Hey everyone! I'm working on my second PC build and I'm a bit lost when it comes to CPU cooling options. I've got a list of components lined up, and I want some advice on what kind of cooler I should go for. Should I stick with a standard fan cooler, or is it worth investing in a liquid cooler? I'm looking for something that's easy to manage and requires little upkeep. Here's my part list for reference:
- Fractal Design North ATX Mid Tower with Black Tempered Glass Side Panel
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 4.7 GHz 8-Core AM5
- MSI B850 MAG TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI DDR5 ATX
- PNY OC GeForce RTX 5080 16GB GDDR7 Black
- Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5-6000 CL30 32GB (2x16GB)
- Samsung 990 Pro 4TB M.2 SSD PCIe 4.0 NVMe
- Lian Li EDGE Black ATX 1300W Fully Modular 80+ Platinum Certified (I'm realizing this may be overkill on the wattage, still checking options).
3 Answers
If RAM clearance is a concern, the Thermalright Royal Knight is a good choice as it doesn’t overhang the RAM slots. I’m using it on a 7950X3D in a Fractal North XL case. Otherwise, you can’t go wrong with the PA120 or PS120. Also, having a higher wattage PSU isn’t bad; you just won’t use all of it right now. It gives you some headroom for future upgrades!
Honestly, air cooling is perfectly fine for your setup. I use an AK620 on my 7800X3D, and it keeps idle temps around 38-39°C and under load, it doesn’t go above 60°C. The Phantom Spirit or Peerless Assassin should manage your 9800X3D just fine. Just remember to apply thermal paste in an X pattern for even coverage and screw everything in evenly to avoid uneven spreading.
I’ve got the same CPU and I recommend the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE. It installs super easily like most air coolers and does a great job cooling without a fuss!
Thanks, a few people mentioned this! I’ll definitely consider it. Appreciate the help!
Thanks for the tips! I’ll definitely go with your recommended setup.