shutdown - How can I know I'm buying a heatsink that will work with my CPU?

05
2014-04
  • Mike Peshka

    How can I find out what CPU heatsink and fan will work for my system?

    If a system is shutting down after being used extensively for gaming or other intensive activities, I would assume it is over heating. How can I find the proper type of heat sink and fan for my system?

    • Answers
  • Bon Gart

    Yeah... good advice. Know your socket. At least it sounds like good advice, until you realize there like a gazillion coolers out there, all that will work on your socket. Hell, without trying to shop FOR you, I can tell you that THIS is your processor, and it is socket LGA775. Heck, you could use the after market cooler I'm using with my AMD Phenom II x6 T1100... since it is a great cooler, and it works with a multitude of sockets. But, then I'm recommending a product, and that is approaching the whole shopping prohibition.

    You are afraid that your computer is shutting down due to overheating. Well, first of all, the stock heat sink and fan that comes with a processor when you buy the retail package is nothing to get psyched about, but it is more than adequate to cool the CPU.

    So, as has kind of been pointed out to you already, you need to actually examine what your temperatures are. Which means your question should really be...

    How do I find out if I need a new heat sink?

    First, you start with a program like Speedfan. You see what your temperatures are currently at. Then, if you are actually overheating, you take a close look at your existing heat sink and how it is mounted. For all you know, it might not be seated properly on the processor. There might not be an even, thin layer of thermal paste between the processor and the heat sink. The fan might not be spinning properly, or mounted on the heat sink right. There might even be a ton of dust within the heat sink that is keeping the air from flowing through it.

    So, more important than posting the specs for your video card, you should be posting your current temps. Pics of your heat sink. Pics of what your processor looks like immediately after pulling your heat sink off.

  • Canadian Luke

    First, get the model of your CPU or your motherboard.

    For a CPU model, we will check with AMD or Intel, and search for the CPU.

    For a Motherboard model, we will check with the various manufacturer's web sites. Some are listed below for reference:

    1. Intel
    2. Asus
    3. MSI
    4. ASRock
    5. Gigabyte

    There may be more, but these are the top 5 I have seen lately. Note that OEM brands (i.e. HP, Dell, etc) usually use other company's motherboards, and this should not affect that choice.

    Once we know the model of either or, we can find the socket type for that combination. On the specifications page or PDF for that CPU or motherboard, look for the socket type. For modern AMD sockets, it will be in the form of AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+ or even FM1. For Intels, the modern socket types include LGA775, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1366 and LGA2011. Write down this number and take it to the computer shop or site of your choice.

    Most 3rd party brand heat sinks support multiple socket types. Check with the product to see if it includes your socket type before you purchase it. As well, many of them will require the motherboards to be removed before installing an aftermarket heat sink/fan assembly. As @MichaelHampton pointed out in the comments though, some cases will allow access under the CPU for this exact reason. Even if it does, you can do whatever is easier to get the backplate in properly

  • CharlieRB

    Welcome to Superuser, Mike. Per the FAQ this is not a place for purchasing recommendations.

    But what I can tell you is you need to know is what type of socket the processor uses. Per Intel, your processor is a socket 775. Heatsinks and fans are are very common for this socket style.


    • Related Question

    amd - How to choose a CPU heatsink?
  • LoveMeSomeCode

    Ok, I've never really thought much about heatsinks, but now mine is crapping out and I'm looking around seeing these monster copper things, and people warning about compatibility and such.

    So, I have an AMD 64 X2 4400+ right now, and I need a new heatsink. Any idea which is the best one for the money? I'd rather get something mid-range - not the cheapy ones they sell you with the chip, and not 100$ or involving water.

    Also, this is (I think) an AM2 chip in an AM2+ socket, so I'm thinking about getting a Phenom II AM2+ chip in the future, so is there a good heatsink that will work now AND with the Phenom, or does it only depend on the mobo?


    • Related Answers
  • BenA

    The Artic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro is very well thought of, and covers you for both now the current and future processors. Best of all it won't break the bank ($28 on NewEgg)!

  • Troggy

    First, if you want to save a few bucks, depending on your current heatsink/fan design (some are combined and not seperated easily), you might be able to just replace the fan. You said it was dying, and I assume you meant the fan on the heatsink is dying. Got any pictures of information about your current setup?

    Without actualy recommending an exact heatsink as there are many out there, here are some things to consider:

    • Price range
    • Make sure to use proper thermal paste application
    • Size of case. Make sure to check the dimentions of the heatsink and your case. (some heatsink and fans are really big)
    • Placement of cpu socket on motherboard. You need to remember how your motherboard is laid out. Some heatsinks and fans are meant to direct airflow a certain way and your case may not be designed for it. Some heatsinks are very large and may have fins or pipes that may run into RAM or other motherboard pieces.
    • Fan noise. This is one thing that people overlook sometimes. If you don't care, don't worry about it. If you do, make sure to pay attention to db levels of fans on heatsinks. If you want quiet and performance. Large heatsinks with large fans @ slow rpm's is the way to go.
    • Many of the heatsinks will be made for multiple sockets and come with different socket adapters, so just make sure it supports your socket type. (AM2+)

    It would be helpful to know which motherboard you have also.

  • William Hilsum

    I pretty much find the best one is the one that comes with it. When you look up the price of a special or moded fan, you are better off just spending that extra on a better ventilated case or buying a couple of low noise case fans.

  • hanleyp

    Once you meet the thermal specifications required by your processor and you aren't overclocking, pretty much any of the AM2/AM2+ heatsinks (newegg.com link) will work. Some specifications (many are related) to keep in mind are [This list is similar to Troggy's, but I feel it is different enough to post from my point of view]:

    • 3-pin or 4-pin fan header. 4-pin fan headers are newer and have a separate PWM to control the fan, but your motherboard needs to support it.
    • Fan Control. Does your motherboard support fan control? If so, does it recommend any specific type of fan?
    • Fan Speed. Usually the faster the fan speed, the louder the fan. Large fans are slower and smaller fans are faster. Fan control above will adjust the fan speed to meet temperature thresholds.
    • Air Flow Direction. Which direction does the fan's air flow go? You want it to go over the hot spots on the board like the core regulator (look for the 3-5 inductors + bunch of capacitor cans typically lined up near the processor). Your motherboard may give guidance.
    • LFM. The higher the LFM, the better, typically.
    • Mechanical Clearance. Does the fan shape fit the motherboard component placement?
    • Thermal Compound. Many heatsinks today already have the thermal compound on the heatsink ready to be installed. But, if the one you select doesn't, then get some. Shin-Etsu is typically what I've seen specified (before it came on the heatsinks), but there are many products that are acceptable.

    A "barebones" processor heatsink manufacturer that I have lots of experience with is Ajigo. Any of their "K8 Coolers" with AM2 designators will work. Also, a lot of heatsink fans from different manufacturers are actually made by Delta.

  • Ryan

    You don't mention overclocking anywhere in your post. If you don't want to overclock the chip then the stock fan and heatsink will be perfectly fine.