Advise on AM3 cooler

Associate
Joined
30 Nov 2008
Posts
49
Location
London
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
 
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.
 
Last edited:
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?
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
Last edited:
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.
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom