Shopping for aftermarket Heatsink/Fan

[cmaMath13]

I have an AMD X4 955BE cpu with stock HS/Fan. It mildly over-clocks to 3.6GHz with out playing with voltage. I was considering getting an aftermarket HS/Fan to try a push it some more. Here's what I would like to have:
1) Easy Installation
2) Noticeably cooler than stock
3) Reasonably quiet operation

If I can't get all 3, then I will just stick with what I have(in that order too).

Here are 2 that I have been considering:
1) Artic Cooling ACFZ13 92mm http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186039
2) Scythe SCRT-1000 120mm http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185155
In that order too.

What are your thoughts on selection? Any other coolers that you might recommend.

Thanks for feedback!

MOD EDIT: Thread moved to more appropriate forum. - Zap

 

[jpeyton]

If you order within the next 5 hours, you can get the CM Hyper 212 Plus for $19.99 shipped from Newegg. You won't find a better cooler for the money:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

The deal is only valid until midnight 1/18.

 

[ehume]

The Scythe product I have was the very devil to install. From what I have seen of their products, they are all this way.

Dead easiest install is the Noctua NH-D14. Other Noctuas should work the same. With the reduction wires that come in the kit, the cooler gets very quiet and still cools excellently well.

The Thermalright Silver Arrow is reported to have a non-difficult install. It is a bit (under a degree) better cooler, but should be used with low profile RAM. The advantages are that it is the only PWM of the three top heatsinks, and the least expensive.

The Phanteks, coming later, essentially combined the best elements of the Noctua, Prolimatech and Thermalright in their mount, so it's as easy as the Noctua. But the cooler is non-PWM, requires low-profile RAM and is the most expensive of the three.

I recommend the SA. It's overkill for your current setup, but it will handle anything you decide to do later, it's fun, and it's very very quiet: any motherboard can control PWM fans, so they're essentially silent on idle.

 

[AnandThenMan]

If you order within the next 5 hours, you can get the CM Hyper 212 Plus for $19.99 shipped from Newegg. You won't find a better cooler for the money:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

The deal is only valid until midnight 1/18.

110%, get this cooler. It's amazing, even if you don't factor in the cost. Don't waste your money on anything else, trust me I've tried them all this is the best value.

 

[SickBeast]

If you order within the next 5 hours, you can get the CM Hyper 212 Plus for $19.99 shipped from Newegg. You won't find a better cooler for the money:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

The deal is only valid until midnight 1/18.

This.

I paid $20 for mine over a year ago. I would have thought we would have something better by now. It's still a good deal, though.

 

[jpeyton]

This.

I paid $20 for mine over a year ago. I would have thought we would have something better by now. It's still a good deal, though.

Cooling technology doesn't advance nearly as fast as processor technology. That said, it doesn't need to; CPU's are getting faster while consuming less energy and producing less heat.

In theory, the Hyper 212 Plus doesn't need to change anything except the mounting hardware. In the course of 2 years, a Hyper 212 Plus can cool three successive generations of i7 quad-cores (Lynnfield, Sandy Bridge, Ivy Bridge) without any change in mounting hardware, and with each chip running faster and cooler than the last.

 

[nyker96]

I'd say just get a hyper 212+ (or evo) for about 20 or so. it's a great cooler for the money.

 

[cmaMath13]

Thanks for the feedback.

I started looking at that cooler CoolerMaster H212. Looks like a winner. Don't you have to remove your motherboard to install it? I realize it's a great deal, but installation is kind of a pain if you have to remove motherboard to do it.

 

[Joseph F]

This belongs in "Cases & Cooling".

 

[dma0991]

Thanks for the feedback.

I started looking at that cooler CoolerMaster H212. Looks like a winner. Don't you have to remove your motherboard to install it? I realize it's a great deal, but installation is kind of a pain if you have to remove motherboard to do it.

You don't have to remove the motherboard if you have a large enough hole at the back of the casing tray. You only install the bracket once and you don't have to remove the entire unit if you want to clean the heatsink. The bracket is necessary as regular push pins won't be able to hold the weight or have enough pressure for proper contact.

Imagine D-14's installed with push pins, it wouldn't be anywhere near my rig.

 

[cmaMath13]

You don't have to remove the motherboard if you have a large enough hole at the back of the casing tray. You only install the bracket once and you don't have to remove the entire unit if you want to clean the heatsink. The bracket is necessary as regular push pins won't be able to hold the weight or have enough pressure for proper contact.

Imagine D-14's installed with push pins, it wouldn't be anywhere near my rig.

In the you tube video I watched, it seemed necessary.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSq_xbxsm7Q

Looks like it would be really difficult to get that top retention piece on IF INSTALLING INSIDE OF CASE. Some of the comments on Newegg indicate this as well.

 

[Doougin]

too be honest takin the motherboard maybe a bit of a hassle but its more of a hassle tryin to install the cooler with the motherboard installed. i just take it out. gives me good reason to go thru and clean the dust.

 

[cmaMath13]

I picked up the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO tonight at Fry's Electronics. I hope to install tomorrow.

 

[cmaMath13]

I installed my the H212 Evo this morning. Installation went without any issues. I would say "easy". I did NOT need to remove motherboard either, which was a bonus!

I ran AMD's stability test last night with stock heatsink/fan and Temps maxed out at 63 degrees. Ran again today with exact same setting (3.6GHz, 1.4 VID, etc) and maxed out at 44 degrees!!! That's nearly a 20 degree drop!

Thanks for the advice. You steered me in the correct direction!