Please recommend an AM3 heatsink/fan!

[GunsMadeAmericaFree]

Can you recommend a decent AM3 heatsink/fan?
I had a couple of spare AM2 heatsink/fans laying around. One was the official AMD version, which evidently came with one of my old processors. (probably a BE-2700, or something along those lines)

I just got a Biostar TA880GU3+ motherboard (AM3). I tried installing my Athlon II x2 2.8 GHz cpu in there, and tried both of the heatsinks. Fan wouldn't come on at all, and I threw both of them away.

I'd like to use my Athlon II x2 2.8 GHz for up to 6 months, and then upgrade to a quad core, ~100 Watt Athlon II x4 or Phenom II x4 processor.

Can anyone recommend a decent heatsink/fan that natively is designed for AM3, makes about 25 db of noise or less, and that can be had for about $20 or less? It should work with my eventual ~100 Watt cpu as well. Most of the ones I've seen online, I'm not absolutely sure if they will work with AM3, because they mention older sockets & such. (don't want to have to mess with an adapter) Some say they will only work with 65 Watt processors. I'm still not absolutely sure why the 2 heatsink/fans I had didn't work at all. New fan that came with a Phenom II x2 worked just fine.


P.S. - I doubt I'll do any overclocking - I just want something comparable to what they ship retail boxed processors with

Thanks!

 

[Stuka87]

I use a Xigmatek Gaia, and it has been great. The install isn't as easy as it could be, as it doesn't use the stock backing plate. So it is a universal design, but works fine with AM3 boards. But its quite, and dropped my 965BE from 63-64C at load with stock heatsink down to 44-45C. The stock fan was also horendously loud.

And as a plus side its half the price of some of the big name heatsinks.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...tek%20gaia

 

[Gigantopithecus]

Most of the ones I've seen online, I'm not absolutely sure if they will work with AM3, because they mention older sockets & such. (don't want to have to mess with an adapter)

You're likely going to have to use an adapter, as most manufacturers include a variety of adapters so consumers using all sorts of CPUs will buy their products. In any event, AM2/AM2+/AM3 all use the same heatsink design. I think 939 does too, but I don't remember for certain.

The Hyper 101 would suit your needs well.

 

[GaiaHunter]

I use a Xigmatek Gaia, and it has been great. The install isn't as easy as it could be, as it doesn't use the stock backing plate. So it is a universal design, but works fine with AM3 boards. But its quite, and dropped my 965BE from 63-64C at load with stock heatsink down to 44-45C. The stock fan was also horendously loud.

And as a plus side its half the price of some of the big name heatsinks.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...tek%20gaia

I have a Gaia too and working great.

And while it is true you have to remove the stock back plate the installation wont take long.

But it is $30.

 

[(sic)Klown12]

In any event, AM2/AM2+/AM3 all use the same heatsink design. I think 939 does too, but I don't remember for certain.

[

The mounting system goes back to Socket 754 and will extend to FM1(Llano) and AM3+.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I find it strange that both fans on both heatsinks didn't work. That to me sounds like there is something wrong with the board's CPU_FAN connector.

 

[Gigantopithecus]

I find it strange that both fans on both heatsinks didn't work. That to me sounds like there is something wrong with the board's CPU_FAN connector.

Right, but this doesn't:

New fan that came with a Phenom II x2 worked just fine.

 

[GunsMadeAmericaFree]

You're likely going to have to use an adapter, as most manufacturers include a variety of adapters so consumers using all sorts of CPUs will buy their products. In any event, AM2/AM2+/AM3 all use the same heatsink design. I think 939 does too, but I don't remember for certain.

The Hyper 101 would suit your needs well.

I'm intrigued by the Hyper 101. However, I've never done a "vertical" heatsink install. Would something like this be as secure as a regular heatsink if, for example, my two year old slammed my tower over on its side again?

 

[veri745]

I'm intrigued by the Hyper 101. However, I've never done a "vertical" heatsink install. Would something like this be as secure as a regular heatsink if, for example, my two year old slammed my tower over on its side again?

I wouldn't guarantee that, but there's an awful lot of stuff that could break if your case gets "slammed on its side"; it's definitely not good for the computer...

 

[richierich1212]

I'd recommend getting a SSD if you think your child will slam your computer lol