CPU cooler needed or not?

[Deific]

Just wondering if you have, for example, a CPU like Phenom II Quad 965 but aren't going to overclock it, will the stock heatsink suffice? or would a cooler be recommended?

 

[Speed]

Well yes, the Retail HSF that comes with the Retail boxed processor does a ok job. But if silence is your thing, I'd get something aftermarket that uses a 120mm fan.

The retail processors are a better buy anyways, as they have an extra 2 years warranty. So buy that, see how it goes with the retail HSF and you don't like it, just buy and install an aftermarket one.

 

[Temi_D]

If you wont overclock, then stock is fine. But you could get a decent after market one for that extra piece of mind. Something like the akasa nero

 

[liamcrane]

also the freezer 64 pro is a very good cooler for its price kept my phenom 32c idle and
42c underload
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-000-AR&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395