The Best CPU Coolers for the Ryzen 5 9600X

Its 154mm height fits most mid-tower cases. Thermalright rates it for CPUs from 105W to 280W, and mounting kits cover AM4, AM5 and Intel up to LGA1851. It matches the NH-U12A on heat pipe count (7).

Nothing else here matches its 154mm height; the NH-U12A comes closest at 158mm. Check that your case offers at least 154mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. Another plus: two fans included.

It was priced above the Freezer 36 and below the Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White at the time of writing. There is no published warranty figure, whereas the Freezer 36 offers 6-year.

It includes a contact frame for Intel LGA1851 and LGA1700. Its four offset heat pipes run in a single tower with two fans in push-pull. The click-in fan mounts make fan swaps easy, and it takes most 120mm fans.

Its side-flow heatsink lets the rear fan pull air through the fins and out of the case, and ARCTIC backs it with a six-year warranty. Its pressure-optimised fans push air through four offset heat pipes, which suits high-end CPUs in a single tower. On heat pipe count it trails the group at 4, while the Phantom Spirit 120 SE offers 7. It undercut the Phantom Spirit 120 SE and every other pick on price at the time of writing.

A pre-installed mounting bridge makes fitting it easier, and a magnetic mesh cover hides the heat pipe ends. Its Silent Wings 4 fan has a tight blade tip clearance for quiet airflow. It matches the Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White and the Pure Rock Pro 3 on heat pipe count (6).

You also get a simplified mounting system. It was priced above the Pure Rock Pro 3 and below the NH-U12A at the time of writing. There is no published height figure, whereas the Phantom Spirit 120 SE comes in at 154mm.

Its ARGB fans sync through a standard 5V 3-pin header. On heat pipe count it ties with the Dark Rock 5 and the Pure Rock Pro 3 at 6. On height it trails the group at 162mm, while the Phantom Spirit 120 SE comes in at 154mm.

It also comes with 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. Its price falls between the Phantom Spirit 120 SE and the Pure Rock Pro 3, based on our last check.

It includes NT-H1 paste and a six-year warranty, and Low-Noise Adaptors keep the fans near silent at idle. On heat pipe count it ties with the Phantom Spirit 120 SE at 7. On height it sits mid-pack at 158mm: the Phantom Spirit 120 SE comes in at 154mm, and the Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White comes in at 162mm.

It also comes with full RAM and PCIe clearance. Check that your case offers at least 158mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Dark Rock 5.

It is easy to mount and leaves room around the socket. Six black copper heat pipes and a nickel-plated base sit under a Pure Wings 3 PWM fan. It is rated for 250W.

Its compact offset design improves RAM and VRM clearance, and the fan height can be adjusted. On heat pipe count it ties with the Dark Rock 5 and the Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White at 6. Its price falls between the Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White and the Dark Rock 5, based on our last check. If fan size is your priority, the Phantom Spirit 120 SE (120mm) is the stronger choice.