Advise on AM3 cooler

fmma · 12 Nov 2009 at 18:44

I need some advise for the cpu cooler of my new build (maybe OC not sure yet, not a gaming machine).

CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 Quad Core 955 Black Edition

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-244-AM&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=1328

Motherboard
Asus M4A785D-M Pro AMD 785G (Socket AM3)

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=701&catid=5&sortby=nameAsc&subid=1482&mfrid=1

Case
Fractal Design Define R2 Midi Tower Case

www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-005-FD&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=

I initially ordered a Zalman CNPS9700-LED but than realised that this cooler cannot be used with a AM3 :mad:

(so it has to go back)

Looking through the OC site it seems that there are not much cpu coolers arround for an AM3 cpu.

So I would appreciate any help

a) which cooler can be recommended (please note, I don't think anything taller than 150mm will fit

b) Is the stock cooler sufficient ? (with no oc)

so far I have only seen the Alpenföhn Panorama 'Low Profile'
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-013-AL&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395

Many many thanks in advance

focus130 · 12 Nov 2009 at 19:09

Doesn't that Zalman cooler support AM2 if so it is the same fitting for AM3. In fact AM2 & AM2+ coolers will fit AM3.

Stock cooler cools OK but is noisy, I actually sent my computer back to the supplier (not OCuK) and paid them to fit the Noctua cooler because I couldn't stand the noise.

Edit: Just checked the Zalman website to be certain and it definitely does support AM2, AM2+ and AM3.

Muel · 12 Nov 2009 at 19:10

focus130 said:
I actually sent my computer back to the supplier (not OCuK) and paid them to fit the Noctua cooler because I couldn't stand the noise.

Why on earth would you do that? You could have just done it yourself and saved the trouble of posting it?

focus130 · 12 Nov 2009 at 19:18

Muel said:
Why on earth would you do that? You could have just done it yourself and saved the trouble of posting it?

Well it had just been built and I didn't want the hassle of removing the motherboard on a PC I had just had custom built a few weeks before. I was assured that there would be no problems with warranty as well if I did do it myself but didn't want to take the risk. If I had built the machine myself it would have been different but stripping down a new machine defeated the purpose of getting some else to build it in the first place.

Mind you the experience of sending it back left a lot to be desired and I won't be dealing with that company anymore even though they are only a couple of miles down the road. Given that they are close I actually dropped the computer in rather than post it.

JoeCooper · 12 Nov 2009 at 22:09

focus130 said:
Well it had just been built and I didn't want the hassle of removing the motherboard on a PC I had just had custom built a few weeks before. I was assured that there would be no problems with warranty as well if I did do it myself but didn't want to take the risk. If I had built the machine myself it would have been different but stripping down a new machine defeated the purpose of getting some else to build it in the first place.

Mind you the experience of sending it back left a lot to be desired and I won't be dealing with that company anymore even though they are only a couple of miles down the road. Given that they are close I actually dropped the computer in rather than post it.

you only need to take the side of of it. you dont need to remove the motherboard. its just 1 clip to take off the old heat sync and to put another on. takes about 30 seconds. i hope they did it same day

fmma · 13 Nov 2009 at 00:00

when I unpacked the cooler I realised that the mounting clip for the AMD cpu was missing. So I called oc and ased what to do. I was than told I canot use this cooler because this is a AM3 board. Subsequent I rechecked the user manual and it says:

AMD socket AM2/754939/940/

but AM3 is not mentioned.

focus130 · 13 Nov 2009 at 06:13

JoeCooper said:
you only need to take the side of of it. you dont need to remove the motherboard. its just 1 clip to take off the old heat sync and to put another on. takes about 30 seconds. i hope they did it same day

Well it was a Noctua (as per sig) that requires motherboard removal to fit a new backplate for the Securfirm mounting system.

Anyway this thread isn't about my decisions 6 months ago it is about the OP wanting a new cooler.

focus130 · 13 Nov 2009 at 06:23

fmma said:
when I unpacked the cooler I realised that the mounting clip for the AMD cpu was missing. So I called oc and ased what to do. I was than told I canot use this cooler because this is a AM3 board. Subsequent I rechecked the user manual and it says:

AMD socket AM2/754939/940/

but AM3 is not mentioned.

If this is the cooler

http://www.zalman.co.kr/ENG/product/Product_Read.asp?idx=164

then you should definitely have a clip in for AMD cpus. If it is missing then ask for a replacement.

Muel · 13 Nov 2009 at 09:52

AM2 is the same mounting as AM3, the spacings are all the same.

If the cooler fits AM2, it fits AM3, if I have my facts straight.

Snaggle · 15 Nov 2009 at 21:16

Can anyone confirm that am2 H/S are the same am3 ? As planning a new system and was just gonna get a cheappy freezer pro . I have one already on my am2 so saves messing about but given there basically the same socket surley they fit the same ?

Persil

focus130 · 16 Nov 2009 at 09:04

Persil said:
Can anyone confirm that am2 H/S are the same am3 ? As planning a new system and was just gonna get a cheappy freezer pro . I have one already on my am2 so saves messing about but given there basically the same socket surley they fit the same ?

Persil

Yes. Same clip system for both.

.walls · 16 Nov 2009 at 10:51

I have that same Zalman cooler on my 720 BE (AM3). It is exactly the same retention clip as 939/AM2/AM2+.

The clip has to be mounted through the heatpipes so that it blows the warm air to your exhaust fan at the back of your case, which is a little bit of effort (you'll notice that the clip is in a stretched "s" shape, so it does fit, but you may need to use a gentle force to get it in.

SMAndy · 16 Nov 2009 at 12:40

focus130 said:
Yes. Same clip system for both.

Agreed. I've been using an arctic cooling Freezer Pro 64 for 3 years. (Order Date: 25 Jan, 07, 10:14 am) Had it on my first 939 system, then onto an AM2 system, passed to an AM2+ system, and then finally on my current AM3 system.

Only a couple of weeks ago did i finally replace this with a TRUE. I had no problems whatsoever in installing it.