Hands-On: Best CPU Coolers For Ryzen 9 7950X (2024)

Though the Ryzen 9 7950X is an impressive gaming CPU with its ultra-fast memory and clock speeds, it’s important to note that such high-performance processors also generate significant heat. To simplify your choice, we’ve conducted thorough testing and compiled a list of the best CPU coolers designed for the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X.

Here is a quick look at the best CPU coolers for Ryzen 9 7950X compared with each other:

Last Updated:

• June 1, 2024: I have made some formatting changes to improve readability.

More For The Ryzen 9 7950X:

• Best Motherboard for Ryzen 9 7950X
• Best RAM for Ryzen 9 7950X

Best CPU Coolers For Ryzen 9 7950X

Following are my recommended coolers:

1. Best Overall: Noctua NH-D15S Chromax.Black
2. Best 360mm: EK-AIO Elite 360 D-RGB
3. Best 240mm: ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB
4. Best White: Corsair iCUE H150i Elite LCD XT 360
5. Best Budget: DeepCool AK400

Noctua NH-D15S Chromax.Black

Best Overall CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 7950X

Specifications: Type: Low-Profile Air Cooler | Colors: Black | TDP: 200W | RGB: None | Dimensions: 35 x 150 x 165mm | Fan: 1x NF-A15 140mm | Fan Speed: 300 — 1,500RPM | Noise: 24.6dB(A) | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 1150, 1151, 1155, 2011, 2066 AMD: AM4, AM5.

The Noctua NH-D15S Chromax.Black comes with a total of 45 aluminum fins, along with six copper heat pipes directly in contact with the baseplate. During our dedicated performance test, we noticed the design allows the cooler to have performance similar to a 240mm AIO cooler and adequately cool the Ryzen 9 7950X. The cooler also offers a premium build quality, with the heatsink built solely out of aluminum.

While there isn’t much to dislike with the cooler, the Noctua NH-D15S Chromax.Black has a simplistic all-black design with no RGB. The cooler fits perfectly in sleeper and stealth builds but will cause problems for flashier builds that require more RGB.

According to our hardware specialist, Nauman Siddique, the cooler’s build quality is astonishing, and this is why:

“The cooler is also lightweight; many people may assume it would be heavy with such a large heatsink, but it is not because of its build quality.”

Buy It If

Here are a few pictures we took of the CPU cooler while testing:

You want killer performance from an air cooler:If you’re not comfortable shifting to an AIO cooler, the Noctua NH-D15S Chromax.Black houses enough power to cool the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X CPU. Furthermore, our testing showed the cooler also allows decent overclocking headroom.

Don’t Buy It If

You want better eye candy: In case you’re looking for better eye candy from an air cooler, we don’t recommend buying the Noctua NH-D15S Chromax.Black because of its mundane design and lack of RGB lighting.

What Makes It The Best Overall CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 7950X?

Overall, the Noctua NH-D15S Chromax.Black is a phenomenal cooler with a stunning black look, which is perfect for all-black builds. It provides top-notch thermal performance along with excellent RAM clearance, which is why we have crowned it the best overall CPU Cooler for Ryzen 9 7950X.

• Read Our Noctua NH-D15S Chromax.Black CPU Cooler Review

EK-AIO Elite 360 D-RGB

Best 360mm AIO Cooler For Ryzen 9 7950X

Specifications: Type: 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler | Colors: Black | TDP: 250W | RGB: Yes | Dimensions: 395 x 120 x 27mm | Fan: 6x EK-Vardar S 120ER D-RGB| Fan Speed: 550 — 2,200RPM| Noise: 31.6dB(A) | Socket Support: Intel: LGA1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1700, 1200, 2011, 2011-3, 2066 AMD: AM4, AM5

The EK-AIO Elite 360mm D-RGB provides some of the best thermal performance you can want for the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X processor. The cooler showcases premium build quality with an aluminum radiator, static pressure fans, and an unparalleled fan HUB. Additionally, we believe the cooler’s build is worthy enough for its six-year warranty claim. Moreover, you get three extra 120mm fans, so you don’t have to worry about fans even in the long run.

EKWB has equipped the EK-AIO Elite 360 D-RGB with a premium-looking pump that comes with a comes with pre-applied thermal paste. While the design of the pump is nothing special, it comes with an EKWB logo on the bottom right, which also lights up. In our opinion, the RGB fans make the radiator stand out more.

Sajjad Hussain, our hardware expert, was impressed by the cooler’s performance and stated:

“The EK-Elite AIO delivers industry-leading performance and is thus a very solid choice for extremely high-end systems running 24/7 overclocks.”

Buy It If

We took a few pictures of the cooler:

You want to overclock the Ryzen 9 7950X: If you’re planning on overclocking the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X CPU, we recommend purchasing the EK-AIO Elite 360mm D-RGB cooler because of its unrivalled cooling performance. You can easily overclock the processor without facing any thermal bottlenecking issues.

Don’t Buy It If

You dislike loud fans:The EK-AIO Elite 360mm D-RGB isn’t meant for you if you can’t stand loud fans. During our noise tests, the fan noise went up to 31.6dB(A), making the noise prominent.

What Makes It The Best 360mm AIO Cooler For Ryzen 9 7950X?

If you are in the market for the best-performing cooler that money can buy, then the EK-AIO Elite 360 D-RGB is the way to go. Its remarkable design not only looks good but also provides some of the best cooling performance we have seen. All of this, combined, makes the EK AIO Elite 360 D-RGB the best 360mm AIO cooler for Ryzen 9 7950X.

• Read Our EK-AIO Elite 360 D-RGB Cooler Review
• Best 360mm AIO Coolers

ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB

Best 240mm AIO Cooler For Ryzen 9 7950X

Specifications: Type: 240mm AIO Liquid Cooler| Colors: Black | TDP: 250W | RGB: Yes | Dimensions: 277 x 120 x 38mm | Fan: 2x ARCTIC P12 PWM RGB 120mm| Fan Speed: 200 — 1,800RPM | Noise: 10.64dB(A) |Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011-v3, 2066AMD:AM4, AM5

The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240mm AIO comes with a 240mm radiator equipped with two 120mm fans using P12 fans. During our dedicated performance test, the cooler showed remarkable cooling performance with the Ryzen 9 7950X, keeping the temperatures around 55°C at 4K resolution.Going towards the build quality, the cooler has a copper baseplate and an aluminum radiator for better cooling and less weight. Moreover, the fans house rubber bumpers that decrease the fan noise. It was also imminent during our noise testing when we only got a 10.64dB(A) noise level.

The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240mm AIO offers some of the best aesthetics we have seen in an AIO cooler. For example, the pump and tubing design give a spaceship-like effect. Furthermore, the RGB fans and customization only help improve the aesthetics of the cooler.

Our CPU coolers expert, Hayyan Serwer, who tested the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240mm, stated that the cooler’s value is impeccable. This is what he had to say:

“The AIO’s cooling capabilities are outstanding, especially when compared to comparable AIO coolers in its pricing range.”

Buy It If

Here are a few images from our review:

You want high-end performance on a tighter budget:If you’re on a tighter budget but want high-end cooling performance for your Ryzen 9 7950X CPU, we recommend buying the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240mm AIO because of its remarkable cooling performance. You can also overclock the CPU to a certain extent.

Don’t Buy It If

You’re new to AIO coolers:If you’re new to AIO coolers, we don’t recommend buying the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 because of its difficult installation process.

What Makes It The Best 240mm AIO Cooler For Ryzen 9 7950X?

Not only does the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB look visually appealing, but it also provides great performance, all the while maintaining low noise levels, making it the best 240mm AIO Cooler for Ryzen 9 7950X.

• Read Our ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240mm A-RGB Cooler Review
• Best 240mm AIO Coolers

Corsair iCUE H150i Elite LCD XT

Best White CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 7950X

Specifications: Type: 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler | Colors: Black, White | TDP: 250W | RGB: Yes | Dimensions: 397 x 120 x 27mm| Fan: 3x AF RGB Elite 120mm | Fan Speed: 550 — 2,100RPM | Noise: 30.64dB(A) |Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011, 2066AMD: AM4, AM5, sTR4

The Corsair iCUE H150i Elite LCD XT 360mmAIO cooler provides exceptional cooling performance with its 3x 120mm fans running at 2,100RPM speeds. During my performance testing in games like Red Dead Redemption II, Cyberpunk 2077, and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, the Ryzen 9 7950X showed average temperatures around 50°C, allowing slight overclocking headroom.With its performance, the Corsair iCUE H150i Elite LCD XT also houses premium build quality with the radiator made of pure aluminium. The fans have anti-vibration material, and the pump also offers an LCD screen. I noticed that the build quality lives up to the five-year warranty the brand provides.

The AIO cooler offers an elegant white design with white fans and a fully-white radiator. If you’re building a white PC, this cooler is perfect to enhance your PC’s aesthetic. Furthermore, you can also utilize the LCD screen to show a customized image or GIF. Otherwise, you can use the LCD screen to show the CPU’s temperatures.

Buy It If

Here are a few images we took of the cooler:

You want a decent white AIO cooler with an LCD screen: The Corsair iCUE H150i Elite LCD XT AIO offers impressive cooling performance with an elegant white design, offering decent RGB customization. Moreover, you also get an LCD screen to enhance the cooler’s look. So, if you’re building your Ryzen 9 7950X PC in a white design, I recommend purchasing this cooler.

Don’t Buy It If

You’re new to AIO coolers:While the H150i Elite LCD XT offers exceptional cooling performance, I don’t recommend buying it if you’re new to AIOs. The cooler has a difficult installation and offers no paper manual, either. This can make it pretty difficult to install for newcomers.

What Makes It The Best White CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 7950X?

In conclusion, if budget is not a restriction, then the Corsair iCUE H150i Elite LCD XT 360mm AIO is definitely worth considering; it comes with an LCD screen, RGB, and, most importantly, offers amazing cooling performance. These points make it the best white CPU cooler for the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X processor.

• Read Our Corsair iCUE Link H150i LCD Review

If you’re building a white PC, you might also be interested in the following:

• Best White CPU Coolers
• Best White PC Build
• Best White Gaming Mouse
• Best White PC Cases

DeepCool AK400

Best Budget CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 7950X

Specifications: Type: Single-Tower Air Cooler | Colors: Black, White | TDP: 220W | RGB: None | Dimensions: 127 × 97 × 155mm | Fan: 1x FC102 120mm | Fan Speed: 500 — 1,850RPM | Noise: 29dB(A) |Socket Support: Intel: LGA1700, 1200, 1151, 1150, 1155 AMD: AM4, AM5

The DeepCool AK400 comes with four heat pipes in direct contact with the baseplate, which helps with the cooler’s performance. While you can’t overclock the Ryzen 9 7950X with the cooler, you can keep it at decent temperatures without thermal throttling. While being a budget cooler, the DeepCool AK400 doesn’t cut down on its build quality, offering aluminum fins, a copper baseplate and aluminum heat pipes. Furthermore, the fan comes with a fluid dynamic bearingand features a maximum speed of 1,850 RPM. All in all, we were satisfied with the build quality of the cooler.

The DeepCool AK400 air cooler is perfect for white builds, along with stealth builds without any RGB. The cooler comes in both colors, so you have lots to choose from.

Here is what our hardware expert, Nauman Siddique, said about the design of the DeepCool AK400:

“The top of the tower has an elegant-looking cover with Teal color DeepCool branding on the corner. The design of this cover sits quite well with the matrix fin array design and the square frame fan.”

Buy It If

Here are a few images from our dedicated review:

You’re under a tight budget:If you’re looking for a sub-$50 CPU cooler that can keep the Ryzen 9 7950X under control, the DeepCool AK400 CPU cooler will keep you happy. The cooler offers enough performance to keep the CPU’s temperatures at around 60°C to 65°C.

Don’t Buy It If

You want to overclock your CPU:While the DeepCool AK400 air cooler is a great deal to keep high-end CPUs at bay, it isn’t ideal for overclocking. The CPU’s temperatures go beyond control, creating unstable overclocks and thermal throttling.

What Makes It The Best Budget CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 7950X?

The DeepCool AK400’s incredible price-to-performance ratio, coupled with the simple design, completely sweeps the competition. These points are worthy to make it the best budget CPU cooler for the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X processor.

• Read Our DeepCool AK400 CPU Cooler Review
• Best Budget CPU Coolers

Thermal Benchmarks

In order to find the best CPU coolers for Ryzen 9 7950X, we tested them thoroughly under full load for thermal efficiency. Here are our benchmarks.

How We Tested & Picked The Best CPU Coolers For Ryzen 9 7950X

Our team of hardware experts has tested over 100 coolers based on these factors. This way, we can carefully round up the best ones for a top-notch CPU like the Ryzen 9 7950X

• Performance: Performance is the most important factor to consider when looking for a CPU cooler. Since the 7950X is a high-end offering from AMD, it needs decent cooling to avoid issues like thermal throttling. That’s why we chose the best-performing CPU coolers while conforming with other conditions.
• Budget:All of the coolers mentioned in this list are of different price categories. Paying more for a cooler will get more performance; while that is true for the most part, the level of performance you might need heavily depends on your workload. Gamers might need expensive AIO coolers, while everyday tasks can be completed using a traditional air cooler.
• TDP Rating:While TDP may no longer be an accurate representation of the cooler’s performance, it still does a good job of putting into perspective how a cooler should perform compared to other coolers in a similar price category. All of the above-mentioned CPU coolers are more than capable of cooling the Ryzen 9 7950X.
• Noise Levels:For people working in professional environments, it is important to look for a cooler with a lower noise output. Usually, coolers that come with a triple-fan setup have an overall louder noise output; however, there are exceptions to this. Thus, we looked for coolers that provide exceptional cooling performance without making too much noise.

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