AMD has made its first platform change in some time with Ryzen 7000. The new chips are for the AM5 socket, and all of them need to be cooled. AMD doesn't always include a cooler in the box with its Ryzen CPUs, so you'll often need to provide one yourself, especially for high-end models because the better the cooling, the better the performance, not to mention a better cooler means quieter fans.

Fortunately, while the socket has changed, existing AM4 coolers will work just fine with AM5. The placement of the holes is the same as on AM4, and so most AM4-compatible brackets will work on an AM5 motherboard (though there are situations where this isn't the case). It's a much simpler situation than when Intel introduced LGA 1700 and cooler manufacturers had to issue new brackets for every cooler. There are a lot of CPU coolers out there, both air and liquid, but if you're getting started with a Ryzen 7000 CPU, here are some of my favorites.

A recap of the best CPU coolers for the AM5 platform in 2024

Since AM5 shares cooler compatibility with AM4, there are lots of options for anyone building a PC using AM5 motherboards and Ryzen 7000 CPUs. Even existing coolers made for AM4 will work, though may require a mounting bracket designed for AM5. Though, since the top-end Ryzen 9 chips consume much more power than those from the last generation, you might find yourself needing a higher-end cooling solution if you plan on getting the Ryzen 9 7900X or 7950X.

For non-X Ryzen CPUs like the Ryzen 7 7700 and the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, I recommend Thermalright's Assassin 120X. These CPUs only consume up to 90 watts under full load, and even less in gaming, making them very easy to cool even with a $30 to $50 cooler. The higher-end Thermalright coolers and the AIOs are better for X model Ryzens and the Ryzen 9 7900X3D and 7950X3D. For Ryzen 9 CPUs, I especially recommend you get a 360mm or 420mm cooler like Cooler Master's MasterLiquid ML360 Illusion or Corsair's iCUE H170i Elite LCD XT.

You should also think about whether a high-end air cooler for an AIO liquid cooler is best for you. Air coolers like Thermalright's Peerless Assassin 120 SE are generally equal to 280mm and 360mm liquid coolers in performance, but take up more space and can make it challenging to perform maintenance. On the other hand, it's more common to find support for big air coolers than it is for 360mm radiators. Check the specifications of your PC case to see whether it supports the cooler you want the most. If it doesn't, it might be time to upgrade your chassis.