What heatsink suits my needs?

[thecoffeeguy]

So I just got a AMD 945 chip, matched with an ASRock board and 4gigs DDR3 1600 GSKill memory.

I have zero plans to OC.
Built the system and it works great.
But now I am wondering if i should get a different heatsink to replace the stock one (unless people here think it will do the job).

I am planning on gaming a lot and outside of the, browsing the net, email etc...

If I do get another heatsink, I really dont want a big hulking thing in my case. I would prefer something not THAT huge and I feel like its going to break my mobo.

Does anyone have suggestions for that?
I'll stop there for now and answer any additional questions.

OH ya, dont want my case sounding like a jet. My last build was like that and it got real old fast.

Cheers.

 

[fffblackmage]

The stock HSF will be fine if you're not OCing.

 

[thecoffeeguy]

The stock HSF will be fine if you're not OCing.

Even under heavy usage? (Tend to game for a couple hours at a click.)

outside of that, just email/web/ etc....

Just checked out some s Scythes...have some interesting ones in mid and low range areas. They pretty good?

 

[Zap]

Even under heavy usage? (Tend to game for a couple hours at a click.)

Yes.

There are four reasons to change from stock retail box cooler to a (presumably better) aftermarket cooler.

1) The stock cooler somehow broke (fan died/broke or mounting mechanism broke).

2) You want the system to be quieter. Some, not all aftermarket heatsinks can be set up to run quieter while providing same or better cooling than stock.

3) You are overclocking.

4) You are running the computer in very high ambient temperatures. If this is caused by insufficient case ventilation, then you need to fix that problem before getting a better cooler. If you are actually using your computer in over 100°F temperatures, then I would be more worried about my health than about my computer's cooling.

If for some reason the computer is overheating while not overclocked and using the stock cooler, then it is either something is broke, insufficient case ventilation or there is too much dust clogging up the works.

 

[thecoffeeguy]

Yes.

There are four reasons to change from stock retail box cooler to a (presumably better) aftermarket cooler.

1) The stock cooler somehow broke (fan died/broke or mounting mechanism broke).

2) You want the system to be quieter. Some, not all aftermarket heatsinks can be set up to run quieter while providing same or better cooling than stock.

3) You are overclocking.

4) You are running the computer in very high ambient temperatures. If this is caused by insufficient case ventilation, then you need to fix that problem before getting a better cooler. If you are actually using your computer in over 100°F temperatures, then I would be more worried about my health than about my computer's cooling.

If for some reason the computer is overheating while not overclocked and using the stock cooler, then it is either something is broke, insufficient case ventilation or there is too much dust clogging up the works.

Thanks for the input.
The default HS is much louder than I anticipated. I would not mind going to something quieter and since I am going down that right, mine as well make it cooler as well.

It has been about 4 years since my last rig build and about twice that since my last AMD build.

Are there any aftermarket HS that I can use that do not require a backplate.
Trying to find a blend of good cooling (better than default heatsink) and low noise.

EDIT: One thing I thought of: I am concerned about the cooler extending over my DIMM slots. I have some GSKill memory with heatsinks on them that extend up a bit, so I dont want to block that in anyway. I have 4 DIMM slots, currently with 2 filled at 4gigs memory. I am planning on going to 8gigs here in the next month or so, so I dont want to block my DIMM slots. Something i wanted to add.


Thanks.

 

[Zap]

First step is to enable Smart Fan in your BIOS to see if that resolves the noise issue. If it does not...

For your purposes just about any of the big heatsinks will give lower temperatures with potentially lower noise levels (still must use Smart Fan or external fan controller). If leaning more towards the quiet end, you need to find a heatsink with fins that are farther apart.

On the cheaper end the Arctic Cooling Alpine 64 Pro should do the trick by being much quieter than stock (again, with Smart Fan enabled) as well as cooling maybe a hair better, plus using the stock mounting all for $15. Don't expect it to be a cooling wonder, but do expect it to be cheap and quiet.

Wanting to retain stock mounting will probably rule out many of the higher end enthusiast units, but then again wanting it to not be huge also rules them out.

 

[thecoffeeguy]

First step is to enable Smart Fan in your BIOS to see if that resolves the noise issue. If it does not...

For your purposes just about any of the big heatsinks will give lower temperatures with potentially lower noise levels (still must use Smart Fan or external fan controller). If leaning more towards the quiet end, you need to find a heatsink with fins that are farther apart.

On the cheaper end the Arctic Cooling Alpine 64 Pro should do the trick by being much quieter than stock (again, with Smart Fan enabled) as well as cooling maybe a hair better, plus using the stock mounting all for $15. Don't expect it to be a cooling wonder, but do expect it to be cheap and quiet.

Wanting to retain stock mounting will probably rule out many of the higher end enthusiast units, but then again wanting it to not be huge also rules them out.

Thanks Zap. Very helpful and informative.

I guess the other two things I would ask are:

1.) Little concerned about the cooler covering the DIMM slots on my mobo. Since I have GSKill with heatsinks on them, they extend up a bit so was worried that might be an issue.

2.) With that all said and down, outside of the Arctic Cooling Alpine 64 Pro, any other models you recommend? Someone mentioned these to me:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835200056

and

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835200056

Not sure if they are options or not, but thought I would throw it out here anyway.


I appreciate your help.

Cheers.

TCG

 

[modestninja]

One option would be the corsair H50. It's more expensive, but isn't huge on the CPU, is pretty quiet (especially if you put your own fan(s) on the rad).

 

[thecoffeeguy]

One option would be the corsair H50. It's more expensive, but isn't huge on the CPU, is pretty quiet (especially if you put your own fan(s) on the rad).

Funny. I thought about that and the H70. I have never worked with something like that (water I believe?) so I am curious about leakage of fluids? That would be bad.

But ya, very small form factor, but it it leaks....oof.

 

[muskie32]

so I am curious about leakage of fluids? That would be bad.

But ya, very small form factor, but it it leaks....oof.

It is a closed line system, but yeah... If it is defective i might leak.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

Here ya go. Don't even need a fan! Silent operation. And it would clear the ram slots.

http://www.thermalright.com/products/index.php?act=data&cat_id=27&id=95

 

[xd_1771]

Here ya go. Don't even need a fan! Silent operation. And it would clear the ram slots.

http://www.thermalright.com/products/index.php?act=data&cat_id=27&id=95

I wouldn't trust a fanless design on a 95 (or maybe even 125) watt processor :whiste:

 

[Patrick Wolf]

I wouldn't trust a fanless design on a 95 (or maybe even 125) watt processor :whiste:

O rly? Mind you this is Linpack, doubt he'll be doing anything close to this intensive.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/thermalright-hr02_5.html#sect0

Would be fine if he had decent case airflow, especially since he won't be oc'ing. Besides you could even throw on a low RPM 120mm/140mm fan and would get much lower temps. And because of it's slanted design it'd probably still stay clear of tall ram sinks. Course this thing is a monster and may not fit in his case. And I don't think it comes with an AMD backplate, but says it's compatible.

 

[fffblackmage]

I wouldn't trust a fanless design on a 95 (or maybe even 125) watt processor :whiste:

My Scythe Ninja is fanless. It cools my unlocked 550BE just fine.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Aftermarket coolers extend the lives of CPUs...seriously...dropping the temps on my e8500 from 49-54C idle to 29-32C was worth the $20 spent on my AC freeze 7 pro, e8500 stock heatsinks was very shitty though. I'd say go for it, its so worth it. The new rev2 is even better i heard and comes with AM3 support. I got mine with a rebate

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186134

 

[Patrick Wolf]

Aftermarket coolers extend the lives of CPUs...seriously...dropping the temps on my e8500 from 49-54C idle to 29-32C was worth the $20 spent on my AC freeze 7 pro, e8500 stock heatsinks was very shitty though. I'd say go for it, its so worth it. The new rev2 is even better i heard and comes with AM3 support. I got mine with a rebate

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186134

I really have no complaints about mine after over two years of extensive use. Even though I applied AS5 improperly and never corrected it.

I am going to upgrade soon, but maybe I'll reseat the cooler using MX-2 and see what happens.

 

[thecoffeeguy]

Aftermarket coolers extend the lives of CPUs...seriously...dropping the temps on my e8500 from 49-54C idle to 29-32C was worth the $20 spent on my AC freeze 7 pro, e8500 stock heatsinks was very shitty though. I'd say go for it, its so worth it. The new rev2 is even better i heard and comes with AM3 support. I got mine with a rebate

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186134

I have been eyeing that one actually as well as the one that is $29.99. This one the newer model?
I think it would clear the DIMMs. Plus, looks like it just clips onto the exisiting AMD retention module. BTW, when looking at the dimensions, which of the three is the one that I should be concerned with for covering DIMMS? Length, width or height? Length is my guess.

Thanks.

TCG

 

[Patrick Wolf]

I have been eyeing that one actually as well as the one that is $29.99. This one the newer model?
I think it would clear the DIMMs. Plus, looks like it just clips onto the exisiting AMD retention module. BTW, when looking at the dimensions, which of the three is the one that I should be concerned with for covering DIMMS? Length, width or height? Length is my guess.

Thanks.

TCG

Rev. 2 is the newest one. And it would be length. But some manufacturers mix up L and W. For tower coolers like this the height should be the largest measurement, followed by length, then width (smallest).

 

[RussianSensation]

I have been eyeing that one actually as well as the one that is $29.99. This one the newer model?

If you are going to spend $30-35, I think you should also consider the Cooler Master Hyper 212+ or Xigmatek 1283. Even Corsair A50 and A70 models will fall within that price range. All 4 of these models will outperform the AC7.

 

[ExcaliburMM]

+1 vote for the CM Hyper 212+. Its cheap, it isn't all that big, it can run quietly, and has been widely used and tested.

 

[thecoffeeguy]

If you are going to spend $30-35, I think you should also consider the Cooler Master Hyper 212+ or Xigmatek 1283. Even Corsair A50 and A70 models will fall within that price range. All 4 of these models will outperform the AC7.

Thanks for the input. I will take a look.

 

[thecoffeeguy]

Rev. 2 is the newest one. And it would be length. But some manufacturers mix up L and W. For tower coolers like this the height should be the largest measurement, followed by length, then width (smallest).

Gotcha.
Off hand, do you know if it covers any DIMM slots? I think I read/heard somewhere that this heatsink can only be mounted one specific way on AMD boards?

THanks.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

Gotcha.
Off hand, do you know if it covers any DIMM slots? I think I read/heard somewhere that this heatsink can only be mounted one specific way on AMD boards?

THanks.

Depends entirely on your board. And I don't know about AMD mounting. I could use tall ramsinks with mine, but it's rev.1, skt. 775, GA-EP45-UD3R (rev. 1.1). Seems like the fan cage sticks out farther than needed which might creep over the top of a ram slot or two. Also the dimensions don't include the fan. When you include the fan it's 107 x 96.5 x 126.5 mm. The 212+ (77mm total width) or Xigmatek coolers would have a slimmer profile.

 

[thecoffeeguy]

Depends entirely on your board. And I don't know about AMD mounting. I could use tall ramsinks with mine, but it's rev.1, skt. 775, GA-EP45-UD3R (rev. 1.1). Seems like the fan cage sticks out farther than needed which might creep over the top of a ram slot or two. Also the dimensions don't include the fan. When you include the fan it's 107 x 96.5 x 126.5 mm. The 212+ (77mm total width) or Xigmatek coolers would have a slimmer profile.

Ok, that helps.
Think I am going to pony up a bit and go for better cooling. If anything, just to feel better that I have better cooling on my CPU.

So looks like I would need to look for a slimmer profile heatsink. IN that case, I would be look at total width, if I am correct.

I looked at the hyper plus and *I think* it would cover a dimm slot. Not sure though.
Have to look at the others.

Thanks again. Much appreciated

 

[wpcoe]

I looked at the hyper plus and *I think* it would cover a dimm slot. Not sure though.

I have a CM Hyper 212+ on a Gigabyte P55A-UD3P mobo, and the fan does overlap the closest RAM slot. However, the fan can be slid up 1/2" or so to clear the RAM in that slot. I doubt (I hope!) that 1/2" of the heatsink not having air forced through it would make much difference in cooling.