AM3 CPU cooling decision

[Megasonic988]

I am faced with a decision between these CPU coolers:

Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 CPU Cooler- http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX25728(ME).aspx

Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus CPU Cooler-
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX25192(ME).aspx

Or, anything from this site under $50- http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/Computers(ME)/ComputerComponents(ME)/Cooling(ME)/CoolingCPU(ME)/Default.aspx?Sort=Price_Asc

I am looking for a great performace vs price cooler, and a nice low sound output would be great too, but not extremely important.

Unless a cooler is extremely better, I would prefer it to bought from the sites above.

Any suggestions? I hear the Freezer Pro is really quiet but not a commonly used cooler but the 212 is a little loud and hard to install. Comments?

EDIT: by the way, does the Hyper 212 Plus come with a thermal paste?

 

[iggybeans]

I have an earlier version of the first, but I'll second the vote for the second. The standard fans nice (and it would be easier to replace if it ever went bad).

Free shipping's nice too!

 

[saint19]

+1 for the Hyper 212.

 

[Megasonic988]

I have an earlier version of the first, but I'll second the vote for the second. The standard fans nice (and it would be easier to replace if it ever went bad).

How did your first cooler go? And compared to the 212+, is it better?

 

[Traumahead]

Thanks for the insight guys. Just so happens this is on amazon and its prime eligible.

Just got my computer all hooked up today thinking stock heatsink would be fine. Then i turned it on.

Even my Antec P193 cant quell this loud little bastard.

Got the CM 212 shipping overnight. Thanks again.

 

[blaze15301]

hmm if yoru looking for somethign great under 50 id go with this one http://cmstore.coolermaster-usa.com/product_info.php?cPath=18_37_4&products_id=210

i have it and love add a second fan and its a beast.
my temps on a amd phenom 3 720 oc to 3.6 are 26c idle and 35c under load barley hit 40c
id add a screen shot but the ram died on me
that cooler on the link is 20 bucks its really ahrd to beat it kinda matches the v8 on performance

 

[Kochevnik]

Scythe Mugen 2

BenchmarkReviews did a pretty exhaustive test of best AM3 coolers (stock and with aftermarket fans) and the Scythe came up #1 in both - and it's just $35 plus $7 shipping at NewEgg.

 

[OvrClkr]

The 212+ is in the TOP 10 sinks for only 30.00$....

And it does not interfere with ram slots on most boards....

 

[Megasonic988]

Best answer selected by Megasonic988.