Tech For Mass is supported by readers. If you buy products from links on our site, we may earn a commission. Learn more
By: Robert Llarves | Date Posted: December 27, 2022
As the Ryzen 5 5600X loses competitiveness to the Core i5-12600K, AMD has introduced a new CPU in its Ryzen 7000 series lineup – the Ryzen 5 7600X. This processor is based on AMD’s latest Zen 4 architecture and provides significantly improved performance compared to the previous generation Ryzen 5 5600X.
The Ryzen 5 7600X has 6 cores and 12 threads, a base clock of 4.7GHz, and a max boost clock of up to 5.3GHz. It also features 32MB of L3 cache for increased performance. Additionally, all 7000 series Ryzen CPUs now support new technologies such as PCI Gen 5 and DDR5 memory.
AMD’s Ryzen 5 7600X is an excellent choice for gamers and productivity users looking for great performance at a budget-friendly price tag. With its top-of-the-line features, superior gaming capabilities, and impressive productivity performance, it definitely deserves consideration if you’re building a new PC or upgrading your old one.
However, as with any modern processor, the Ryzen 5 7600X can quickly run hot if not paired with a good CPU cooler. To ensure your system runs at its best, you’ll want to invest in one of the best aftermarket CPU coolers for the Ryzen 5 7600X.
 | Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition RGB |
| Check On Amazon |
 | Noctua NH-U12S chromax.Black |
| Check On Amazon |
 | be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 |
| Check On Amazon |
 | NZXT Kraken X53 |
| Check On Amazon |
 | Corsair iCUE H150i Elite Capellix |
| Check On Amazon |
 | Noctua NH-L9a-AM4 |
| Check On Amazon |
Budget CPU Cooler for Ryzen 5 7600X
The Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition RGB is a budget-friendly CPU cooler that is capable of delivering impressive cooling performance.
This cooler features a nickel-plated jet-black finish that enhances its radiation-cooling performance. It also comes equipped with four heat pipes with exclusive direct contact technology for excellent heat dissipation. Additionally, its stacked fin array ensures the least airflow resistance which allows cooler air flow into the heat sink. With an airflow of 57.3 CFM, the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition RGB can provide superior cooling for your CPU.
However, one downside to this cooler is its sound level of 30 decibels which is not as good as some other air coolers. Most people won’t be bothered by this, however, if you’re looking for a very quiet cooling solution then this may not be the best option.
Aesthetically wise, it features an anodized gun-metal black finish with a brushed aluminum surface finish that gives it a sleek, modern look. This cooler comes equipped with a wired RGB LED controller which allows you to customize the colors and effects of your system just with the touch of a button. The fan has been designed to provide both silent operation and reliable cooling, making it ideal for gaming PCs or workstations.
The Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition RGB is an affordable, reliable CPU cooler that provides a good balance between cooling performance and price.
Its stylish design and customizable RGB lighting make it ideal for an entry-level Ryzen 5 7600X PC build. The noise level could be improved but overall this is still a great budget-friendly option for keeping your CPU cool.
Best Value Air Cooler for Ryzen 5 7600X
For our best-value air cooler recommendation, we turn to Noctua’s NH-U12S chromax.Black model. This premium heatsink offers a sleek all-black design that looks great with many color schemes and RGB LEDs, while still offering the same award-winning performance of its predecessors.
The Noctua NH-U12S chromax.Black is designed for maximum compatibility with most tower cases, RAM slots, and PCIe ports. Its slim 120mm size allows it to fit in most cases without overhanging the RAM slots or blocking off any of the PCIe ports on ATX and Micro-ATX motherboards.
The Noctua NH-U12S chromax.Black also features an SSO2 bearing, which allows it to rotate at up to 1500 RPM (+/- 10%) with excellent stability and low noise levels. It has a maximum airflow of 93.4 m³/h and a maximum acoustic noise level of 22.4 dB(A). You can also reduce the noise further by using the Low Noise Adaptor (LNA) for quieter operation at 1200 RPM with 74.3 m³/h airflow and 18.6 dB(A) acoustical noise.
In terms of build quality, the Noctua NH-U12S chromax.Black is top-notch. It features a strong nickel-plated copper base and aluminum fins that are soldered onto it for maximum heat dissipation. The fan also comes with the SecuFirm2 mounting system, which ensures easy installation on most Intel and AMD sockets, while still providing secure and reliable performance.
The combination of reliability and excellent cooling performance makes the Noctua NH-U12S chromax.Black is an excellent choice for those looking for a great value air cooler.
With its solid build quality and low noise levels, this model is a great option for anyone looking to keep their system cool.
Dual Tower Air Cooler for Ryzen 5 7600X
The be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 is our best air cooler on this list and is perfect if you plan on overclocking the Ryzen 5 7600X. It offers incredibly efficient cooling and silent operation even at maximum fan speeds.
The Dark Rock Pro 4 features 2 virtually inaudible Silent Wings PWM fans which provide high airflow with minimal noise. It also has a funnel-shaped frame of the front fan for high air pressure, allowing it to achieve only 24.3dB(A) at maximum fan speed — this is almost whispering quiet and will not interfere with your gaming or music listening experience!
In addition, the Dark Rock Pro 4 offers 7 high-performance copper heat pipes and airflow-optimized cooling fins which are designed to draw heat away from your CPU quickly and efficiently.
Despite being bulky, its cutouts enhance the RAM compatibility so you can fit more RAM into your build without having to worry about compatibility issues.
To make installation easier, the Dark Rock Pro 4 also comes with an easily installable black installation kit that can be mounted from above. The unit is finished off nicely with a brushed aluminum top cover and a diamond-cut finish.
The combination of low noise levels and incredible cooling performance makes the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 is an ideal choice for the Ryzen 5 7600X processor.
Whether you overclock or not, it offers great value for its price (90 USD on Amazon). It won’t be the cheapest option but you get what you pay for.
240mm AIO Cooler for Ryzen 5 7600X
Up next on our list of all-in-one cooler recommendations is the NZXT Kraken X53.
It boasts a 240mm radiator and Aer P radiator fans for powerful cooling performance. The fans feature a chamfered intake and fluid dynamic bearing which ensures silent operation, durability, and reliable cooling performance. With this cooler, you can be sure that your gaming rig will stay cool even during extended periods of gaming or intensive processing activities. Also, overclocking your CPU will no longer be a problem with the NZXT Kraken X53.
The NZXT Kraken X53 is equipped with a remodeled cap and larger infinity mirror ring LED, offering flexibility for adjusting the orientation of the pump head without changing your logo’s direction.
Moreover, full CAM integration is available so you can manage your Kraken’s performance with precision.
All in all, the NZXT Kraken X53 provides an aesthetically pleasing design and customizability. It also provides good cooling performance and silent operation, making it a great choice for both gamers and enthusiasts alike.
360mm AIO Cooler for Ryzen 5 7600X
For overclocking enthusiasts and extreme PC builders, there’s no better cooling solution than
a 360mm all-in-one (AIO) water cooler. And the Corsair iCUE H150i Elite Capellix is one of the most premium options available.
The 360mm radiator is large enough to dissipate heat from even an overclocked Ryzen 5 7600X. Meanwhile, three 120mm Corsair ML RGB Magnetic Levitation PWM fans provide powerful airflow.
The PWM control enables adjusting the fan speeds from 400 to 2,400 RPM, while Zero RPM fan profiles in Corsair iCUE software allow them to stop entirely at low temperatures, eliminating fan noise.
Furthermore, each of the eight RGB LEDs on each fan can be individually customized via Corsair iCUE software for a truly unique look. And with the included 6-year warranty and premium Capellix LED lighting technology, this AIO cooler is an investment that’s sure to last you for years to come.
Regarding build quality, it doesn’t disappoint as well. It is built using high-quality materials, and its mounting system is designed to provide maximum contact pressure between the cooler and the processor.
The only downside we’ve found is its size. At 360mm, it’s one of the largest AIO coolers on the market and may not fit in some smaller cases. But if you have enough space for it, this is an excellent choice to keep your CPU running at optimal temperatures.
If overclocking is your main concern, or just want an AIO cooler that provides more than enough cooling capacity for your Ryzen 5 7600X, then the Corsair iCUE H150i Elite Capellix is a great choice.
Just keep in mind that you need a large case in order to accommodate it. Other than that, this AIO cooler is a top-notch choice for its price.
Low Profile Cooler for Ryzen 5 7600X
For people who plan on building a compact PC using the Ryzen 5 7600X, the Noctua NH-L9a-AM4 low-profile cooler is an ideal choice. Despite being small in size, the Noctua NH-L9a-AM4 provides adequate cooling performance for most Ryzen 5 7600X builds.
It is only 37mm in total height, making it perfect for Small Form Factor (SFF) builds. The low-profile design also ensures 100% RAM compatibility as well as easy access to near-socket connectors on ITX motherboards.
The Noctua NH-L9a-AM4 features a 92mm fan that is designed to provide silent operation, making it the perfect cooler for quiet computing. The heatsink has been optimized to ensure efficiency and effectiveness when cooling your processor. Furthermore, it’s low-noise adaptor and automatic speed control via PWM allow you to adjust the fan speeds according to your needs.
Similar to the other Noctua coolers, the Noctua NH-L9a-AM4 includes A SecuFirm2 mounting system for any Ryzen CPU including the Ryzen 5 7600X. It also includes a thermal compound, the NT-H1, which ensures effective heat transfer from the CPU to the cooler.
Overall, the Noctua NH-L9a-AM4 is an excellent choice for those who are looking for a low-profile cooler that can handle the cooling requirements of their Ryzen 5 7600X build.
With its silent fan, easy installation, and efficient design, it is sure to meet your expectations. However, overclocking might not be recommended on this one, so plan accordingly.
When choosing an aftermarket cooler for the Ryzen 5 7600X, you’ll want to consider your preference for either air or all-in-one (AIO) coolers.
Air coolers use heat sinks and fans to dissipate heat away from the CPU, while AIO coolers are powered by liquid cooling systems that keep your processor temperatures low.
Both types of cooling solutions are effective at keeping your system running properly and come with their own pros and cons. Air coolers are more cost-effective, easier to install, and often quieter than AIO coolers.
However, AIO coolers typically provide superior cooling performance as they can dissipate heat more efficiently due to the larger surface area of their radiators.
Another factor you’ll need to consider is case compatibility. Depending on the size of your case and the type of CPU cooler you choose, there may be certain limitations on what type of cooler will fit in your system.
Make sure to do some research beforehand to ensure whatever cooler you pick will fit properly in your system.
Finally, budget is always an important factor when shopping for any component. Air coolers tend to be cheaper than AIOs so if the price is a major concern, you should opt for an air cooler.
However, if you’re looking for the best cooling performance and don’t mind spending a bit extra, then an AIO cooler is probably the way to go.
Yes, all of the CPU coolers mentioned above are compatible with the Ryzen 5 7600X, they are all designed for the AM4 socket.
Motherboards that are designed for Ryzen 5 7600X make use of the new AM5 socket. However, AM4 coolers will work just fine with AM5, as they have the same placement.
That depends on what performance you’re looking for. Generally speaking, AIO coolers provide superior cooling performance since they have more surface area than air coolers. However, air coolers are usually more cost-effective and easier to install.
Ultimately, the decision of which type of cooler is best comes down to your personal preference and budget.
Yes, you can use an aftermarket CPU cooler to overclock your system provided that it has sufficient cooling performance for the given task.
Make sure to do some research on the cooler’s performance before attempting any overclocking since not all coolers are created equal in this regard.
Some CPU coolers in this list are excellent for overclocking, while others may not be able to keep up with the increased thermal load.
There you have it! You should now have a better idea of which aftermarket cooler is the best for your Ryzen 5 7600X. Every CPU cooler mentioned in this list has a different range of features and performance, so be sure to consider your preferences.
Rest assured all the coolers mentioned here are able to provide adequate to excellent cooling performance for the Ryzen 5 7600X, so you should find something that fits your needs.
