The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is one of the best mid-range processors available on the market. Thanks to its low cost and power-packed performance, this processor has even beaten Intel’s i9-10900K in 1080p gaming. Perhaps, it is safe to say that AMD has completely disrupted Intel’s mid-range lineup with its latest Ryzen 5 5600X.
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Based on a 7nm process with 6 Cores and 12 Threads, this processor can handle all the heavy work for you. Owing to its performance, the Ryzen 5 5600X can heat up pretty quickly if you are running multiple software at once, playing games, or testing its overclocking capabilities. That’s why you will require a CPU cooler that keeps your CPU temperature at its nominal level and prevents your PC from any damage.
In this article, I have made a list of the 5 best CPU coolers for Ryzen 5 5600X so you don’t have to compromise on pushing your system to its peak performance.
Best CPU Coolers for Ryzen 5 5600X
If you’re looking for a straight to the point answer, here are our top picks for the 5 best CPU coolers for Ryzen 5 5600X:
| Best CPU Coolers for Ryzen 5 5600X | Type | Size | Noise Levels | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360 | AIO Liquid Cooler | 360mm | N/A | |
| Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R | AIO Liquid Cooler | 360mm | 30dB | |
| Noctua NH-D15 | Air Cooler | 140mm | 19.2dB | |
| Thermaltake TH240 | AIO Liquid Cooler | 240mm | 30dB | |
| be quiet! Pure Rock 2 | Air Cooler | 120mm | 26.8dB |
| Best CPU Coolers for Ryzen 5 5600X | Type | Size | Noise Levels | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360 | AIO Liquid Cooler | 360mm | N/A | |
| Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R | AIO Liquid Cooler | 360mm | 30dB | |
| Noctua NH-D15 | Air Cooler | 140mm | 19.2dB | |
| Thermaltake TH240 | AIO Liquid Cooler | 240mm | 30dB | |
| be quiet! Pure Rock 2 | Air Cooler | 120mm | 26.8dB |
The CPU coolers are available in two types — Liquid coolers and Air coolers. Gaming enthusiasts prefer Liquid CPU coolers to cool their high-end processors so they can extract the full potential of their PC. On the other hand, Air CPU coolers are common among people with general use and that’s why they are cheaper to buy.
You can pick any of them depending on your usage, as both of them are equally good. Make sure to check the size of the cooler, especially the liquid cooler, as it might not fit into your PC case if you pick the wrong one.
I have categorized each of these CPU coolers into — Top Pick, Runner-up, Best in Air, Value for Money, and Budget. I have added both the liquid and air coolers so you can pick one depending on your usage and budget.
That said, here are the 5 best CPU Coolers for Ryzen 5 5600X with more in-depth information about each one, and why they made it into this list!
Top Pick: ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360
If your budget is high and you can afford to spend $150 on a CPU cooler, then no doubt your choice should be the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II. It is a 360mm liquid CPU cooler specially designed for AMD Ryzen processors with a silent ARGB fan and excellent performance.
The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II is compatible with Intel-based LGA 1200, 2066, 2011-3, 2011, 1366, 1156, 1155, 1151, 1150, and AMD-based AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2+, FM2, FM1 sockets. It comes with three 120mm ARGB fans with a top speed of 1800 RPM that is almost undetectable because of their silent operation.
One of the popular features of the Liquid Freezer II is its block-mounted VRM fan. This 40mm PWM-controlled fan has a top speed of 2000 RPM and its unique design gives it a stunning overall look. Needless to say, ARCTIC has done a great job in improving the aesthetics of its liquid CPU cooler.
Having said that, its price might sound expensive, but its excellent performance and solid aesthetics make it worth every penny. So if you can spend that much on a liquid cooler, this might be your best choice.
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Solid aesthetics and unique design
- Three ARGB fans
- Good noise-balanced performance
Cons
- Quite expensive
- No RGB lights on the VRM fan
Runner-up: Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R
The Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R is the second-best CPU cooler on this list. Its excellent cooling performance, silent fans, RGB lighting, and sleek design make it one of the best all-in-one liquid coolers. I would not say it’s cheap, but one thing is for sure — it’s definitely cheaper than the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II.
The Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R is a 360mm liquid cooler with three 120mm ARGB fans having a top speed of 2000 RPM. It supports Intel-based LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA2066, LGA2011-v3, LGA2011, LGA1151, LGA1150, LGA1156, and AMD-based AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2+, FM2, FM1 sockets.
One thing that was missing on the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II has been taken care of on the Cooler Master Liquid MasterLiquid ML360R. Its VRM fan comes with an LED light that makes it overall looks appear good. Most of the other 360mm liquid coolers available at this price lack some features, but that’s not the case with this one. And that’s why the price seems to be justified.
Overall, if you need a solid-looking CPU cooler with excellent cooling capabilities, the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R is your answer.
Pros
- Excellent cooling performance
- Sleek design and aesthetics
- Three ARGB fans
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Cable management should have been better
Best in Air: Noctua NH-D15
One aspect that people look into while buying PC components is whether it compromises RGB lights or not. No doubt, it looks great when you have a PC case with side-tempered glass. It looks attractive, rich, and premium. However, you must not judge a component’s performance by its looks. It can be deceiving.
The same logic applies to our best air cooler, Noctua NH-D15. A well-built air cooler with two 140mm fans having a top speed of 1500 RPM. It has excellent cooling capabilities that beat even some of the expensive liquid coolers. The AMD-based AM4, AM5, and Intel-based LGA1700, 1200, 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 2066, and 2011-0, 2011-3 sockets are supported.
If you are someone who prefers air coolers over liquid ones, you should definitely consider Noctua NH-D15. Even though it doesn’t have fancy RGB lights to showcase, it is still one of the best air coolers on the market.
Pros
- Exceptional cooling performance
- Great build quality
- Silent operation
Cons
- Does not look attractive in some builds
- No RGB lights
- Expensive for an air cooler
Value for Money: Thermaltake TH240
The above 360mm liquid coolers might be too expensive for you or you simply don’t want a liquid cooler that big. In that case, a 240mm liquid CPU cooler will do the job for you. Though there were ample 240mm liquid coolers available, I found Thermaltake TH240 to be the perfect CPU cooler with great cooling performance at a reasonable price.
The Thermaltake TH240 is a 240mm liquid CPU cooler with two 120mm ARGB fans having a top speed of 1500 RPM. It supports Intel-based LGA 2066, 2011-3, 2011, 1700, 1366, 1200, 1156, 1155, 1151, 1150, and AMD-based AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2, FM1 sockets. It comes with an ARGB controller that you can use to control LED lights, colors, and speeds when using a motherboard, in case it doesn’t have an addressable RGB header.
That said, the Thermaltake TH240 costs around $90, and considering the price, it works incredibly well. So if you are looking for a 240mm liquid cooler with great cooling performance, this one could be the best option for you.
Pros
- Great cooling performance
- Three ARGB fans
- An ARGB controller is provided
- Value for money
Cons
- Hose length is smaller
Budget: be quiet! Pure Rock 2
You don’t need to break the bank to afford a decent CPU cooler with good cooling capabilities. If you are not looking for expensive CPU coolers or don’t do heavy gaming, you would be fine with the budget air cooler here on this list.
The be quiet! Pure Rock 2 is the best budget CPU cooler on this list that costs less than $50 to buy but performs incredibly well. It is an air cooler with AMD AM4, AM5, Intel 1700, 1200, 2066, 1150, 1151, 1155, and 2011(-3) Square ILM-based sockets compatibility. It comes with a single 120mm PWM-controlled fan that works silently without making you aware of its presence, just like the name.
Lastly, the be quiet! Pure Rock 2 is a high-quality, high-performing CPU cooler and I would recommend it to anyone looking to build their PC on a budget.
Pros
- Decent cooling performance
- Great build quality
- Attractive looks
- Silent operation
- Cheap price
Cons
- No RGB lights
- Thermal performance struggles at low fan speed
The Takeaway
While the market is always filled with newly launched AIO coolers, the above 5 CPU coolers are the current best for Ryzen 5 5600X. They have excellent cooling capabilities, work in complete silence, and justify their price tag. It completely depends on your type of usage and requirements.
If you are a heavy user who tends to overclock the Ryzen 5 5600X anytime, you should always consider a liquid CPU cooler and for that, the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II is the best one you can get.
Otherwise, if you intend to use it lightly, an air cooler will work just fine for you. And that means the Noctua NH-D15 is something you should consider buying. Lastly, if your budget is under $50, go for the be quiet! Pure Rock 2.
ALSO READ: Top 5 Best RAM For Ryzen 5 5600X
