Air coolers, how to compare?

[Luis Hernandez 565]

Well' I've built my new rig: AMD Ryzen 5 5600x, GTX1650 (until the GPU crisis is solved) and 2x8GB DDR4 3200 RAM.

I did some performance tests (while I'm setting up everything), but the temperatures were a bit high for my liking (75°C at the stock 3.7 GHz). This is with the stock AMD Wraith Stealth cooler.

I understand and accept this cooler was designed with other goals, and that, if I want to overclock, I need a better one first. I don't feel comfortable using water coolers (even AIO), so I'll go with an air one. However, I don't know what to compare. I mean, I know TDP for my 5600x is 65W, and that the Wraith Stealth can deal with up to 80W. I may compare using TDP, but some brands (at least Cooler Master) do not share that info in the specs of their coolers. How can I compare coolers then?

 

[hs118 706]

Try seeing what Gamer's Nexus on youtube has to say. They are my trusted source for this kind of info.

[Bob Scott 7,712]

If you have a large enough case, the Noctua NH-D15 is about as good as it gets with CPU air coolers.  I've never used AMD processors, so I don't know if the offset single-fan "S" version (NH-D15S) would present the same advantages in memory/GPU clearance as it does with the Intel boards.

[ha5mvo 237]

If you don't like the bulky D15. the U12A offers almost the same performance in a considerably slimmer package that also allows for better memory or GPU clearance.

Expect it to be a bit noisier though.

[Emerson67 248]

On 5/20/2021 at 11:22 AM, Luis Hernandez said:

I don't feel comfortable using water coolers (even AIO), so I'll go with an air one.

Good move

 

[Emerson67 248]

On 5/20/2021 at 11:22 AM, Luis Hernandez said:

I may compare using TDP, but some brands (at least Cooler Master) do not share that info in the specs of their coolers. How can I compare coolers then?

You can compare from tests/reviews on the internet. They test the same CPU with different coolers. In the case you want the best stuff apart from Noctua NH-D15, search "be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4, BK022, 250W TDP". I have this one and I can recommend it. It outperforms D15.

 

[AJZip 250]

Another vote for the Noctua u12a here.  Fitted one on my cpu upgrade, putting in the notoriously hot Ryzen 7 5800x.  Pretty quiet even on full fan and copes with me overclocking to the full 4.8GHz.  I found it straightforward to fit and good clearance for the RAM on my X470 motherboard.

[ha5mvo 237]

On 5/27/2021 at 6:56 PM, AJZip said:

Another vote for the Noctua u12a here.  Fitted one on my cpu upgrade, putting in the notoriously hot Ryzen 7 5800x.  Pretty quiet even on full fan and copes with me overclocking to the full 4.8GHz.  I found it straightforward to fit and good clearance for the RAM on my X470 motherboard.

What do you mean by "overclocking to 4.8GHz" ?

Isn't it supposed to boost to that frequency out of the box? or did you put it as a static speed? and if so, to what purpose?

[AJZip 250]

1 hour ago, ha5mvo said:

What do you mean by "overclocking to 4.8GHz" ?

Isn't it supposed to boost to that frequency out of the box? or did you put it as a static speed? and if so, to what purpose?

The 5800x is gaining a bit of a reputation for running exceptionally hot and I would agree with that.

That said, and I can't quite put my finger on why, the auto overclock runs it hotter than my manual overclocking, which I set through the Ryzen Master facility.   With x-plane in VR it was regularly crashing due to the temps when on auto, but on manual o/c rarely when set at 4.8 and never (yet) at 4.7. 

I did spend a reasonable amount of time using the Ryzen Master stress-test facility fiddling with small settings changes so I suspect that I simply have got a configuration that suits my particular rig that maybe the default didn't.

Edited May 28, 2021 by AJZip

[Charlatan 68]

If your after a cheaper option than the Noctua stuff, this is very highly rated

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/arctic-freezer-34-esports-duo-red-cpu-cooler-2-x-120mm-hs-075-ar.html

[CLE_AA-5B_GrummanTiger 168]

I have the same CPU you have, and I upgraded my cooler to a new Noctua product, the NH-U12S Redux: https://noctua.at/en/nh-u12s-redux

First, a disclaimer: I have my PC setup in the basement of my house, which is *always* cool, like under 65 F all the time. So, the PC is in a very ideal environment, plus I have a roomy case with serious ventilation (Thermaltake Core V21). I mean a huge 200mm fan in the front, a case fan on both sides, plus one underneath for the PSU and, of course, the exhaust in the back.

Right now, running idle, I stay around 30 C to 35 C. At load, I stay under 60 C (running Prime95!). It costs $50 pretty much anywhere. I can tell you that this is a GREAT cooler and well worth every dollar.