Ive built PCs for over a decade but these new i9s and Ryzen 9s run so hot its stressing me out. My old noctua d15 isnt cutting it for my new workstation build in Phoenix, and the ambient heat here is brutal. Im looking to spend maybe 200 bucks max, should I stick to air or go AIO?
Honestly for that Phoenix heat, skip air. Try the Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX XT 360mm or maybe the be quiet! Silent Loop 2 360mm AIO. Super reliable and cooling is solid.
Late to the party, but dealing with that Phoenix heat is brutal. Are you using a mesh front case with enough clearance for a 360mm radiator? If your case supports it, the Lian Li Galahad II Performance 360mm AIO is top tier for thermal transfer. Also the EKWB EK-Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux 360mm keeps things steady under heavy load. What case are you currently using for this build?
Building on the earlier suggestion, sticking to an AIO is definitely the safer play given those ambient temperatures. You've already got some solid recommendations like the Arctic or Lian Li models, which are reliable, but honestly, even the best cooler can only do so much if your airflow isn't sorted.
Phoenix heat is no joke man! Honestly if you are pushing an i9 in that climate, air just wont cut it anymore. You gotta grab an AIO to move that heat away from the chip immediately.