Best cooler for Ryzen 5 5600x (2024)

We’re going to jump right in, discussing the best cooler for Ryzen 5 5600X currently available to buy.

Current prices for AMD’s Ryzen 5 5600X are enjoying significant discounts on Amazon, currently reduced by almost $80. First things first – make sure you’ve sorted your motherboard for Ryzen 5600X as this will influence the cooler you choose. The Ryzen 5 5600X is compatible with an X570, B550, or B450 motherboard.

There are a number of different CPU coolers for Ryzen 5 5600X to choose from. In this article we’ll be introducing the best liquid, AIO and air coolers. Amongst these two main categories, we’ll discuss the best dual-fan, the best RGB cooler and best AIO liquid cooler for Ryzen 5 5600X.

Taking into account power efficiency, budget and style, by the end of this article you’ll hopefully feel more informed in your Ryzen 5 5600X cooler and ready to make that all-important purchase.

You’re also right in thinking that the Ryzen 5600X comes with a Stock Wraith Stealth cooler which is probably adequate for minimal overclocking. However, for those wanting to push their CPU to its limit whilst maintaining healthy temperatures, check out our top picks for Ryzen 5 5600X coolers below:

Best cooler for Ryzen 5 5600X shortlist:

1. Best Air Cooler for Ryzen 5 5600X – Noctua NH-D15
2. Best 240mm AIO liquid cooler for Ryzen 5600X – NZXT Kraken X53
3. Best RGB CPU cooler for Ryzen 5600X – Corsair H150i RGB Pro XT
4. Best quiet CPU cooler for Ryzen 5600X – Noctua NH-U12A
5. Best budget cooler for Ryzen 5600X – DeepCool GAMMAXX C40

Features to consider before buying the best cooler for Ryzen 5 5600X

There’s a couple of key features you’ll need to factor in before deciding on the right cooler for your CPU. These factors are especially important if you want to get the best performance out of your CPU.

Types of Coolers (Air, AIO, Liquid coolers)

Air coolers are by far the cheapest cooler you can buy, usually costing less than $100. Generally, they are also the loudest, so consider an AIO or liquid cooler if this matters to you.

AIOs are ‘All-in-one’ coolers, meaning that they’re easy to install and generally a good looking bit of gear. A good AIO can cost slightly more than a simple air cooler, but if it’s within your budget, then an AIO cooler makes a great choice. Their size range varies between 120, up to 420 mm. If you’re worried about how to install your AIO cooler, which can be complicated if you’re new to building a PC, have a read of WePC’s handy guide here.

Read Now: Liquid Cooling vs Air Cooling in 2022

Liquid coolers are generally high-end, and achieve excellent temperature control than most air coolers. They also take up less space in your PC, so if you’re in need of extra clearance, a liquid cooler might be your best option.

TDP (Thermal Design Power)

Measured in watts, TDP tells us the maximum amount of heat that the CPU will produce. It’s also used in GPU specs and other computer hardware.

Clearance

Clearance is a critical factor to consider when buying a cooler for your CPU. It refers to the amount of space in the GPU once the cooler is installed. Heatsinks are often quite large, leaving little space for other important hardware like RAM and other hardware.

It’s also important to factor in the layout of your motherboard to ensure parts won’t be bumping into one another.

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Fan position & direction of air

Depending on the PC case, a cooler is usually installed at the top of the case. When positioning your fans on your cooler, make sure you know which way the air will blow to ensure proper ventilation. If you’re unsure, look out for arrows etched onto the fans which indicate the direction of the airflow.

Best Air Cooler for Ryzen 5 5600X – Noctua NH-D15

Type: Air | Max RPM: 1,500 RPM | Max Noise: 24.6 dB | Dimensions (mm) (H x W x D): 165 x 150 x 150

Check Price: Noctua NH-D15 on Amazon.

Noctua is one of those brands that has as a strong reputation thanks to its popular cooling units. The NH-D15 comes with 2 x 140 mm fans and has a user-friendly mounting system. For these reasons, including its outstanding thermal and acoustic performance, the Noctua NH-D15 is amongst one of the best coolers you can buy. For gamers and non-gamers alike, users can have peace of mind knowing this air cooler will keep their CPU cool, therefore reaching maximum overclocking performance.

If you’re not a fan of the brown aesthetic, we’re pleased to report that the NH-D15 is also available in chromax Black.

If you’d like a more in-depth review of the Noctua NH-D15 from our friend and CPU cooler expert Jack, head over to WePC and read the article here.

Best 240mm AIO liquid cooler for Ryzen 5600X – NZXT Kraken X53

Type: AIO | Max RPM: 1,500 RPM | Max Noise: 22-33 dB | Dimensions (mm) (H x W x D): 26 x 120 x 120

Check Price: NZXT Kraken X53 on Amazon.

This AIO liquid cooler is an excellent choice for a durable and long-lasting CPU cooler. Equipped with a nylon braided sleeve, this cooler boasts an extremely smooth operation with excellent heat dissipation abilities. It’s considerably smaller than the Noctua NH-D15, so if you’re prioritising clearance, the NZXT Kraken X53 is a sound choice. Its 240mm radiator means it will adequately support premium PC builds, whilst the colourful RGB lighting makes it a very attractive cooler. The one drawback is that it doesn’t give you direct fan control, which might be an issue for users wanting to push their CPU to the absolute limit.

Best RGB CPU cooler for Ryzen 5600X – Corsair H100i Elite CAPELLIX

Type: AIO Liquid | Max RPM: 2,400 RPM | Max Noise: 37 dB | Dimensions (mm) (H x W x D): 397 x 27 x 120

Price Check: Corsair H100i Elite Capellix on Amazon

Corsair is amongst the top brands for high-end PC components, so you know you’re in good hands if you’re looking at Corsair. The Corsair CPU cooler comes in black and white. We personally like the white variant it seriously makes those 33 super-bright RGB LEDs pop. The water block is insulated by a copper cold plate which helps to maximise heat dissipation. It also includes a Corsair iCUE Leader Core wise RGB lighting controller for up to 6 RGB fans. It delivers great airflow to allow for maximum CPU cooling performance.

Unlike other CPUs, the Corsair H100i Elite CAPELLIX does not come with screwed holding brackets but uses retention brackets with a slide-on feature. Those installing their cooler on a brand new computer shouldn’t find this to be a major issue though.

Best quiet CPU cooler for Ryzen 5600X – Noctua NH-U12A

Type: Air Cooler | Max RPM: 2,000 RPM | Max Noise: 26.6 dB | Dimensions (mm) (H x W x D): 158 x 125 x 112

Price Check: Noctua NH-U12A on Amazon

Noctua is a highly regarded brand producing excellent PC hardware to tackle cooling. Even if you’re not a fan of the colours, this cooler is class. The Noctua NH-U12A is equipped with special fans that are amongst the best fans you can get for low noise, maximum performance functions. Its max noise of 236.6 dB is quieter than the rustling of leaves making it worthy to take the title of best quiet CPU cooler.

Thanks to its 140W TDP, your Ryzen 5 5600X will be in safe hands even during hardcore gaming sessions. This cooler will leave you with plenty of potential to boost your overclocking abilities – which is exactly what you want.

Best budget cooler for Ryzen 5600X – DeepCool GAMMAXX C40

Type: Water Cooler | Max RPM: 2,500 RPM | Max Noise: 23.9 dB | Dimensions (mm) (H x W x D): 137 x 84 x 92

Price Check: DeepCool GAMMAXX C40 on Amazon

This affordable CPU cooler is is a quality option for those after an affordable CPU whilst maintaining a relatively high performance.

It’s compact design at only 137mm tall means that it will give you good clearance. It also offers quality heat dissipation thanks to its heatpipes constructed with Core Touch Technology for direct contact on the chipset. It also conveniently comes with a back plate bracket and metal adapter frame allowing for easy mounting. Overall, you should choose the DeepCool GAMMAXX C40 if you’re after the best performance along with value for money.

FAQs for best cooler for Ryzen 5 5600X

Does Ryzen 5 need a water cooler?

If you want to maximise the performance of your Ryzen 5 processor, consider investing in a AIO liquid cooler which generally delivers a very high performance and takes care of the challenging issue of heat dissipation.

Is Ryzen 5 good for gaming?

AMDs Ryzen 5 5600X does extremely well with its high clock speed translating to a consistently high performance whilst gaming.

What is the TDP of the 5600X?

Ryzen 5 5600X has a TDP of 65 watts.

What makes a good CPU cooler?

First things first you’ll need to consider your case size and budget. After that consider your specific cooler use – you might be solely looking to overclock your processor to the extreme, in which case you’ll need to expand your budget. However, if you’re happy with mild overclocking, a stock cooler will likely keep to your budget.