I'm putting together a new Ryzen 5 5500X3D build and bought a be quiet! Pure Rock Slim 3 for cooling. I'm not sure whether this single-tower cooler is capable of keeping the processor at safe temperatures, or if I should return it and choose something stronger. Is the Pure Rock Slim 3 sufficient, and what alternatives would you recommend if an upgrade makes sense?
2 Answers
That cooler should handle the processor without trouble. If you want a stronger option for lower temperatures or quieter operation, an Arctic Freezer 36 is a good step up. Larger dual-tower models such as the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE or Phantom Spirit 120 are also more than capable, though probably unnecessary for this CPU.
The Pure Rock Slim 3 should be perfectly adequate. The 5500X3D is a six-core chip with relatively low power consumption, so it doesn’t require a particularly large cooler. I’d use the one you already bought and only consider replacing it if temperatures or noise end up being higher than you want.

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