AM3 PCU coolers

**Too Much Damage** · 12-15-09, 01:22 AM

I was looking for a new cooler for my AMD Phenom II because the stock cooler is really fucking loud.

Do AM2 compatable coolers work on AM3 chipsets?

also dose anyone have any suggestions for a cooler?

And while I am here thermalcompound how much does the $9 tube work better than the $4 tube?

**Veovis** · 12-15-09, 01:59 AM

Originally Posted by Too Much Damage

And while I am here thermalcompound how much does the $9 tube work better than the $4 tube?

That's like asking which spark plug is better, the $9 one or the $4 one. Price is just a number, and there are literally 100's of kinds of thermal paste out there, ranging from crap to awesome. I saw one funny set of benchmarks done on [H]OCP that compared a dozen or so popular compounds and just for good measure included an extra option - a slice of american cheese (which actually did good in most tests where it wasn't overclocked).

Even better than that test though, here are 80 Thermal Pastes Tested. Enjoy. You asked for it.

**Too Much Damage** · 12-15-09, 05:33 AM

well i do want to overclock at some point so i will skip on the american cheese for now.

**WileECyte** · 12-15-09, 11:38 AM

Socket AM2 and AM3 are pin-compatible, so yes, AM2 coolers will work for AM3 processors. Just make sure the heatsink is rated for the speed/wattage of your CPU. In my experience, as long as you go with a 'quality' brand like Arctic Silver, you should be good. The key to thermal compound/grease is not to use too much or too little.