Question Can I cool Ryzen 9 9900X with a Noctua air cooler?

[amkhasawneh]

Hello.

I'm looking to build a not-so-expensive PC for bioinformatics analysis. I'm thinking of the Ryzen 9 9900X (bundled with a montherboard and 32 GB RAM for a much lower price at Micro Center). So far, I am not sure how to cool the CPU. I was thinking of getting a case called H5 flow, but ChatGPT tells me a Noctua (such as Noctua NH-U12S redux) is probably not enough for high loads. Is that true? If so, what's a good 240 AIO and case combo that's not gonna cost much? (Of course, good air cooler suggestions are more welcome.)

Thanks a lot.

 

[amkhasawneh]

Hello.

I'm looking to build a not-so-expensive PC for bioinformatics analysis. I'm thinking of the Ryzen 9 9900X (bundled with a montherboard and 32 GB RAM for a much lower price at Micro Center). So far, I am not sure how to cool the CPU. I was thinking of getting a case called H5 flow, but ChatGPT tells me a Noctua (such as Noctua NH-U12S redux) is probably not enough for high loads. Is that true? If so, what's a good 240 AIO and case combo that's not gonna cost much? (Of course, good air cooler suggestions are more welcome.)

Thanks a lot.

 

[logainofhades]

You can do air cooling, but I would not get that one.

I would go with this.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU Cooler: Thermalright Royal Pretor 130 BLACK 81.88 CFM CPU Cooler ($49.69 @ Amazon)
Total: $49.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-07-28 10:20 EDT-0400


https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/air-cooling/thermalright-royal-pretor-130-review

 

[alceryes]

...but ChatGPT tells me a Noctua (such as Noctua NH-U12S redux) is probably not enough for high loads...

ChatGPT also tells people to overdose on their meds and walk into speeding traffic, but I digress.

I would also recommend a Thermalright cooler, but I prefer the Phantom Spirit 120 EVO (not the SE) instead of the Royal Pretor. They are pretty close in cooling performance though.

 

[amkhasawneh]

You can do air cooling, but I would not get that one.

I would go with this.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU Cooler: Thermalright Royal Pretor 130 BLACK 81.88 CFM CPU Cooler ($49.69 @ Amazon)
Total: $49.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-07-28 10:20 EDT-0400


https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/air-cooling/thermalright-royal-pretor-130-review

Thank you very much. I hadn't even heard of Thermalright, and I like all I'm reading about their products.

 

[amkhasawneh]

ChatGPT also tells people to overdose on their meds and walk into speeding traffic, but I digress.

I would also recommend a Thermalright cooler, but I prefer the Phantom Spirit 120 EVO (not the SE) instead of the Royal Pretor. They are pretty close in cooling performance though.

I read about those crazy things with ChatGPT.

Thanks for the recommendation. That one is easier to find at Micro Center.

 

[powpowboom]

I can also recommend the Thermalright 120 EVO coolers. I installed one in my sons computer on a 5800X3D cpu and it is working great. I got it off Amazon for $40. It is hard to beat that price/performance