Searching for the perfect Heat Sink

golfisfun · 02-23-2010, 05:58 PM

Ok so i know i have my other thread but im going to get rid of it because i have moved on from that issue to this new one. I need to buy a new Heat Sink and i plan on ordering one in the morning but i really need to know what you guys think. I have a couple questions but here are the specs first.

Manufacturer ASUSTeK Computer INC.
Model M3A78-CM
CPU AMD Phenom(tm) 9850 Quad-Core Processor
Cpu Socket Socket AM2+ (940)

1. When looking for a new heatsink/CPU fan am i looking for one to fit a AM2 board or a 940 Board or both

2.If i have a huge fan like a 120mm on the CPU and Heatsink is that better for gaming?

rotNdude · 02-23-2010, 06:48 PM

When looking for a HSF, you are looking for one that fits the socket of the CPU.

It really doesn't matter how big the fan is if the heatsink can't transfer the heat to the cooling fins fast enough. You need to look at the thermal capabilities of the heatsink and then decide what fan is optimal for the heatsink.

golfisfun · 02-23-2010, 07:03 PM

so what would my socket be the AM2 or 940?

02-23-2010, 07:15 PM

Socket AM2, AM2+, and AM3 all have the same specs for HSF mounting, so any heatsink that fits on any of the three will definitely fit on all three, without any extra addons. You can ignore the 940 (which is the pin count).

golfisfun · 02-23-2010, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesd9007

Socket AM2, AM2+, and AM3 all have the same specs for HSF mounting, so any heatsink that fits on any of the three will definitely fit on all three, without any extra addons. You can ignore the 940 (which is the pin count).

so im safe with a AM2 or AM2+ AM3

T Rush · 02-23-2010, 07:41 PM

all the AMD64 sockets use the same main attachment points on the stock socket bracket...however if the aftermarket heatsink does not use the bracket, there is a difference

so here is the newer AM2, AM2+, AM3 socket with a bracket
http://www.legitreviews.com/images/r...md_ati3200.jpg
..on either side there are two "ears" or hooks that the heatsink would latch onto...note that these sockets attach the bracket with four screws going thru the motherboard...some heatsink might not use the proved motherboard bracket, and directly mount with those four screws

the earlier sockets 754, 939, and 940 used a bracket with only two screw holes thru the motherboard
http://www.cluboc.net/reviews/cpu_ac...es/Opteron.jpg
you can see that the bracket then had three "ears" per side, tho the main ear in the center is still in the same place....all of the heatsinks I've seen for AMD64 will have provisions for use with all the hooks(three per side) and thus work with the lone single center one on the later sockets...however some early aftermarket heatsinks(like some of the ZALMANs) were designed to screw thru the motherboard(once the stock bracket is removed) and use the two holes, which are in different spacing than the later sockets with four holes, so those heatsinks are no longer compatible with the new socket

bottom line is that if an aftermarket heatsink works with one socket using the stock bracket, then it will also work on any of the others

120mm fans spin much slower(thus making less noise) than the smaller 92mm, 80mm, etc. fan sizes
....however they can move much more air, and can disperse that air flow into a larger surface area(bigger heatsink)...note that fans only need to move enough air to keep the heatsink/CPU at a constant temperature, motherboard BIOS settings and PWM fans can control how fast the fan spins so that when extreme air flow isn't needed, you aren't just blowing unnecessary amounts of dust into the heatsink(which will quickly clog smaller heatsink airways, and actually reduce cooling over time if the fan is always spinning full speed...note that choosing a heatsink with large passageways will help with an 'always on' computer to keep it cleaner)

personally I prefer just the basic designs of: Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro(Freezer 7 Pro for Intel and now "Rev.2" fits them all)
sub $30 http://www.arctic-cooling.com/catalo...h=1_43&mID=133
or if height or RAM clearance is an issue: Alpine 64 PWM(or Alpine 7 comes with a bracket to fit Intel 775 )
sub $15 http://www.arctic-cooling.com/catalo...h=1_43&mID=134

golfisfun · 02-23-2010, 07:45 PM

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...636&CatId=2545

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186035

How about this?

Looking to spend around 20-50 on the HSF

0ddity · 02-23-2010, 07:55 PM

I just bought this one:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...150&CatId=2545

It's cheap, and it does the job well. My Athlon II X2 @ 2.7Ghz never goes over 25C.

T Rush · 02-23-2010, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golfisfun

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...636&CatId=2545

How about this?

those are much like the classic ZALMAN designs I used to use
http://img.tomshardware.com/us/2005/...an_7700_cu.jpg

I find that those can clog with dust faster than any other...as the fins taper down to tight air spaces in the center, once they start to clog, they tend to fill with dust like a layer over the surface of the bowl spreading out from the center

how about one of these at a better price?

OCZ Vendetta
$25 http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...2946&CatId=493

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64 Pro
$28 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835185125

handi360 · 02-23-2010, 08:15 PM

I have that arctic cooling one on my AM3 works really well! Comes with nice Thermal past already on it.

Europhoria · 02-23-2010, 08:20 PM

You'll want to be careful when replacing the HSF. Some people on another forum managed to do damage to the board and the HSF. One guy snapped one of the bolts on his HSF, another guy (several actually) ripped off the plastic bracket around the CPU, worst still, the thermal paste can be sticky so the CPU has been known to attatch itself to the HS so you risk bending/breaking pins.

golfisfun · 02-23-2010, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T Rush

those are much like the classic ZALMAN designs I used to use
http://img.tomshardware.com/us/2005/...an_7700_cu.jpg

I find that those can clog with dust faster than any other...as the fins taper down to tight air spaces in the center, once they start to clog, they tend to fill with dust like a layer over the surface of the bowl spreading out from the center

how about one of these at a better price?

OCZ Vendetta
$25 http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...2946&CatId=493

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64 Pro
$28 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835185125

You think those will drop my temps? I mean i am getting 81*C when playing BFBC2 and the main reason i am buying a new HSF so i can play this game. If you think one of those will work and drop my temps like crazy than i am all for it.

02-23-2010, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golfisfun

You think those will drop my temps? I mean i am getting 81*C when playing BFBC2 and the main reason i am buying a new HSF so i can play this game. If you think one of those will work and drop my temps like crazy than i am all for it.

You shouldn't be getting that temp @ full load even with the stock cooler. I think it could be poor case ventilation (which a new HSF will not help), or improper seating of the stock cooler (which a re-seat with some new thermal paste can easily fix).

golfisfun · 02-24-2010, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesd9007

You shouldn't be getting that temp @ full load even with the stock cooler. I think it could be poor case ventilation (which a new HSF will not help), or improper seating of the stock cooler (which a re-seat with some new thermal paste can easily fix).

Already took care of that, Added a ton of fans and for the case and poped off the the HSF on the CPU now and it was put on proper. The issue we could guess was where BC2 used a lot of CPU that the HSF could not keep up with the load and that was making it over heat because it never overheated on any other game

karnavor · 02-24-2010, 06:58 AM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835207004

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103065

Either of those will preform better than any others listed.

02-23-2010, 05:58 PM	#1
golfisfun Join Date: Aug 2004 Reputation: 115 Posts: 4,480	Searching for the perfect Heat Sink Ok so i know i have my other thread but im going to get rid of it because i have moved on from that issue to this new one. I need to buy a new Heat Sink and i plan on ordering one in the morning but i really need to know what you guys think. I have a couple questions but here are the specs first. Manufacturer ASUSTeK Computer INC. Model M3A78-CM CPU AMD Phenom(tm) 9850 Quad-Core Processor Cpu Socket Socket AM2+ (940) 1. When looking for a new heatsink/CPU fan am i looking for one to fit a AM2 board or a 940 Board or both 2.If i have a huge fan like a 120mm on the CPU and Heatsink is that better for gaming?

02-23-2010, 06:48 PM	#2
rotNdude Volunteer Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Reputation: 9180 Posts: 45,471	When looking for a HSF, you are looking for one that fits the socket of the CPU. It really doesn't matter how big the fan is if the heatsink can't transfer the heat to the cooling fins fast enough. You need to look at the thermal capabilities of the heatsink and then decide what fan is optimal for the heatsink. __________________ Support Articles \| Support Account \| Forum Rules

02-23-2010, 07:41 PM	#6
T Rush Join Date: Dec 2004 Reputation: 2739 Posts: 20,000	all the AMD64 sockets use the same main attachment points on the stock socket bracket...however if the aftermarket heatsink does not use the bracket, there is a difference so here is the newer AM2, AM2+, AM3 socket with a bracket http://www.legitreviews.com/images/r...md_ati3200.jpg ..on either side there are two "ears" or hooks that the heatsink would latch onto...note that these sockets attach the bracket with four screws going thru the motherboard...some heatsink might not use the proved motherboard bracket, and directly mount with those four screws the earlier sockets 754, 939, and 940 used a bracket with only two screw holes thru the motherboard http://www.cluboc.net/reviews/cpu_ac...es/Opteron.jpg you can see that the bracket then had three "ears" per side, tho the main ear in the center is still in the same place....all of the heatsinks I've seen for AMD64 will have provisions for use with all the hooks(three per side) and thus work with the lone single center one on the later sockets...however some early aftermarket heatsinks(like some of the ZALMANs) were designed to screw thru the motherboard(once the stock bracket is removed) and use the two holes, which are in different spacing than the later sockets with four holes, so those heatsinks are no longer compatible with the new socket bottom line is that if an aftermarket heatsink works with one socket using the stock bracket, then it will also work on any of the others 120mm fans spin much slower(thus making less noise) than the smaller 92mm, 80mm, etc. fan sizes ....however they can move much more air, and can disperse that air flow into a larger surface area(bigger heatsink)...note that fans only need to move enough air to keep the heatsink/CPU at a constant temperature, motherboard BIOS settings and PWM fans can control how fast the fan spins so that when extreme air flow isn't needed, you aren't just blowing unnecessary amounts of dust into the heatsink(which will quickly clog smaller heatsink airways, and actually reduce cooling over time if the fan is always spinning full speed...note that choosing a heatsink with large passageways will help with an 'always on' computer to keep it cleaner) personally I prefer just the basic designs of: Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro(Freezer 7 Pro for Intel and now "Rev.2" fits them all) sub $30 http://www.arctic-cooling.com/catalo...h=1_43&mID=133 or if height or RAM clearance is an issue: Alpine 64 PWM(or Alpine 7 comes with a bracket to fit Intel 775 ) sub $15 http://www.arctic-cooling.com/catalo...h=1_43&mID=134 Last edited by T Rush: 02-23-2010 at 07:46 PM.

02-23-2010, 07:45 PM	#7
golfisfun Join Date: Aug 2004 Reputation: 115 Posts: 4,480	http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...636&CatId=2545 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186035 How about this? Looking to spend around 20-50 on the HSF Last edited by golfisfun: 02-23-2010 at 07:54 PM.

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02-23-2010, 07:03 PM	#3
golfisfun Join Date: Aug 2004 Reputation: 115 Posts: 4,480	so what would my socket be the AM2 or 940?

02-23-2010, 07:15 PM	#4
jamesd9007 Guest Posts: n/a	Socket AM2, AM2+, and AM3 all have the same specs for HSF mounting, so any heatsink that fits on any of the three will definitely fit on all three, without any extra addons. You can ignore the 940 (which is the pin count).

02-23-2010, 07:55 PM	#8
0ddity Join Date: Oct 2009 Reputation: 501 Posts: 2,602	I just bought this one: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...150&CatId=2545 It's cheap, and it does the job well. My Athlon II X2 @ 2.7Ghz never goes over 25C.

02-23-2010, 08:15 PM	#10
handi360 Join Date: Dec 2008 Reputation: 203 Posts: 1,532	I have that arctic cooling one on my AM3 works really well! Comes with nice Thermal past already on it.

02-23-2010, 08:20 PM	#11
Europhoria Join Date: Feb 2007 Reputation: 14181 Posts: 5,783	You'll want to be careful when replacing the HSF. Some people on another forum managed to do damage to the board and the HSF. One guy snapped one of the bolts on his HSF, another guy (several actually) ripped off the plastic bracket around the CPU, worst still, the thermal paste can be sticky so the CPU has been known to attatch itself to the HS so you risk bending/breaking pins.

02-24-2010, 06:58 AM	#15
karnavor Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Reputation: 118 Posts: 324	http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835207004 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103065 Either of those will preform better than any others listed.