Question I'm looking for advice regarding CPU coolers ?

[UserNo54]

I’m planning on replacing my old motherboard and CPU. The motherboard that I’m looking at is an MSI MPG B550, and the CPU is a Ryzen 5 5600.

Since I’m replacing the mobo and CPU, I was thinking about getting a better CPU cooler as well, but I’m a little conflicted on which one I should choose.

I live in a third-world country with fairly high import rates, so PC components can be quite expensive, but I managed to find a couple of CPU coolers at a reasonably accessible price. Those are:

1. Scythe Mugen 6, 120mm;
2. Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Mini;
3. DeepCool LE500 240;
4. MSI Mag Coreliquid M240.

Does anyone have any advice on which one I should choose? I believe most, if not all, of the previously mentioned coolers should be able to cool a Ryzen 5 5600, but I was wondering which one would be able to do that more eficiently/silently.

 

[geofelt]

Either of the first two air coolers would be ok.

Small aio coolers are no more effective and will have a limited life span.

 

[punkncat]

For a 5600, use the stock cooler. They aren't bad and particularly if you have to pay a lot for something "better".

I also agree with @geofelt as both of those two coolers are considered great value to performance. The other consideration here would be as to whether the system is in a climate controlled space and if not what matter of ambient temperatures are common at your locale.

 

[UserNo54]

Either of the first two air coolers would be ok.

Small aio coolers are no more effective and will have a limited life span.

From what I’ve seen, it seems like the first two air coolers might be the best option, yeah.

However, I have never used a nonstock air cooler before. Maybe for that reason, my past experiences with CPU air coolers weren’t great. I always thought they were very loud.

If you don’t mind me asking, do you think those two air coolers would be more silent?

I saw some online reviews for them, but I think it’s a little hard to get an idea by looking at decibel values, especially considering it’s a nonlinear measurement unit.

 

[UserNo54]

For a 5600, use the stock cooler. They aren't bad and particularly if you have to pay a lot for something "better".

I also agree with @geofelt as both of those two coolers are considered great value to performance. The other consideration here would be as to whether the system is in a climate controlled space and if not what matter of ambient temperatures are common at your locale.

It’s not in a climate controlled space. Temperatures around where I live tend to fluctuate quite a bit. Generally speaking, the hottest it gets is around the mid-20s to upper 20s, although it can go to the lower 30s on occasion.

 

[RAIDGoblin]

If you don’t mind me asking, do you think those two air coolers would be more silent?

I saw some online reviews for them, but I think it’s a little hard to get an idea by looking at decibel values, especially considering it’s a nonlinear measurement unit.

almost everything is quieter than a stock cooler, tower coolers are usually quieter by design, just because they have bigger fans so they can turn at lower rpm's, it does depend on what stock cooler you have at the moment, but if you have one of these:

those coolers you linked will almost definitely be quieter

 

[UserNo54]

almost everything is quieter than a stock cooler, tower coolers are usually quieter by design, just because they have bigger fans so they can turn at lower rpm's, it does depend on what stock cooler you have at the moment, but if you have one of these:

those coolers you linked will almost definitely be quieter

That is reassuring to know. At night, sometimes noise would get so bothersome, that I would put the PC outside of the room and pass the cables underneath the door using extension cables. It was an old Bulldozer CPU.

Thank you for your input.

 

[RAIDGoblin]

That is reassuring to know. At night, sometimes noise would get so bothersome, that I would put the PC outside of the room and pass the cables underneath the door using extension cables. It was an old Bulldozer CPU.

Thank you for your input.

no worries, if you've got it doing something intensive even the quietest cooler will still make noise if it's reaching maximum fan speeds, but it should still make less noise. I use to leave my PC rendering video's over night, I relate LOL

 

[punkncat]

In the instance that you are in the low 30C/90F area, having a more efficient cooler would be helpful.

I would warn one thing about that stock cooler, if you opt to use it. Wipe off the factory paste on the bottom of that cooler and use something aftermarket, Arctic Silver, MX, etc. The factory paste basically will glue itself to the CPU and is nearly impossible to get out without pulling the CPU out of the socket. Be VERY careful with those AM4 CPU pins. Just one broken or small bend can really ruin your day so be gentle with it.

 

[geofelt]

Noise comes from small fans running at high rpm.
If your cooler uses larger 140mm fans, they will move more air quietly.
Running at 900 rpm will be close to inaudible in a case.
Of course, those coolers like noctua NH-D15s will be more expensive

 

[UserNo54]

I would warn one thing about that stock cooler, if you opt to use it. Wipe off the factory paste on the bottom of that cooler and use something aftermarket, Arctic Silver, MX, etc. The factory paste basically will glue itself to the CPU and is nearly impossible to get out without pulling the CPU out of the socket.

I’m probably going to opt for the Peerless Assassin Mini. I believe the product already comes with a small tube of thermal paste.

Be VERY careful with those AM4 CPU pins. Just one broken or small bend can really ruin your day so be gentle with it.

I have removed a couple of components in the past, but it’s the first time I’ll replace the motherboard. That implies practically re-assembling the whole thing, so I do appreciate the advice. I’ll be careful.

 

[UserNo54]

Noise comes from small fans running at high rpm.
If your cooler uses larger 140mm fans, they will move more air quietly.
Running at 900 rpm will be close to inaudible in a case.
Of course, those coolers like noctua NH-D15s will be more expensive

That is good to know. Unfortunately, high-end Noctua coolers are a bit off my budget at the moment, but hopefully, one of the tower coolers mentioned in the original post is going to do the trick.

Thank you for the help.