Do Ryzen CPUs Come With Coolers and Thermal Paste?

Whether you’re building a brand-new PC or replacing your old CPU, working with computers is a difficult process. This is especially true when it comes to picking out what CPU you’ll put in your PC since any mistakes during the buying process can leave you scrambling to find a cooler.

Some Ryzen CPUs come with a cooler and thermal paste, but it varies by processor. If the Ryzen CPU doesn’t include a cooler, the side of the box will state “thermal solution sold separately,” while Ryzen CPUs with a cooler will note what type of cooler is included in the box. 

In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know about which Ryzen CPUs come with coolers and thermal paste, including why they need these parts, which CPUs come with coolers and thermal paste, and how you can tell which CPU to purchase.

I’ll also explain how you can safely install your brand-new Ryzen CPU. 

Why Do CPUs Need Coolers and Thermal Paste?

CPUs need coolers and thermal paste to dissipate the heat they generate as they run. If CPUs aren’t adequately cooled, it may cause the computer to stutter, lag, freeze, or crash. In severe cases, overheating can cause the CPU itself to fail.

Coolers are intended to act as a direct counterpart to CPUs, ensuring that they stay cool and continue to function optimally.

Generally, coolers accomplish this with a fan that dissipates the CPU’s heat or a liquid coolant that pulls the heat to a cooling radiator.

The cooler’s cold plate is attached to the integrated heat spreader (IHS) of the CPU using a conductive adhesive known as thermal paste.

This adhesive makes the connection between the cold plate and IHS perfect, maximizing heat transfer to the cooler. 

If the cooler and CPU aren’t connected with thermal paste, the heat transfer won’t be adequate to maintain the CPU’s proper operating temperature.

And if the CPU doesn’t have a cooler, it won’t be able to cool effectively at all. For this reason, you must install a cooler and thermal paste with your CPU. 

Do Ryzen CPUs Come With Coolers and Thermal Paste?

Depending on the model, some Ryzen CPUs come with coolers and thermal paste. A Ryzen CPU that includes a cooling solution will state which cooler it includes on the side of the box, while one that doesn’t include a cooler will have a note on the box stating “thermal solution sold separately.”

Whether or not the CPU comes with a cooler and thermal paste varies by model.

Most of AMD’s high-end processors don’t include stock coolers since they know that professional users generally look for aftermarket solutions.

Many of their processors geared for casual users and gamers do include stock cooling solutions.

How To Find a Ryzen CPU That Includes Coolers and Thermal Paste

There are a few ways you can check whether or not a Ryzen CPU includes a cooling solution. The box often includes information on whether or not the CPU includes a cooling solution.

Likewise, retailers often specify whether or not a CPU is included.

• Look at the side of the CPU box. If the Ryzen CPU includes a cooling solution, it will state which cooler is included on the side of the box. If it doesn’t, it will state, “thermal solution sold separately.”
• Check the end of the CPU’s SKU code. Multipack CPUs, designated with MPK at the end of the SKU, include a cooling solution. CPUs designated with BOX at the end of the SKU also include a cooler. If the end of the SKU is WOF, it doesn’t include a cooling solution.
• Determine whether your CPU is box or tray. If you’re purchasing a single CPU, you’re purchasing a box CPU. If you’re purchasing a large number of CPUs, you may be purchasing a tray of them. If you purchase a tray, there won’t be coolers included.
• Check the product description. If you cannot see the side of the box in the product images and the retailer doesn’t offer an SKU, you may still be able to find the information you need in the product description. At worst, you can also search for the model name for the CPU and determine whether or not it includes a cooling solution on AMD’s website. 

Do You Need To Apply Thermal Paste if the CPU Includes Pre-Applied Thermal Paste?

If your CPU cooler comes with pre-applied thermal paste, you don’t need to worry about applying any more thermal paste. The stock cooling solution will function perfectly when installed, just as it was packaged. You can opt to remove and reapply the thermal paste if you have a higher-quality product.

In most cases, pre-applied thermal paste works exactly as intended to facilitate heat transfer from the integrated heat spreader to the cold plate. 

If you’re planning on using your computer casually or for most games, you shouldn’t worry about replacing the thermal paste.

If you plan on using CPU-intensive applications, however, it is worth considering using a premium thermal paste. 

How To Install a Ryzen CPU and Cooler

Once you’ve purchased your Ryzen CPU and cooler, the most important thing you can do is ensure that the component is installed properly.

Unfortunately, the pins on the CPU’s surface are incredibly susceptible to damage, so you’ll need to make sure that you complete the process properly on your first attempt. 

Here are the essential steps you should take to install your new Ryzen CPU.

1. Eliminate Static Charges on Your Body

As you do routine things like walking across the carpet or sitting in a chair, static charges build up on your body.

While these charges are harmless, they can cause catastrophic damage if they’re discharged into the components of your computer.

For this reason, you’ll want to make sure to de-static yourself before you start working.

There are a few ways you can de-static yourself. The simplest way to de-static yourself is to touch a metal surface, but it doesn’t always work. 

To guarantee that your components will be safe from static charges, the best thing you can do is use an antistatic wristband.

After putting the band around your wrist, all you need to do is clip the other end to a metal portion of the computer’s case. 

2. Disconnect and Disassemble Your PC

Once you’ve prepared yourself to start working on your PC, you’ll need to begin disassembling it. Luckily, disconnection and disassembly is a simple process. Here are the steps you should take to disassemble your PC.

1. Disconnect the PC’s power cable. You will also need to turn the power supply switch off and disconnect all peripherals from your computer. 
2. Open the case itself, unscrewing fixtures as needed. You should place your case’s cover panel to the side.
3. Once you’re inside the case, you should unplug all of the PSU cables from the motherboard. This will give you full access to the CPU cooler.
4. When the cables are out of the way, you should remove all the CPU cooler screws before gently twisting the cooler to the side and removing it. Twist it a few times if necessary, pulling to the side until the CPU cooler releases with little to no resistance.
5. Once the CPU cooler has been removed, you can prepare for the process of removing your old CPU. If you prefer, you can also remove the motherboard itself for easier access. You can remove the motherboard by unscrewing the nuts holding it in place before gently lifting it by the sides.

3. Remove Your Old CPU

After you’ve removed the CPU cooler, you’re ready to remove your old CPU from your motherboard. Luckily, except for their highest-end series, every AMD CPU uses a similar socket design.

As a result, the CPU removal process is almost the same for every AMD CPU. Here are the steps you’ll need to take to remove your old CPU.

1. If your CPU has a locking handle, lift it to unlock the CPU. This will allow you to access the CPU.
2. Gently reach down to grab the CPU by its sides. You should have the CPU securely held between two fingers.
3. Gently lift the CPU out of the socket without wiggling it. It’s crucial to be careful during this step to ensure you don’t damage the socket or the processor.
4. Determine whether you’ll keep the old CPU. If you intend to keep the CPU, it should be returned to its original packaging or placed in an antistatic plastic bag inside a safe place like a cardboard box.

4. Install Your New Ryzen CPU

Once you’ve removed your old CPU from your PC, you’re ready to put your new Ryzen CPU in.

Luckily, installing an AMD CPU is an extremely simple process since most modern AMD processor sockets use an easy-installation design.

It’s important to note that you should remain careful throughout the entire process, however. 

Most modern CPU sockets use a new design known as Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) to make the installation process easier.

As you place the CPU in the socket, you shouldn’t place any force on the component. The lock on the ZIF design allows you to safely exert the force necessary to put the pins in place. 

1. Grab your new CPU and hold it by the sides. Look at the side with the pins and find the triangle sign on one of the corners.
2. Look at the socket and find the corner with the triangle. You will need to align the triangle corner of the CPU and socket as you insert the CPU.
3. After aligning the CPU and socket, gently place the processor onto the socket without wiggling it in any direction. Don’t drop it or place any pressure on the processor. 
4. If the CPU was placed correctly, it should gently drop into the socket without any needed pressure. If it seems to be sitting above the socket, you should ensure it is aligned properly and try again.
5. Once the CPU is in the socket, press the locking handle downwards to pin the CPU in place. Don’t be alarmed by any creaking or noises produced by the locking handle. As long as you verified that the CPU was placed correctly, any creaking is just an expected noise of the pins being pushed into place.

5. Install and Configure the CPU Cooler

Once you’ve finished installing your new CPU, you’ll need to put everything else back into place before you can boot your PC up.

You should start by installing your new CPU cooler. Here are the steps you generally need to take for installation.

1. Determine whether your CPU needs new thermal paste. If it’s a used CPU with thermal paste residue, it should be gently wiped with a soft cloth dampened with thermal paste remover until all the old paste is removed and allowed to dry before the thermal paste is reapplied. If it has new pre-applied thermal paste, you can replace it with better quality paste to ensure optimal cooling, or you can take the risk that the supplied paste is adequate. Keep an eye on the actual use temperatures, though!
2. Gently place your new CPU cooler over the CPU. Try not to wiggle the cooler around during placement. The cooler’s cold plate should be aligned with the CPU’s integrated heat spreader. The screws on the cooler should be aligned with the holes on the motherboard.
3. Tighten the cooler screws against the motherboard to fix the cooler into place. The fan should be completely stabilized once you’re done tightening the screws.
4. Connect the fan’s power cable to the power supply unit (PSU). Make sure that the cable isn’t loose.

6. Reassemble and Reconnect Your PC

Finally, you’ll need to assemble the rest of your PC before it’s ready for use.

This takes a few steps, including reconnecting all of your computer’s internal cables and putting the case cover back in place.

Here are the steps you’ll need to take.

1. Connect any components that you disconnected during the disassembly. You should make sure to put all of the PSU cables back into place. If you disconnected hardware like RAM, reinstall it.
2. Put your PC’s case cover back into place. Reconnect the peripherals and power cable, and turn the power supply unit’s switch back on.
3. Power on your PC. If your computer runs into an issue while booting, you should make sure that your BIOS is compatible with your CPU. If not, you’ll need to update your BIOS.
4. If updating your BIOS doesn’t work, you should verify that the CPU was properly installed. All cables should be tight and properly in place. The CPU’s pins should all be intact.
5. After an initial successful installation process or using the troubleshooting steps above, you should be ready to try out your brand-new Ryzen CPU. Log into your PC and give your favorite game a try.

Final Thoughts

While working with computers might seem intimidating, it’s surprisingly simple when you go into the process with the right knowledge.

In this article, I’ve covered everything you need to know about Ryzen CPUs that, include coolers and thermal paste, and how you can install these CPUs in your computer. 

As long as you follow these steps thoroughly, it won’t be long before your computer runs at an extraordinary new level of performance with your brand-new Ryzen CPU and cooler.