AMD Ryzen processors have evolved to become so good that extracting the maximum performance out of the chip is a matter of fine-tuning the different aspects of the system. The major component which plays a crucial part in determining the performance of the processor is the best Ryzen cooler used in the system.
To squeeze the maximum performance out of the processor a good Ryzen CPU cooler is necessary. While the stock cooler supplied with the chip is decent and does the job adequately but it cannot be used to overclock or push the processor to its maximum. This is where aftermarket comes come in and in this article, we will list the best air cooler for Ryzen available in the market. But before we dive into the list of best AM4 air cooler let us first take a brief look at some of the aspects of a Ryzen air cooler.
In a Hurry? Here’s the List of 7 Best Air Cooler for Ryzen
Product Preview | Our Pick | Key Specs | Pricing |
 | Overall The Best Air Cooler for Ryzen: Noctua NH-D15 Chromax.Black |
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 | Best AM4 Air Cooler for Ryzen 9 CPUs: Cooler Master MasterAir MA620M |
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 | Best AM4 Air Cooler for Ryzen 7 CPUs: Scythe Fuma 2 |
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 | Best Air Cooler for Ryzen 5 CPUs: Scythe Mugen 5 Rev.B |
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 | Best Air Cooler for Ryzen 3 CPUs: Cooler Master Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition |
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 | Best Low Profile CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9a-AM4 Chromax.Black |
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 | Best Budget CPU Cooler: Antec A30 |
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The Best AM4 Air Cooler Buyer’s Guide
CPU air coolers fulfill different purposes and no two coolers are identical. They have a different set of features and characteristics. These characteristics are in line with their main objective which the companies come up with. Let us take an in-depth look at how AMD Ryzen CPU coolers are set apart.
How to Choose the Best Air Cooler for Ryzen?
Compatibility with the Processor
Ryzen Processors have different cooling requirements based on their power draw. Power draw is listed on the processor as TDP. Likewise, the coolers also have TDP listed. The safest way is getting cooler with a higher TDP than the processor so there is some cooling headroom. This can be beneficial if you down the line want to overclock the processor or swap it with a higher-end processor.
TDP is not the only factor and other factors also determine the performance of the cooler but this is a good way of determining the general compatibility of your cooler with the processor. Getting a cooler that might be weak or too powerful for your PC is a waste of resources so be mindful of your purchase.
Motherboard and RAM Compatibility
Motherboards come in different form factors that being full-size Atx, Micro Atx, and Mini Atx. Like the name suggests the have different sizes. Checking the clearance of the cooler is important because if you get a cooler which is too big for your motherboard then it will interfere with the ram slots and the PCI-E slot. This compatibility issue will cause the blocking of 1 or more ram slots so you will be only to only a select number of ram slots. Likewise, an oversized cooler can also interfere with the VRM cooler of the motherboard.
Compatibility with the Case
Similar to the ram and motherboard a PC case comes in various sizes. Ranging from a full tower to a mini case. The casing is also crucial in determining which cooler you get because if the case is too small for the cooler then it will not fit and cause issues. This is especially the issue with high-end large coolers. These coolers are massive and need plenty of space according to their size. It is difficult to accommodate these coolers some enclosures so check the spare space in your case and get a cooler accordingly.
Fan Noise
The higher the performance of the cooler the more fan noise it will generate. This is the universal truth because to dissipate more heat the fan needs to spin at a higher Rpm making more noise. Some manufacturers use silent fans that can help to reduce the noise generated by the fan. If you want something that is not too distracting then look for these “silent” coolers.
The 7 Best Air Cooler for Ryzen
Top Picks & Recommendations
1. Noctua NH-D15 Chromax.Black
Overall The Best Air Cooler for Ryzen
If you have been searching for the best cooler for Ryzen chances are you have heard of Noctua NH-D15. The version featured on the list is the updated 2020 variant of the cooler in an all-black color scheme and a few other changes which together make this cooler a beast.
By just gazing at the Noctua NH-D15 Chromax.black one can recognize the main intent of this cooler. This massive cooler aims at providing the maximum performance for the least possible noise. It does not feature flashy lighting or any of the tacky accents but rather a very plain and simple chassis. It has a double-stacked design which translates to a multi fan configuration.
The 2 fans configuration of this cooler enlarges the footprint of the housing. Keeping this mind this will not be a suitable option for Micro Atx cases because of the size. Before buying this cooler you should also check if you have enough ram clearance especially if you have occupied all of the ram slots.
With that all out of the way moving on to the performance this cooler is quite literally the best air cooler for Ryzen hence the title. This behemoth competes with AIO closed-loop coolers some of which which are double in price. Noctua NH-d15 was already an AIO killer and this has taken it a step further. Running the best and top of the line Ryzen 3950x is a breeze on this breeze. On stock frequency the temperatures are excellent and the processor never throttles or chokes due to the overheating.
This cooler can also facilitate overclocking on a 16 core chip which is frankly a mind-blowing feat. Even with the chip overclocked the temperatures remain below the maximum threshold with normal tasks or gaming. It can get a little toasty when pushing the CPU to the max like during benchmarking but still, the processor never throttles and overheats. The ambient noise is also well-controlled. There is some noise but it is not distracting and never exceeds the bearable threshold.
Conclusion
If you are looking for the best air cooler for Ryzen then look no further than Noctua NH-D15. It does not have a flashy look and appearance but compensates well in the performance sector. It even leaves most of the expensive AIO in dust so if performance is your sole priority then add this Ryzen CPU cooler to your list.
2. Cooler Master MasterAir MA620M
Best AM4 Air Cooler for Ryzen 9 CPUs
Cooler Master has tried to combine the flashy flair of RGB with good performance in this MA620M cooler. Right of the bat, the most noticeable aspect of this cooler is the futuristic design with cutouts in the body for the flow of led light.
The design of this cooler is very unique. The fan is sandwiched in between the heatsink and the heat pipes giving it an appearance unlike any of the other Ryzen air coolers available in the market. With its integrated RGB, it has a completely different profile which sets it apart. The RGB lighting is also user-configurable and any color can be set according to the preference of the user. This makes the color very versatile and can be used in any color theme setup. Besides the RGB the rest of the body has a black finish with the top part being a glossy black and the fins being matte black.
Design and appearance are one part of the story though and without a solid build quality, the product is not of much significance. Fortunately, this cooler has the solid build quality and the construction is robust and sturdy. For cooling, Cooler Master MA620M has 6 heat pipes and a solid copper block which makes contact with the processor. The block and well machined and has a uniform area.
The performance of this cooler is on par with other high-end Ryzen air coolers falling just behind the very best Ryzen air coolers. This air cooler can support all the processors in the Ryzen lineup and running Ryzen 9 on this cooler is perfectly adequate. The cooler does well and manages to keep the temperatures of the processor within check even during the most demanding of tasks. Overclocking the chipset is also possible as long as you do not overdo it. But we won’t recommend this for overclocking Ryzen 9, for light overclocking it will be adequate but if you want an extreme overclocking cooler check out Noctua NH-D15 featured at the first spot of our list. That cooler is a superior overclocker.
Conclusion
MasterAir MA620M is a great cooler that packs in all the features a consumer would want. This cooler has a bit of everything with decent performance. The sandwich fan design also gives it a unique look. If you like the look of the cooler and can compromise some performance then this is worth picking up.
3. Scythe Fuma 2
Best AM4 Air Cooler for Ryzen 7 CPUs
Scythe makes some of the best Ryzen air coolers and this cooler is no different. The Scythe Fuma 2 has the same signature DNA of the Scythe lineup with some added features.
The build quality of the cooler is high quality typical of any Scythe cooler. It is robust and the two fans are hinged securely. The design of the cooler is simple and basic. It has a black top cover with the fans being finish in a matte grey color. This black and grey two-tone color scheme makes it look elegant. This cooler has no RGB or led lighting or any sort and sticks the old school vibe.
The installation of this cooler is simple and straightforward. There is a good pictured guide in the box which is easy to understand and follow. For the cooling, Scythe Fuma 2 has 5 heat pipes encompassed dual-stacked fans. The fans provided with this cooler are excellent. The base of the heatsink is copper but to eliminate the oxidation the copper is nickel-plated. This enhances the lifespan of the heatsink.
Scythe Fuma 2 is a very capable performer. This 250W TDP cooler is compatible with processors up to the Ryzen 9 line but the best match for this cooler would be the Ryzen 7 3700X processor. It manages to keep the said processor under operating temperatures even with the most demanding tasks while also having some performance headroom. It also manages to keep an overclocked Ryzen 7 3700X tame. Despite delivering all this performance the fan is relatively quiet and never gets annoying loud.
Conclusion
Scythe Fuma 2 like the other Scythe cooler mentioned on the list is a great choice if you hunting for the maximum performance for the price. This cooler is low on the design and aesthetics and might not be as appealing but rest assured there is no other cooler on the market that can compete in performance with Scythe Fuma 2 for the same price.
4. Scythe Mugen 5 Rev.B
Best Air Cooler for Ryzen 5 CPUs
This cooler is the revision of its popular previous version. Scythe has built upon the user feedback and has made subtle improvements to the already fantastic cooler. Mugen 5 Rev.B version looks poised to deliver the same exceptional version of the previous version with some needed tweaks.
Scythe Mugen 5 Rev.B has the same approach as its predecessor. It is focused on providing the best possible performance for the least possible noise. A simple recipe yet hard to execute but here Scythe has done it wonderfully. The design of this cooler is bland and simple. It has a silvery finish body and the fins. The fan is a performance non led fan. It is basic but performs well and does not have much noise which is in line with the characteristic of the cooler.
The cooler has an asymmetric design that facilitates the Ram clearance. The installation is also very intuitive and easy. For performance, this cooler has 6 heatsinks with a chunky nickel-plated copper base. The contact with the processor is good and there is nothing to complain about here. Proceeding onto the performance analysis, this cooler can easily handle all the processors in the Ryzen lineup though it is the best CPU cooler for Ryzen 3600x or 3600.
For this processor, the cooler is plenty capable and there is a decent amount of headroom for overclocking. It can also be used with more demanding Ryzen chips but there it is only limited to stock performance. If we examine the performance it provides for the price it exceeds all expectations and the performance it provides is comparable to much more expensive coolers.
Conclusion
Scythe Mugen 5 Rev.B is simple yet amazing. The performance it offers for the price is just surreal coupled that with the fact that the fan is also inaudible under normal use makes it even more splendid. We can easily recommend this if you looking for maximum performance in your cooler and do not want something flashy.
5. Cooler Master Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition
Best Air Cooler for Ryzen 3 CPUs
Cooler Master needs no introduction when it comes to Ryzen air coolers and Hyper 212 air cooler is a legend in its rank. This cooler has been around for quite a while and with each iteration, it receives subtle improvement to keep it chugging along in the air cooler race.
Hyper 212 Black Edition is the newest iteration of this cooler. This edition is either available in a stealthy variant or an RGB version. Both the version have a gun-metal black finish. This finish gives the cooler a sleek and elegant profile and keeps it in line with other recent coolers in the AMD Ryzen CPU cooler lineup.
The Cooler Master RGB fan provided with the Rgb variant of this cooler is compatible with all the motherboard’s lighting solution so syncing the cooler with the rest of the setup is a breeze. Hyper 212 lineup is known to be a very user friendly and this cooler is not different. Installing the Black Edition is easy and convenient. The process is straightforward and can be completed without any hassle.
For the cooling, this cooler has 4 integrated copper heat pipes. The surface area is plentiful and the contact is good. Hyper 212 Black edition has improved efficiency over its previous counterpart so the temperatures are a little better. It can easily run Ryzen 5 3600x and 3600 or any similar Ryzen cooler with having the TDP somewhat similar to the 3600x. There is also some overclocking headroom and some minute overclocking is possible on this cooler if you are running a Ryzen processor with less TDP.
Overall this cooler is an upgrade over the stock cooler and can also accommodate a little bit of overclocking as long as you do not go overboard with it. While having decent performance this cooler also maintains a good noise level. It is barely audible under normal use and even with CPU pushed to the max this cooler remains under the bearable noise threshold.
Conclusion
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition carries the tradition and legacy of the Hyper 212 line. This cooler is easily accessible and approachable coupled that with the user-friendly installation this is a good cooler if you are a novice Pc builder. The performance is a let down though and similarly priced coolers offer better performance but if you want a reliable and easy-going cooler then this a good option to consider.
6. Noctua NH-L9a-AM4 Chromax Black
Best Low Profile CPU Cooler
If you looking for a low profile CPU cooler having a design similar to the stock Ryzen cooler then this Noctua NH-L9a-AM4 should be right up your alley. This cooler has a similar footprint to the stock cooler but has some unique features and characteristics.
The design of the Noctua is understated and clean. This cooler is either available in an all-black color or the typical Noctua cream color. The chromax black is a little bit expensive so take your pick on what you prefer. This cooler has the same stacked design as the stock color meaning the fan is placed vertically on top of the heatsink. This gives the color a compact dimension so the ram clearance with this cooler is very good. For mini Atx builds, this cooler is a good choice. The cooler also does not look bulky in the case which is a plus.
Despite having a low profile design the performance of this cooler is good. But before we get into the performance lets talk about mounting. Noctua has a very streamlined process for the installation of this cooler and the mounting process is simple, efficient, and easy. Coming back to the performance this cooler is a step up over the stock cooler and will provide a healthy boost of performance over the former.
This cooler should be mainly used for Ryzen 7 and lower processors but we believe that Ryzen 5 is the sweet spot. With a Ryzen 5, this cooler is a good pair and keeps the processor at a favorable operating temperature. The processor maintains a good boost frequency during the most intensive tasks due to the good cooling capability of this cooler.
Conclusion
Noctua NH-L9a-AM4 is a fantastic low profile cooler. If you building a smaller form factor build like mini Atx or in general you have less space and need a compact cooler then this cooler can entertain you well for your needs.
7. Antec A30
Best Budget CPU Cooler
This cooler comes in as the most budget option on our list. Antec A30 has some features which are hard to come by at this price point and these extra features give it a slight edge over the stock cooler.
Antec A30 has a compact footprint and it has only one fan. This makes it compatible with minicomputers and two ram slot motherboards. It does not protrude so there is good clearance for the Ram. The build quality is not the best but for a lower-end cheap ryzen air cooler it is acceptable. This cooler feels and looks cheap and also the materials are not nice. The chassis has some play and the body is not well put together.
After losing points in the build quality this cooler gains some ground in the feature and performance segment. Coming to the features first, this cooler has a led fan. Though it only lights up in blue color and is not configurable but still it is a nice inclusive. The led lighting of the fan is bright and uniform so incorporating it in any blue theme setup will not a challenge. Installing this cooler is a mix bag process. For AM4 the installation is a breeze but if you looking to buy this cooler for a previous generation processor than the process can be a little challenging.
The performance is also good for the price. It is a definite improvement over the stock cooler. Where the included cooler of the Ryzen 3-line falter this picks up the slack. With this cooler, Ryzen 3 is capable of maintaining higher clocks due to the low operating temperature of the processor. This cooler also has a good amount of TDP headroom so minute overclocking within the TDP limits is also possible.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a subtle performance upgrade over the stock Ryzen 3 cooler and also want something with a little more flair then keep this under your considering. It has more performance than the stock cooler with added blue led lighting. The only downside of this cooler is the weak build quality but we expect it to last for a while. This cooler can also make for a good temporary replacement because of its inexpensive price.
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Ending Thoughts
With our list concluded we need to emphasize the importance of finding the cooler best suited for your needs. Like all other components, different coolers serve different purposes. A bulky cooler with dual fans will be overkill if you just want to cool a Ryzen 3 or a Ryzen 5. Likewise, a cooler made for lower-end Ryzen chips will not suffice with a Ryzen 7 or a Ryzen 9. Similarly, other factors also play a role in the end decision of the user.
So you should keep the aspects of your system in mind and then narrow down the cooler search according to your system. In this article, we have picked the best Ryzen coolers we could find to assist you in making a better decision.
