7 Best CPU Coolers for Ryzen 9 3900x in 2022

So, you finally saved enough money and upgraded to the mighty Ryzen 9 3900x. Soon enough, you find yourself overclocking the CPU because who wouldn’t? However, as soon as you stress test the CPU, you see temperatures rising. It almost seems like you can boil eggs on your CPU.

Extreme temperature is, of course, bad for your CPU’s lifespan and performance. This is why using an aftermarket CPU cooler is a must for high-end CPUs like the Ryzen 9 3900x. But, you can’t just slap a random cooler on it and call it a day. You’ll need the best CPU cooler for Ryzen 9 3900x.

Thanks to its popularity, the market is now vastly saturated with CPU coolers. Using a stock cooler is already a hellish experience, so we made a list of the 7 best CPU coolers to help you make your decision.

In a rush? Benchmarks show that the NZXT Kraken X73 CPU cooler is best for Ryzen 9 3900x. You can opt for this one without a second thought.

7 Best CPU Cooler for Ryzen 9 3900x Reviews

1. Noctua NH-D15
2. Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4
3. Corsair iCUE H100i RGB Pro XT
4. Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L RGB V2
5. NZXT Kraken X73 AIO RGB CPU Cooler
6. Scythe Mugen 5 Rev.B CPU Air Cooler
7. ASUS Rog Ryujin 360 RGB AIO Liquid CPU Cooler

We’ve rounded up CPU coolers from all the major manufacturers. All of these coolers can easily tame the beast called Ryzen 9 3900x. But, don’t take our word for it.

If you look it up on the internet, you’ll see that many professional hardware enthusiast channels like LinusTechTips, JayzTwoCents, and Hardware Unboxed have approved these CPU coolers. Still not convinced? Well, let’s just show you how well these coolers perform.

#1. Noctua NH-D15

Specifications

• Socket Compatibility: AMD AM4, AM5, and Intel LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1151, LGA1150, LGA2066, LGA2011-0, LGA2011-3
• Type: Air cooler
• Tower: Dual tower
• Fans: 2 fans included (you can add another)
• RPM: 1,500 maximum RPM
•  Noise level: 24.6 dBA
•  Lighting: None

 The Noctua NH-D14 has been ruling the dual tower air cooler segment for as long as we can remember. It was only a matter of time until they released a successor to this king. Is the D15 worthy of the crown? Let’s find out.

This air cooler features six heat pipes soldered onto a super shiny base with two huge heatsink towers for efficiently cooling your Ryzen 9 3900x. The D15 has wider FIN stacks, which increases the internal space for better heat dissipation.

The best thing about this cooler is that the bottom side of those huge heatsinks has been cut away for better RAM compatibility.

Yes, we know how horrible it is to find out that you can’t fit your cooler because of the RAM and vice versa. Now you won’t have any problem with that.

Overclocking the Ryzen 9 3900x and stress testing it with the D15 cooler gives us a maximum of 169 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooler only reached 25 dBA at 100% fan speed. That’s practically like running your PC on mute.

Pros

•  It comes with high-end dual fans that have low-noise adapters for silent cooling.
• The fans can reach up to 1500 RPM for fast heat dissipation.
• Compatible with all the RAM modules, so you can install it with ease.
• Can keep the overclocked Ryzen 9 3900x at 76c under 100% load.
• The cooler comes with a premium thermal paste for better thermal performance.

Cons

• It costs even more than many liquid CPU coolers.
• The fans look awful, which might ruin your aesthetics.

Short Verdict

Noctua has been the number one cooler brand for years, and the D15 proves why that’s the case. It’s silent, has great cooling capabilities, and is easy to install, which makes it undoubtedly the best air cooler for AMD Ryzen 9 3900x.

#2. Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4

Specifications

•  Socket Compatibility: AMD AM4 and Intel 1150 / 1151 / 1155 / 1156 / 1200 / 1366 / 2011(-3) Square ILM / 2066
• Type: Air cooler
• Tower: Dual tower
• Fans: 2 fans included (you can add another)
• RPM: 1,500 maximum RPM
• Noise level: 26 dBA
• TDP: 250W
• Lighting: None

 If you’re a professional PC enthusiast who cares about the outlook as much as the performance, Dark Rock is just the right thing for you.

 The jet-black color of the Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 looks stunning. Even the copper heat pipes and the base are black. The Dark Rock Pro 4 doesn’t only offer outlooks. It comes with two ultra-quiet fans that never go beyond 26 dBA, living up to its brand name.

 The PPCPWM fans run at 1,500 RPM maximum fan speed. The fun part is that you can control the fan speed, so when you’re not putting your CPU to its limits, you can decrease the RPM. This will lower the noise levels even more.

 One of the best things about the Dark Rock Pro 4 is the improved installation process. The days of bending your screwdriver are over. There are two holes on the top that let you insert the screw from directly above. This makes mounting super convenient.

 So, what about the cooling performance? The seven heat pipes and the dual tower heatsink is able to keep the Ryzen 9 3900x below 180 degrees F while running the AIDA64 stress test. However, it doesn’t go beyond 149 degrees F while gaming. For a cooler that costs around $80.00, this is impressive.

Pros

• 2 super-silent 1,500 RPM fans that never go beyond 26 dBA noise level
• 7 copper heat pipes and a flat base for good heat dissipation
•  Top drilled holes and convenient mounting brackets for hassle-free installation.
• The cooler can keep the Ryzen 9 3900x under safe temperatures for a long duration.
• Aesthetically pleasing black color for matching your PC’s color scheme

Cons

• The metal hinges make it difficult to remove the fans.

Short Verdict

The Ryzen 9 3900x is a super hot CPU, and seeing that, the Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 CPU cooler can keep this under safe temps is impressive. Surely, this makes it a good CPU cooler for Ryzen 9 3900x.

#3. Corsair iCUE H100i RGB Pro XT

Specifications

• Socket Compatibility: AMD AM4, AM3, AM2 and Intel 1700, 1200, 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1366, 2011, 2066
• Type: AIO cooler
• Radiator: Aluminum
• Radiator size: 240mm
• Fans: 2 fans
• RPM: 2,400 maximum fan speed
• Noise level: 10 to 34 dBA
• Lighting: RGB

Do you own a high-end CPU, but you are not using an AIO liquid CPU cooler? You’re missing out on a lot of things. So, how much can you expect from a liquid cooler that costs the same as high-end air coolers?

Right off the bat, you can expect to see atop-notch thermal performance from the H100i RGB pro xt CPU cooler. When running Cinebench, it can keep the Ryzen 9 3900x at 151 degrees F. With4K video editing, the temps stay around 160 degrees F, which is shockingly good for an AIO cooler at this price.

Next, we have lighting, and this is the first CPU cooler on this list that has controllable RGB lights. It’s not regular RGB, but it’s controllable RGB. You can use Corsair’s software to change the colors, matching your overall color theme.

The H100i uses the 6th generation water pump, which is much smaller than the previous generations and has fixed all the smaller problems. The tubings are also small and braided, giving it a nice overall look.

It has a pretty standard aluminum 240mm radiator with support for up to two 120mm fans. You get two Corsair ML series fans, which are phenomenally silent and can reach up to 2,400 RPM speed. That’s almost twice the speed of most CPU coolers. Maybe this is why it has such good performance?

Pros

• It can keep the Ryzen 9 3900x under 160 degrees F, which is insane for the budget.
• You get two ML series 120mm fans that can reach 2,400 RPM for efficient cooling.
• 6th generation small pump with high flow rate for fast heat transfer
• Controllable (via software) RGB lighting for fulfilling your aesthetic needs
• Standard aluminum radiator for better compatibility with most PC cases.

Cons

• Clipping the mounting system for the AMD CPU socket makes it less secure.

Short Verdict

Is the Corsair H100i RGB pro XT a perfect liquid CPU cooler? Negative. But, is it good enough for the Ryzen 9 3900x? Definitely. The ML series fans and 6th generation pump with 240mm radiator will ensure excellent cooling performance.

#4. Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L RGB V2

Specifications

• Socket Compatibility: AMD AM4, AM3, AM2, FM2+, FM2, FM1 and Intel 1700, 1200, 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1366, 2011, 2066
• Type: AIO cooler
• Radiator: Aluminum
• Radiator size: 240mm
• Fans: 2 fans
• RPM: 1,800 maximum fan speed
• Noise level: 27 dBA
• Lighting: RGB
• TDP: 200W

Although it’s unlikely, let’s just assume that you’ve spent all your money on the CPU and have a limited budget for the cooler.

To make things more frustrating, you are hell-bent on getting an AIO liquid cooler. Fear not because Cooler Master has your back.

 The MasterLiquid ML240L RGB v2 is an all-in-one liquid cooler that features a unique water block system. Unlike the other CPU coolers, this one uses a dual-chamber water pump, which improves the heat dissipation process.

Regarding the lighting, you get two Cooler master sickle flow 120mm RGB fans and a tiny remote to control the RGB lights directly. There’s also RGB on the pump.

Our totally unbiased opinion is that this is one of the most eye-pleasing RGB lighting systems we’ve ever seen on fans. It’s neither too bright or too dim. The overall fan design makes everything much better.

The only downside of this cooler is the brackets. Being brutally honest, mounting this CPU cooler on the Ryzen 9 3900x (or any AMD CPU) will be a pain.

However, that pain will disappear as soon as you see the cooling performance. Under 100% synthetic load, it kept the Ryzen 9 3900x under 178 degrees F. That’s amazing considering that this CPU cooler costs less than most air coolers.

Pros

• It comes with the latest CM sickle flow 120mm RGB fans for outstanding airflow.
• 25% increased radiator surface area for handling the CPU under high load
• You get RGB fan headers and a remote to control the beautiful RGB lighting effortlessly.
• Dual-chamber water pump system that cools better than previous models at low noise
• 1,800 RPM fan speed that can quickly bring down the CPU temps once 100% usage ends.

Cons

• The installation process can be troublesome for beginners and sometimes even professionals.

Short Verdict

With its aerodynamic design and attractive RGB lighting system, the Cooler Master ML240L is truly the best RGB CPU cooler for Ryzen 9 3900x in budget. The pocket-friendly price makes it an even better deal.

#5. NZXT Kraken X73 AIO RGB CPU Cooler

Specifications

• Socket Compatibility: AMD Socket AM4, sTRX4*, TR4* (*Threadripper bracket not included) and Intel Socket LGA 1200, 115X, 1366, 2011, 2011-3, 2066
• Type: AIO cooler
• Radiator size: 360mm
• Fans: 3 fans
• RPM: 2,800 maximum fan speed
• Noise level: 21 to 35 dBA
• Lighting: RGB

 The NZXT Kraken X series AIO CPU coolers are top-of-the-line cooling solutions. If you have no problem spending a bit extra for your beloved Ryzen 9 3900x, this will serve you very well. Let’s find out more.

Unlike the previous AIO CPU coolers, this one has a bigger radiator. 360mm, to be precise. It also supports three fans, which are included with the CPU cooler. The water pump is a big improvement over its predecessors. It’s now more efficient with lower noise.

The water block is surely the star of the show. It has a unique design that NZXT calls the “infinity mirror.” Just like the name, it shows you an illusion of infinite RGB lighting.

You can also rotate the water block’s display for better compatibility, not to mention the customizable lighting effects via software.

All the previous AIO coolers we reviewed had installation difficulties. Well, that ends here. Installing the Kraken X73 CPU cooler is easy as 2nd-grade math. All you have to do is put on the bracket, place the water block and screw it in. It can’t get easier than this.

Now for what you’ve been waiting for… the Kraken X73 is capable of keeping the Ryzen 9 3900x under 136 degrees Fahrenheit. 

But, the catch is that you’ll have to run the pump at 100% speed, which will also produce noticeable noise. At 75% speed, you can expect the temps to stay around 144 degrees F with low noise.

Pros

• It’s capable of keeping the Ryzen 9 3900x under super-low temperatures.
• Infinity mirror water block display for increasing the beauty of your setup
• Improved water pump that can transfer heat faster at lower noise levels
• 360mm radiator with three premium NZXT fans for better heat conduction
• An intuitive installation system makes it super easy for beginners to install the CPU cooler.

Cons

• The fans and the water pump can get a bit loud if you run them at 100% speed.

 Short Verdict

The NZXT Kraken X73 is undoubtedly a powerful liquid cooler. Keeping the beast under 135 degrees F? That’s insane. It’s truly the best CPU cooler for the Ryzen 9 3900x.

#6. Scythe Mugen 5 Rev.B CPU Air Cooler

Specifications

• Socket Compatibility: AMD AM4, AM3, AM2, FM1, FM2, and Intel LGA775, LGA1150, 
• LGA1151, LGA1155, LGA1156, LGA1200, LGA1366, LGA2011 / 2011-v3 (Square ILM)
• Type: Air cooler
• Tower: Single tower
• Fans: 1 fan included (you can add another)
• RPM: 1,200 maximum RPM
• Lighting: None

 What if you don’t have the fortune to spend on cooling solutions, but still want performance similar to high-end air CPU coolers? You can get the Scythe Mugen Rev B 5 at half the price of the Noctua NH-D15. Is the performance the same?

Right from the start, we’re declaring this the best budget CPU cooler. Anyone would be wowed after seeing the benchmark results.

Stress testing the Ryzen 9 3900x with the Scythe Mugen Rev B 5 gave us a peak temperature of 167 degrees F. That’s 39 degrees less than the Noctua D15, which costs double the price.

We don’t know how a single towel, single fan CPU cooler accomplished this, but, thanks to this design, you can install this cooler blindfolded. Yep, it’s that easy. It even has vibration-reduction pads on the mounting screws to eliminate the vibration caused by the fan.

Speaking of the fan, it’s nothing special, and that’s expected at this price. The fan speeds go up to 1,200 RPM, but you get no RGB lighting or any fancy features. It’s not necessarily a drawback, but you should know every single detail.

Furthermore, thanks to the single tower slim design, you can be absolutely sure that it won’t cause conflicts with your RAM modules or VRM heatsinks while installing.

Pros

• Incredible cooling performance, which can keep the Ryzen 9 3900x under 169 degrees F.
• Single tower and single fan design for maximum compatibility with RAM and heatsinks.
• Straightforward installation with soft pads for vibration-free operation.
• 1,200 RPM liquid bearing fan speed for ultra-low-noise cooling and less friction.
• Scope for installing a second fan, which can further increase the cooling performance.

Cons

• The fan can produce a noticeable amount of noise if you push it to 100%.

Short Verdict

The Scythe Mugen Rev B 5 is a blessing from heaven. There’s no other CPU cooler at this price point that can beat this cooler. It is indeed the best budget high-end cooler.

#7. ASUS Rog Ryujin 360 RGB AIO Liquid CPU Cooler

Specifications

• Socket Compatibility: AMD Socket AM4, TR4 and Intel LGA 1150, 1151, 1152, 1155, 1156, 1200, 1366, 2011, 2011-3, 2066.
• Type: AIO cooler
• Radiator size: 360mm
• Fans: 3 fans
• RPM: 2,000 maximum fan speed
• Noise level: 30 dBA
• Lighting: RGB

 ASUS is a brand you’ve probably heard of a million times. They’re best known for their high-end motherboards and GPUs. But, what happens when they enter the CPU cooler market? Let’s find out.

 It’s not just your CPU that needs cooling. Your RAM, motherboard VRM and M.2 SSD all need cooling or at least airflow.

 An air cooler can easily provide that, but AIO coolers aren’t capable of doing so. The Asus Ryujin 360’s water block has mini fans that can keep those components cool as well as your CPU. Two birds with one stone.

ASUS always does something innovative, and this CPU cooler is no exception. This Asus CPU cooler offers a 1.77″ OLED display on the water block.

Now you can see the temperatures and other stuff directly instead of opening up monitoring apps. You can also customize the display and put animations or even your name on it.

Thanks to the Noctua industrial PPC fans, and 360mm aluminum radiator, you can expect temperatures around 140to 176 degrees Fon the Ryzen 9 3900x. This means you can have a lot of room to overclock your monster.

Pros

• Mini fans that can keep other components cool by 68 degrees F.
• 1.77″ OLED display panel for displaying whatever you want
• Braided and reinforced tubing lines for better durability
• Noctua fans that can reach up to 2,000 RPM without making a lot of noise
• You can directly view system stats like temperature from the water block display.

Cons

• Nothing we could find.

Short Verdict

With the elegantly designed pump head, collaboration with Noctua, great performance, and mini fans, the ASUS Ryujin 360 are easily one of the best quality CPU coolers for the Ryzen 9 3900x.

What Should You Look for in the Best CPU Cooler for Ryzen 9 3900x?

There are some key features or aspects that either make or break a CPU cooler. Since the Ryzen 9 3900x is a beast, you’ll need an equally powerful AKA CPU cooler to tame it. The key aspects mentioned below will lead you to the best cooler.

Cooling Efficiency

It’s obvious that overheating is bad for your CPU, right? Well, the term “overheat” varies from CPU to CPU. Higher-end CPUs can withstand high temperatures. Since you have a Ryzen 9 3900x, your maximum safe temperatures should be around 176to 194 degrees F. Anything above this range is bad.

Now for the cooling efficiency. You should go for a cooler that can maintain the above-safe temperature range. How do you find that?

We have mentioned how efficiently each of our review units can cool down the Ryzen 9 3900x. You can also check YouTube videos if you don’t trust our benchmarks. You’ll get the same numbers.

Clearance

This is one of the most important things you should consider before getting cooler. You have to make sure the cooler will not conflict with other components or materials.

Many air coolers conflict with the RAM modules and sometimes even the motherboard’s VRM heatsink. So, make sure there’s enough clearance space between those components and your cooler.

Fans

Generally speaking, the more fans you have, the better airflow you’ll get, resulting in high cooling performance.

But, of course, the quality of the fan matters even more. Cooler Master, Corsair, and Noctua make the best fans, so you can get those without a second thought.

After the build quality of the fan, the RPM (rotations per minute) matters the most. So, the more rotation you have, the more speed you’ll get. Your cooler can dissipate heat faster with more RPM fans. Always aim for at least 1,500 RPM fans.

The number of fans also matters. For a Ryzen 9 3900x, try to get at least two fans if you’re getting an air cooler and three fans if you’re getting an all-in-one (AIO) cooler.

Noise Levels

The title is quite self-explanatory, so we won’t delve too deep. You have to make sure the fan sound levels are under 30 dBA. Some manufacturers claim that their fans don’t go above 24 or 27 dBA, but the reality is totally different.

That’s because fans can cross their rated dBA under 100% load. The case fans also increase noise. Again, go through our reviews to find exactly how much noise each cooler produces.

Brackets or Mounting System

Brackets or the mounting system are directly related to the installation. For the Ryzen 9 3900x, you should get a cooler that has a screwing mount instead of clipping ones. Screws are easy to install and are generally more secure.

Socket Compatibility

This is a pretty straightforward thing. You have to ensure that the cooler you’re getting is compatible with your CPU socket.

For example, the Ryzen 9 3900x has an AM4 socket, meaning that the cooler has to support AM4, or else you won’t be able to physically fit it, let alone install it. Don’t waste time and money, and get a compatible cooler.

Air Vs Liquid Cooler: Which One Should You Get for the Ryzen 9 3900x?

We’re going to tackle a topic that comes up almost every time you talk about CPU coolers. Whether it be a high-end or budget CPU cooler, you’ll find yourself asking this question. So, what’s the ultimate cooler type for your ultimate CPU? Read below for the answer.

Air Cooler

Air cooling systems are getting better and better with each new edition. However, the price remains the same.

No matter what, always remember that air is less efficient at carrying or transferring heat than water. But, thanks to the latest generation CPU designs, air doesn’t need to be that efficient.

You can now get air coolers as cheap as $50.00 that can keep the Ryzen 9 3900x at bay. By “bay,” we mean that it can handle it in normal conditions.

But, if you want to overclock it (which you should do anyway), you’ll need something better because these air coolers aren’t meant for overclocking.

Liquid Cooler

Undoubtedly, a liquid cooling system can keep your Ryzen 9 3900x cooler than an air cooling system. As much as people despise AIO, that’s a fact. However, moving parts are always likely to malfunction.

The water pump is the most crucial component of an AIO. If that malfunctions, your AIO is basically dead, something air coolers have an advantage over.

Liquid coolers are also a bit noisier than air coolers because of the additional noise generated by the water pump.

Newer generation pumps are quieter, though. No doubt your CPU will remain cooler, but ask yourself if these issues are problematic for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

If you’ve come this far, this means you have already found the best CPU cooler for Ryzen 9 3900x. No more hellish high temperatures and steam engine noise from the fans. If your CPU could talk, it would definitely give you a hug right now.

In case you need any recommendations, get the NZXT Kraken X73. It’ll give you maximum cooling performance at low noise, and the extended warranty is the cherry on top.

Don’t want to spend a fortune on cooling solutions? Get the Scythe Mugen 5 Rev.B. Its efficient cooling performance, easy installation system, and slim design will be more than enough for the Ryzen 9 3900x.