AMD’s FX-8000 and FX-9000 chips run hot: AMD rated the FX-8370 at 125W and the FX-9370 at 220W, far above most of today’s mainstream processors. The best AM3+ CPU coolers for those chips need real capacity and an AM3+ bracket in the box, which few current coolers still include. Here are six options that qualify.
Quick verdict
For FX-8000 and FX-9000 owners, the Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360L Core ARGB is the cooler to buy: a 394mm radiator, three fans and AM3+ in Cooler Master’s official socket list for under $90. If your case only takes 240mm, the ML240L RGB V2 has the biggest ratings base here, and the Hyper 212 Black Edition suits 95W to 125W FX chips on air.
| Cooler | Type | Radiator or height | Fans | AM3+ support source | Best for | Amazon US price, Nov 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360L Core ARGB | 360mm AIO | 394 x 119.6 x 27.2mm | 3 x 120mm ARGB | Cooler Master page and listing | Best for FX-9000 | about $88 |
| Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L RGB V2 | 240mm AIO | 277 x 119.6 x 27.2mm | 2 x 120mm RGB | Listing | 240mm cases | about $90 |
| Antec Skeleton Matrix 360 ARGB | 360mm AIO | 360mm (dimensions not listed) | Single-frame fan | Listing title | Newer 360mm alternative | about $60 |
| Scythe Mugen 5 Rev.C | Air tower | 154.5mm | 1 x 120mm, second optional | Scythe spec page | Best air for FX-8000 | Not in our snapshot |
| Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition (RR-212S-20PK-R2) | Air tower, 4 pipes | 158.8mm | 1 x 120mm | Cooler Master spec page | 95W to 125W FX | Not in our snapshot |
| Unbranded dual-tower cooler (B0D86ZTKZX) | Dual-tower air, 6 pipes | Not stated | 1 x 120mm PWM | Listing title | Cheapest large heatsink | about $30 |
How we selected these AM3+ coolers
This is a research-based guide, not a lab test. We searched Amazon US for AM3 and AIO coolers on November 11, 2026, and checked manufacturer pages for older models. A cooler qualified only if a manufacturer page, manual or listing named AM3+ or AM3, since the two share mounting, and if it had the capacity for at least a 125W FX chip.
That second rule removed clip-on coolers and low-profile models, which suit 95W chips but not FX-8000 or FX-9000 parts under load. The result is a short list of six, led by liquid coolers because a 220W FX-9370 is beyond what most air coolers handle comfortably. Ranking follows verified specs and fit, never commission.
Two of the air picks come from manufacturer pages and were not in our Amazon snapshot, so we cannot quote prices for them. Prices, ratings and review counts for the rest are an Amazon US snapshot from November 2026.
Best AM3+ CPU coolers reviewed
Each section covers one cooler: which FX chip it suits, verified specs, AM3+ mounting notes and trade-offs. The three AIOs come first, then the air coolers. If you own a 220W FX-9370, focus on the 360mm kits; for FX-6300 and FX-8320 builds, the air towers are often enough.
Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360L Core ARGB
The 360L Core ARGB is our top pick because it combines the largest radiator here with AM3+ support confirmed on Cooler Master’s own page. It suits FX-9370 owners, overclocked FX-8350-class builds and anyone who wants a cooler that also lists AM5 for a later Ryzen upgrade, in a case with a 360mm mount.
Cooler Master lists a 394 x 119.6 x 27.2mm aluminum radiator and three 120mm ARGB fans at 650 to 1,750 RPM. The Amazon listing adds a dual-chamber Gen S pump, 71.93 CFM and 27.2 dBA per fan, and a redesigned copper base. Universal brackets cover both old and new platforms.
The listing names AM5, AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2 and FM2 plus Intel LGA 1700, 1200 and 115x, and Cooler Master’s page adds LGA 1851 and a 3-year warranty. It was listed around $88 on Amazon US and rated 4.5 out of 5 from about 840 ratings as of November 2026.
- Pro: largest radiator here with confirmed AM3+ support
- Pro: also lists AM5 and LGA 1851
- Pro: 3-year warranty on the manufacturer page
- Con: needs a 360mm mount, which many AM3-era cases lack
- Con: ARGB needs a 5V header that older boards may not have
Buy if you run a 220W FX-9000 chip or overclock an FX-8000 and your case takes 360mm. Skip if your case lacks a 360mm mount; check the ML240L instead.
Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L RGB V2
The ML240L RGB V2 is the 240mm pick and the most widely owned cooler here. It suits FX-8000 chips at stock or mild overclocks in cases with a 240mm front or top mount, which are far more common than 360mm mounts in older mid-towers, and it lists the full range of AMD’s older sockets.
The listing gives a 277 x 119.6 x 27.2mm radiator, a third-generation dual-chamber pump, two SickleFlow 120mm RGB PWM fans and EPDM tubing that Cooler Master says improves sealing. The spec table lists up to 1,800 RPM, 62 CFM and 30 dB. RGB here is not ARGB, so check which header your board offers.
Bullets list AMD AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2+, FM2 and FM1, with AM5 in the spec table, plus Intel LGA 1200, 115x, 1366 and 20xx; LGA 1700 needs a separate kit. The spec table states a 2-year warranty. It was listed around $90 on Amazon US and rated 4.6 out of 5 from about 9,600 ratings as of November 2026.
- Pro: very large ratings base
- Pro: complete legacy AMD socket list
- Pro: fits common 240mm mounts
- Con: costs about the same as the 360L Core ARGB
- Con: less radiator area for a 220W FX-9370
Buy if your case only takes 240mm and you run an FX-8000 chip. Skip if you can fit 360mm, where the 360L Core ARGB offers more capacity for similar money.
Antec Skeleton Matrix 360 ARGB
The Skeleton Matrix 360 is a newer 360mm alternative that still names AM3 in its title. It suits FX owners who want a large radiator at a lower price than the Cooler Master kit, and who accept a small ratings base and thinner documentation in exchange for the savings.
The Amazon title describes a 360mm radiator, a single-frame fan design, hydraulic-bearing fans, a copper base and ARGB lighting, with support for Intel LGA 115x, 1200, 1700, 1851 and 20xx plus AMD AM3, AM4 and AM5. Our data did not include radiator dimensions, pump speed, fan speed or warranty.
It was listed around $60 on Amazon US and rated 4.7 out of 5 from about 26 ratings as of November 2026. Because AM3 and AM3+ share mounting, AM3 support covers AM3+ boards too, but confirm the AMD bracket in the box before removing your current cooler.
- Pro: 360mm radiator for about $60
- Pro: AM3 through AM5 in one listing
- Pro: single-frame fan simplifies installation
- Con: very small ratings base
- Con: warranty and detailed specs not available
Buy if you want a 360mm radiator for less and can verify specs on the box. Skip if you prefer a long ratings record, where the 360L Core ARGB is the safer buy.
Scythe Mugen 5 Rev.C
The Mugen 5 Rev.C is the best air option for FX-8000 chips. It suits FX-8320 and FX-8370 owners, rated at 125W by AMD, who prefer air to liquid, and full-size cases with at least 155mm of clearance. Clips for a second fan let you add push-pull for more headroom.
Scythe’s official page lists a 154.5mm height with fan and one 120 x 120 x 26mm Kaze Flex II 120 PWM fan, with dual-fan clips included. Supported sockets include AM2(+), AM3(+), AM4, FM1 and FM2(+) plus Intel LGA 115x, 1200, 1700 and 20xx. AM5 and LGA 1851 are not listed.
The warranty is one year. It was not in our Amazon snapshot, so we cannot quote a price, and Scythe marks the related Fuma 2 as discontinued, so confirm availability first. For a 220W FX-9370, a 360mm AIO is the better choice.
- Pro: AM3(+) on the manufacturer spec page
- Pro: push-pull option with included clips
- Pro: 154.5mm height fits many mid-towers
- Con: one-year warranty
- Con: no AM5 support for a later upgrade
Buy if you want air cooling for a 125W FX chip. Skip if you run an FX-9000 or plan to move to AM5 soon.
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition
The Hyper 212 Black Edition, part RR-212S-20PK-R2, suits 95W to 125W FX chips at stock settings. It is the best-documented four-pipe tower that still lists AM3+, and it can move to AM4 or LGA 1700 later. It suits FX-6300 and stock FX-8320 builds in cases with at least 159mm of clearance.
Cooler Master lists 123 x 77 x 158.8mm, four direct-contact heat pipes and a Silencio FP120 fan from 800 to 2,000 RPM at 6.5 to 26 dBA. The page notes AM5 support arrived only in later production, so check the box if you plan to reuse it on a newer AMD board.
Sockets listed include AMD AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2+, FM2 and FM1 plus Intel LGA 1700, 1200, 115x and 1366, and the warranty is two years. It was not in our Amazon snapshot, so confirm the exact part number when you shop.
- Pro: AM3+ confirmed on the manufacturer page
- Pro: wide fan speed range for quiet idle
- Pro: 2-year warranty
- Con: not in our snapshot, so price unverified
- Con: limited headroom for overclocked or FX-9000 chips
Buy if you run a stock FX-6300 or FX-8320 and can find this part number. Skip if you overclock; a 240mm or 360mm AIO gives more room.
Unbranded dual-tower cooler with 6 heat pipes
This unbranded dual tower is the cheapest large heatsink that names AM3 in its listing. It suits budget FX-8000 owners who want more fin area than a single tower, and who accept unknown height, noise and warranty details in exchange for a much lower price.
The Amazon title describes a dual-tower heatsink with six heat pipes and a 120mm PWM fan, compatible with AM5, AM4 and AM3 plus Intel LGA 1851, 1700, 115x, 2011 and 2066. Height, fan speed, noise and warranty were not in our data, so measure your case and RAM clearance carefully.
It was listed around $30 on Amazon US and rated 4.5 out of 5 from about 220 ratings as of November 2026. Because specs come only from a title, we rank it last despite its six heat pipes.
- Pro: six heat pipes and two fin stacks for about $30
- Pro: AM3 and AM5 in one listing
- Pro: moderate ratings base
- Con: no verified height or warranty
- Con: single fan on a dual tower
Buy if you need a large heatsink for the least money. Skip if you want documented specs and a warranty.
Buying guide
AM3+ systems need a cooler with the right bracket and enough capacity for FX power levels. Before ordering, confirm AM3+ or AM3 is in the cooler’s socket list, match capacity to your FX model’s TDP, check your case’s radiator mounts or height limit and confirm which lighting headers your board has.
Sizing the best AM3+ CPU coolers to FX TDP
Start with your exact FX model number. AMD rated the FX-4300, FX-6300 and FX-8370E at 95W, the FX-8320 and FX-8370 at 125W and the FX-9370 at 220W. Those numbers, not the socket, decide how much cooler you need, and overclocking pushes them higher still.
As a practical rule, 95W FX chips are well served by the Hyper 212 Black Edition. 125W FX-8000 chips suit the Mugen 5 Rev.C, the ML240L RGB V2 or the unbranded dual tower. The 220W FX-9370 and overclocked FX-8000 chips need a 360mm AIO such as the 360L Core ARGB.
AM3+ mounting and backward compatibility
AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, FM1, FM2 and FM2+ share a 48 x 96mm cooler hole pattern, so a cooler listing any of them fits the others, according to the socket documentation. AM3+ boards accept AM3 processors, but AM3+ FX chips will not fit older AM3 sockets.
AM4 moved to 54 x 90mm, which is why many current coolers no longer include AM3+ hardware. Before buying, read the socket list on the exact variant, not just the product family, because newer revisions of older coolers sometimes drop legacy brackets.
Case mounts and clearance
Many AM3+ era cases have limited radiator support. Check whether yours takes a 240mm or 360mm radiator before choosing an AIO. For air towers, a Hardware Secrets review lists the Corsair Carbide 200R at 160mm, which clears the 158.8mm Hyper 212 Black Edition and the 154.5mm Mugen 5 Rev.C.
Published case specs are not always right. A Noctua study reported by The FPS Review in August 2026 found more than half of 100-plus measured cases deviated significantly from listed cooler clearance, so measure your case and leave a few millimeters spare.
FAQ
These answers cover the questions FX owners ask most when replacing a cooler on an AM3+ board. They draw on AMD’s FX ratings, socket documentation and the cooler specs above, so they apply to these chips and coolers rather than to every cooler that happens to support AMD.
Can an air cooler handle an FX-9370?
It is a stretch. AMD rated the FX-9370 at 220W TDP, more than double an FX-6300. A large tower like the Mugen 5 Rev.C may manage light loads, but for sustained use a 360mm AIO such as the 360L Core ARGB is the safer choice, and it also suits overclocked FX-8000 chips.
Do AM3 coolers fit AM3+ boards?
Yes. AM3 and AM3+ share the same 48 x 96mm hole pattern and retention design, so any cooler listing AM3 mounts on AM3+, and the reverse. That is why the Antec Skeleton Matrix 360, which lists AM3, also suits AM3+ boards. Always confirm the AMD bracket is in the box.
Will these coolers work if I upgrade to Ryzen?
Most will. The 360L Core ARGB, ML240L RGB V2, Skeleton Matrix 360 and unbranded dual tower list AM4 and AM5 too, and the Hyper 212 Black Edition lists AM4. The Mugen 5 Rev.C lists AM4 but not AM5, so it is the weakest choice if you plan to move to a current Ryzen platform.
Conclusion
Buy the Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360L Core ARGB. It is the best AM3+ CPU cooler for hot FX chips, combining a 394mm radiator, three fans, AM3+ and AM5 support and a 3-year warranty for about $88. Choose the ML240L RGB V2 only if your case stops at 240mm, and the Mugen 5 Rev.C if you insist on air.
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