Best Cooler for AM2+/AM3 Socket?

ShadowMyth

I'm looking to over clock my cpu a bit more. Whats the best air cooled sollution for an AM2+ or AM3 cpu? If I go water cooled how much money am I looking at & what would you guys recommend? Thanks.

bp9801 · 08-15-2009, 16:52 | posts: 1,591 | Location: New Mexico | User is Offline

Well, you can take a look at the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus and Sunbeamtech Core Contact Freezer, as well as the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 for some great coolers that won't break the bank. If you don't mind spending a little bit more, check out the Xigmatek Thor's Hammer or the Prolimatech Megahalems, though with the Megahalems you may need to contact them to get the AM3 kit if they don't have it included in. With the Thor's Hammer, it can run just fine without a fan but its even better with one or two of them on.

The first three will be 40 dollars and under while the last two are about 60 and higher. Just depends on how much money you want to spend.

ShadowMyth · 08-15-2009, 17:57 | posts: 964 | Location: West Chester, PA | User is Online

Quote:

Originally Posted by bp9801

Well, you can take a look at the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus and Sunbeamtech Core Contact Freezer, as well as the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 for some great coolers that won't break the bank. If you don't mind spending a little bit more, check out the Xigmatek Thor's Hammer or the Prolimatech Megahalems, though with the Megahalems you may need to contact them to get the AM3 kit if they don't have it included in. With the Thor's Hammer, it can run just fine without a fan but its even better with one or two of them on.

The first three will be 40 dollars and under while the last two are about 60 and higher. Just depends on how much money you want to spend.

Prolimatech Megahalems heatsink looks like a beast. Anyone have this & know its performance?

bp9801 · 08-15-2009, 18:24 | posts: 1,591 | Location: New Mexico | User is Offline

I want to say hallryu has it, but don't hold me to that. Its designed by former Thermalright engineers so it should offer even better performance than the TRUE, since the TRUE hasn't been changed since it launched. The Megahalems is essentially an updated version of it that performs as good or slightly better.

Tat3 · **Memory**: 3*2Gb 8-8-8-20 @ 1640MHz

Noctua NH-U12P isn't bad cooler either, but cant see your mobo on compatibility list...

Liranan

Watercooling will, obviously, cost a lot more than air. A very good but gigantic cooler is my IFX-14 but it's not practical for everyone due to its sheer size.

Stromgold · 08-15-2009, 22:18 | posts: 1,118 | Location: Outer Banks, NC | User is Offline

+1 for Core Contact Freezer. Very affordable, outstanding performance.

jmpnop · 08-15-2009, 23:19 | posts: 1,048 | User is Offline

Cooler Master V8 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103055

Liranan · *Last edited by Liranan; 08-16-2009 at 05:07.*

Comparisson of the best coolers available.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coo...oundup_18.html

What's interesting is that the TT BigTyphoon isn't actually a bad cooler, it doesn't fare that badly compared with the others. I wouldn't recommend it but it is an option.

The list proves that there's no need to over spend on a cooler. A reasonably priced one will perform just as well as a really expensive one as the MegaWTFisthat cooler.

A small note in regards to the IFX-14.
The cooler is so big and its surface so large that I have actually seen this beast passively cool my Q6600 @ 3. It does go over 70 but it's good to know that if my 30W 3000RPM fan ever fails my CPU won't immediately die.

I love my cooler.

ShadowMyth · *Last edited by ShadowMyth; 08-16-2009 at 11:58.*

I'm leaning towards the Sunbeamtech Core Contact Freezer. I read a review showing that the IFX-14 needs to be lapped. Does the Core Contact Freeze have similiar issues? Also Newegg has a deal on the Core Contact Freezer.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835207004

Meta|Gear · 08-16-2009, 11:57 | posts: 4,853 | Location: Bradford, ON | User is Offline

ocz vendetta 2

ShadowMyth · 08-16-2009, 15:41 | posts: 964 | Location: West Chester, PA | User is Online

Thanks for you help. I settled on the Sunbeamtech Core Contact Freezer, it will be here Tuesday.

bp9801 · 08-16-2009, 15:54 | posts: 1,591 | Location: New Mexico | User is Offline

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShadowMyth

Thanks for you help. I settled on the Sunbeamtech Core Contact Freezer, it will be here Tuesday.

Good choice, its a good cooler with a fairly powerful fan thats included. 90CFM at its max of ~2000RPM, just its fairly loud at that stage. I leave mine at about 75% and I can barely hear the fan, my hard drive makes more noise than the fan on the cooler. Temps are still great, my room is about 21-22C and I am usually no higher than 35C on the E6600, 45-50C under heavy load but most everything else barely hits 40.

As for lapping it or anything, its not really needed. When you apply the thermal paste though, make sure you get it in between any cracks from where the heatpipe sits in the aluminum block. Just put a small bit on it, spread it around so the cracks are filled, then apply the paste on the CPU and spread it around evenly so it coats. Stick on the cooler and you should be all set.

ShadowMyth · 08-16-2009, 15:57 | posts: 964 | Location: West Chester, PA | User is Online

Quote:

Originally Posted by bp9801

Good choice, its a good cooler with a fairly powerful fan thats included. 90CFM at its max of ~2000RPM, just its fairly loud at that stage. I leave mine at about 75% and I can barely hear the fan, my hard drive makes more noise than the fan on the cooler. Temps are still great, my room is about 21-22C and I am usually no higher than 35C on the E6600, 45-50C under heavy load but most everything else barely hits 40.

As for lapping it or anything, its not really needed. When you apply the thermal paste though, make sure you get it in between any cracks from where the heatpipe sits in the aluminum block. Just put a small bit on it, spread it around so the cracks are filled, then apply the paste on the CPU and spread it around evenly so it coats. Stick on the cooler and you should be all set.

Thanks for the tip.