It's now a four-year-old CPU, released in 2020, but AMD's Ryzen 5 5600X is one of my most highly recommended processors for anyone looking to build a custom gaming PC without wasting cash. It carries practically unparalleled value for money and still handles modern games without stress if you aim for 1080p to 1440p resolutions when paired with a GPU like NVIDIA's RTX 3060 to match the 5600X. It doesn't run as hot as its more powerful 5600X sibling, but it's still worth replacing the stock AMD Wraith cooler. Here are my top picks.
Best air cooler
It's hard to ignore Noctua's iconic coloring, but the chocolate aesthetics are in no danger of causing any accidental melting. It remains my top pick for air cooling, if only for looking more attractive inside a PC case than any standard stack of metallic fins. Check for clearance around high-profile RAM and other components; it's a chunky option.
Best silent air cooler
The clue is in the name here if you're looking for absolute silence with the Dark Rock Slim from be quiet! It has a single 120mm fan but supports an additional fan on the opposite side with clips in the box. Depending on your needs, you'll likely get by just fine with just one. Another chunky air cooler, this one's all about keeping the noise down to a minimum.
Best alternative air cooler
For something a little more traditional, this Fuma 2 air cooler revision is still chunky but offers comparable performance for air cooling. Perfect for those who don't care about RGB or plan to skip a transparent side panel on their PC case, it's plain yet functional with its high-quality branded Kaze Flex II fans.
Best AIO cooling
Probably one of the most deceptive-looking AIO coolers ever made, the Liquid Freezer II is a well-known favorite among enthusiast PC builders for a reason. Although it seems plain, Arctic offers several variants designed to fit a vast array of case sizes, and each manages to keep temperatures incredibly low during stress. Get it if you don't care about RGB.
Best budget air cooler
The lowest price you'll likely pay to replace the stock cooler boxed with the 5600X, Arctic's Freezer 34 Duo comes at an absurdly low cost and keeps things quiet while managing temperatures under intense loads. It comes with two fans and enough design improvements to be worth showing off through a glass case side panel.
Premium liquid cooling
On the other side of the coin, NZXT leans into its design-driven background for the Kraken X73. This AIO cooler similarly comes in various radiator sizes to fit your chosen case, but the infinity mirror effect on the RGB pump head is the main attraction. It makes a great pick if you're springing for a PC case from the same brand.
Choosing the best Ryzen 5 5600X CPU cooler
Why you can trust Windows Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Putting together parts for a custom gaming PC in the modern age is no easy task, given how expensive some components are, with no real signs of that changing. However, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X remains one of the most popular picks for a CPU in 2024, thanks to its sheer value for money. It does come with a bundled AMD Wraith air cooler in the box, and it's solid enough for everyday use, but it won't stand up to a third-party option designed for intense temperatures under stress.
Most of my selections come from a broad list of the best CPU coolers since they generally come with a wide selection of mounts to match the AM4 socket for the 5600X. If you're happy with air cooling and dig the iconic coloring, it doesn't get any better than the Noctua NH-U12A with its chocolate-brown aesthetics. Still, the Scythe Fuma 2 Rev.B is an extremely close runner-up if you're struggling for stock.
Even if you're debating between the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X and Ryzen 5 5600X, any of these picks are compatible and will handle the maximum temperatures of both. However, only the 5600X can comfortably operate on its included cooler if you can't get on one of these picks due to occasional shortages or sellouts during sales events. For those pushing for ultimate performance, an all-in-one liquid cooler like the fancy NZXT Kraken X73 or the timeless Arctic Liquid Freezer II 240 offers the secondary benefit of taking up less space inside your case.
