing the TDP helps in choosing the right cooler to keep the CPU running efficiently.
- CFM: This measures the volume of air a fan can move in one minute. In cooling fans, a higher CFM means better cooling performance as more air is circulated to cool down components.
- Static Pressure: This is the force exerted by a fan to push air through obstacles like heatsinks, radiators, or tightly packed components.
- Heatsink: A metal component with fins that passively cools the CPU by spreading heat into the surrounding air.
- RPM: This measures how many times a fan spins in one minute. Higher RPM usually means better cooling as the fan moves more air, but it can also lead to increased noise.
- Heat Pipes: These are pipes filled with coolant that transfer heat from the CPU to the heatsink, improving cooling efficiency.
- Radiator: Part of a liquid cooler, the radiator dissipates heat from the liquid coolant using fans and is usually mounted outside the CPU area.
How I Picked These Coolers
I have been testing air coolers and AIOs for years now, and I have always put my focus on these aspects before making my suggestions:
- Performance: I made sure to verify that each cooler’s thermal dissipation matched the CPU’s needs. I tested and compared benchmark results to see how efficient each cooler was in various scenarios.
- Compatibility: I checked the height of air coolers to ensure they fit within the case without blocking other components like RAM kits. For water coolers, I verified the radiator size and case mounting points.
- Noise Levels: Finding a balance between efficient cooling and a quiet experience is really important. I preferred coolers with adjustable fan speeds or PWM control for better noise management.
- Design: I looked for coolers with addressable RGB lighting options for fans and pump blocks, allowing for seamless lighting patterns that added personality to the build.
FAQs
Yes, powerful air coolers can provide adequate cooling performance for the Ryzen 9 9950X.
Yes, a high-end cooler is recommended for the Ryzen 9 9950X.
No, the Ryzen 9 9950X doesn’t necessarily need a water cooler; however, most high-end water coolers will work well with the CPU.
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[CPU Coolers & RAM Expert]
Hayyan Serwer is a tech enthusiast, with a love for PC building and article writing. Hayyan specializes in writing about CPU coolers and RAM kits. Hayyan has been familiar with the tech industry for over half a decade now, and has now stepped into providing quality reviews for the latest and greatest tech.
Get In Touch: hayyan@old.tech4gamers.com
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