Can anyone recommend a good cooler for GB 870A-UD3?

[olegsomphane]

I'm stuck between these:

Scythe Katana 3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185096&Tpk=katana3

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

Arctic Cooling Freezer 7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

At first I was learning towards the Katana 3, but then I read somewhere that it does not have the right mounting bracket for a Gibabyte 870A-UD3 / Phenom X6 1055T. So, could anyone help me find a good cooling solution that will fit me?

 

[xoke]

I'm stuck between these:

Scythe Katana 3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185096&Tpk=katana3

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

Arctic Cooling Freezer 7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

At first I was learning towards the Katana 3, but then I read somewhere that it does not have the right mounting bracket for a Gibabyte 870A-UD3 / Phenom X6 1055T. So, could anyone help me find a good cooling solution that will fit me?

Out of those I would go with the Coolermaster. If you can find it somewhere else it's about $20 bucks cheaper though...NewEgg jacked up the price after Maximum PC praised it. It used to sell for like $29. I'm about 90% sure it will fit on that board.

 

[trents]

How wide is your case (outside dimension) from side to side. This is important to know when considering the large coolers because they will not fit in cases skinner than about 8".

 

[olegsomphane]

It is an Antec Nine Hundred (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129064)

Dimensions speced at (L x W x H) 18.40" x 8.10" x 19.40"

Or do you guys think I should keep the stock cooler?

 

[QuietIce]

If you're going to overclock you will need better cooling than stock. If you're not going to OC then the stock cooler should be OK.


For those watching their money I suggest the Sunbeam CCT 120mm. According to both Tom's and FrostyTech it's better than the Hyper212 Plus for performance but they're close enough on the charts to not matter much. The Sunbeam is easier to mount and it's cheaper than the Hyper212+ as well - for me that's a no-brainer.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/lga-1156-heatsink,2535-14.html
http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2521&page=4

On the other end is the TRUE Black Rev.C and a couple of Panaflo 120x38mm fans (or the medium speed fans for a hair less performance and noise). You won't find better cooling but it isn't a cheap solution by far. (Note the TRUE does not come with it's own fans so if you're going to compare be sure to note what fans the tester has chosen to use with it!! Most testers use what I'd call wimpy fans. )

It's up to you and your budget which way you want to go here. The TRUE (with those fans) will probably lower temps an extra 5°C over most "budget" coolers including the Sunbeam and Hyper212 but it not only costs more - you'll probably need to upgrade your rear case fan as well ...

 

[olegsomphane]

I just read through I bunch of the descriptions of all these coolers, and wanted to ask if there was one that was better than stock, would fit my case/motherboard, and can use the stock clips? I am not sure if I'm asking for too much, since I have been out of the game for a while and things have changed so much...

 

[QuietIce]

The Sunbeam CCT 120mm (see above) uses the stock clips. You'll have to check the dimensions to see if it'll fit your case ...