Buying Guide
The Best Air Coolers for Ryzen 7 9800X3D
From the AXP120-X67 to the NH-D15 G2: four air coolers ranked on heat pipe count and fan size, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
The 9800X3D runs cool for its performance, so a good air cooler is often enough. Every pick lists AM5 support and six or more heat pipes, ordered by heat pipe count.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: heat pipes, fan size and height come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and a missing height is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Highest Heat Pipe Count
Noctua NH-D15 G2
The highest heat pipe count here (8).
Best for: Buyers who put heat pipe count first.
Our take Check price for Noctua NH-D15 G2 (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
A dual-tower heatsink.
Best for: Buyers who want dual-tower heatsink.
Our take Check price for Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Thermalright AXP120-X67
A lower price than the Phantom Spirit 120 SE and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for Thermalright AXP120-X67 (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB White
A white heatsink with white ARGB fans.
Best for: Buyers who want white heatsink with white ARGB fans.
Our take Check price for Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB White (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The highest heat pipe count here (8). | Buyers who put heat pipe count first. | Check price for Noctua NH-D15 G2 (opens in a new tab) |
| A dual-tower heatsink. | Buyers who want dual-tower heatsink. | Check price for Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE (opens in a new tab) |
| A lower price than the Phantom Spirit 120 SE and the rest when we checked. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for Thermalright AXP120-X67 (opens in a new tab) |
| A white heatsink with white ARGB fans. | Buyers who want white heatsink with white ARGB fans. | Check price for Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB White (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Highest Heat Pipe Count1 of 4
Noctua NH-D15 G2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The NH-D15 G2 is Noctua's flagship: eight heat pipes, two 140mm fans and a six-year warranty.
Best for
- Buyers who put heat pipe count first.
Skip if
- The maker gives no height, so look elsewhere if that figure decides it for you.
Why we like it
Its offset design keeps the top PCIe slot clear, but it is a large cooler, so check your case first. Its fans have a speed offset for acoustic fine-tuning, and there is 20% more fin area than the original NH-D15. Nothing else here matches its 8 heat pipe count; the Phantom Spirit 120 SE comes closest at 7.
On fan size it leads this guide at 140mm, ahead of the Phantom Spirit 120 SE (120mm). It also comes with 59mm RAM clearance with one fan fitted and NT-H2 paste in the box. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White. Buyers who need a confirmed height should compare it with the AXP120-X67, which comes in at 67mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Heat pipes: 8
- Fan size: 140mm
- Warranty: 6-year
- Fans included: 2
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- 8 heat pipes
- 140mm fans that can spin slower for the same airflow
- 6-year warranty
- Two fans included
Cons
- No published height
- Costs more than the AXP120-X67 at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 4
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE packs seven heat pipes and two 120mm fans into a 154mm-tall dual tower.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual-tower heatsink.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the AXP120-X67 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Thermalright rates it for CPUs up to 280W, which covers most gaming chips with room to spare. Thermalright rates it for CPUs from 105W to 280W, and mounting kits cover AM4, AM5 and Intel up to LGA1851. On heat pipe count it sits mid-pack at 7: the NH-D15 G2 offers 8, and the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White comes in at 6.
On fan size it ties with the AXP120-X67 and the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White at 120mm. Check that your case offers at least 154mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. On price it sat second of 4, between the cheaper AXP120-X67 and the pricier Peerless Assassin 120 SE White, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Heat pipes: 7
- Fan size: 120mm
- Height: 154mm
- Fans included: 2
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- 7 heat pipes
- Two fans included
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- Dual-tower heatsink
Cons
- Costs more than the AXP120-X67 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 4
Thermalright AXP120-X67 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The AXP120-X67 fits six heat pipes and a 15mm-thick 120mm fan into 67mm.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: heat pipe count of 6, behind the NH-D15 G2 (8).
Why we like it
It is the value choice for small cases with a 65W or mid-range CPU. It matches the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White on heat pipe count (6). It also offers a 26.1dB(A) noise rating.
At 67mm tall it suits slim and small form factor cases, but a cooler this low sits close to the memory, so check your RAM height against the maker's clearance figure. The maker names AM5 but not Intel LGA1851, so check the maker's site if you are building on Core Ultra. It cost the least of the 4 picks at the time of writing, with the Phantom Spirit 120 SE the next step up. What it gives up: heat pipe count of 6, behind the NH-D15 G2 (8); by contrast, the NH-D15 G2 offers 8.
Key dimensions & specs
- Heat pipes: 6
- Fan size: 120mm
- Height: 67mm
- Fans included: 1
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, Intel
Pros
- 15mm-thick 120mm fan
- 26.1dB(A) noise rating
- Lowest height of the picks (67mm)
- A lower price than the Phantom Spirit 120 SE and the rest when we checked
Cons
- Heat pipe count of 6, behind the NH-D15 G2 (8)
Strong Alternative4 of 4
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Peerless Assassin 120 SE White is built around a white heatsink with white ARGB fans, with a 25.6dB(A) noise rating on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want white heatsink with white ARGB fans.
Skip if
- Skip it if heat pipe count matters most to you; the NH-D15 G2 offers 8.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 6 heat pipe count and offers a 120mm fan size. At 155mm tall it fits most mid-towers, and its two TL-C12C-S ARGB fans add lighting. The white heatsink and fans suit an all-white build.
Mounting hardware covers Intel LGA115x to LGA1700 and AMD AM4/AM5. It matches the Phantom Spirit 120 SE and the AXP120-X67 on fan size (120mm). The maker names AM5 but not Intel LGA1851, so check the maker's site if you are building on Core Ultra.
When we checked, only the Phantom Spirit 120 SE and cheaper picks cost less, and the NH-D15 G2 cost more. Heat pipe count is its weakest area, and the NH-D15 G2 covers it better at 8.
Key dimensions & specs
- Heat pipes: 6
- Fan size: 120mm
- Fans included: 2
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, Intel
Pros
- Two fans included
- White heatsink with white ARGB fans
- 25.6dB(A) noise rating
Cons
- Heat pipe count trails the NH-D15 G2 (8)
- Fan size trails the NH-D15 G2 (140mm)
- No published height
How We Chose These Air Coolers for Ryzen 7 9800X3D
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared four coolers on heat pipe count, fan size, height and fans included as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the NH-D15 G2 to the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White, state heat pipe count, fan size and fans included.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The NH-D15 G2 and the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White give no height.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the AXP120-X67 (under $50) to the NH-D15 G2 ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in an Air Cooler for Ryzen 7 9800X3D
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much heat pipe count you need
Here heat pipe count runs from 6 on the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White to 8 on the NH-D15 G2. For less, the Phantom Spirit 120 SE is the runner-up at 7.
Fan size across these picks
Here fan size runs from 120mm on the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White to 140mm on the NH-D15 G2. Start with the NH-D15 G2 if fan size decides it.
Height
Here height runs from 154mm on the Phantom Spirit 120 SE to 67mm on the AXP120-X67. The AXP120-X67 is the pick for height. No figure for the NH-D15 G2 and the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White.
Features beyond the spec table
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE: a rating of 105W to 280W. The AXP120-X67: a 26.1dB(A) noise rating. The Peerless Assassin 120 SE White: a 25.6dB(A) noise rating.
How much to spend
Under $50 buys the AXP120-X67, the Phantom Spirit 120 SE and the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White; $150 to $250 buys the NH-D15 G2 at our last check.
How to Choose an Air Cooler for Ryzen 7 9800X3D
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put heat pipe count first | NH-D15 G2 | The highest heat pipe count here (8) |
| Buyers who want dual-tower heatsink | Phantom Spirit 120 SE | A dual-tower heatsink |
| Spending as little as possible | AXP120-X67 | A lower price than the Phantom Spirit 120 SE and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want white heatsink with white ARGB fans | Peerless Assassin 120 SE White | A white heatsink with white ARGB fans |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The NH-D15 G2 leads on heat pipe count at 8, ahead of the Phantom Spirit 120 SE at 7. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Cooler | Heat pipes | Fan size | Height | Fans included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NH-D15 G2 | 8 | 140mm | Not listed | 2 |
| Phantom Spirit 120 SE | 7 | 120mm | 154mm | 2 |
| AXP120-X67 | 6 | 120mm | 67mm | 1 |
| Peerless Assassin 120 SE White | 6 | 120mm | Not listed | 2 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The AXP120-X67 was the lowest-priced pick and the NH-D15 G2 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Coolers |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | AXP120-X67, Phantom Spirit 120 SE, Peerless Assassin 120 SE White |
| About $150 to $250 | NH-D15 G2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Phantom Spirit 120 SE compare with the NH-D15 G2 on heat pipe count?
The NH-D15 G2 leads at 8, with the Phantom Spirit 120 SE at 7. The Peerless Assassin 120 SE White is at the other end of this group with 6.
Is the NH-D15 G2 ahead of the Phantom Spirit 120 SE on fan size?
The NH-D15 G2 leads at 140mm, with the Phantom Spirit 120 SE at 120mm.
Is the AXP120-X67 ahead of the Phantom Spirit 120 SE on height?
The AXP120-X67 comes out best at 67mm, with the Phantom Spirit 120 SE at 154mm. The NH-D15 G2 and the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
Is the NH-D15 G2 worth paying more than the AXP120-X67?
On paper it adds heat pipe count (8 against 6) and fan size (140mm against 120mm). The AXP120-X67 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the NH-D15 G2 the Highest Heat Pipe Count?
It earns the label for the highest heat pipe count here (8). It suits anyone who put heat pipe count first.
Beyond the specs, what sets the NH-D15 G2 and the Phantom Spirit 120 SE apart?
The NH-D15 G2: an offset design whose recessed lower fins clear the top PCIe slot. The Phantom Spirit 120 SE: a dual-tower heatsink. The AXP120-X67: a 15mm-thick 120mm fan.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the NH-D15 G2, chosen for the highest heat pipe count here (8). Look at the Phantom Spirit 120 SE for a dual-tower heatsink, the AXP120-X67 for a lower price than the Phantom Spirit 120 SE and the rest when we checked and the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White for a white heatsink with white ARGB fans if those matter more to you.
Measure your case's CPU cooler height limit against the cooler before ordering.