Do I need an aftermarket heatsink?

[smurray]

I'm getting ready to build an HTPC/Gaming PC. It will have an AMD Phenom II X4 965 BE. If I have no plans on overclocking, is there any reason I should spend money on an aftermarket heatsink?

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

No. Amd is supposed to have decent stock heatsinks.

 

[smurray]

can anyone comment on the noise of the stock AMD cooler?

 

[Zap]

Enable "Smart Fan" in BIOS and noise will be reasonable.

 

[Spydermag68]

I cannot hear the CPU fan on my P][ 965. When I game the 5850 fan can get loud.

 

[ShawnD1]

Enable "Smart Fan" in BIOS and noise will be reasonable.

IMO the fan is a lot more noticeable when it's constantly changing speed. I don't notice the fan when it's spinning at full speed but it's loud enough to wake me up if it's spinning slow and suddenly spins faster.

 

[lenjack]

AMD would not sell this cpu/hsf if it wasn't adequate.

 

[aggressor]

Intel didn't get that memo with the i7 860\870 heatsinks. It's laughably small and can barely cool the processor if there's a heavy work-load.

 

[Vincent]

The stock heatsink/fan has actually been quieter than the aftermarket Coolermaster heatsin/fan I tried. They keep my CPUs at the same temperature as well.

 

[Bigun08]

I would do it because I am fanatical about keeping things cool. I am overclocking a heap and run cooler temps then a bud of mine running a stock HSF on his 940 with no overclock! so they can be had pretty inexpensive so go with a decent one. I also run the 965 and the HSF is the smallest I have seen so far from AMD and to game I would at least stick on it a 9950 HSF which dwarfs the 965 unit!.. Good luck

 

[SunnyD]

Stock HSF's on the P2 series CPU's are nice units. The fan will be a little noisy just because it's small. Apply aftermarket TIM definitely, but the HSF should be okay provided the case you choose has adequate air flow.

 

[mazeroth]

Does the Phenom 2 X2 555 BE come with the same HSF as the Phenom 2 X4 series? If so, do you feel it will be adequate enough for a modest overclock to 3.6 ghz, or should I pony up $25 and get the Cooler Master Hyper 212+?

 

[buildingacomputer]

I am running my 555 BE with 80 mm stock hsf. I like it. Psu fan is noisier and I cannot even hear cpu fan. I suggest you try oem hsf first.

555 BE, unlocked to B55, 17x multiplier
AMD 785G mobo
onboard video
OCZ 700W psu
no gaming

I don't know what PII X4 hsf looks like. My old Athlon 64 X2 oem hsf had a copper insert. 555 is all aluminum. I plan to move Athlon 64 hsf to 555 BE just because I have it.