Did I use the appropriate CPU cooler?

I have a AMD Ryzen 5 3600x, AMD RX 590, on a ASUS Prime x570-P motherboard. Everything is install in an NZXT case with two stock 120mm exhaust fans, and two Noctua 1500rpm 140mm intake case fans. Windows 10 build 2020. I bought this Noctua CPU cooler to make it a little quieter over the stock 3600x fan:

Noctua NH-L9x65 92 x 92 x 14mm, 92 x 92 x 25mm SSO2 Low-profile Quiet CPU Cooler, NF-A9x14 PWM fan - Newegg.com

I'm getting the following CPU temps: starts out around 45c and moves up to ~63c when idling. When I play some games on it for about an hour, it goes up to just shy of 80c. If I run Cinebench, it goes over 80c slightly. So, borderline temps. This system is installed in a packed closet.

The Noctua CPU cooler has a thinner radiator than the stock AMD cooler. I realize the Ryzen 5 3600x is just a pre-overclocked version of the 3600 with a bigger fan. I'm wondering if the Noctua cooler not enough for this CPU. Am I correct about this? Is this cooler not enough?

Dude said:

Try reseating the cooler, and storing in a packed closet doesnt help

I'll give that a try. I realize the packed closet isn't the best solution, but I want to rule out any hardware deficiencies first. Should this cooler, in theory, work with this setup (minus the closet part), or do I need a more powerful CPU cooler?

SSShadii said:

I'll give that a try. I realize the packed closet isn't the best solution, but I want to rule out any hardware deficiencies first. Should this cooler, in theory, work with this setup (minus the closet part), or do I need a more powerful CPU cooler?

Imagine funneling in air from the AC into that packed closet that would be a test bench dream
CPU will come in at 5c GPU 11c
You actually could turn the airflow around in that packed closet to circulate throw a small fan in there under the desk pointed towards the wall air bounce effect

Dude said:

Yes, Noctua coolers are very good. What vcore are you running at?

3600x should be running about 1.36 but the voltage out the box is 1.4 most likely my Daughters 3700x was that high too out the box

If he is running stock voltage could be the issue

The dirty little secret about Noctua coolers are their fans are amazing but their heatsinks don't really stand out from the crowd. So with this build you've gone for a fairly small heatsink coupled with a slimline fan (14mm v 25mm) which won't push a great deal of air. Given a fairly high powered CPU (95w TDP) and you're always going to have problems using something designed for SFF builds.

Given your ATX motherboard I'm guessing the case is a fairly large one? You could try upgrading the fan to a full fat 25mm one (they will push around 50% more air at similar db) but ideally you want to be looking at something a bit beefier. If Noctua is your thing a U9S will handle a 95w CPU but will spin up higher under load. If you're aiming for quiet without overclocking you don't need to go full twin fan or anything daft but something that supports a proper 120x120x25 or 140x140x25 fan would work significantly better.

Reading specs for coolers/fans can be a bit of an art, every damn company has it's own ideas around TDP, own levels it tests db for, etc, etc. but in the end it comes down to what can push the most air the quiestest and for that Noctua is a solid choice. They have a CPU compatibility list for every cooler which in my experience are fairly accurate if a little generous. As you can see from the link your cooler gets a compatible with no turbo headroom grade, which is no good given all high power CPUs boost under stress nowadays. If you choose to go Noctua again an easy way to go without digging through endless spec sheets would be to pick something with at least a medium turbo headroom for your CPU that should set you up nicely for cool temps and grateful ears. When it comes to cooling CPUs it's hard to go wrong with the biggest thing your budget can go to.

GL with it.

CPU Compatibility NH-L9x65 SE-AM4