Choosing the Right Cooling Solution for WoW: NZXT Kraken M22 vs AMD Ryzen 9 390 Stock Cooler

Do you find yourself in a dilemma over whether to invest in a NZXT Kraken M22 or stick with the AMD Ryzen 9 390 stock cooler because your budget is currently limited? This article will help you understand the performance and efficiency of these cooling solutions while gaming World of Warcraft (WoW).

Stock Cooling vs NZXT Kraken M22 for WoW

To start with, let's consider your current setup. If you're gaming purely in World of Warcraft and don't indulge in overclocking, a stock cooling system like the AMD Ryzen 9 390 cooler should work just fine. In fact, unless you're performing intensive tasks that require heavy CPU load, a third-party air cooler can be an unnecessary expense.

Keep in mind that a decent air cooler can be purchased for around $50, but it wouldn't be significantly superior to the stock cooler as long as your case has decent cooling and you're not overclocking. My own air cooler cost me around $6, and it has served me well for years.

Why WoW Doesn’t Require the AMD Ryzen 9 390

It’s worth noting that if your only reason for choosing the AMD Ryzen 9 390 is to play World of Warcraft, you might be overpaying for a high-end CPU.

According to the World of Warcraft Shadowlands Beta CPU benchmarks, the game doesn't benefit from more than 4 cores. Given that the Ryzen 9 390 is a 12-core, 24-thread CPU, you are likely to underutilize a third of its cores even during more demanding gameplay. Additionally, the standard Wraith PRISM cooler included with the system would be more than sufficient to keep your CPU cool under normal circumstances.

When to Consider Upgrading

The only scenario where the NZXT Kraken M22 might be a worthwhile investment is if you plan to live stream at 4K resolution. In this case, the cooler might help keep temperatures lower and potentially reduce fan noise. However, it won’t have any noticeable impact on performance.

Before you decide to upgrade, conduct some tests with your current setup. Measure your CPU temperatures and fan noise levels. If they are acceptable, you might not need to make any changes. If you feel that the stock cooler is insufficient, you can evaluate whether the NZXT Kraken M22 makes a meaningful difference.

Best Use Cases for the Ryzen 9 390

Ultimately, the Ryzen 9 390 is better suited for heavy multitasking and multi-threaded workloads. For tasks requiring fewer threads or even single-thread performance, you are essentially wasting money on a CPU that could serve you better in other areas.

For instance, if you're interested in other demanding games, video editing, or 3D modeling and rendering, the Ryzen 9 390 excels. However, for World of Warcraft, a more budget-friendly alternative, such as the AMD Ryzen 3600, would be far more appropriate.

For your current gaming needs, focus on the practical aspects and maintain a balanced budget. If you feel compelled to upgrade in the future, base your decision on the actual performance improvements and your specific use cases.