I've just finished building a PC featuring an AMD 9800x3d, along with some solid components like 32GB of DDR5 RAM and an RTX 5070ti. Initially, I went with a Thermalright Phantom Spirit ARGB cooler, which does a fantastic job at cooling. However, I'm having an issue with aesthetics — the cooler is blocking some of my RGB RAM, and I can't fully enjoy the RGB lighting because the cooler is too bulky.
I'm looking for recommendations on a CPU cooler that will properly cool the 9800x3d, fit well aesthetically, not cover the RAM, and run quietly without costing a fortune. Here are a few options I'm considering:
1. **Arctic Freezer 36 ARGB**: Great aesthetic and noise profile; however, it has only 4 heatpipes which might not adequately cool the 9800x3d. It's currently priced at $35.
2. **Thermalright Burst Assassin Vision**: Looks awesome but lacks ARGB. It has 6 heatpipes, which should provide better cooling than the Arctic. It's priced at $45.
3. **Corsair H115i iCUE Link 280 RGB**: Already in my possession as part of a bundle. It's effective in cooling but needs a PCIe power connector that I currently don't have. I'm hesitant to use an adapter unless you all think it's a good idea.
I'm stuck deciding which way to go since I have a return window for the Phantom Spirit expiring soon. Any insights would be highly appreciated!
2 Answers
Why not stick with your dual tower cooler but just remove the outer fan? It'll still perform way better than a single tower, and you can keep that aesthetic intact without sacrificing cooling efficiency. Just a thought!
If the cooler's fan is barely touching the RAM, maybe try swapping in a thinner 15mm fan for that front one. It could give you enough clearance and maintain good airflow!
That's an interesting idea! I wonder if others have tried thinner fans and if it works well. Has anyone else done this?
I did think of that, but I'm not a fan of how it looks without the front fan. A big part of this build for me is the look!