Question: Austin asks; "I was wondering if you all have ever tested the stock AMD cooler provided with processor's such as the AMD Phenom II 955? I'm trying to find the specs (width, height, depth) so I can figure out how much bigger I can go for my small slim case. I've tried measuring with a tape measure and I know the depth is 92mm but that is all I can tell."
Answer: The AMD Phenom
II 955 BE is a 125W chip so you want a fairly powerful heatsink.
The dimensions of the OEM heatsink (AVC AV-Z7UH40Q001) aren't really the deciding factor, you're limited by the internal dimensions of your slim case, provided there is enough space around the margins of the heatsink so it can comfortably intake and exhaust air.
In other words, any
socket AMD heatsink that fits inside the case and is designed for 125W CPU Thermal Design Power (TDP) will be fine. Many low profile heatsinks are made for 85W TDP or 65W TDP, which means they will not properly cool that
chip.
Looking at the best Low Profile AMD heatsinks (sub-92mm tall) tested on Frostytech, it breaks down like this:
- AVC Z7U7414001 - 17.0C (rise over ambient temperature)
- Coolermaster GeminII S - 18.3C
- Zalman CNPS8700
LED - 19.5C
- Thermaltake Venus 12 - 21.7C
- CoolJag SFO-Q - 22.2C
- Cooljag SFO-H - 23.6C
- AVC Z7U3301 - 24.6C
- Zalman CNPS7500-Cu
LED - 25.0C
- Coolage Frozen Orb
2924HDC - 25.3C
- Thermaltake DuOrb - 25.6C
- OCZ Tempest - 26.0C
- Scythe Big
Shuriken - 26.2C
All are under 92mm tall, but several may be too
wide for slim PC cases (see the individual reviews on Frostytech
for details and noise figures). Basically, the stock AMD heatsink is likely
the best performing option where this height limitation is considered. The Scythe Big
Shuriken is the quietest of the bunch (39.6 dBA).
