AM3 CPU fan cooler question/recommendations please

[mikeymikec]

I'm not 100% happy with the stock cooler on my current AM3 CPU, the Athlon II X4 630 (not overclocked), the fan speed / noise increases noticeably even under quite low loads.

I'm thinking of eventually replacing that CPU with the highest my board can handle (according to Asus, it will handle (some?) Bulldozer CPUs - the M4A89GTD PRO/USB3), but I guess if I replace the HSF now, I'll just go for one that can handle the current highest AM3 CPU (I don't intend to overclock it ever).

One important thing is that I don't want to have to take the board out in order to install a HSF, that's just too much trouble in my opinion

I've used Arctic Cooling's fans before and they're nice and quiet. The Freezer 7 Pro Rev 2 looks good, has anyone tried that?

I've heard of a lot of people using the CoolerMaster Hyper 212 as well. Does anyone have any experience that would help compare the two? Perhaps I can find a review there. I don't really want to go any higher than that in terms of cost.

Zalman has a good rep AFAIK, but I'm wondering if that's a board-removal-installation job.

I've used a Scythe HSF once before and was impressed with that.

 

[Brainonska511]

Do you care if you have to remove the board or not to install?

I picked up a Cooler Master Hyper TX3 (smaller brother of the Hyper 212) back in May with some Tuniq TX-2. If you fix your QFan settings, the stock fan on that isn't too bad (but very loud above 1800 RPM). But I still wasn't happy with the stock fan, so I stuck two Arctic Cooling fans (F9 and F9 Pro) in push-pull on it. Now, the loudest fan is the graphics card fan. Bonus: you don't have to pull out the board to install it.

Not sure how it would do for 125W CPUs, as I only have it on a Athlon II X4 635 (95W). CM's website says it is compatible with Phenom II processors though, so it should be okay.

Edit:
I should mention that I have a mATX case (Centurion 541), so I was limited height wise in HSF choices; I also didn't want to have to remove the board to install a heatsink, at least at this time. For the case, the TX3 works really well.

 

[StrangerGuy]

Can't go wrong with the Hyper 212+.

Great cooling and super quiet for the low price. Unless size is a concern don't bother anything with less than a 120mm fan.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

Can't go wrong with the Hyper 212+.

Great cooling and super quiet for the low price. Unless size is a concern don't bother anything with less than a 120mm fan.

That would be true some months ago, but now it's the Corsair A50 the one that has retained the title for bang-for-buck. It has better heat dissipation than the Hyper 212+ and costs less, and is also quieter (when in low-speed mode). Only $21 inc. shipping at Amazon.

If you want something more high-end, something that will handle anything at max safe voltage, get a Scythe Mugen 3. It's only $40 at Directron and is the successor to the Scythe Mugen 2, a cooler known for its jack of all trades approach to cooling that was among the best at everything including noise and heat dissipation. Stock it's only 3C off from the Noctua NH-D14, so that should tell you everything. The only thing they changed in the new revision is that it has a bit more depth and one more heat pipe. Otherwise, surface area is the same. Only notable cons are somewhat challenging installation and the fact that it's very big, so make sure you have room in your case.

 

[infoiltrator]

If the stock cooler for the 630 is a heatpipe model replacing the stock 70mm fan by gluing on a 92mm in its place works well, usually about 5 degrees cooler and much quieter.
The Arctic Cooling 92mm PWM fan is popular. Not best but good/low cost.
The Xigmatek Gaia at $28 newegg is the best deal, mounts with front to back airflow, the A50 only offers down to up airflow.
I am not certain if the Gaia requires a backplate for AMD.
The Freezer Pro 7 is better than stock, about all that can be said for it.
SPCR has cooler rankings for both cooling and noise.

 

[mikeymikec]

I would rather go with a HSF that doesn't need me to remove the board to install it, unless there's a REALLY good reason to go for it.

The stock cooler on the 630 doesn't have heat pipes.

I'm hurrying this decision along because in the last couple of days (very warm considering I'm in the UK and it's nearly October, the temperature should be half what it is right now), playing StarCraft 2 caused the core reading to go from an idle ~50C to 80 - 91C after 20 minutes!

The Coolermaster Hyper TX3 doesn't look bad, but it has considerably less air throughput than the Hyper 212+. I'm considering the Arctic Cooling Freezer 13 Pro solution, but the titchy base fan worries me, because in my experience, the smaller the fan, the more whiny it is and is more likely to fail (because of a higher RPM? dunno).

Is anyone using the Freezer 13 Pro?
www.arctic.ac/en/p/cooling/cpu/365/freezer-13-pro.html

Hyper TX3:
http://www.coolermaster.co.uk/product.php?product_id=6602

- edit - heh, I thought I should check the state of dust in the case, even though it's never been a problem before. The CPU HSF had a fair little carpet'y layer of dust in it I really need to block up two removed plates at the back of the computer from where I moved my gfx card from one slot to another (at least, that's my guess as to how it got so dusty).

 

[Ancalagon44]

I've got the older Freezer 64 running on my 620, its pretty good. Its the one with the 92mm fan. The Freezer 13 Pro has a 120mm fan. Make sure your case will fit it!

 

[mikeymikec]

Thanks for that. Can you give me some idea as to how much difference it made - temps/rpm?

The only thing I can think of in my case that might be an issue is the CPU tunnel attached to the side panel (which I assume is removable), as the case is a standard midi-ATX type.

 

[Ancalagon44]

I think it made a 5-10 degree difference at least. The main difference it made was sound though - the stock cooler is hideously noisy.

 

[Rinaun]

I suggested in another thread someone asking for almost the same item. I'd go with the AC 13, for ease of installation and overall quietness.

http://www.svc.com/fan-free13.html

If you are comfortable without a push-pin heatsink however, the H50 would be the right choice.