The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X is a beast of a processor, ready to tear through tasks like a hot knife through butter. But here’s the catch—it runs hot. With a default 120W TDP that reaches up to 170W TDP under extreme stress, you’ll need more than wishful thinking to keep this CPU cool. Whether you’re gaming, editing, or just flexing those multi-core muscles, a solid CPU cooler is non-negotiable.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up the coolest options—literally! From whisper-quiet air coolers to sleek 240mm and 360mm AIOs, there’s something for everyone. Let’s get started!
Best CPU Coolers for AMD Ryzen 9 9900X: Quick Comparision
| Cooler | Type | Fan Configuration | Price (Amazon) |
| be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 | Air Cooler | Dual 120mm/135mm | $89 – Buy Now |
| Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 | Air Cooler | Dual 120mm | $45 – Buy Now |
| Noctua NH-D15 | Air Cooler | Dual 140mm | $119 – Buy Now |
| Scythe Fuma 3 | Air Cooler | Dual 120mm | $49 – Buy Now |
| NZXT Kraken 240 | 240mm AIO | Dual 120mm (240mm rad) | $139 – Buy Now |
| Cooler Master MasterLiquid 240L Core | 240mm AIO | Dual 120mm (240mm rad) | $85 – Buy Now |
| Thermalright Frozen Prism 240 | 240mm AIO | Dual 120mm (240mm rad) | $48 – Buy Now |
| ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 360 | 360mm AIO | Triple 120mm (360mm rad) | $162 – Buy Now |
| ASUS ROG Strix LC II 360 | 360mm AIO | Triple 120mm (360mm rad) | $129 – Buy Now |
| MSI MEG CORELIQUID S360 | 360mm AIO | Triple 120mm (360mm rad) | $223 – Buy Now |
Air Coolers
be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5
- Type: Dual-tower air cooler
- Fans: 2x 135mm Silent Wings PWM
- Cooling Capacity: Up to 280W TDP
- Dimensions: 137 x 110 x 162.8 mm
- Price: $89 – Buy Now
The be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 is engineered for enthusiasts who value performance and silence. Its dual-tower design paired with two Silent Wings PWM fans delivers top-tier cooling for high-TDP processors like the Ryzen 9 9900X. These fans are virtually inaudible, even under heavy loads, thanks to their fluid-dynamic bearings and optimized blades.
The cooler features seven high-performance copper heat pipes and a black ceramic coating for enhanced heat dissipation. With easy installation and compatibility with most modern sockets, the Dark Rock Pro 5 is a solid choice for anyone looking to keep their system whisper-quiet.
Pros:
- Excellent thermal performance, even for overclocked CPUs
- Virtually silent operation
- Premium build quality and aesthetic
Drawbacks:
- Large size may obstruct RAM slots in some setups
- Pricey compared to other air coolers
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120
- Type: Dual-tower air cooler
- Fans: 2x 120mm ARGB PWM fans
- Cooling Capacity: Up to 265W TDP
- Dimensions: 125 x 135 x 157 mm
- Price: $45 – Buy Now
The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 offers high-end cooling at an affordable price. With its dual-tower design and dual 120mm fans, it efficiently manages heat from demanding CPUs. The included ARGB fans not only provide excellent airflow but also add a pop of customizable lighting to your setup.
Equipped with six nickel-plated copper heat pipes, the Peerless Assassin ensures optimal thermal conductivity. Its compact dimensions make it more RAM-friendly compared to bulkier options. Despite its competitive pricing, this cooler punches above its weight in terms of cooling performance.
Pros:
- Exceptional value for money
- Compact dual-tower design ensures good compatibility
- Quiet and effective operation
Drawbacks:
- ARGB lighting may not appeal to all users
- Slightly noisier than premium options
Noctua NH-D15
- Type: Dual-tower air cooler
- Fans: 2x 140mm NF-A15 PWM fans
- Cooling Capacity: Up to 250W TDP
- Dimensions: 150 x 161 x 165 mm
- Price: $119 – Buy Now
The Noctua NH-D15 is a legend in the air-cooling world. Its massive dual-tower design and dual NF-A15 PWM fans make it one of the most effective air coolers available. Designed to handle high thermal loads, it’s a perfect match for the Ryzen 9 9900X, even in overclocked scenarios.
The NH-D15 features six heat pipes and a premium nickel-plated copper base for optimal heat dissipation. Noctua’s renowned fans ensure excellent airflow with minimal noise, and its SecuFirm2 mounting system makes installation a breeze.
Pros:
- Outstanding thermal performance
- Reliable, quiet operation
- Includes Noctua’s premium thermal paste (NT-H1)
Drawbacks:
- Large size may interfere with RAM clearance
- Pricey for an air cooler
Scythe Fuma 3
- Type: Dual-tower air cooler
- Fans: 2x 120mm Kaze Flex II PWM fans
- Cooling Capacity: Up to 245W TDP
- Dimensions: 129 x 110 x 155 mm
- Price: $49 – Buy Now
The Scythe Fuma 3 strikes an impressive balance between performance, noise, and affordability. Its dual-tower design and Kaze Flex II fans deliver efficient cooling for high-performance CPUs like the Ryzen 9 9900X, making it a great choice for budget-conscious builders.
This cooler features six heat pipes for efficient thermal transfer and a compact design that improves compatibility with RAM modules and smaller cases. The Fuma 3 is designed with a focus on quiet operation, ensuring your rig stays cool without becoming a noise machine.
Pros:
- Excellent cooling performance for its price
- Compact design ensures compatibility with most setups
- Quiet and efficient fans
Drawbacks:
- Build quality feels less premium compared to competitors
- Limited aesthetic appeal for RGB enthusiasts
240mm AIO Liquid Coolers
NZXT Kraken 240
- Type: 240mm AIO liquid cooler
- Fans: 2x 120mm F-Series static pressure fans
- Pump Design: 7th-gen Asetek pump with customizable infinity mirror
- Lighting: RGB infinity mirror and fan lighting
- Price: $139 – Buy Now
The NZXT Kraken 240 brings high-performance cooling with a touch of elegance, courtesy of its signature infinity mirror pump design. Featuring two F-Series static pressure fans optimized for radiator performance, the Kraken 240 is built to handle high-TDP processors like the Ryzen 9 9900X with ease.
The 7th-gen Asetek pump ensures reliable cooling performance while operating quietly, even under load. Customizable RGB lighting on the pump and fans allows users to personalize their builds, and the CAM software provides detailed monitoring and control over fan speeds, pump operation, and lighting effects.
Pros:
- Excellent thermal performance
- Stunning RGB infinity mirror design
- Quiet operation
Drawbacks:
- CAM software can be resource-heavy
- Premium price tag for a 240mm cooler
Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L Core
- Type: 240mm AIO liquid cooler
- Fans: 2x 120mm SickleFlow PWM fans
- Pump Design: Dual-chamber design for efficient cooling
- Lighting: Addressable RGB on pump and fans
- Price: $85 – Buy Now
The Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L Core is a solid performer at a competitive price. It features a dual-chamber pump design that improves efficiency and reliability, making it a dependable choice for cooling the Ryzen 9 9900X.
The two SickleFlow fans are optimized for high airflow and static pressure, ensuring effective heat dissipation from the radiator. With addressable RGB lighting on both the fans and pump, this cooler adds vibrant visuals to your PC build while keeping your CPU cool and stable.
Pros:
- Affordable for a 240mm AIO
- Reliable performance and quiet fans
- Eye-catching RGB lighting
Drawbacks:
- Fans can get noisy at higher RPMs
- RGB controls might require additional software or hardware
Thermalright Frozen Prism 240
- Type: 240mm AIO liquid cooler
- Fans: 2x 120mm ARGB PWM fans
- Pump Design: Low-profile pump with integrated lighting
- Lighting: ARGB on pump and fans
- Price: $48 – Buy Now
The Thermalright Frozen Prism 240 is a budget-friendly 240mm AIO cooler that doesn’t skimp on performance or aesthetics. Its dual ARGB fans and illuminated pump provide an attractive look while delivering excellent cooling for the Ryzen 9 9900X.
This cooler features a high-density aluminum radiator for efficient heat dissipation and a low-profile pump to maintain a sleek appearance. While it may not have the premium build quality of higher-end AIOs, it offers strong cooling performance at a fraction of the cost.
Pros:
- Excellent value for money
- Attractive ARGB lighting
- Compact and lightweight design
Drawbacks:
- Noise levels can be noticeable under heavy loads
- Build quality may feel less premium
360mm AIO Liquid Coolers
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 360
- Type: 360mm AIO liquid cooler
- Fans: 3x 120mm PWM fans with integrated VRM cooling fan
- Pump Design: High-efficiency pump with PWM control
- Special Features: Additional VRM fan for enhanced cooling
- Price: $162 – Buy Now
The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 360 is a standout in the 360mm AIO market, offering exceptional cooling performance and unique features. Its integrated VRM cooling fan on the pump head provides additional airflow to the motherboard’s VRMs, making it ideal for overclocking.
The three 120mm fans deliver excellent airflow while maintaining impressively low noise levels. With its energy-efficient pump and durable braided tubing, the Liquid Freezer III 360 is both reliable and efficient, perfect for taming the Ryzen 9 9900X under heavy loads.
Pros:
- Excellent cooling performance with VRM support
- Quiet and efficient operation
- Competitive pricing for a 360mm AIO
Drawbacks:
- Plain aesthetics compared to RGB-focused coolers
- Larger size may limit compatibility with smaller cases
ASUS ROG Strix LC II 360
- Type: 360mm AIO liquid cooler
- Fans: 3x 120mm ROG-designed ARGB fans
- Pump Design: High-performance pump with ARGB lighting
- Lighting: Fully customizable ARGB on pump and fans
- Price: $129 – Buy Now
The ASUS ROG Strix LC II 360 is a premium liquid cooler built to complement high-end gaming setups. With three ROG-designed ARGB fans and a sleek, illuminated pump, this cooler delivers both exceptional cooling performance and stunning aesthetics.
Its high-performance pump ensures efficient heat transfer, while the ARGB lighting is customizable through ASUS Aura Sync for seamless integration with other ROG components. Designed for demanding CPUs like the Ryzen 9 9900X, the LC II 360 can handle overclocking and extended workloads without breaking a sweat.
Pros:
- Outstanding cooling capacity for extreme workloads
- Gorgeous RGB lighting with Aura Sync compatibility
- Premium build quality
Drawbacks:
- High price point
- May require additional software for full customization
MSI MEG CORELIQUID S360
- Type: 360mm AIO liquid cooler
- Fans: 3x 120mm silent PWM fans
- Pump Design: Integrated pump with a customizable LCD screen
- Special Features: LCD display for system monitoring and personalization
- Price: $223 – Buy Now
The MSI MEG CORELIQUID S360 is the ultimate luxury cooler for enthusiasts. Its integrated LCD screen not only provides real-time system monitoring but also allows users to display custom images or animations. Combined with its ultra-quiet fans and efficient pump, this cooler is designed for top-tier CPUs like the Ryzen 9 9900X.
With three silent 120mm fans and a durable radiator, the CORELIQUID S360 ensures exceptional heat dissipation while maintaining near-silent operation. It’s a feature-rich cooler for those who want the best in both performance and style.
Pros:
- Exceptional cooling performance and ultra-quiet operation
- Stunning LCD display for customization and monitoring
- High-quality build materials
Drawbacks:
- Extremely expensive compared to other coolers
- LCD screen adds complexity to installation
Conclusion
The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X demands top-notch cooling to deliver peak performance without overheating, and the right CPU cooler can make all the difference. Whether you prefer the reliable simplicity of air coolers or the cutting-edge efficiency of AIO liquid coolers, there’s a solution for every setup and budget.
For air cooling enthusiasts, the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 and Noctua NH-D15 are premium options that excel in performance and silence. Budget-conscious builders can look to the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 or Scythe Fuma 3 for great value.
If liquid cooling is your style, the NZXT Kraken 240 and ASUS ROG Strix LC II 360 offer high-end performance with stunning RGB aesthetics. For those prioritizing efficiency and innovation, the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 360 and MSI MEG CORELIQUID S360 stand out with unique features like VRM cooling and LCD displays.
No matter which cooler you choose, rest assured that any of the options on this list will keep your Ryzen 9 9900X cool and running at its best, allowing you to game, edit, and multitask without breaking a sweat.
Also Read:
Best CPU Coolers for Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Best CPU Coolers for AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
