I recently built my first PC and chose the 9800X3D processor because I got a good deal on it. Initially, I was considering a water cooling setup, but I've come across info suggesting that a strong air cooler might also work well. What do you think? Any recommendations or insights into air cooling for this CPU?
5 Answers
Air cooling the 9800X3D is pretty straightforward. Most dual tower coolers do a fantastic job! Modern 'big air coolers' are often just as capable as a 240mm AIO these days, so you're definitely in good hands with options like the Peerless Assassin or Phantom Spirit.
You can't go wrong with a decent dual tower cooler for the 9800X3D. The Phantom Spirit 120 or the Peerless Assassin 120 are both affordable and work great, and I think they’re a perfect fit for your needs.
I've used a 360 AIO in the past, but I've heard really good things about the Peerless Assassin for air cooling. While it can get a bit warm during shader compiling, it generally keeps things in check. It's definitely an option worth considering!
If you're looking for a solid air cooler, the Phantom Spirit is a go-to for the 9800X3D. However, a good single tower cooler can manage it too. Mine runs with a single tower cooler and during stress tests like Prime95, it peaks at around 90°C before stabilizing in the low 80s. That’s not too bad, but I'd prefer more thermal headroom. In real gaming scenarios, like playing Cyberpunk DLC, temps drop to the low 60s, so it’s manageable but consider a dual tower cooler for even better performance.
The Thermalright Peerless Assassin is super popular for the 9800X3D, and it’s proven to be effective. You’ll have no issues with temps as long as you have a proper setup.
Related Questions
Lenovo Thinkpad Stuck In Update Loop Install FilterDriverU2_Reload