Best CPU Coolers to Buy for the Ryzen 7 9700X

One of the significant changes with the Ryzen 9000 range is efficiency. These CPUs offer lower power draw, which means thermals have also improved. This means there are more viable CPU coolers to pair up with a process like the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X. However, because of the sheer amount of CPU coolers available, determining the best CPU coolers to pair up with the Ryzen 7 9700X is a tough challenge. So, we’ve tested a range of excellent air and liquid coolers to see how they handle the thermals of this CPU.

The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X is one of four CPUs in the Ryzen 9000 range, launched in August 2024. This CPU offers performance improvements compared to its Ryzen 7000 counterparts, with framerate gains in modern games and multi-core applications.

In this buyers guide, we’ve gathered up a solid selection of CPU coolers that we believe cater to a vast range of use cases and budgets. All coolers below have been thoroughly tested and benchmarked to see how they handle thermals.

Our Top Pick: Montech HyperFlow ARGB 360

The best CPU cooler for the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X is the Montech HyperFlow ARGB 360. This is a highly affordable liquid cooler and across our testing it blew pretty much every other 360mm options out of the water, landing in second place. This AIO (all-in-one), is incredibly simple to build with, has a streamlined set of cables and offers plenty of RGB lighting for your system.

$99.90 at Amazon

Last updated: 2024-12-20 15:51:37 ET

$95.90 at Newegg

The Best CPU Coolers for the Ryzen 7 9700X

1. Montech HyperFlow ARGB 360

The Montech HyperFlow ARGB 360 is a CPU cooler that blew us away during our initial review. The primary reason is that this is a sub-$100 liquid cooler (at the time of writing) offering thermal performance that beats out some of the most expensive liquid coolers on the market. Across four-thread and eight-thread benchmarks, the Montech HyperFlow ARGB 360 easily holds its own.

The HyperFlow ARGB 360 comes in black and white, but the white version offers a better value proposition in our opinion, as it is simply gorgeous. It provides plenty of RGB on both the fans and the CPU blockhead, which can be synced with various software. It was a shame that the CPU blockhead isn’t removable or rotatable, but this is a relatively small caveat.

This liquid cooler is very easy to assemble. The mounting hardware uses the posts on the motherboard instead of the eyelet design. All cables are also streamlined and plug in through one 4-pin PWM fan header, so there’s no confusing proprietary cable mess to deal with.

One major caveat of this liquid cooler is that it doesn’t support the rumoured 15th-Gen socket. We’ve seen a range of new coolers support LGA 1851, but the HyperFlow does not, limiting upgrade options. Despite this, the Montech HyperFlow ARGB 360 is still a CPU cooler, and we’d recommend pairing it up with the Ryzen 7 9700X in a mid-range system.

2. MSI MAG CoreLiquid I360

The MSI MAG CoreLiquid I360 is another liquid CPU cooler we recommend for the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X. One of the main reasons this AIO stands out compared to the rest of the market is its innovative design. MSI has included a universal mounting plate for AMD and Intel sockets, which makes installing this liquid cooler incredibly straightforward. There’s no need to change mounting brackets, as the CoreLiquid I360 already caters to everyone out of the box.

This liquid cooler comes with pre-installed fans, saving time during the building process. Much like the HyperFlow ARGB 360, it also features a streamlined cable design, which means the cables are not only easily hidden and plug into one motherboard header. These cables can also be hidden with the included side plates, providing a clean aesthetic.

Aesthetically, the CoreLiquid I360 is relatively simple. The fans feature some RGB, and MSI has put a dual-sided infinity mirror on the blockhead, offering your build a unique look. It also provides mounting support for LGA 1851, opening up potential upgrade options.

The biggest con of this liquid cooler is its thermal capability. Across our testing, the CoreLiquid I360 performed averagely. It kept the CPU away from dangerous temperatures, but the performance wasn’t incredibly competitive. We still believe the CoreLiquid I360 is a solid pickup for first-time builders looking to avoid hassle when building a Ryzen 7 9700X gaming PC.

3. Vetroo V5

The Vetroo V5 is an air tower cooler we recommend as a solid budget pairing for the Ryzen 7 9700X. We’ve used this CPU cooler previously in many budget-oriented PC builds because it comes at a solid price point. At around $25 at the time of writing, the Vetroo V5 competes directly with other air coolers like the DeepCool AG400 of the Jonsbo CR-1400.

As is expected of a budget CPU cooler, the Vetroo V5 isn’t particularly impressive on the features front. However, after using it a few times, it’s a neat air cooler. It’s easy to put together, only requiring around four screws to attach the mounting hardware. The fan easily comes off and connects to the heatsink, and it uses a standard 4-pin PWM header for power and 3-pin addressable RGB for lighting. This means it can be easily synced up with other lit-up components.

Performance-wise, the Vetroo V5 is pretty solid. It doesn’t quite compare to the liquid coolers we’ve tested, but it can easily handle the Ryzen 7 9700X within games, especially as this CPU has a low power draw.

Unfortunately, the Vetroo V5 is primarily restricted to gaming only. We don’t recommend using this air tower cooler for more burdensome multi-core workloads, as it will struggle to keep the Ryzen 7 9700X cool.

4. Corsair iCUE LINK TITAN 240 RX

The Corsair iCUE LINK TITAN 240 RX is a liquid CPU cooler we recommend for those looking for a flashy option. The iCUE LINK TITAN series is part of a ground-up redesign of Corsair iCUE LINK coolers that bring better thermal performance and an alternative aesthetic. The 240mm iCUE LINK TITAN comes with two pre-installed iCUE LINK RX fans, saving time during the building process.

The CPU block is also interchangeable, allowing builders to spice up the design with a ridged cap or provide better cooling with a VRM fan cap. The plastic protector on top of the pump cap is magnetic, so it can easily be rotated after it has been installed, and it allows all of the RGB lighting to shine through it.

Regarding performance, the iCUE LINK TITAN 240 RX is one of the most potent 240mm AIOs, being beaten marginally by the Cooler Master 240 Atmos by a single degree. Performance is solid, and the redesign to the pump of these coolers is paying dividends, making it a great selection to keep the Ryzen 7 9700X cool.

Our biggest qualm with the iCUE LINK TITAN is its convoluted cabling design. There are way too many wires that need to be plugged in, making the cabling a rather complicated process, especially if you’re a first-time builder. While the design of this cooler is gorgeous, it’s geared towards those with some PC-building experience.

How We Tested the Best CPU Coolers for the Ryzen 7 9700X

To determine the best liquid coolers for the Ryzen 7 9700X, we put all of the coolers in this roundup through the wringer, assessing thermal performance in games and synthetic benchmarks. All the coolers we test are benchmarked at multiple thread configurations, which gives us an idea of how each AIO will hold up in different applications. We’ve compiled articles detailing our testing procedures and methodologies used to benchmark these CPU coolers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TDP of the Ryzen 7 9700X?

The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X has a TDP of 65W.

Are Liquid Coolers Better than Air Coolers?

Generally, yes, as they can dissipate heat much quicker. However, some air coolers can beat out liquid options.

Do I Need to Buy Thermal Paste?

These coolers come with pre-applied thermal paste or supply a tube. Double-check on the manufacturer’s website to see if they provide some.