When building a gaming rig, one of the components that many PC enthusiasts tend to forget about is the CPU cooling system. This part is in fact one of the most important, as without it, one’s computer wouldn’t be able to function without it.
What many beginners may not realize is that, a PC cooling system can essentially make or break your entire PC rig.
A cooler that is too weak can or installed incorrectly could result in an overheated computer, and a cooler that is unnecessarily large or powerful may result in spending too much money on an unnecessary part.
Today we’re going to look at some CPU coolers that are best intended to work with the Ryzen 7 3700X and 3800X processors.
Best CPU Cooler For Ryzen 7 3700X And 3800X
These CPU’s fall under a mid-high range in terms of cost and value, so we’ll be looking at coolers that are generally considered some of the best pick for said processors.
1. Corsair H100i SE: Best 240mm AIO For Ryzen 3700X And 3800X
- Two 120mm LL Series RGB PWM fans deliver vivid RGB lighting and high-performance Hydro Series cooling
- 48 Individually controlled RGB LEDs light up the pump head and fans to produce stunning, customizable lighting effects to match your build
- CORSAIR iCUE software allows you to control your cooler’s RGB lighting, monitor CPU and coolant temperatures, and adjust fan and pump speeds, all from a single intuitive interface
For fans of water coolers, the H100i RGB Platinum SE is a fantastic choice. The cooler is very visually pleasing, with nice RGB lighting and a fairly simplistic design.
The water cooler performs phenomenally, keeping the processor cooled down more than competing coolers, such a the Dark Rock Pro 4, which we will get to later.
However, where it falters a bit is its volume: it isn’t as quiet as other fan coolers on the market like the Dark Rock Pro 4 or even the cheaply priced Cooler Master Hyper 212. This is a fair and very understandable trade-off, however.
Possibly the coolest feature of the H100i RGB Platinum SE is its RGB lighting. While installed, it really adds a lot to the PC build, with very bright, colorful lighting.
There are tons, and we do mean tons, of different RGB lighting options available for this cooler, allowing the user to customize it to their personal preference. For any RGB enthusiasts, this is water cooler is a top pick.
But for others who care little about the feature, your money would probably be better spent elsewhere, as the overall cost of the water cooler is a little high when you take the cooler’s lighting out of the equation.
Speaking of which, the biggest downside to this water cool has got to be its price as this cooler is relatively expensive. It may offer some great cooling and pretty lights, but there are cheaper options out there that could get the job done just as well for less money.
Pros:
- Easy to install
- Quiet pump
- RGB lighting with iCUE software
Cons:
- A little expensive
- Tubes could’ve been larger
2. NZXT Z63: Best 280mm AIO For Ryzen 3700X And 3800X
- Customize Your Battlestation: With a bright, 2.36” LCD screen capable of displaying 24-bit color, you can now completely customize the look of your CPU cooler.CPU Compatibility : Intel LGA: 1200, 1151, 1150, 1155, 1156, 1366, 2011, 2011-3, 2066. Intel Series: i9, i7, i5, i3, Pentium, Celeron. AMD Socket: AM4, sTRX4, TR4. AMD Series: Ryzen 9, Ryzen 7, Ryzen 5, Ryzen 3,Threadripper; Threadripper bracket not included.Refer to the PDF attached below in Technical Specification for Installation
- Stay In Control: CAM’s elegant, user-friendly software makes you the master of your PC with simple-to-use, intuitive controls, you can manage your Kraken’s performance and appearance with ease
- Incredible Performance: Featuring a chamfered intake and fluid dynamic bearings, they deliver silent operation, long-term reliability, and powerful cooling performance
The NZXT Kraken Z63 is great water-cooling system that offers several new modern features that are sure to impress any PC gaming enthusiasts.
The most apparent feature of this water cooler is its 2.36 inch LCD screen, which can be used for a variety of things: it can display information such as the current CPU or GPU temperatures, the computer’s clock speed, and more.
For those who rarely check this info, this feature makes it incredibly convenient for said consumers. The LCD display can also display gifs, which can be very entertaining and add a ton of personality to any user’s gaming rig. The second feature that you’ll notice about this cooler is its RGB lighting.
Like the previously mentioned H100i, the RGB can be fully customized, making for some incredibly beautiful lighting.
In terms of performance, the Kraken Z63 is top notch. In terms of noise, the cooler has noticeable humming sound, especially when working harder at 2500RPM or 2850RPM. The cooling efficiency makes up for this however, as it is one of the best coolers on the market compared to other competing coolers.
Combine this with its various features and high level of customization, and it’s hard to go wrong with this cooler. Well, save for the price—this cooler currently costs at keast 100 bucks more than most AIO coolers in the market. One would argue that that is far too expensive.
Pros:
- Wide CPU-socket compatibility
- A-grade thermal performance
- Infinity mirror for extra customization
- 6-year warranty
Cons:
- No RGB fans
- CAM software is Windows-only
3. be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4: Best Air Cooler For Ryzen 3700X And 3800X
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The be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4, BK022 offers exactly what it advertises: an incredibly quiet, yet efficient CPU cooler. It’s also very visually pleasing, with a clean all-black design.
The cooler comes included with 2 fans, one being 135mm in diameter, the other 120mm. The larger fan sits between the two heat sinks, and the smaller is installed in the front, as its placement eases any RAM clearance issues that may arise.
The Dark Rock Pro 4 also comes included with an elongated, magnetic Philips head screwdriver used for the installation of the unit. Installation of the cooler, while originally advertised by be quiet! as being very straight forward and easy, isn’t quite as simple as some may be led to believe.
The unit has holes drilled through the unit, where the Phillips head screwdriver is supposed to thread through in order to mount the unit onto the motherboard.
The issue with this, however, is the fact that the screws themselves will not fit in the holes and will be needed to be held underneath the entire unit before drilling.
Because of all of this, the cooler is incredibly difficult to install on a motherboard that is already inside a case, and it’s strongly advised to install it before the motherboard is inside of the case.
This is a minor gripe, however, when it comes to the cooler itself. Like previously stated, this case is quite good at what it does. It’s very quiet, matching (and outclassing) most of the coolers in its same price range, and cools very well, easily capable of handling even the most powerful processors.
The only other “issue” that we have with this cooler is the fact that it is quite large.
However if you’re looking for a cooler as efficient as this one, it should already be assumed that you’re building a PC in a case that’s big enough to accommodate it.
The be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 costs approximately $100 currently, which feels like more than fair. It’s just a shame that it’s so annoying to install.
Pros:
- Quiet at even 100% rpm
- Solid build quality
- Easier to install then its predecessor
Cons:
- Big footprint means RAM clearance can be a problem in some cases.
- Thermal performance could be slightly better
4. Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo: Best Budget Cooler For Ryzen 3700X And 3800X
- Well-balanced cooling performance provides fin optimizations with perfect balance between high and low speed operations
- Wide-range PWM fan with unique wave-shaped blade design for excellent airflow
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 120 x 80 x 159 mm / 4.7 x 3.1 x 6.3 inch ; Heat Sink Dimensions (L x W x H): 116 x 51 x 159 mm / 4.6 x 2.0 x 6.3 inch; Fan Dimensions (L x W x H): 120 x 120 x 25 mm / 4.7 x 4.7 x 1 inch
The old saying goes “if it ain’t broke, then don’t fix it.” This saying rings true with the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo. First released by Cooler Master back in 2011, this nearly decade-old cooler is still around for a reason, as it’s very efficient, quiet, and affordable.
Costing a bit more than $30, this CPU cooler is an absolute steal. It comes with a 120mm fan, with room for a second fan on the other side of it.
We found the Hyper 212 Evo to cool incredibly efficiently, with the system outclassing other coolers in this department when comparing idle temperatures at minimum RPM, including the previously reviewed Dark Rock Pro 4.
It does not beat the Dark Rock Pro 4, however, while cooling a CPU during its load temperatures (but it is close).
Where it really falters, however, is its noise level. It is noticeably more load than other, more expensive CPU coolers such as the Dark Rock Pro 4 while cooling during load temperatures and idle temperatures alike, being roughly 20% louder than the aforementioned CPU cooler.
The other major gripe to pick with the Hyper 212 Evo is its installation process, which feels quite dated by modern standards. The CPU must be installed by mounting its back plate to the back of the motherboard, screwing in the included mounting nuts, and threading bottom nuts into the bottom side of the motherboard.
This process can be very annoying and tedious, to say the least. The second half of the installation process is far easier, which simply involves applying the cooler to the CPU (after adding the thermal paste) and mounting the cooler on top by using the cross-arm mounting bar. The mounting bar can also be tedious, if not properly aligned before applying the thermal paste to the CPU.
Overall, while the installation process is quite annoying and the cooler is not perfect by modern standards, it offers incredible value and is more than efficient enough to easily cool a Ryzen 7 3700X and 3800X.
Note: Cooler Master has recently launched the Hyper 212 Evo V2 RGB cooler. It’s an updated version of the original Hyper 212 Evo and comes with many improvements, including the RGB. In case you want your CPU cooler a little more flashy, you can check that instead.
Pros:
- Good build quality
- Decent value for its money
Cons:
- Frustrating Installation Process
- Second fan not included
Conclusion
Out of all four of these CPU coolers, they all are fantastic.
While the Kraken Z63 offers the most features, it is also awfully expensive. The H100i RGB Platinum SE is another great water cooler that has a lot to love, but in many ways it feels like it doesn’t quite outclass other coolers as much to warrant its high price.
The Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo, while incredibly cheap and offers amazing value, is a huge pain to install and really shows its age nowadays by not quite matching the quality of newer coolers.
Overall, we have to go with the Dark Rock Pro 4, as it offers incredibly high quality for a very fair mid-ranged price. For those on a very tight budget, you can’t go wrong with the Hyper 212 Evo.
If budget is no issue, grab the Kraken Z63. But overall, we recommend the Dark Rock Pro 4 for your Ryzen 7 series processor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a CPU cooler for Ryzen 7 3700X?
The Ryzen 3700X comes with a TDP of 65W, which means it won’t get too hot as long as your PC case is ventilated and a keep overclocking to the minimum.
Can I overclock my Ryzen 7 3700X with stock cooler?
Yes you can, if you’re OK with higher noise levels. Also, don’t go beyond 4.2GHz mark.
Does Ryzen 7 need liquid cooling?
While a top-end air cooler would be fine for Ryzen 7 3700X and 3800X, an AIO cooler would give you more headroom for overclocking and will look better too.
