The best air coolers for AMD Ryzen processors.
Although AMD usually sells its AMD Ryzen processors with OEM coolers with fairly good thermal performance, there is always room for improvement. Especially if we have in mind to overclock our processors. In today’s article we want to take a look at the best air coolers that we can install on top of our AMD Ryzen processors. And, not only that they are the best, but also, as quiet as possible.
One of the advantages that AMD Ryzen processors have is that they do not get as hot as their Intel counterparts. Especially if we mount their respective OEM heatsinks, with which they are usually sold. Thus, while these heatsinks, in the case of Intel Core processors, are barely capable of performing their task, in the case of Ryzen, they are more than capable of performing it. And at a fairly comfortable sound level. Unlike the Intel heatsink, which is quite famous for howling when the processor starts to heat up.
On the other hand, with the arrival of the 2nd Generation AMD Ryzen processors, we now have three very different TDPs between them to deal with.
- 65 W: Most processors that do not have the “X” at the end of their designation are 65 W TDP models.
- 95 W: on the contrary, the models that do have the “X” are almost all 95 W TDP models except one model.
- 105 W – Only the AMD Ryzen 7 2700X, out of the entire 1st and 2nd Gen Ryzen lineup, has a TDP of 105 W.
So we will divide our article with these TDPs. Obviously, if we buy a heatsink for the 105 W processor, that will serve us perfectly for the rest of the models in the AMD range. But it would end up being a bit of a cannon shot.
Air Coolers for AMD Ryzen
PTO 65W
This TDP includes the AMD Ryzen 3 1200, 1300, 1400, 1400X, 1500, 1500X, 2300, 2200G, Ryzen 5 1600, 2400G, 2600 and Ryzen 7 1700 and 2700 processor models.
Arctic Frieza 34
One of the best heatsinks you can buy for an AMD Ryzen processor is this Arctic model. With a maximum supported TDP of 150 W, the heatsink is of the semi-passive type. That is, its fan only starts when the processor starts to get very hot. This will ensure a quieter environment when we are doing our normal tasks with the computer.
Another advantage of this model is that it is not very high (157 mm), which can help us when installing it in narrow boxes.
PTO 95W
This TDP includes AMD Ryzen 5 1600X, 2600X and Ryzen 7 1700X, 1800X processors.
Scythe Mugen 5 Rev.B
We already had the opportunity to test the original model of this heatsink some time ago. Now with Rev.B, Scythe has added support for AMD Ryzen processors. These Scythe heatsinks have always stood out for being very very quiet models, which achieve exceptional operating temperatures. In addition, its design allows the use of the RAM memory slots that are closest to the processor socket, which are usually hidden by the body of the heatsinks.
Another advantage that this model has is that its height of 154.5 mm makes it perfect to be installed in narrow boxes, just like the previous Arctic model.
Noctua NH-U12S SE-AM4
Although Noctua has stated that it will include the compatibility of its entire range of heatsinks with the AM4 socket, while this occurs, an excellent alternative to the Scythe model is this Noctua model. Although the original design is a few years old, it is still one of the best heatsinks you can put on your AMD Ryzen processor. And also one of the quietest.
PTO 105W
At this TDP, the only processor there is the AMD Ryzen 7 2700X.
Noctua NH-D15 SE-AM4
Perhaps one of the largest and most efficient heatsinks that you can install on your AMD Ryzen 2700X processor is this model. It is not a heatsink to be installed in small boxes, since it is 165 mm high, so you will need very wide boxes for this model to fit comfortably inside.
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Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4
This model from the German brand Be Quiet! It follows the same philosophy as the previous Noctua model: it uses two cooling towers and two fans but, at the same time, it is extremely quiet in operation. This heatsink is designed to be able to deal with TDPs of up to 250 W without problems, so it will be able to keep our AMD Ryzen 7 2700X processor very cool,
