AMD's Ryzen Threadripper CPUs are huge, and that's exactly what you would expect from a CPU which packs four 8-core dies into its package. It's far larger than mainstream Ryzen, a design that features only one of these 8-core CPU dies, and even the monolithic Intel Xeon chips; as a result the socket in which it fits (codenamed sTR4) is also enormous by comparison. A clear knock-on impact is that the CPU cooler mounting system will be specced at a radically different size, and unlikely to be compatible with existing coolers currently on the market.

AMD are well aware of that fact, and this week sought to alleviate any misunderstandings by outlining cooling requirements and compatibility ahead of Threadripper's launch later this month. Writing on the Community Blog, AMD Rep. Robert Hallock confirmed that retail models of Threadripper CPUs will ship with adapters for Asetek-based Liquid Coolers, and stated that AMD would be keeping an up to date list of all compatible coolers for users to refer to.

Asetek are probably the largest OEM supplied of all-in-one liquid cooling, and their products are the basis of many of the most popular cooling brands on the market including NZXT, Corsair and EVGA. Each has a broadly similar mounting mechanism, making one-size fits all adapters to new socket specifications possible. By providing these adapters as standard AMD are alleviating what could have been a major headache upon the chip's launch.

Threadripper weighs in a a TDP of up to 180W, requiring a hefty thermal solution. The most common are the previously mentioned AIO liquid cooling solutions (hence shipping with adapter kits), but suitable air coolers are also available. They're listed below, alongside known compatible liquid coolers.



Furthermore, earlier this week Noctua also announced a new range of compatible air coolers for AMD Threadripper and EPYC processors, and bespoke water blocks from the likes of EKWB are also likely to be on their way. All in all, the market should be well set for Threadripper's launch.

AMD Approved Ryzen Threadripper-Compatible Thermal Solutions