Best cooling solution for socket AM2?

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Kevin5255

Limp Gawd
Joined
Feb 14, 2006
Messages
393
I'm not really satisfied with my CPU sitting above 35C with a 10% overclock. Although it may be my case (which i will replace soon), I want to know the best cooling solution i can get for my socket AM2 processor. I plan on overclocking this processor as much as I can, at least to 3GHz, so I want the best cooler for my CPU as possible. I don't mind noise, but would like it to be quiet if possible.
 
Try a Thermalright Ultra 120 Extereme (TRUE) with a 1,200rpm Scythe S-flex..... or if room is tight you can also try the Thermalright Ultima 90 with the same fan. Also... what are your load temps?
 
My X2 3800 is overclocked to 2.6ghz and idles at 36C with a Zalman 7000 Cu and room temp of 78F, so you are doing pretty good imho?

Maybe you have to do some of that exotic lapping of the heatsink and cpu surface to get it any better.
 
Copyright said:
Try a Thermalright Ultra 120 Extereme (TRUE) with a 1,200rpm Scythe S-flex..... or if room is tight you can also try the Thermalright Ultima 90 with the same fan. Also... what are your load temps?
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That would work except, mounting a 120mm fan on the Ultima-90 makes it just as tall as the TRUE. A good 92mm fan will keep it where it needs to be.

Also, just remember you won't get sub-ambient temperatures with air cooling alone. 35C is quite low for a modern processor (except the VIA chips) and I wouldn't worry about it until it reaches 50-60C at load.
 
skizzled said:
That would work except, mounting a 120mm fan on the Ultima-90 makes it just as tall as the TRUE. A good 92mm fan will keep it where it needs to be.

Also, just remember you won't get sub-ambient temperatures with air cooling alone. 35C is quite low for a modern processor (except the VIA chips) and I wouldn't worry about it until it reaches 50-60C at load.
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Why does it matter if it makes it as tall? In Anandtech's review the 120mm fan on the Ultima 90 reached lower temps compared to the 92mm fan. Not to mention he said he wants it quiet as possible.. 120mm Scythe S-flex will move more air more quietly compared to a 92mm fan. I only mentioned the Ultima 90 becuase it is 10-15$ cheaper then the TRUE. Ive used both heatsinks with the same fan. There is more clearence with the ultima 90 even with the 120mm fan mounted.
 
Copyright said:
Why does it matter if it makes it as tall? In Anandtech's review the 120mm fan on the Ultima 90 reached lower temps compared to the 92mm fan. Not to mention he said he wants it quiet as possible.. 120mm Scythe S-flex will move more air more quietly compared to a 92mm fan. I only mentioned the Ultima 90 becuase it is 10-15$ cheaper then the TRUE. Ive used both heatsinks with the same fan. There is more clearence with the ultima 90 even with the 120mm fan mounted.
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The reason I brought up the size is because a TRUE might not fit in every single situation. You have to take into account not everyone has space for one of those, especially as the OP never said which case they use. Don't get me wrong, I love my Ultima-90.
 
skizzled said:
The reason I brought up the size is because a TRUE might not fit in every single situation. You have to take into account not everyone has space for one of those, especially as the OP never said which case they use. Don't get me wrong, I love my Ultima-90.
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I hear ya... Ultima 90 is a beast with either fan.
 
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