Hey everyone! I'm looking for some advice on selecting a cooler for my Ryzen 7 9800X3D build. I've got my parts list ready, which you can check out [here](https://de.pcpartpicker.com/list/Zm7X8Q). My main concern is whether my chosen case is big enough for the Be Quiet! cooler since it only has 2mm of headroom. That seems pretty tight, especially considering the side vent placement. Should I consider going with an AIO cooler instead for better airflow and space saving? I'm willing to spend up to 200€ on cooling. Thanks for your help!
2 Answers
You don’t need to break the bank on a fancy motherboard; saving some cash there can let you spend it on better cooling or other components. The 9800X3D should run just fine with air cooling in most cases. Personally, I steer clear of water cooling as it tends to be noisier and loses efficiency over time. Just make sure your air cooler is aligned with your case's airflow; my setup flows just fine. The Fractal North XL is spacious enough for air cooling, so it shouldn't be an issue at all!
Consider switching to a smaller case that has better CPU clearance, like the Phanteks XT PRO ATX Mid Tower, which offers 184mm height clearance. The North XL feels a bit overkill and expensive for your build. By downgrading some parts, like the motherboard, you could easily save around 450€ without sacrificing performance. Check out my proposed build [here](https://de.pcpartpicker.com/list/N7nyh7).
Thanks for the suggestion! I think I’ll go for a smaller case.