AMD took the lead in every performance category with the 7950X. The performance of the top-end Ryzen 9 processor is huge, but it’s offset by 170W power draw and increased temperatures. The best CPU cooler for the Ryzen 9 7950X depends on clearance on your PC case and other components like RAM modules but ultimately needs to prevent the chip from getting too hot under load. Our favourite choice is the NZXT Kraken X63, but we’ve rounded up options to fit your budget and custom build needs.
If your PC case has room for 2x 140mm fans, the Kraken X63 offers an all-in-one closed-loop radiator with a gorgeous infinity mirror pump head compatible with the AM5 socket. Our X63 RGB review shows the variant with the coloured fan but the same pump, and we’re focusing on the thermals for now.
If RGB aesthetics are essential, the PL240 FLUX offers similar performance but ramps up the multicoloured lighting to satisfy any gamer. It’s a low-profile radiator, taking up 2x 120mm fan spots, ideal for more compact PC cases, but it’s more than capable of handling the 7950X under heavy loads.
If you want to keep your case understated, the Silent Loop 2 shies away from RGB lighting and instead focuses on quiet operation. keep quiet! Whispers offer variants from 120mm to 360mm, with our 280mm pick sitting comfortably in the middle with the AM5 socket balancing performance and cost.
That would require the extreme thermal output to put the Noctua cooler to shame, and even the 7950X can comfortably handle the strain with the NH-D15. The heatsink is 150mm wide, and 2x 140mm fans can be added on either side, so make sure you have enough clearance for this monster.
One of my long-standing recommendations for CPU air cooling, the Hyper 212 Black Edition RGB variant looks sleek and performs surprisingly well. Featuring adjustable lighting via the motherboard header or dedicated controller, this is another chunky option that demands clearance.
Shut up, king of silence! There’s a chunky air cooler, but our Dark Rock Pro 4 review demonstrated nearly silent double PWM fans offering subtle thermal control. It’s AM5 socket-ready and perfectly suited for modest builds with a large PC case designed for efficient airflow.
Breaking down thermal performance in our combined AMD Ryzen 9 7900X and 7950X review showed that you get exactly the performance you pay for with this powerful processor, but temperatures can be concerning. There’s plenty of room for overclocking, and anyone building a PC gaming rig around this CPU will be pushing it to the best of their ability. I’ve picked the NZXT Kraken X63 in its 280mm variant as the best overall option as the ideal middle ground for the 7950X, but the Kraken X73 RGB offers a 360mm radiator and additional lighting if you have the case space and budget.
An all-in-one cooler isn’t your only option for a Ryzen chip, and Noctua still delivers great performance with its NH-D15, although it requires a lot of clearance on your motherboard and other components in the case. This is a long-lasting shampoo available in a classic brown or simple black version if you prefer to stick to traditional cooling methods. Still, if you’re looking for subtlety, Dark Rock Pro 4 be cool! With intense gaming, it offers nearly silent running until it’s time to put the 7950X through its paces, and it will continue to do so.
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