AMD Ryzen 9 3950X

Series: MatisseSocket: AM4

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When modern CPUs use their turbo modes, they can (depending on the configuration of the UEFI BIOS) dissipate much more heat than indicated by the manufacturer’s TDP (Thermal Design Power) specification. Just like manual overclocking, this puts higher demands on the cooling solution. Our CPU compatibility list helps you to choose (choosing) the cooler model that is best suited for a given CPU and your individual requirements as far as turbo and overclocking headroom are concerned.

We classify our coolers according to the following categories:

best turbo/overclocking headroom
medium turbo/overclocking headroom
low turbo/overclocking headroom
compatible without turbo/overclocking headroom
compatible
compatible with certain restrictions (see comment)
incompatible (see comment)

Note that the turbo/overclocking headroom is classified in relation to the specified base clock speeds of the CPU, i.e. "compatible without turbo/overclocking headroom" means that a cooler can keep the CPU at base clock at highly intensive and continuous all-core loads (e.g. Prime95) and "best turbo/overclocking headroom" means that a cooler can go far beyond base clock at these loads. Therefore, if two CPUs are identical except for one having a lower base clock speeds, the same cooler might score higher on the CPU with lower clock speeds.

Please also see our general buying guide, motherboard compatibility list and FAQs for further help on how to select the best cooler for your configuration.

ModelNSPR
CompatibleComments
NH-C14S
AM4 mounting-kit included since 01/2019

For coolers bought before this date:

NH-D12L
NH-D12L chromax.black
NH-D15
AM4 mounting-kit included since 01/2019

For coolers bought before this date:

NH-D15 chromax.black
NH-D15 G2
NH-D15 G2 HBC
NH-D15 G2 LBC
NH-D15S
AM4 mounting-kit included since 01/2019

For coolers bought before this date:

NH-D15S chromax.black
NH-D9 AMP-4926 4U
Mechanically incompatible
NH-D9 DX-4189 4U
Mechanically incompatible
NH-D9 DX-4677 4U
Mechanically incompatible
NH-D9 TR5-SP6 4U
Mechanically incompatible
NH-D9L
AM4 mounting-kit included since 01/2019

For coolers bought before this date:

NH-D9L chromax.black
NH-L12 Ghost S1 Edition
Cooler cannot handle base clock
NH-L12S
Recommended with good case ventilation only.
NH-L12Sx77
Recommended with good case ventilation only.
NH-L9a-AM4
Cooler cannot handle base clock
NH-L9a-AM4 chromax.black
Cooler cannot handle base clock
NH-L9a-AM5
  • Cooler cannot handle base clock
NH-L9a-AM5 chromax.black
  • Cooler cannot handle base clock
NH-L9i
  • Cooler cannot handle base clock
NH-L9i chromax.black
  • Cooler cannot handle base clock
NH-L9i-17xx
Mechanically incompatible
NH-L9i-17xx chromax.black
Mechanically incompatible
NH-L9x65
  • Cooler cannot handle base clock
  • AM4 mounting-kit included since 01/2019

For coolers bought before this date:

NH-L9x65 chromax.black
Cooler cannot handle base clock
NH-P1
with NF-A12x25 LS-PWM fan
NH-P1
fanless
Cooler cannot handle base clock
NH-U12A
NH-U12A chromax.black
NH-U12S
AM4 mounting-kit included since 01/2019

For coolers bought before this date:

NH-U12S chromax.black
NH-U12S DX-4189
Mechanically incompatible
NH-U12S DX-4677
Mechanically incompatible
NH-U12S redux
NH-U12S TR4-SP3
Mechanically incompatible
NH-U14S
AM4 mounting-kit included since 01/2019

For coolers bought before this date:

NH-U14S AMP-4926
Mechanically incompatible
NH-U14S DX-4189
Mechanically incompatible
NH-U14S DX-4677
Mechanically incompatible
NH-U14S TR4-SP3
Mechanically incompatible
NH-U14S TR5-SP6
Mechanically incompatible
NH-U9 DX-4189
Mechanically incompatible
NH-U9 DX-4677
Mechanically incompatible
NH-U9 TR4-SP3
Mechanically incompatible
NH-U9S
AM4 mounting-kit included since 01/2019

For coolers bought before this date:

NH-U9S chromax.black

Discontinued coolers

ModelNSPR
CompatibleComments
NH-C12P
  • Recommended with good case ventilation only.
NH-C12P SE14
  • Recommended with good case ventilation only.
NH-C14
NH-D14
AM4 mounting-kit included since 01/2019

For coolers bought before this date:

NH-D14 SE2011
NH-D15 SE-AM4
NH-D9 DX-3647 4U
Mechanically incompatible
NH-D9DX i4 3U
NH-L12
  • Recommended with good case ventilation only.
  • AM4 mounting-kit included since 01/2019

For coolers bought before this date:

NH-L9a
  • Cooler cannot handle base clock
NH-L9x65 SE-AM4
Cooler cannot handle base clock
NH-U12
NH-U12DO
NH-U12DO A3
Mechanically incompatible
NH-U12DX
NH-U12DX 1366
NH-U12DX i4
NH-U12F
NH-U12P
NH-U12P SE1366
NH-U12P SE2
NH-U12S DX-3647
Mechanically incompatible
NH-U12S SE-AM4
NH-U14S DX-3647
Mechanically incompatible
NH-U9
  • Recommended with good case ventilation only.
NH-U9B
  • Recommended with good case ventilation only.
NH-U9B SE2
  • Recommended with good case ventilation only.
NH-U9DO
  • Recommended with good case ventilation only.
NH-U9DO A3
Mechanically incompatible
NH-U9DX
  • Recommended with good case ventilation only.
NH-U9DX 1366
  • Recommended with good case ventilation only.
NH-U9DX i4
NH-U9F
  • Recommended with good case ventilation only.