Good budget AM3/AM3+ CPU cooler

[bellybuttonmykol98]

I decided to get a new CPU cooler because although the AMD Phenom II X4 965 BE's stock cooler is good, it is way to loud. I'm looking for a good, cheap AM3/AM3+ CPU cooler that will fit in the Zalman Z9 plus (midi case).I don't know how big the CPU cooler can be because I am unsure of the dimensions. The motherboard will be a Gigabyte GA-970A-D3 AM3+. Any suggestions are welcome.

 

[jemm]

Zalman Z9 plus´dimensions are 19.84" x 8.15" x 18.27" or (464 x 207 x 504 mm) -- the distance from the motherboard tray to the external panel is around 7" -- so a good CPU cooler should not be superior to 7".

Enermax ETD-T60 VEGAS DUO CPU Cooler (Down Flow) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835214027

 

[Lutfij]

7" is 177.8mm so in that respect, I'd go with these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835288001

happy choosing and clocking

 

[jemm]

Another thing you should consider is the distance between the memory and the CPU -- some cooler are do large that they end up touching the memory sticks, specially those memories with high profile heat spread.

 

[Lutfij]

the dark knight has no issue clearing the dimms.

 

[thomashan168]

I decided to get a new CPU cooler because although the AMD Phenom II X4 965 BE's stock cooler is good, it is way to loud. I'm looking for a good, cheap AM3/AM3+ CPU cooler that will fit in the Zalman Z9 plus (midi case).I don't know how big the CPU cooler can be because I am unsure of the dimensions. The motherboard will be a Gigabyte GA-970A-D3 AM3+. Any suggestions are welcome.

YOu may try Thermalright Macho 120. By leaning towards rear of the case, the cooler will stay away from the high profile memory heat spreader.

 

[Lutfij]

that will bang into the heatsink near the I.O panel - and will probably force OP to turn it around, introducing issues with the Dimms

 

[jemm]

If none of the CPU coolers fit your case, then you can try a low profile one, which also won´t get into the memory heat spreader.

Scythe SCKC-2100 Grand Kama Cross Rev B Top-Flow http://www.amazon.com/Scythe-SCKC-2100-Grand-Top-Flow-Cooler/dp/B008A2T27M