Sarfraz
Since AMD’s brand new Ryzen 7000 series is out, many are going to upgrade their several years old PCs by adapting to the faster Ryzen processors such as the 7600X which is an amazing mid-range gaming CPU.
As the 7600X uses a brand new platform of AM5, motherboards and RAM kits will also change. Good thing is that if you already used an AM4 motherboard and a CPU cooler that is compatible with it, you might not need to change your CPU cooler as the AM5 socket will be compatible with most CPU coolers that have the AM4 mounting kits.
Still, some people might need to change their CPU coolers or get a new one if they are coming from a completely new platform or building a new PC from scratch with the latest AM5 platform.
As it is extremely important to lower the temperatures when using an overclockable CPU like the Ryzen 7600X, we are going to look at the top CPU coolers you should get for this processor and the reasons for choosing those coolers.
Our Top Picks
BEST BUDGET | BEST VALUE |
EVGA CLC 280mm AIO | EK AIO Basic 360mm |
 |  |
Ryzen 5 7600X Overview
Ryzen 5 7600X belongs to the Ryzen 7000 family and is built using the Zen 4 architecture. It is built using the TSMC’s latest 5nm process node and brings some significant uplifts in the performance through the improved block design.
While the block design of the die isn’t created from scratch, there are several improvements made over the Zen 3 to provide a performance boost of up to 20%. The 7600X features 6 cores and 12 threads that run at a base/boost clock speed of 4.7/5.3GHz.
The TDP is 105W which is 40W more than its predecessor, the 5600X and it is only compatible with DDR5 memories. Ryzen 7600X is an overclockable processor and is only compatible with the AM5 socket.
Ryzen 7600X Needs A Better Cooling Solution
Unlike previous Ryzen processors including the 5000 family, the Ryzen 7000 series CPUs run hotter. This is true across all the Ryzen 7000 chips released till now and therefore, it is now even more important to have a well-performing CPU cooler that can stop thermal throttling.
Ryzen 7600X runs very hot even with aftermarket CPU coolers and getting a basic one isn’t recommended. As tested by several users, the 7600X easily crosses or at least touches 90C in CPU-intensive tasks. This is alarming yet not “too hot” according to AMD.
While the company may call these temperatures “normal”, it is not recommended to run the processor continuously around this range to avoid any thermal issues. 90 degrees is going to warm your house in winter but that’s not a good idea for summer.
Investing For The Cooler Realistically
The Ryzen 7600X is launched for $299. Most users who are going to buy this processor are going to end up spending a total of $1000-$2000 on their PCs depending on how much performance they want or whether they want casual gaming or an ultimate immersive gaming experience.
When we break down the budget, realistically the user will spend around $50-$150 on a CPU cooler for the 7600X. While $150 is the upper limit, most users will end up in the $70-$120 zone. This is why it is important to focus more on the realistic price range than considering all the CPU cooling solutions irrespective of the prices.
Therefore, I am going to list down most of the CPU coolers that fall in this price range and give my reasons on why I think they will be the best fit for the 7600X.
Best CPU Coolers For Ryzen 5 7600X
Noctua NH-U12S Chromax.Black
- Proven premium heatsink (more than 200 awards and...
- Slim 120mm size for excellent case, RAM and PCIe...
- Renowned, award-winning NF-F12 120mm Focused Flow...
- Includes high-end NT-H1 thermal paste and...
NH-U12S is incredibly good even though it’s just a single-tower cooler. It features an all-black cooler design where everything is painted black. So, you have a fully black heatsink, a black cooler fan, and even black copper heat pipes.
To dissipate the heat faster, it uses five highly heat-conductive copper heat pipes that are embedded into the CPU cooler base channeling all the way to the top of the aluminum heatsink.
NH-U12S is definitely superior in both cooling and silent operation. The fan used is a 120mm high air-pressure NF-F12 PWM fan that can be controlled easily using the BIOS or fan software. Unfortunately, there is no LED on the cooler but you do get premium cooling performance that matches a lot of budget dual tower coolers.
This cooler was originally launched as a mustard-colored version but now is also available in full black to match various color-themed builds. The NH-U12S comes with an AM5-compatible kit. So, there is no need to worry about compatibility.
Noctua NH-D15 Chromax.Black
- Proven premium heatsink (more than 300 awards and...
- Extra-wide 140mm dual-tower design with 6...
- Dual-fan design with renowned, award-winning...
- Includes high-end NT-H1 thermal paste and...
Next, we have the multiple award-winning air cooler that is still beating every air cooler on the planet. While launched nearly a decade ago, the NH-D15 doesn’t fail to amaze us. The cooler is superior in cooling high-end CPUs and competes with many 240mm AIO coolers.
NH-D15 is a big and beefy dual tower CPU cooler that features two big aluminum heatsinks with two pre-installed fans while a third can also be added. The cooler has 6 copper heat pipes in total that are connected to both the aluminum heatsinks and the cooler base dissipating heat faster than the single tower coolers.
This is an amazing option for those who don’t want to take any leakage risk with AIO coolers and can be used with almost any high-end CPU without any fear of thermal throttling.
Similar to the NH-U12S, it too has two color versions where the original one features Noctua’s traditional mustard-colored fans but there is a Chromax Black edition too which looks way better.
EVGA CLC 280mm AIO
- Compatible with Intel...
- 280mm Dual Fan radiator. Radiator size: 312mm x...
- Rgb LED's, can be synced to other EVGA RGB...
- Unique EVGA fan design for reducing noise without...
EVGA has a couple of CPU coolers but it simply kills many AIO cooling solutions for the price. While a 240mm will also be ok for the 7600X, the CLC 280mm AIO isn’t very expensive and costs around or even less than most 240mm AIO coolers from other brands.
The CLC 280mm features a 280mm radiator that provides a larger surface for heat dissipation. The CPU block used is compact which makes it easier to install without any hindrance from other components. The pipes are also well-protected, sleeved, and adequately flexible to manage.
The radiator uses dual 140mm high air pressure fans that feature a max speed of up to 2200RPM. However, the speed can be lowered to 600RPM for totally silent operation.
As of now, this cooler is currently the cheapest 280mm AIO cooler you can find online and EVGA is also providing an AM5 kit for installing on AM5 motherboards.
Corsair iCUE H115i RGB Pro XT
- Magnetic Levitation Fans: Two 140mm CORSAIR ML...
- Dynamic Multi-Zone RGB Pump Head: 16 Individually...
- Extreme CPU Cooling: Experience incredible cooling...
- Zero RPM Mode: Zero RPM cooling profiles in...
Corsair is definitely one of the most if not the most popular manufacturer of AIO coolers. Corsair AIO coolers have always been on the top when it comes to cooling performance and since the release of its first Hydro Series, Corsair has been upgrading its AIO coolers every year.
The one that is fit for the 7600X is the iCUE H115i RGB Pro XT which is neither too cheap nor too expensive. It comes with a 280mm radiator with dual 140mm ML series PWM fans. These are non-RGB fans but have a really high airflow of up to 97CFM at 2000RPM speed.
The cooler even supports Zero RPM mode where if the CPU is sitting idle, the fans will simply stop spinning to save power and will generate almost no noise.
The CPU block is thin and features RGB LEDs that can be controlled via the iCUE software. This software also helps you customize the RGB lighting of various Corsair RGB devices or sync them all. Corsair iCUE is a well-known RGB software that has fantastic compatibility and offers a lot of options to tweak your RGB devices.
Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280 A-RGB
- QUALITY CONTROL APPROVED: We have increased the...
- LGA1700 COMPATIBILITY: The Liquid Freezer II 280...
- PERFORMANCE KING: With a more efficient cold...
- ELEGANT ILLUMINATION: 24 digital A-RGB LEDs placed...
The Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280 is simply the best 280mm AIO cooler right now. It completely overwhelms every other 240mm or 280mm AIO cooler with its amazing cooling and has been recommended the most by various third-party review sites.
The cooler features a 280mm radiator with dual RGB 140mm P-fans designed for high air pressure. The company made its own unique pump for super quiet operation and this is where it shines the most. Commonly, AIO coolers are louder than air coolers due to the combined noise of the pump and the fans. Here, not only the pump runs quieter but the fans are also super quiet.
It is superior to the previous gen Corsair H115i RGB Platinum cooler and many other similar performing AIO coolers but at a lower cost. The cooler is currently available in both RGB and non-RGB editions where the non-RGB one will give you the best value for money but if you also care for the aesthetics, the 280 A-RGB edition is still a good value cooler.
EK AIO Basic 360mm AIO
- PERFORMANCE COOLING, ZERO MAINTENANCE - The EK...
- INTEL 10th GEN, AMD RYZEN 3000 CPU COMPATIBILITY -...
- NON-RGB - EK-AIO Basic is an affordable all-black,...
- POWERFUL PUMP - The robust and upgraded for higher...
Lastly, for the best possible cooling performance without breaking the bank, you should use the EK AIO Basic 360 AIO cooler that features a big 360mm rad that has a lot of surface area to dissipate the heat quickly.
Normally, for 6-core processors, I generally don’t recommend a 360mm radiator as most 240 and 280mm coolers do the job well. But here, the Ryzen 7600X needs a better cooling solution than any other 6-core CPU, and what can be a better option than the Basic 360 AIO that completely dominates all AIO coolers for $130?
It features non-RGB fans and CPU block to save cost but the minimalistic looks make it a perfect and premium choice for any high-end gaming system.
As tested by GamersNexus, the cooler outperforms even the Arctic Liquid Freezer II 360 AIO cooler which is one of the best 360 AIOs out there. Yes, the latter wins here and there but the EK one is currently much cheaper. It is definitely the best choice for overclocking the 7600X or any other high-end CPU.
Which Cooler Will Be Ideal?
For those who aren’t planning to overclock the 7600X to the extremes, the EVGA CLC 280mm looks like a promising option that is cheaper than all the coolers on the list.
The cooler is perfectly fit for those who want the best cooling performance on a budget and don’t want to go beyond $100. While those who don’t have a budget limit set below $100, the EK AIO Basic 360 AIO is definitely my favorite recommendation.
It is absolutely fantastic in both quieter and cooler operations and doesn’t break the bank. In case, you are looking for only an air cooler, the Noctua NH-D15 is absolutely killer for $100 and is suitable for overclocking.
Final Words
Cooling the Ryzen 7600X is not similar to other 6 cores/12 threads CPUs as it runs way hotter. You can’t go with any basic single tower cooler expecting it to allow you to overclock the CPU as well as keep down the temps below 70C.
Let me know what cooler you are going with the Ryzen 7600X in the comments below.
Related:
