CPU factory cooler, or third party?

[CkClark]

Hi, I have a AMD Phenom II X4 970. This is my first build.

The most stressful things I would probably run are BF3, and maybe some heavy video

rendering. Perhaps crossfire on my gpu's in the future.

I don't plan to overclock my CPU, its frightens me. And I'm a computer noob.

Should I keep the fan and heatsink the CPU came with, or spend slightly extra on a "better"

one?

 

[Deleted member 184142]

No reason to get a "better" one if you do not plan on OCing, the only reason other than OCing is if the stock unit is to loud for you, then getting a good 120mm tower cooler would help reduce noise etc. But unless you fall into either of those, the stock cooler should do fine for you.

 

[ZodaEX]

Agreed. My rig is so silent that the only thing you can ever hear are my hdds seek sounds.

 

[Deleted member 184142]

Agreed. My rig is so silent that the only thing you can ever hear are my hdds seek sounds.

Indeed, everyone is different, when I was getting a VR I was worried about it being a 10k RPM drive and being loud, everyone said "nah, they are not bad at all", and I guess either their systems are really loud, or they just don't notice, because when I turn on my computer, it (the VR) sounds like a jet engine taking off followed by a machine gun trying to shoot it down. It's by far the loudest thing in my system.

 

[cj3waker]

Indeed, everyone is different, when I was getting a VR I was worried about it being a 10k RPM drive and being loud, everyone said "nah, they are not bad at all", and I guess either their systems are really loud, or they just don't notice, because when I turn on my computer, it (the VR) sounds like a jet engine taking off followed by a machine gun trying to shoot it down. It's by far the loudest thing in my system.

you, my friend, need some SSD goodness in your life

 

[Hatsuharu]

Stock HSF is fine if you aren't going to overclock, but if you can afford it there are some good <$30 HSF out that will keep your CPU cooler and most likely be a bit quieter than stock. Never huts to have stuff cooler and quieter!

 

[cyclone3d]

Stock HSF is fine if you aren't going to overclock, but if you can afford it there are some good <$30 HSF out that will keep your CPU cooler and most likely be a bit quieter than stock. Never huts to have stuff cooler and quieter!

This is very true IF you are using an Intel setup as Intel stock coolers are steaming piles of poo.

Unless AMD has changed their coolers recently, the stock ones are fine even for a mild overclock.. say 400Mhz over stock or maybe a bit more.

Intel stock coolers on the other hand, produce unacceptable temps with the stock coolers when the CPU has a heavy load on it at default speeds.

 

[ZodaEX]

Indeed, everyone is different, when I was getting a VR I was worried about it being a 10k RPM drive and being loud, everyone said "nah, they are not bad at all", and I guess either their systems are really loud, or they just don't notice, because when I turn on my computer, it (the VR) sounds like a jet engine taking off followed by a machine gun trying to shoot it down. It's by far the loudest thing in my system.

I've heard that it helps to remove that icepack heatsink from the VR because it causes vibrations if you leave it on.

 

[decripple]

Personally I think the stock heatsink is plenty at stock speeds especially in a case with good airflow to help it out. I have an X4 965BE and at stock settings the stock heatsink was fine. Also, keeping the stock heatsink keeps your warranty.

 

[Deleted member 184142]

you, my friend, need some SSD goodness in your life

I would love one, but at the time I need at least 250GB for OS drive, and the cost of a 200gb+ SSD was quite high, so I picked up a 600GB VR, thinking about trying out an SSD on my laptop as I can live with a 120GB on there, and prices have dropped allot on the 120-160gb SSD's.

I've heard that it helps to remove that icepack heatsink from the VR because it causes vibrations if you leave it on.

Never heard of that, but removing that will void warranty, also, this is head noise I hear, so I am doubtful its going to help with that, it's not case vibration noise.

 

[ZodaEX]

Never heard of that, but removing that will void warranty, also, this is head noise I hear, so I am doubtful its going to help with that, it's not case vibration noise.

Your doubtful that will help are you? Just read what Mike Chan has to say, the hands down expert on silent computer for over 10 years. His Quote:

The IcePack has two functions, both directly related to sales and marketing:​

1. It make the Velociraptor's native small size a non-factor for the potential DIY/enthusiast buyer.
2. It gives the Velociraptor a unique look and style that most PC enthusiasts, with their previous exposure to and experience with aftermarket heatsinks, will perceive as cool, powerful,and even sexy. It's for marketing appeal.

The tiniest bit of airflow across this drive (without the IcePack) is enough to keep it under a perfectly safe 40°C in a typical case. (We tried it.) As it stands, the IcePack is a joke, acoustically, adding all kinds of tonal, resonant harmonics excited by the vibrations of the drive.

Source for this information: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article844-page1.html
​

 

[djsi]

A stock cpu cooler is fine,but make sure you have a good flow through air design.