I'm looking to buy a single tower air cooler for my 7800X3D mainly for aesthetic reasons. I've come up with a list of coolers available in my area and would love some input on which one offers the best value for money, especially in terms of noise levels. Here's what I've found:
* Noctua NH-U9S
* Noctua NH-U12S
* Noctua NH-U12S Redux
* Arctic Freezer 36 ARGB
* Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 Vision ARGB
* Cooler Master Hyper 212
* Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black X Duo
* Thermalright Assassin King 120 SE
Can anyone help me rank these options?
2 Answers
Based on tests I've seen, the Noctua U12A is stellar; it performs similarly to top-tier dual tower coolers. Looks great too, but it's pricey. You could find a decent single tower cooler for under $50, but if you've got the budget, the U12A is worth it. I have one, and I'm really happy with it!
Sure, a single tower can handle the 7800X3D, but remember, airflow in your case may limit your cooling. If you want solid performance, consider a double tower like the Peerless Assassin. I’ve tried all the options: Arctic 36, Dark Rock 5, and now I use a liquid cooler. They generally perform better under load.
I’m trying to avoid dual towers because I want to keep my RAM visible. How did the Arctic 36 perform with your 7800X3D?
Absolutely, the U12A is great, but man, it doesn't come cheap. You could snag three Peerless Assassins for the same price!