AM2 - AM3 Clips

[seefizzle]

I have an OCZ cpu cooler. It specifically states that it is compatible with AM2 sockets. I have an AM3 board and chip. It has that rocking clip connector deal on it. Does anyone know if the AM2 and AM3 clip connectors are the same? I would hate to go through all the trouble to disconnect my current CPU cooler if it the clips won't match up.

Also, how do I go about disconnecting the current cooler from the chip? Do I take the entire chip and cooler out together then pry them apart? Or can I pry the cooler off while the chip is still in the board? As well, what's the best way to remove the residual thermal paste?

I have an AMD Phenom x4 965. The Cooler on it now is the stock cooler. It is the loudest part of my entire computer. It kills me. I have the HAF 932 case, which has massive fans that are as silent as a whisper. The stock cooler is the only thing that really makes any noise.

 

[mfarrukh]

You cannot put a AM2 socket cooler on AM3 socket CPU

 

[enzo matrix]

You cannot put a AM2 socket cooler on AM3 socket CPU

Really?
The plastic mounting looks the same on AM2, AM2+ and AM3.
I can put my AM2 cooler on my AM2+ board.
I can put my AM3 cooler on my AM2+ board.

Can you back up what you are saying?

 

[mfarrukh]

Really?
The plastic mounting looks the same on AM2, AM2+ and AM3.
I can put my AM2 cooler on my AM2+ board.
I can put my AM3 cooler on my AM2+ board.

Can you back up what you are saying?

Sorry for that.
The reason for that is I read it on a website while reading the review of an AM3 CPU

Extremely sorry, if I am wrong

 

[seefizzle]

The rocking bracket deal looks exceedingly similar to the stock cooler's rocking bracket. I'm merely talking about the clips, nothing else. If someone knows for sure, it would be awesome if you could tell me before I take this thing apart.

 

[seefizzle]

Oh, and this is my board. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128415

 

[enzo matrix]

They are the exact same. the CPUs are the same size. The bracket is also the same. The clip will work.

mfarrukh, if you link us to the site, we can be sure there isn't something I'm missing. I don't have an AM3 board myself.
I'm thinking perhaps you meant that AM2 CPUs cannot go into an AM3 board? That would be correct.

 

[JDFan]

I believe enzo matrix is correct - I know that the Cooler master TX3 uses the same brackets for both AM2 and AM3 ( in fact it uses them for AMD Socket 754/939/940/AM2/AM3) - I believe AMD has always used the same brackets.

As far as removing the H\S from the old CPU first warm up the system (this loosens the thermal paste a bit) - shut it down and then twist the heatsink a bit to move it and loosen it from the CPU brfore lifting it off of the CPU and socket. (the socket should hold the CPU well enough to allow you to take the Heatsink off without the CPU coming with it ) - Then thoroughly clean the surface and apply new thermal paste when placing it on the new CPU.

 

[seefizzle]

Best answer selected by seefizzle.

 

[seefizzle]

Just for the record, it does fit. The problem was that the stock cooler was way too loud. I bought the HAF 932 case, and it has three 230mm fans in it. They are very quiet. The only thing that made much noise at all was the stock cpu cooler. I bought a OCZ cooler which has a much bigger fan on it that was 30 bucks marked down to 10 bucks with a 10 dollar mail in rebate. So the cooler was essentially free and seems like it'll do a way better job than the stock cooler. Thank you Microcenter.

Also, thanks for the tip about getting the old cooler off. I played COD for a half an hour then popped the old cooler right off without any problems whatsoever. I couldn't manage to put the thing in with the computer upright. The cooler wanted to drop down off the cpu while I was trying to buckle it in. Laid it on the floor and it popped right into place. Much thanks.