I'm looking to build a system with a 9950x3d, and I need some advice on the best cooling solution. Should I opt for an air cooler or go with an all-in-one (AIO) solution? I've seen mixed opinions online where some say a potent double tower air cooler like the Thermalright Phantom Spirit SE 120 would suffice, while others claim that once you hit certain TDP levels, an AIO is a must-have. For the air cooler, I'm considering the Thermalright Phantom Spirit SE 120 or SE 120 Evo, and for the AIO, I'm looking at the Corsair iCUE Link Titan 360 RX LCD RGB. Any thoughts or suggestions?
5 Answers
If you're asking about air cooling versus an AIO, case airflow is key. If your case has good airflow, a large air cooler could work just fine, even with high wattage. For instance, my NH-D15 keeps my 14700K under control at around 86 degrees at max load! But with poor airflow, air coolers can struggle, whereas an AIO helps by acting like extra case fans. Just steer clear of Corsair – I've heard their performance isn't that great.
A lot of people recommend the Arctic Liquid Freezer III Pro. It's usually cheaper and seems to outperform the Corsair coolers in terms of cooling performance.
I've got the same CPU, and I opted for the be quiet! Silent Loop 3 360mm Liquid Cooler. If you want to stick with air, consider the DeepCool Assassin IV VC VISION. Whichever way you go, make sure to get high-quality cooling – it's crucial for a component like this!
You can definitely push beyond 220w with an air cooler. For instance, the Phantom Spirit Evo handled 238w during tests, and it's only the second-best 120mm air cooler! If you want an AIO, I'd still suggest Arctic or Thermalright for the best performance.
If you’re looking for the best cooling for a Ryzen 9, then the Arctic Liquid Freezer 3 Pro 360 is top-notch. It's quiet, affordable, and outperforms many other options on the market.
That's what I use with my 9950x3d! It keeps everything nice and cool, both at idle and under load.