Suggestion for FM1-socket cooler (low-noise preferably)?

[Mr_Torture]

First hello to everyone, as this is my first post here.

Now, few months ago I built a mid-range system, for graphic design purposes mainly, and not so much for gaming.
My apu of choice was AMD A6-3670k, because I'm old-time AMD customer, and from past experience I learned that I'll be getting the best value for given money.
However, one thing I never liked about AMDs, is their stock cooling system. It tends to be noisy in every generation of their CPUs, and it's the same with this processor.

I'm working in quiet environment mostly, and also my system is placed in the height of my head, when I'm sitting.
So the stock fan that came bundled with this processor heatsink, tends to be extremely noisy when CPU is under heavy load, and also it produces some kind of purring/clicking sound on higher speeds.
It's really starting to get on my nerves, so I want to change it, and if I'm already about to change fan, I will change the whole cooler.

So do you have any suggestion for aftermarket cooler equipped with standard AMD sockets clipping system, as I'm not really in mood of disassembling the whole system, just to put some fancy cooler.
And what do you think about this one from CM (I can get it for 20 pounds in local store):
http://www.coolermaster.com/product.php?product_id=6740
And generally, what are your experiences with those heat-pipes coolers. Do they really provide better cooling, or they are just another eye-candy marketing product.

 

[simon12]

The TX3 is a good balance of price/performance/noise/size but is not as quiet as some others. Heat pipe coolers are the best for cooling. If you just want low noise and similar cooling to the stock fan look at something like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spire-Universal-Omni-Directional-Aluminium-700-2000RPM/dp/B00A25PB34/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1361444979&sr=1-3
This is quieter than the tx3 but same size http://www.amazon.co.uk/performance-contact-pipes-Universal-fittings-Processor/dp/B007SSXRQ6/ref=sr_1_10?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1361445142&sr=1-10
This is a quieter version of the larger 212 EVO which will give you great cooling aswell http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spire-SP996S1-V1-PWM-CoolGate-2011/dp/B007FCEOGW/ref=sr_1_12?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1361445221&sr=1-12
Note I am the seller so biased but these are quieter eqivalents to the coolermaster products.

 

[Mr_Torture]

Thanks for suggestions Simon.

First, thanks for demistifying heat-pipes efficiency to me (even I'm soon-to-be graduated in IT).
Simply, this will be my first heat-pipes based cooler, and real-life experience can't be matched by any theory.

Second, all three coolers seem to be nice option, but as I decided to go with heat-pipes this time, second and third are option here.
The only thing is, there is quite limited choice of Spire coolers in my city local stores. Thermaltake and CM are almost the exclusive choice.
I'm limited to literally few very cheap Spire models, and niether of them is one from your list.
I will try to search further to see if there are any other Spire coolers in my local stores.

In the meantime, do you have any experience with those few, which are also available in stock:
Thermaltake ISGC200 (I'm not sure is this one equipped with clipping system):
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00001388
CM Blizzard T2 (this one is very cheap):
http://www.coolermaster.com/product.php?product_id=6826
Thermaltake Contac 39 (the most expensive here). Also, I'm not sure about this one having clipping system, even it is shown in one picture:
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00001824

Thanks again.

 

[das_stig]

If your after low profile, quiet but good cooling ..

Scythe "Big Shuriken 2" CPU Cooler

http://www.scythe-usa.com/product/cpu/120/scbsk2000_index.html

 

[Mr_Torture]

If your after low profile, quiet but good cooling ..

Scythe "Big Shuriken 2" CPU Cooler

http://www.scythe-usa.com/product/cpu/120/scbsk2000_index.html

Yes, but this one is not having standard AMD clipping system of mounting, and with this price, it's not worth taking off mobo and disassembling everything.

If I'm about to buy some high-end premium cooler, then maybe it would be worth taking off the mobo, but this way, buying a budget cooler, I will try to find one not needing the motherboard to be taken off.

 

[simon12]

If you want something that clips to the standard AMD mount the TX3 is most likely your best bet. Most tower coolers are to heavy for the standard mount and you can always get a quieter fan for the TX3 if its to loud (its a standard 90mm case fan). The T2 one you mention is very loud and runs at full speed all the time, at least the TX3 has PWM so it runs slower when the CPUs not that hot.

 

[Mr_Torture]

If you want something that clips to the standard AMD mount the TX3 is most likely your best bet. Most tower coolers are to heavy for the standard mount and you can always get a quieter fan for the TX3 if its to loud (its a standard 90mm case fan). The T2 one you mention is very loud and runs at full speed all the time, at least the TX3 has PWM so it runs slower when the CPUs not that hot.

Thanks.
Then I will probably go with TX3... IF in the meantime (meaning next few days) I don't decide to go with bigger/better cooler (because I will OC this processor sooner or later).
Also, I'm limited to about 155-158mm cooler height with my Thermaltake V3 BlackX case, so I must count on that too.

Anyway, thanks for help. Finding out that there is no much (good) coolers with clipping system is helpful information also.
Like I said, I never was that much into this "cpu cooler" business, so all informations I gathered here will be helpfull.

 

[simon12]

High end tower coolers with 120mm fans are always around 160mm or more so the TX3 is a very good choice it may limit your overclock slightly but not much. #so it looks like you found the correct cooler without any advice anyway. v Good luck with it.

 

[Mr_Torture]

High end tower coolers with 120mm fans are always around 160mm or more so the TX3 is a very good choice it may limit your overclock slightly but not much. #so it looks like you found the correct cooler without any advice anyway. v Good luck with it.

Two days ago I went to buy TX3, just to find out that it's out of stock for now.
So, considering the budget I'm willing to sacrifice, the only choice left is this Thermaltake's one:
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00001388
It's a bit more expensive, and it's equipped with AMD clipping system, but it's not a looker, compared to TX3.
I guess I'll wait for few more days to make a decision.

 

[Mr_Torture]

I have to revive this thread again.

I was planning all this cooler replacement, without even taking a proper look on my case's right side, with panel taken off.
So I just thought, since this (Thermaltake V3 BlackX) is actually a gaming case, why wouldn't I look what lies beneath right side panel, and I took it off.

And I just saw that there is a cutout on the place of CPU cooler mounting support:
http://imageshack.us/a/img823/9772/dsc06674h.jpg

So, now I guess my quest for cooler with AMD clipping system was unnecessary?
I should be able to mount any cooler now (with FM1 socket support), without taking my motherboard off, right?
I guess someone with greater experience with cpu cooler replacement could confirm, or deny my guess above.