Low profile air cooler recommendations for Ryzen 1600X

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
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687
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I'm throwing together a cheap Ryzen build for a second gaming system and found a decent deal on a Ryzen 1600X combo with the CPU, Asrock X370 motherboard, and 16 GB of DDR4-3000 RAM. I debated between hard between the 1500 and 1600 series of CPU but decided the 1600X would probably be a better long-term decision.

Anyway, I'm looking for a low-profile cooler for this CPU. I have an old Antec Tenor desktop case I'm going to likely use and I probably would be OK keeping it at stock clock speeds or maybe a slight overclock. Any recommendations on a good AM4 cooler? I'm hoping to keep it under $30; if push comes to shove I guess I could scrounge up a mini-tower if there aren't any good low profile coolers available and go with something like the CM Hyper Evo 212.
 

Crono

Lifer
Aug 8, 2001
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I don't see the clearance listed for the (Thermaltake?) Tenor, but it looks like it's enough to fit the stock cooler (Wraith Spire) of the 1600. That would be sufficient for a minor to moderate overclock - and since you indicate that's your intent, you don't need the X - it's only at over 3.8GHz where you'd need a beefier cooler.
 

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
33,656
687
126
I don't see the clearance listed for the (Thermaltake?) Tenor, but it looks like it's enough to fit the stock cooler (Wraith Spire) of the 1600. That would be sufficient for a minor to moderate overclock - and since you indicate that's your intent, you don't need the X - it's only at over 3.8GHz where you'd need a beefier cooler.

So, I was going with the 1600x because you get an additional 400 MHz out of the box. I also considered going with a 1500 series CPU since this is a secondary gaming system. Let me check the combos on sale again.
 

Crono

Lifer
Aug 8, 2001
23,720
1,501
136
So, I was going with the 1600x because you get an additional 400 MHz out of the box. I also considered going with a 1500 series CPU since this is a secondary gaming system. Let me check the combos on sale again.

It's clocked higher out of the box, but it's not really "extra" unless you plan on keeping it purely at stock, no overclocking. None of the X variants seem to have much of an advantage otherwise for overclocking except slightly better binning.

The 1600X and a better cooler might be worth it if you want to spend more and overclock higher, but the 1600 and Wraith Spire are very good combo for a budget build. There aren't many better coolers under $30 that are also low-profile.
 

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
33,656
687
126
I went ahead and dropped down to the Ryzen 1500x since this is just a second gaming system, along with a nicer board so I should have a good upgrade path in the future. Thanks!