Buying Guide
The Best CPU Coolers for Ryzen
Five air coolers ranked on heat pipe count and fan size, where the Phantom Spirit 120 SE has the lowest height, and it also costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Ryzen chips run hot at boost, so a tower cooler is a better match than the stock Wraith. Every pick is a tower air cooler with AM5 support, ordered from the lowest price.
The order reflects heat pipes, fan size and height from maker specifications; a missing heat pipes is flagged, not filled in rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Height
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
The lowest height here (154mm).
Best for: Buyers who put height first.
Our take Check price for Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Digital ARGB White
A magnetic digital display board.
Best for: Buyers who want magnetic digital display board.
Our take Check price for Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Digital ARGB White (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO
A magnetic ARGB display panel that shows CPU temperature.
Best for: Buyers who want magnetic ARGB display panel that shows CPU temperature.
Our take Check price for Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW
An all-white finish.
Best for: Buyers who want all-white finish.
Our take Check price for Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Noctua NH-U12S redux
The top of this price range, adding a slim single tower that does not overhang the RAM slots.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Noctua NH-U12S redux (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Height1 of 5
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 put height first.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
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. It matches the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO and the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW on heat pipe count (7).
Its 154mm height is the lowest here; the NH-U12S redux comes next at 158mm. Check that your case offers at least 154mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White was closest.
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
Also Consider2 of 5
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Digital ARGB White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White adds a temperature display to the six-pipe Peerless Assassin in a white finish.
Best for
- Buyers who want magnetic digital display board.
Skip if
- Skip it if heat pipe count matters most to you; the Phantom Spirit 120 SE offers 7.
Why we like it
Its ARGB fans sync through a standard 5V 3-pin header. On heat pipe count it trails the group at 6, while the Phantom Spirit 120 SE offers 7. On height it trails the group at 162mm, while the Phantom Spirit 120 SE comes in at 154mm.
You also get a 25.6dB(A) noise rating. Check that your case offers at least 162mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. The maker names AM5 but not Intel LGA1851, so check the maker's site if you are building on Core Ultra. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Phantom Spirit 120 SE and the pricier Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Heat pipes: 6
- Fan size: 120mm
- Height: 162mm
- Fans included: 2
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, Intel
Pros
- Two fans included
- Magnetic digital display board
- 25.6dB(A) noise rating
Cons
- Heat pipe count trails the Phantom Spirit 120 SE (7)
- Height trails the Phantom Spirit 120 SE (154mm)
- Costs more than the Phantom Spirit 120 SE at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO adds a magnetic display panel that shows CPU temperature to the Phantom Spirit's seven-pipe design.
Best for
- Buyers who want magnetic ARGB display panel that shows CPU temperature.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Phantom Spirit 120 SE, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
At 160mm tall it fits mainstream ATX cases, and its fans spin to 2,150 RPM. It ships with mounting kits for AM4/AM5 and Intel sockets from LGA1150 to LGA1851. Thin ARGB lines frame the fans.
On height it ties with the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW at 160mm. You also get TRCC control software. Check that your case offers at least 160mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering.
Another plus is 7 heat pipes. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White and the pricier Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Heat pipes: 7
- Fan size: 120mm
- Height: 160mm
- Fans included: 2
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- 7 heat pipes
- Two fans included
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- Magnetic ARGB display panel that shows CPU temperature
Cons
- Costs more than the Phantom Spirit 120 SE at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW is the all-white version of the Digital EVO, with a temperature display on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want all-white finish.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Phantom Spirit 120 SE cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
TRCC software shows CPU and GPU temperatures on the display, and the text colour can be changed. It also comes with a magnetic ARGB display panel that shows CPU temperature. Check that your case offers at least 160mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering.
Worth noting too: 7 heat pipes. Another plus is two fans included. Another plus is mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851.
It makes the most sense for buyers who want all-white finish, since it offers an all-white finish. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO and the pricier NH-U12S redux, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Heat pipes: 7
- Fan size: 120mm
- Height: 160mm
- Fans included: 2
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- 7 heat pipes
- Two fans included
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- All-white finish
Cons
- Costs more than the Phantom Spirit 120 SE at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Noctua NH-U12S redux on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The NH-U12S redux is a slim single tower with one 120mm fan.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its heat pipe count before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
It sits clear of the RAM slots and suits 65W to mid-range CPUs in narrower cases. It is a lower-cost redux version of the NH-U12S, with an NF-P12 redux fan that is near silent at idle. Its 158mm height ranks second of 5 here, behind the Phantom Spirit 120 SE (154mm) and ahead of the Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White (162mm).
Check that your case offers at least 158mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW the nearest cheaper option. If you want a confirmed heat pipe count, look to the Phantom Spirit 120 SE instead: it offers 7, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Fan size: 120mm
- Height: 158mm
- Fans included: 1
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- Slim single tower that does not overhang the RAM slots
- Height of 158mm, ahead of the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO
- The top of this price range, adding a slim single tower that does not overhang the RAM slots
Cons
- No published heat pipe count
- Costs more than the Phantom Spirit 120 SE at the time of writing
How We Chose These CPU Coolers for Ryzen
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Cooling hardware
- We noted heat pipes, fan size and fan count from each listing.
- Sockets
- We checked that each maker names current AM5 and Intel LGA1851 support.
- Support
- We recorded warranty length where the maker states it.
- Fit
- We compared listed heights and footprints, since case and RAM clearance decide what fits.
What to Look for in a CPU Cooler for Ryzen
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much heat pipe count you need
Among these picks, heat pipe count runs from 6 on the Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White to 7 on the Phantom Spirit 120 SE. Pick the lowest figure that covers your use; the extra usually costs more than it returns.
Watch RAM clearance
Large towers and low-profile coolers can overhang the memory slots. Tall RAM heatsinks may force you to raise a fan or pick a slimmer cooler.
Makers publish RAM clearance figures; check them against your memory's height.
Confirm the mounting kit
Check that the cooler lists your socket: AM5 and AM4 share mounting, while Intel LGA1851 and LGA1700 share hole spacing. Older coolers may need a free or paid adapter.
Warranty reflects fan life
Coolers have few failure points besides the fans. Longer warranties, such as Noctua's and Arctic's six years, cover the parts most likely to wear.
Size the cooler to the CPU
A 65W chip runs well on a single tower or a good low-profile cooler. Chips rated at 120W to 170W need a dual tower or an AIO to hold their boost clocks without loud fans.
How to Choose a CPU Cooler for Ryzen
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put height first | Phantom Spirit 120 SE | The lowest height here (154mm) |
| Buyers who want magnetic digital display board | Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White | A magnetic digital display board |
| Buyers who want magnetic ARGB display panel that shows CPU temperature | Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO | A magnetic ARGB display panel that shows CPU temperature |
| Buyers who want all-white finish | Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW | An all-white finish |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | NH-U12S redux | The top of this price range, adding a slim single tower that does not overhang the RAM slots |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Cooler | Heat pipes | Fan size | Height | Fans included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phantom Spirit 120 SE | 7 | 120mm | 154mm | 2 |
| Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White | 6 | 120mm | 162mm | 2 |
| Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO | 7 | 120mm | 160mm | 2 |
| Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW | 7 | 120mm | 160mm | 2 |
| NH-U12S redux | Not listed | 120mm | 158mm | 1 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Coolers |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Phantom Spirit 120 SE, Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White |
| About $50 to $100 | Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO, Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW, NH-U12S redux |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do these air coolers compare on height?
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE, at 154mm. The NH-U12S redux follows at 158mm, while the Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White has 162mm.
Which is the cheapest pick in this guide?
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE cost the least when we checked, and the NH-U12S redux sat at the top of the range. Prices move often, so check the current listing before buying.
Is an air cooler as good as an AIO?
A large dual-tower cooler matches many 240mm AIOs and has no pump to fail. AIOs help with very hot CPUs and free up space around the socket.
Do I need to buy thermal paste?
Most coolers include paste, and some ship it pre-applied. Buy a tube only if you plan to remount the cooler.
What cooler does a 65W CPU need?
A single-tower cooler handles it easily; a good low-profile cooler works in small cases.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Phantom Spirit 120 SE, chosen for the lowest height here (154mm). Look at the Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White for a magnetic digital display board, the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO for a magnetic ARGB display panel that shows CPU temperature and the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW for an all-white finish if those matter more to you.
AM5 uses the stock backplate for most coolers; keep it in place.