CPU Cooler type: Top-Down?

spacecadet01

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A motherboard I have has an asterisk for certain AMD cpus on the compatibility list. Under the description of the asterisk it reads:

"For cooling the CPU and its surrounding components, please install a CPU cooler with a top-down blowing design."

I don't know what they mean by "top-down". I have a "FD4100WMW4KGU(BE)" on the list and have been using the stock cooler for years now. I want to give it to my friend because I got a new pc and now I just noticed this. I looked up "top down cpu cooler" on google images and the images are nothing like the stock cooler I have. But aren't all stock coolers "Top down"? I don't want to give my friend a poorly assembled pc.

What is "top-down"?

The Mobo is ASRock 970 Extreme 3...
http://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/970%20Extreme3/?cat=CPU
 
Solution
Yes, all stock coolers are "top down", but what ASRock is talking about is a cooler that will cool the VRMs and such that surround the CPU socket. A stock cooler will only cool the CPU, while an aftermarket "top down" cooler will blow a bit of air on the stuff around the socket. If you have poor airflow in your case, I would get an aftermarket cooler, like the "top down" CoolerMaster Gemini M4. If you have good airflow in the case, and low ambient temps, you should be fine with the stock cooler.
Yes, all stock coolers are "top down", but what ASRock is talking about is a cooler that will cool the VRMs and such that surround the CPU socket. A stock cooler will only cool the CPU, while an aftermarket "top down" cooler will blow a bit of air on the stuff around the socket. If you have poor airflow in your case, I would get an aftermarket cooler, like the "top down" CoolerMaster Gemini M4. If you have good airflow in the case, and low ambient temps, you should be fine with the stock cooler.
 
Solution

spacecadet01

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The Geminii M4 got bad reviews on newegg for installation problems.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?gclid=CjwKEAjw68ufBRDt0Zmrn4W_8AwSJADcjp1csFEtKV5xrNE8Cw-0DgKZ4ile5Gk6ftOqhP8VKmPyvhoCVKzw_wcB&Item=N82E16835103177&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-CPU+Fans+%26+Heatsinks-_-N82E16835103177&ef_id=U5OuzQAABbKlAxdG:20140820013705:s

This would be my first aftermarket cooler install and I don't want it to be too complicated. Could you recommend one with better reviews. Also should I be worried about my case being too small? My case is a "Rosewill REDBONE ATX Mid Tower:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147159&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

This was one of the reasons I was reluctant to ever get an aftermarket cooler. I had heard stories of coolers not fitting in mid towers sometimes and all I have ever owned have been mid-towers. How can I avoid that problem without buying a full tower? Is there a measurement I'm not seeing? There is a physical measurement of the case but not a recommended cooler measurement for the inside. What do I do?