Originally posted by: ViRGE
I wouldn't call using it a good idea however, especially if the CPU is an X2.
There were no design revisions between any of the heatsinks for 754 or 939 that made a substantial difference with the exception of the hard to find opteron heatsinks that came with a couple heatpipes. If not overclocking and with adequate case flow they function just fine. I actually have an old, old 3000+ running an HP factory heatsink that is solid aluminum and pretty inferior to the retail heatsinks and it works just fine in a cramped case wtih only a pair of 60mm rear fans and teh PSU fan with a passive 8500GT just next to it.
Realistically the thermal thresholds for processors are so high and with every die shrink the thermal loads are getting so drastically lower with the exception of running passively I'm quite sure than an old socket A heatsink with a 60mm fan could cool a single core to within manufacturers specs. Now, if overclocking it's a whole nother story. It is becoming increasingly easier with every die shrink to double the thermal output of a chip over factory settings with voltage boosts.