I'm building my first gaming PC and I've made some selections for the components, which you can check out on my PC build list. Currently, I'm on the hunt for an air CPU cooler. Some suggestions I've received, like the Peerless Assassin, are just too big for my liking since I want to keep my RAM visible. What's the smallest air cooler that would work efficiently with an AMD Ryzen 5 9600X? Is one fan sufficient? Additionally, I'm looking for a good quality 1TB SSD that won't break the bank, but I'm struggling to find a brand that everyone agrees on. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
You have flexibility with the 9600X since it’s efficient. Most coolers can handle it without any thermal throttling. I personally use the $16 Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO, and it keeps my CPU around 65°C. For your SSD, the main thing to consider is how you'll use it. If it's primarily for games, then you don’t need the most expensive one. Focus more on reliability.
The Ryzen 5 9600X runs pretty cool, so you could definitely get away with a single-tower air cooler like the Thermalright Assassin King. It should fit well without blocking your RAM.
Thank you! I’m glad to know I can use a smaller cooler.
Thanks! I mainly want it for storing games. I might frequently download and delete them, so I'm looking for something that lasts.