What would be the best CPU cooling device form me?

korinu

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I recently built a new system and I'm looking for upgradable areas. My CPU is going to come first in the line so I need some advice on a good heat-sink/fan option that will fit my requirements. As of now I am running it with the stock AMD heat-sink; I'm wanting to overclock a bit but my main concern is silence. I watch movies on my computer via my HD TV a lot so noise reduction becomes key(as not to mess up my cinematic experience :D). Noise also becomes an annoyance to me when i just play games. I understand I'm never going to reach a 100% or even almost fully silent system, but i want to get as close as a can. I've looked into liquid cooling but I don't have the money or, for the systems i looked at, the space. My system is semi cramped atm and I'm planning on another GPU so space is an issue. However I do have decent space for a good CPU cooling device. My case has a 190mm fan on the side but there is a good 4-5 inches from my current AMD stock heat-sink to the mountings of the fan and a good 2-2.5 inches to the fan on the top of my case. The top fan will be removed once i get a new CPU cooler so about 3 inches or so. Sorry this took so long to say I'll get to my requirements and details.

1. Current CPU: Phenom 955 BE (C3 stepping version) running at stock settings (3.2ghz)
■idle temp is 38-40C
■50% load is 40-45C
■100% on a prime 95 test got up to 61ish

2. Wanting to Overclock to 4.0ghz (not needing to go over)
■The 955 is known to get to 4ghz and above easy on air (from what i know)

3. Needs to be quiet as can be
■Most important part for me.

4. Size matters a little
■I would prefer a smaller cooler. The smallest one that meets my requirements would be nice. nothing like some of scythes coolers those are just to monstrous.

5. Motherboard is AMD3/AMD2+

6. Liquid Cooling
■as i said before i would prefer just a heat-sink/fan but if anyone can aim me towards a nice and not to expensive liquid cooling system and some good info on them I'm willing to change my mind.
■All in ones are ok becasue no tubes and junk

7. Price
■Of course cheaper would be better but don't worry to much about the price as long as it's under like $75. Most ones I've seen are under $50 so it's no big deal.

8. Ones I've been looking at.
■ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic CPU Cooler
■XIGMATEK AIO-S80DP All-in-one liquid cooling system (i know its liquid but it's a simple all in one no tube thing so that's ok)

Sorry this was so long I just want to get everything i can out there. It's a long read but I'm hoping it all helps you help me. I also apologize if I'm too demanding or grumpy sounding, it's not what i intended. I just wanted to get this done in as little words as possible. Also any information on other components or tips to keeping my system cool and quiet would be much appreciated.

Thank you
 
Solution
Liquid cooling will oviously not fit into your budget and I would not reomend it anyway it can be really unreliable and cause damage to components. The artic cooling freezer 7 is really loud great cooler but loud.

Couple of my favorites.

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

35-103-065-S01


ZALMAN 9500A-LED 92mm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118223

35-118-223-TS


Tuniq Tower 120 Extreme Universal CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154011...
Liquid cooling will oviously not fit into your budget and I would not reomend it anyway it can be really unreliable and cause damage to components. The artic cooling freezer 7 is really loud great cooler but loud.

Couple of my favorites.

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

35-103-065-S01


ZALMAN 9500A-LED 92mm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118223

35-118-223-TS


Tuniq Tower 120 Extreme Universal CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154011

35-154-011-TS


I like the Tuniq tower its what I use but make sure you can fit it but all the ones I listed are great coolers and are really quiet.
 
Solution

Look

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I would either recommend the Hyper 212+, or even check out Sunbeam's Core-Contact Freezer. I am thinking about trying the Sunbeam on my 955 BE+ C2 stepping, my AC Freezer 64 Pro is disappointing.
 

RazberyBandit

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A great website to see what's what in the world of CPU cooling is FrostyTech. They review LOTS of CPU coolers. Start here with their top5 for each brand:
http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm
(It's actually a top 10)

I'd stay away from that Arctic Freezer 7 Pro if you intend to OC. They're only rated to a max of 130W TDP. The 955BE is 125W at stock settings.

Surprisingly, Xigmatek S1283/1284 coolers still perform very well and are quite affordable.
 

korinu

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Wow, thank you very much for the great info. I like the Tuniq too it looks awesome and from what I've read it's damn-near silent and powerful as well. It should fit in my case I've got a decent amount of room for an upgrade. I have a Rosewell Cruiser and there's a pretty good amount of space.

Also would buying some new and better thermal paste for my stock HSF (Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound maybe?) make a difference in my temps? Sadly i cannot afford the whole cooler now but i can buy some compound. I've read about good compounds really helping but I've had a friend (many years working in building/programing computers) say it's no big deal.
 

korinu

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Yeah a -3 or 4 degrees would be nice.
Thank you very much to your help, and everyone else who helped. I believe i have got my answer