Upgrading from dual core to quad core CPU will I need a cooler?

Sacrosanct · 25 Nov 2011 at 19:41

Hi all, I have a Phenom II X2 550 BE processor and want to upgrade to Phenom II X4 980 BE. My PC came with a NZXT HUSH Silent Brushed Aluminium ATX Midi Tower I have no idea what kind of cooler came with that if any.

Is it normal practice to have to get a new cooler if you go from dual core to quad core? I'm not intending to overclock the new CPU, I didn't overclock the old one.

Thanks for any help.

stulid · 25 Nov 2011 at 19:46

Unless you are buying a OEM CPU, then it will come with an AMD stock copper cooler.

Sacrosanct · 25 Nov 2011 at 19:48

Thanks stulid. I'm buying the CPU from OCUK so presumably that would be okay then?

stulid · 25 Nov 2011 at 19:49

They only sell retail AMD CPU's so all is good.

joebingo · 25 Nov 2011 at 19:58

You could try unlocking the extra cores in your CPU - it's not guaranteed but I've done it and am running a quad at 3.6 ghz for the price of a dual at 3 ghz.

Sacrosanct · 25 Nov 2011 at 21:04

Thanks stulid.

joebingo I tried that. Updated the bios first and used the asus core unlocker (press 4 at start) and they unlocked and showed up in CPU-Z etc. But since updating bios I have had random freezes. Might be crappy PSU I don't know. See my random freeze thread on here it might be page 2 or 3.

Anyway another question, If I'm going to overclock the 980 BE would I need another cooler or do I buy a different one to go with the CPU? May as well buy it all together. I don't really understand coolers I didn't know they came with CPU I thought they were something you added on on top of what was on the CPU.

j.col · 25 Nov 2011 at 21:25

if you are going to be overclocking (and you should) then you should get a proper cooler, as temps can limit how far you can overclock.

depending on your budget.
£25 is the Gelid Tranquilo http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-001-GD&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395

stulid can recommend the best ones

Sacrosanct · 25 Nov 2011 at 21:32

Thanks j.col. If I was going to go for that cooler or one that stulid recommends and I order it with the CPU do OCUK replace the one that would have come with the CPU or do I have to fit it myself?