The fan on my CPU cooler has started failing. It no longer spins by itself, so I've had to open the case and manually spin it to get it moving. It has now almost completely stopped working, and I had one instance where it only started after the computer had already booted.
I'm currently using the Wraith Prism cooler that came with my old Ryzen 7 3800X, but I've had it for several years and think it's time to replace it. My CPU is a Ryzen 7 5700X3D, and I'm looking for an inexpensive air cooler that performs well and isn't difficult to install. Some cooler installation videos look intimidating, so simplicity is important. My budget is about $25–$30. What would you recommend?
5 Answers
I’d also recommend the Peerless Assassin if you can find it for around $30–$32. Installation is fairly straightforward, but remember that you’ll need to remove the old thermal paste with high-percentage isopropyl alcohol and apply fresh paste. Follow the included instructions or a video guide and it shouldn’t be too difficult.
The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE is one of the best-value air coolers in this price range and should handle the 5700X3D comfortably. If it costs more than your budget, the Thermalright Burst Assassin 120 EVO is another solid option. Either will perform much better than a failing Wraith Prism.
The Peerless Assassin is probably the strongest overall value here. The Phantom Spirit is a newer design with an additional heat pipe, and it’s worth considering if it’s available for the same price.
You don’t need a liquid cooler for this CPU. A reasonably sized Thermalright or be quiet! air cooler should be more than sufficient and relatively easy to mount. Depending on the model, you may need to remove the stock mounting brackets and install a backplate or new mounting hardware, but the manuals usually include diagrams.
You might also find a used Wraith Prism for less than a new cooler. They were bundled with several higher-power processors, so people often sell them after upgrading. It would be a cheap replacement, though a modern budget tower cooler would likely run quieter and cooler.
Thanks for the reminder about cleaning and replacing the thermal paste. I’ll make sure to have some ready before installing the new cooler.