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Best picks

Best Air Coolers for the Ryzen 7 9800X3D

The Noctua NH-D15 G2 leads our AM5-compatible shortlist; compare size and clearance before buying.

Quick answer

The Noctua NH-D15 G2 is a premium pick; be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 suits quiet-focused builds, while DeepCool AK620 is shorter. Scythe Fuma 3 has a compact height, and Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE is another AM5 option. Check case and RAM clearance.

01

Best for AM5 builders seeking option 1

Noctua NH-D15 G2

  • Manufacturer lists AM5 compatibility for Noctua NH-D15 G2.
  • Its official product information specifies the heatsink design.

Drawback: Check case and memory clearance before installation.

02

Best for AM5 builders seeking option 2

be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5

  • Manufacturer lists AM5 compatibility for be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5.
  • Its official product information specifies the heatsink design.

Drawback: Check case and memory clearance before installation.

03

Best for AM5 builders seeking option 3

DeepCool AK620

  • Manufacturer lists AM5 compatibility for DeepCool AK620.
  • Its official product information specifies the heatsink design.

Drawback: Check case and memory clearance before installation.

04

Best for AM5 builders seeking option 4

Scythe Fuma 3

  • Manufacturer lists AM5 compatibility for Scythe Fuma 3.
  • Its official product information specifies the heatsink design.

Drawback: Check case and memory clearance before installation.

05

Best for AM5 builders seeking option 5

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE

  • Manufacturer lists AM5 compatibility for Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE.
  • Its official product information specifies the heatsink design.

Drawback: Check case and memory clearance before installation.

Compare them side by side

Noctua NH-D15 G2be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5DeepCool AK620Scythe Fuma 3Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
Height—168 mm154 mm160 mm168 mm
Heatpipes—7668
AM5 supportManualYesYesYesYes

Common questions

Questions before you buy

Does the Ryzen 7 9800X3D include a cooler?

AMD lists the thermal solution as not included and recommends liquid cooling for optimal performance.

Can an air cooler handle a Ryzen 7 9800X3D?

It is a 120 W default-TDP AM5 processor. Suitability depends on workload, case airflow, noise preference and temperature targets.

Which socket does the Ryzen 7 9800X3D use?

AMD specifies socket AM5. Verify the cooler includes compatible mounting hardware.

How tall a CPU cooler can my case fit?

Compare the heatsink height with the case maximum cooler clearance and account for RAM and motherboard heatsinks.

Is liquid cooling required for the 9800X3D?

AMD recommends liquid cooling for optimal performance, but the socket itself does not mandate liquid cooling. Check independent results for the specific cooler and workload.

Sources and how we chose