[SOLVED] Quiet CPU cooler for the Ryzen 7950X3D ?

[Odsh]

I'm looking for an adequate cooler for the Ryzen 7950X3D.
I'd like it to be as silent as possible but still be able to keep the CPU below the maximum supported temperature of 89C, even under heavy load.

I've checked several cooler reviews at Tom's Hardware and most seem to be tested with an Intel i9 processor. From what I can see though, the 7950X3D consumes much less power than intel chips and so, I assume, requires much less cooling too.

The 7950X3D has a peak power rating of 162W. Is it naive of me to assume for example that the Corsair H100i Elite, "capable of cooling up to 200W" and "quietest cooler tested so far" (1 year ago) according to Tom's Hardware review, would be a fitting choice?

 

[drivinfast247]

That'll work. Can your case fit it or anything bigger?

 

[Nighthawk117]

Silent is difficult but the 7950X3D is easier to cool than the other top CPU's. It's a good cooler but I would go for at least a 360mm AIO not a 240mm.

 

[Odsh]

That'll work. Can your case fit it or anything bigger?

The case is not set in stone yet, so yes.

 

[geofelt]

Noise comes from small fans running at high rpm's.
Look at the Noctua NH-D15 which uses larger/slower turning 140mm fans that will be quiet.
It is deemed suitable by Noctua on their cpu compatibility list:

AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D | CPU Compatibility | Noctua Compatibility Centre

Series: Raphael-X, Socket: AM5

ncc.noctua.at

The NH-D15 is tallish at 165mm and may be impacted by tall ram heat spreaders.

NH-D15

Built on the basis of the legendary NH-D14 and carrying on its quest for ultimate quiet cooling performance, Noctua’s flagship model NH-D15 is an elite-class dual tower cooler for the highest demands. Its expanded heatpipe layout and two premium grade NF-A15 140mm fans with PWM support for...

noctua.at

If that is a problem, the NH-D15s is 160mm and will clear tall ram:

NH-D15S

Tailored to provide superior RAM and PCIe compatibility, the NH-D15S is an asymmetrical single fan version of Noctua’s award-winning flagship model, the NH-D15. Thanks to its asymmetrical design, the NH-D15S clears the top PCIe slot on most µATX and ATX motherboards. At the same time, the single...

noctua.at

 

[Odsh]

Thanks all for your responses and suggestions (which are quite varied!).

As far as noise is concerned, I see that the Noctua NH-D15 generates 33.6 dBA at max fan speed, which is comparable to the Corsair H100i Elite at 33.9 dBA.

Regarding cooling performances, I find it a bit harder to compare as the NH-D15 is nearly 10 years old and reviews back then were not exactly performed under the same circumstances and the criteria were different too. Delta temperature for example doesn't mean much if the CPU are completely different.

Looking at some 360mm AIO coolers, one of the quietest ones seems to be the Arctic Liquid Freezer II 360 ARGB with 45.6dBA at max power, which goes down to 41.9dBA at 200W and 29dBA 125W respectively. With the 7950X3D's peak power rating of 162W, I assume it'll hover somewhere in-between those two values in practice, even when running CPU-intensive applications ? If so, this cooler might not be much louder (or maybe even quieter?) than the Noctua NH-D15 or Corsair H100i Elite, but with greater cooling power "just in case". Whether this is truly needed or not is unclear to me though...

 

[Misgar]

Link below to a review of the 7950X3D with an NH-D15 and a Corsair H150i.
https://www.techreviewer.com/best-tech/amd-7950x3d-cpu-cooler/

I have an NH-D15 on my 7950X.

Although you seem to be concentrating on CPU cooler noise, have you checked the noise output from your choice of GPU.

Noise from small fans on a graphics card running at full speed (gaming or rendering) might exceed noise from large CPU fans.

There's also the computer case fans and the PSU fan to consider. They all add up.

Remember, an increase of 10dBA is required for a perceived doubling in sound level, so a few dB either way should not be too obvious.

https://9to5science.com/what-does-it-mean-to-make-a-sound-twice-as-loud

 

[Nighthawk117]

I agree with @Misgar, I find the GPU the noisiest component in my system not the CPU.

 

[TerryLaze]

I've checked several cooler reviews at Tom's Hardware and most seem to be tested with an Intel i9 processor. From what I can see though, the 7950X3D consumes much less power than intel chips and so, I assume, requires much less cooling too.

A Lighter Touch: Exploring CPU Power Scaling On Core i9-13900K and Ryzen 9 7950X

www.anandtech.com

No, even with the i9 drawing 115W more, the same amount of cooling lets the i9 be much cooler.
I have no numbers for the x3d version of the 7950x but I would assume that it's even worse which is why it has a lower temp limit in the first place.
Or I guess the lower limit will make it a wash.

Cooling

EKWB EK-AIO Elite 360 D-RGB 360mm

 

[Misgar]

The Ryzen X3D CPUs have a lower operating temperature and a reduced power limit because the additional cache RAM is mounted on top of the CCD. That's why the 7950X3D is rated at 120W and the 7950X is 170W.

 

[Nighthawk117]

I can't find the review now, but the 7950X3D runs up to 20C cooler than the 7950X in a full load.

 

[Odsh]

Thanks all.

I have an NH-D15 on my 7950X.

The NH-D15 it is then, thanks. Super quiet, and if it does the job for the 7950X, then it'll certainly do for the 7950X3D.

Although you seem to be concentrating on CPU cooler noise, have you checked the noise output from your choice of GPU.

Noise from small fans on a graphics card running at full speed (gaming or rendering) might exceed noise from large CPU fans.

You're right, I'm more worried about the GPU's noise levels, but as you say, everything adds up. And anyway, once the GPU model is known, the choices are rather limited compared to CPU coolers...

I'm going for the 4090. From what I read, it seems the main issue to avoid is the potential "coil whine". I plan to get the GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4090 Gaming OC 24GB.

Regarding the PSU, no idea yet. Recommandations are welcome (though I should probably open a new thread).

 

[geofelt]

To keep noise down, look for a case with good front air intake.
Two 140mm front intakes should be all you need.
Larger fans move more air quietly.
Good front air intake will not only feed the cpu cooler but the gpu cooling fans as well as properly ventilating the motherboard vrm.s.
A rear 120mm fan is there mostly to direct airflow.

As to the psu, modern graphics cards can draw peak power well in excess of the nominal power draw.
Nvidia recommends 850w, and if you get a factory overclocked version you would want more.
It is not wrong to use 950w or even more. Incrementally higher wattage usually costs relatively little more.
The psu will only draw the power demanded of it, regardless of the max capability.
The key is to buy a quality psu.
For example, the Seasonic prime GX-850 is $189 with a 12 year warranty.
https://www.newegg.com/seasonic-prime-ultra-gold-ssr-850gd-850w/p/N82E16817151215
The 1000w unit is $233.
Corsair RMx units are also good.
The 850w unit with a 10 year warranty is $148:

https://www.newegg.com/corsair-rmx-series-rm850x-cp-9020200-na-850w/p/N82E16817139272?Item=N82E16817139272

The 1000w unit is $190

 

[Misgar]

Agreed, the 7950X draws significantly more power than the 7959X3D, due to the presence of the cache chip wafer on top of one of the CCDs. I was hoping to reassure the OP that if an NH-D15 could cope with a 7950X, it should be more than adequate for a 7950X3D.

 

[Odsh]

I was hoping to reassure the OP that if an NH-D15 could cope with a 7950X, it should be more than adequate for a 7950X3D.

Your hopes are fulfilled