Cooling help for AMD Phenom, please ???

simco · 23 Feb 2010 at 13:29

Hello

I'm thinking about this . . .
AMD Phenom II X4 Quad Core 955 Black Edition 3.20GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail [HDZ955FBGIBOX]
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-244-AM&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=1328

or this

AMD Phenom II X4 Quad Core 965 Black Edition 3.40GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail [HDZ965FBGMBOX]
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-253-AM&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=1328

For cooling who would recommend this . . . ?
ThermoLab Baram CPU Cooler (Socket AM2/AM3/LGA775/LGA1366)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-000-TL&tool=3

Or what alternatives are there please . . . ?

From what I've read.
I understand that the ThermoLab Baram CPU Cooler, doesnt require a fan.
Is this correct?

If not, what direction should I be looking in for cooling + fan + extra's (EG: thermal paste, etc) ?

All help welcome :-)

Thanks for reading
Rich

PS - Spec to follow, once the cooling issue has been resolved :-)

eddyc · 23 Feb 2010 at 14:36

Firstly are you planning to overclock? If you are I dont think there is any point getting the 965 over the 955 as you will easily be able to overclock the 955 over the 965 stock value and the max overclocking of the chips will most likely be the same (I think - confirmation anyone?).

As for cooling the baram is very highly rated. I have just bought one but not fitted it yet. I do believe that some people use it passive (without fan) but I personally got myself an apache pwm 120mm to go with it. I will use the pwm controller on my mobo to turn the fan off when it is not necessary. This will hopefully mean that it will effectively be running passive most of the time and the fan will only engage when it becomes necessary.

If you do not intend to overclock then I think the Baram is total overkill. Something like the coolermaster tx3 will be easily enough. It will keep temps down and it will be 'passive' in the same way most of the time as well.

As for thermal paste everyone loves the Arctic Silver (although there are a few others) but I intend to at least begin using the paste that comes with the Baram, it should be fine. If not, I will swap it off.

Let us know what you go for.

Elfmeister. · 23 Feb 2010 at 14:45

I've just ordered a Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus from here to go with my 955BE, going to be clocking her to about 3.8Ghz for 24/7, which can be achieved with the stock cooler but it's loud and hot!

~>Dg<~ · 23 Feb 2010 at 14:50

make sure your case will allow any big coolers

simco · 23 Feb 2010 at 16:32

Hi and thanks for your replies . . .

@eddyc
Overclocking??? Hell yeah, thats why I'm here lol
This system is hopefully to last me the next 4 / 5 years, producing music and visuals, etc
The one I built in 2005 from OcUK stock is still going well now.
Although the 2 x 1Gb memory sticks I bought, 'direct from Crucial' . . . one has failed
(Its like working on a pc with a limp lol)

If I do build this system it will be bought with money that is for me to build a system, so might as well spend up, eh? lol
(Plus also expect some questions about over-clocking lol) :-)

But heres my logic to this . . .

If the 955 can be clocked over the 965 stock values. Then surely it follows that if the 965 is over-clocked then that is going to be faster than both at stock values + faster than the 955 when over clocked pasted the 965 @ stock values . . .

Is this right ?

(My head now hurts after that lol)

@DG
The case I'm going is this . . .
Antec Sonata III Piano Black Quiet Case - Black (EarthWatts 500W PSU) [0761345-08143-6]
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-073-AN

I hope there should be enough room in this for everything . . . ???

Thanks guys, full spec soon :-)

Rich

simco · 23 Feb 2010 at 16:47

I just started a thread in the General section of this forum with regards to my youtube channel if your interested in taking a listen :-)

Thanks again
Rich

eddyc · 23 Feb 2010 at 17:06

simco said:
Hi and thanks for your replies . . .
If the 955 can be clocked over the 965 stock values. Then surely it follows that if the 965 is over-clocked then that is going to be faster than both at stock values + faster than the 955 when over clocked pasted the 965 @ stock values . . .

I am not sure that you are right. I think that these are actually just the same chip but with different stickers (to put it bluntly) its just that the 955 has been throttled back more than the 965. I am not certain that this is the case though. A bit of research needed.

simco said:
@DG
The case I'm going is this . . .
Antec Sonata III Piano Black Quiet Case - Black (EarthWatts 500W PSU) [0761345-08143-6]
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-073-AN

Looks like that should fit most stuff. 20.6cm width is quite generous I think. But hard to know for certain. Probably best to check with OCUK before you buy.

Technics · 23 Feb 2010 at 21:58

If you your going to overclock id advise picking up a fan to go with that baram