Overview

Thermalright is a Taiwanese cooling specialist known for CPU coolers, case fans, and thermal pads. The AXP90 X36 Black is its low-profile down-draft cooler aimed at small-form-factor builds and HTPCs, and the headline number is simple: the whole heatsink stands just 36mm tall.
Cooling comes from four 6mm heat pipes built with the company's AGHP design, which is meant to keep performance consistent whether the cooler sits vertically or horizontally. The pipes and fins are joined with a secondary welding process, a construction detail that helps a compact cooler hold its own.
The bundled fan is a 92mm PWM unit rated at 2700RPM plus or minus 10 percent, with 72m³/h airflow, 1.33mmH2O static pressure, and 22.4dBA noise. That tuning leans toward quiet operation, which suits living-room machines and secondary systems where fan whine is unwelcome.

Compatibility Guide

The supported sockets are LGA1700, LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155, LGA1156, and LGA1200 on the Intel side, plus AM4 for AMD. Because LGA1700 is on the list, recent Intel platforms are covered. AMD support stops at AM4, so AM5 boards are not part of the official list.
The down-draft layout keeps the cooler low over the socket, which reduces the chance of clashing with tall memory or nearby heatsinks. At 36mm tall, it fits where a tower cooler simply will not go, making it a natural pick for slim cases and Mini-ITX layouts. Mounting uses metal fasteners for each platform, following the manual or an installation video.
The heatsink measures 94.5 by 95 by 36mm and weighs about 227 g. Before buying, check how your board routes memory heatsinks and VRM cooling around the socket, since clearance still depends on the layout.

Product Info

Pricing sits in the few-thousand-yen range, placing this cooler in the entry tier. Even so, it packs four heat pipes, welded fins, and a PWM-controlled 92mm fan, so a budget small-form-factor build does not have to give up much. Thermal paste is included, so assembly can start right out of the box.
Its market position is practical rather than flagship: the value is fitting into a 36mm height limit while still cooling reliably, not chasing maximum thermal headroom.

Best Use Cases

  • Anyone building a compact PC for the living room or bedroom: the 36mm height slips into slim cases and the 22.4dBA fan keeps noise low, though a large mid-tower focused on cooling headroom is a better fit for performance-first builds.
  • Budget-conscious builders putting together a Mini-ITX secondary machine: the low price still buys four heat pipes and a PWM fan, leaving more budget for other parts, but high-TDP CPUs are outside its comfort zone.
  • HTPC and quiet office setups: the down-draft design pushes air across surrounding components, which suits low-speed operation, while sustained heavy CPU loads are not its strength.

Things to Consider

Check the socket list first. AMD support is listed up to AM4, so an AM5 build needs a different cooler from the start. Cooling capacity is also limited by the low-profile format; a large side-flow tower will outperform it under long sustained loads. Running the fan slowly for quietness further shrinks the thermal margin. Finally, down-draft airflow depends on case layout, so exhaust fan placement and internal spacing are worth reviewing alongside the cooler choice.

FAQ

Q: Can I use this on an LGA1700 CPU?
A: Yes, LGA1700 is on the supported list and the metal fasteners are used for mounting. Keep in mind that very power-hungry CPUs may push a low-profile cooler hard.
Q: Does it work on AM5 motherboards?
A: The listed AMD support is AM4, so plan on a different cooler for AM5 systems.
Q: Is the fan replaceable?
A: A 92mm PWM fan is included, rated at 2700RPM plus or minus 10 percent with 4-pin PWM control.

Product Disclosure (Amazon)

  • Manufacturer: THERMALRIGHT
  • Model: AXP90 X36 Black-ri
  • ASIN: B09PHHBL8N
  • Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.