My CPU fan has started failing. It no longer spins by itself, so I've been opening the case and manually spinning it until it starts, but today it almost stopped working completely. I'm currently using the Wraith Prism cooler that came with my old Ryzen 7 3800X, paired with a Ryzen 7 5700X3D. I'd like to replace it before the fan dies entirely. My budget is around $25–$30, and I'd prefer an air cooler that's straightforward to install rather than something complicated. What would you recommend?
4 Answers
I’d also recommend the Peerless Assassin, even if it’s a couple dollars over budget. Replacing the cooler isn’t too difficult, but remember that you’ll need to clean the old thermal paste from the CPU with high-percentage isopropyl alcohol and apply fresh paste. The included instructions and a quick installation guide should be enough to get through it.
You definitely don’t need liquid cooling for a 5700X3D. A basic Thermalright or be quiet! tower cooler should be a major improvement over the failing Wraith Prism. Depending on the model, you may need to install or adjust the motherboard backplate, but most kits include clear diagrams and the process is fairly painless.
Another budget option is finding a used Wraith Prism. They were included with several higher-power Ryzen processors, so people often sell them cheaply after upgrading. It won’t be as strong a value as a modern tower cooler, but it should work with the 5700X3D if you find one in good condition.
The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE is probably the best-performing option around this price, assuming you can find it near $30. If it’s too expensive, the Thermalright Burst Assassin 120 EVO should still cool the 5700X3D well and is generally easy to install.
The Phantom Spirit is also worth checking. It’s basically a newer version with an additional heat pipe, and sometimes it sells for about the same price.
Checking the cooler’s mounting instructions before buying is a good idea, especially if you want to avoid removing the motherboard from the case.