Busting my head for a low profile CPU cooler for FX-8320 on the Asus M5A97 R2.0

[TheRipper7]

The pc came with the amd stock cooler which is REALLY loud and can't keep the 8320 cool. It reaches 65 degrees + (measured with hwmonitor) in 30 minutes playing just Xcom. I need a low profile cooler because the HTPC case clears just 110mm in height. I ended up shortlisting the Zalman 8900 Quiet and the Scythe Samurai ZZ Rev .B (both are supposed to handle the 125w tdp of the 8320). But after opening the case, i am not sure if they will fit because of the MB layout.

I measured the clearance I have on the Asus M5A97 R2.0 and it's 125mm from left to right (Depth) and 100mm Width. The Zalman doesn't seem to fit (120 x 120 with no apparent clearance). The Samurai measurements are 94 and 122mm. Can the Samurai be installed any way it fits (reverse the depth and width if necessary)? I also see that the Samurai seems to clear about 30mm from the MB. That should help clear some obstacles like the RAM.

Has anyone fitted any of the above coolers in the same MB or any other low profile cooler?

I appreciate any help.

Anthos

 

[Akhil Potukuchi]

The pc came with the amd stock cooler which is REALLY loud and can't keep the 8320 cool. It reaches 65 degrees + (measured with hwmonitor) in 30 minutes playing just Xcom. I need a low profile cooler because the HTPC case clears just 110mm in height. I ended up shortlisting the Zalman 8900 Quiet and the Scythe Samurai ZZ Rev .B (both are supposed to handle the 125w tdp of the 8320). But after opening the case, i am not sure if they will fit because of the MB layout.

I measured the clearance I have on the Asus M5A97 R2.0 and it's 125mm from left to right (Depth) and 100mm Width. The Zalman doesn't seem to fit (120 x 120 with no apparent clearance). The Samurai measurements are 94 and 122mm. Can the Samurai be installed any way it fits (reverse the depth and width if necessary)? I also see that the Samurai seems to clear about 30mm from the MB. That should help clear some obstacles like the RAM.

Has anyone fitted any of the above coolers in the same MB or any other low profile cooler?

I appreciate any help.

Anthos

Take a look at this :http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=productview&products_id=51&lng=en&set=1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608030&cm_re=l9a-_-35-608-030-_-Product

The specs are:

Socket compatibility AM2(+), AM3(+), FM1, FM2, FM2+
Height (without fan) 23 mm
Width (without fan) 114 mm
Depth (without fan) 92 mm
Height (with fan) 37 mm
Width (with fan) 114 mm
Depth (with fan) 92 mm
Weight (without fan) 390 g
Weight (with fan) 465 g
Material Copper (base and heat-pipes), aluminium (cooling fins), soldered joints & nickel plating
Fan compatibility 92x92x14mm, 92x92x25mm
Scope of Delivery
NF-A9x14 PWM premium fan
Low-Noise Adaptor (L.N.A.)
NT-H1 high-grade thermal compound
SecuFirm2™ Mounting Kit
Screws for 92x92x25mm fans
Noctua Metal Case-Badge
Warranty 6 Years


Fan specifications
Model Noctua NF-A9x14 PWM
Bearing SSO2
Max. Rotational Speed (+/- 10%) 2500 RPM
Max. Rotational Speed with L.N.A. (+/- 10%) 1800 RPM
Min. Rotational Speed (PWM, +/-20%) 600 RPM
Max. Airflow 57,5 m³/h
Max. Airflow with L.N.A. 40,8 m³/h
Max. Acoustical Noise 23,6 dB(A)
Max. Acoustical Noise with L.N.A. 14,8 dB(A)
Input Power 2,52 W
Voltage Range 12 V
MTBF > 150.000
Might be the best lp cooler out there.

 

[TheRipper7]

Thanks for the reply Akhil That's a sure choice and a better one (and more expensive!) but it's not breaking my bank so if I don't find an answer for the Zalman and the Scythe I will have to go with the Noctua you listed.

I will wait another day perhaps...

Thanks.

 

[Akhil Potukuchi]

Thanks for the reply Akhil That's a sure choice and a better one (and more expensive!) but it's not breaking my bank so if I don't find an answer for the Zalman and the Scythe I will have to go with the Noctua you listed.

I will wait another day perhaps...

Thanks.

Dont forget to choose my answer as best solution if you like it.

 

[Taafe]

You could try the Siedon 120v by Cooler Master. It's a small watercooler

 

[TheRipper7]

Well, I installed the Noctua an hour ago. The temps were high so I checked some more about this cooler. After I researched about 20 coolers and their TDP, I did not check about this one :/ The one I bought !@#$!@ This is rated at 65w TDP while the fx8320 is 125w. While this is a great cooler, stay away if you have a big cpu wattage. Don't know if I can return it now that I used it.

If I can, I will see about the Siedon 120v...

 

[Taafe]

Don't get the siedon, I regret even suggesting it to you, it's noisy and unreliable. The best cooler you could find is probably a corsair h100i

 

[TheRipper7]

Well, having the htpc case proves to be a real pain in the a**. Cannot fit any 120x120mm fan on the case either (for water cooling) for even the Seidon...Back to the drawing board...

 

[TheRipper7]

OK, just to wrap this thread in case any other poor guy spends LOTS of hours trying to get a powerful low profile cpu cooler to fit into the M5A97 r2.0. Get the Scythe Samurai ZZ rev b. It's rated for 130w tdp and it fits because the cooler clears more than 30mm which is enough to go above the obstacles. It's also very good priced (was 32 euros) and their support is very good.