Thermalright ARO-M14G for AMD Ryzen only

I'm using this on my Ryzen 3000 build. I'm a bit of a Thermalright fanboy having used them primarily for over a decade now starting back with the HR-05 northbridge cooler. The ARO-M14G is a slightly modified version of the Le Grand Macho Rev.B for Ryzen. The standard Macho Rev. B is also Ryzen (AM4) compatible, but they adjusted the face contacting the CPU slightly to fine tune the interface and on the ARO so it should perform just slightly better. There's not many reviews on the ARO since it is a non-standard model number for them, so check out the Rev.B if you want to find performance comparisons and such then give it an extra 1-5% and you've got the ARO. Really, the biggest reason I went with the ARO over the Rev.B is that it has Ryzen embossed on the top of the heatsink :P Overall, summary of the industry though is if you want better cooling than this, you need to go with 1) 360mm AIO cooler (some will actually not perform as well as this though), 2) Dark Rock Pro 4/Noctua NH-D15(s)/Thermalright Le Grand Macho RT (RT and Rev.B are different models, it's a confusing naming choice), or 3) custom liquid cooling. I go with the Macho Rev. B variants because they are cheap and they are a cm shorter so they are easier to fit in cases. Unless your cooling a crazy hot chip this thing is already overkill, so I see no reason to spend more and air cooling is still the safer and easier to maintain option compared to liquid.So this build is a Gigabyte Gaming X X570 board, a Ryzen 3700x, 2x16GB Ballistix LT (micron E die, look for AES in the part number), and for now my Asus 1070ti Strix all bundled up inside a Meshify C with power coming through a RM750x (overkill). I'll eventually add some Arctic F14 Silent or Noctua case fans just because I can, but for now I'm just using the two included case fans from the Meshify C. I did NOT use the included thermalpaste. In my previous testing I've found Thermalright's paste to be just fine for performance, but I don't know how well it ages. I switch everything to Kryonaught since it has an effectively endless lifespan when used for air cooling.On my specific board, there was only one viable orientation for installing the cooler. X570 boards have coolers on their VRMs which obstruct a lot of large CPU heatsinks, but the offset design on the ARO/Rev.B and moving the fan around gives the ability to work around it. I can NOT install a second Y147-A fan onto the heatsink sadly because of that interference. I really don't have a need for a second though, as my 3700x is reliably boosting to 4350mhz with the single fan staying at under 500RPM and only getting up to 52C. The loudest thing in my entire case is coil whine off my GPU, and to hear that you need to literally lay your ear against the top vent on the case. This isn't just true for idle, I'm talking while playing FFXV, Witcher 3, and Overwatch (my typical test gambit anymore).If you want more flash, the M14O is the same exact cooler but with an orange top-fin rather than black. I typically like my machines to be black and quiet rather than flashy and covered in lights, but that may be prefered to some :)

Best bang for buck for Ryzen processors if : You want top cooling performance, Silence, understated good looks, IF your case can fit beefy size radiator. Average idle temps are 25-27C, fan loafs along at 350-375RPM-total silence. At full load, overclocking, benchmarks, etc., temps match or exceed cooling of all top rated similar radiators, and more quiet. Stock Thermal paste is excellent, and included. Have in past used Arctic silver/2019 mx-4 paste and 250watt radiators....But cannot hold candle to this.Ignore those who say does not mount tight: once you start screwing down to back-plate fastener, the radiator pulls tight the back-plate from the processor. Easy to think something wrong as mounting is "different" than any other.The Ryzen Only version is superior in two ways. 1. CPU cooler mounting base is larger reducing temps compared to universal Intel/Amd version. Fan attachment is improved and easier to attach fan after install. My install was motherboard already in case. Used foam inside box to place behind cutout of case behind cpu to press amd back plate firmly with case on side. Then you will not have trouble fishing 8 pin cpu connector ( very tight clearance/many motherboards and cases. Also remove Video card makes install easier.Most forget this very old and renowned Taiwanese maker of premium air coolers (longer experience to others new to game!). Sorry BeQuiet, DeepCool, Noctura, etc., This ThermalRight cooler is the performance and value king.If it fit your case, (mine Lian Li LanCool Digital) you like me, will never regret buying this cooler, and saving $30+ over any comparable radiator- performance, silence, understated looks considered!

First off, pictures don't do this thing justice. It is much bigger than it appears. I was shocked and a little worried it wasn't going to fit.It was a rather tight squeeze to install on a m-itx motherboard in a mid tower case. I had to remove the rear exhaust fan in order to make this fit. I was worried that removing the rear exhaust fan would cause my case temps to rise. I wrestled this into position and it JUST fit! A m-atx board or larger would be better suited for an air cooler this size.This cooler lowered my operating temps by 8*c compared to the CM Hyper 212 Evo I had installed prior. And I'm not sure how but the GPU temp somehow also dropped by a degree or two.The case I have it in is a NZXT 400i.

Was recommended this cooler and saw a handful of reviews so I decided to try it out. Pros: Great cooler lowered my temps 30c over the stock cooler. Great price for performance. Really like the looks of it and includes all the mounting hardware (sort of) Cons: Really the only downside to this beastly cooler, I'm not sure if it's because of my motherboard or what the issue was but I had to use small spacers to have it mount securely to the motherboard, was an easy but unnecessary fix to the issue would've liked to see small spacers in with packaging since I've read another review with the same issue as mine.