Can anyone recommend a cooler for my E8400?

[RyanS2000]

I recently built my sig rig and I had a really hard time attaching the stock intel cooler to the mobo. It is on there and feels secure but when I look at the bottom of the clips, it doesnt look like the black part of the clip is through as far as it should be. I really want to upgrade my cooler anyway so I figured I would replace it with something nicer.

Can anyone recommend a cost-efficient cooler that installs via clips\screws and can provide cooling for some OC'ing if I choose to?

Also, my northbridge feels like it is running very hot and I was going to order a 40mm fan to put on it. How would I go about attaching it to the stock headsink? I took the temp of the heatsink using an infrared thermo and it red 55.55C. Is that too hot or is it ok?

Mobo is gigabyte ga-p35-ds3l

 

[spathotan]

I put a AC7 Pro on my wifes PC i built 2 days ago, same processor as you. Its idling at around 36c at the stock 3.0ghz. Eventhough it uses pushpins I have to say it went on preety damn easy, and the cooler isnt anywhere near as large as it looks in the pictures.

 

[Xpyrofuryx]

I definately recommend this cooler: Xigmatek 92mm Rifle CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233001
This thing has great design, copper tubes running up into aluminum fins above the socket, with a powerful, but extremely quiet 92mm fan mounted on the fins cooling them. The fan is powerful and silent, pushing 39-54.6 CFM and only producing 23-35 dBa in sound.

Definately recommend this cooler. I have it used on my 9850BE clocked at 2.7Ghz and it idles at 33C, and I have it on my Q6600 at 3.2Ghz and it idles at i think 35C (dont remember my Q6600 temp exactly)

And best thing of all, its $27!

 

[HyperBladeST]

yeah and the AC7 is pretty quiet. I got mine on my E6550 (@2.8Ghz) and it runs at 27-29C idle and 39-42C on max load. It's cheap, easy to install and the thermal paste that come pre-applied is very good (Arctic Cooling MX-2).

But the AC7 won't cool the chipset like the stock cooler does so yes it might be a good idea to direct some air on the chipset.

 

[Yoosty]

Check out these CPU Coolers below.
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail $36.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

You should also get this for the Xigmatak CPU Cooler. Since it Protect and prevent the MB from binding.
XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket - Retail $6.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019

Or this one from OCZ.
OCZ OCZTVEND2 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835202007

Plus this Theraml Compound.
OCZ OCZTFRZTC Freeze Extreme Thermal Conductivity Compound - Retail $6.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835202006

Here are 2 Reviews that you should read before deciding below.

Vendetta 2 vs TRUE vs HDT-S1283
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=156&Itemid=47

33-Way Thermal Interface Material Comparison
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=138&Itemid=47

Hope this helped you some.

 

[halcyon]

+1.5

In fact, less than 2 hours ago I picked up a Vendetta2 from MicroCenter that I'm going to try with various fans to see if it whack's my TRUE with better cooling and less weight...It should, given the Benchmark Reviews article. Me thinking is that me Q9450 really should be resting @ 3.6Ghz under 65C while under stress, but my ambients might not support that.

Xig or Vendetta 2 or Sunbeam Core Contact Cooler. All of these HeatPipe Direct Touch type coolers are really good bang for the buck. Thank goodness for evolution.

I'd not bother with the Artic Freezer Pro 7 given its HDT competition, even though its still a good cooler. If it was $15-20 it'd have merit based on its price. ...but for $25+ ...na....