Best Cooler for AMD FX 8350, And Ways to Reduce CPU Temps

[OneHaplessGamer]

So, I'm sure some of you have read my previous thread - stating my concern for my AMD FX 8350's temps (this thread to be exact - http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3264641/amd-8350-temperatures-questions.html), but if you'd rather get the basic gist of my concerns - with a Cooler Master GeminII S524 Version 2 heatsink (used) and stock CPU settings/clock speed, my temps on idle according to cooler master go from 16-18C doing nothing to around 25 or even 30C randomly or when moving my mouse, around 30 to 40C when surfing the web, spiking up sometimes to the high 40s when making a new tab, between 45 to 50C when watching a video with multiple tabs, using Avast to do a full system scan had a max temp of 63-64C, and when playing an online game such as ESO for about ten minutes - perhaps a few minutes longer though, a steady temp of 56-58C unless using the Crown Store's menu and previews and going to another zone, which would spike the temperature up - having hit a highest of 66C. All according to OpenHardwareMonitor and Core Temp, I should add.

I don't think there's any damage in brief spike periods of anything higher than 62C (although I could be wrong, I'm not ashamed to admit I have more to learn about component temps and their impact on hardware), but I also don't like such temperatures for my CPU. One response to the linked thread from ingtar33 said my cooler is not that good, and I've been thinking a new cooler might be a worthy investment before a SSD...

So, I need to ask three things - first, and this is something I've got mixed feelings about from the previous thread, would an air cooler or an AiO liquid cooler be better for keeping an FX 8350 cool whether it's idle, under a load, or while gaming? Both have their pros and cons - liquid can cool more but, according to some of you, has more of a risk if there happens to be a leak and is more difficult to install yet takes up less space, while air can be easier in terms of installation and have less failure chance but dissipates less heat and can take up more room in your tower (though it depends on which heatsink you're using)

Second, which cooler exactly would be the best to go with for steady, cool temperatures for this processor?

Third, and this is if the heatsink currently in use - the GeminII S524 Version 2 - will be enough to cool it still, are there any ways of reducing the temperature of the CPU with this heatsink and without underclocking? I should mention, see if this would have any impact on my temps, I have two case fans - one located on the bottom-front of my case that sucks in ambient air, and the other at the top-back vent of the case which expels air and is close to the heatsink. *EDIT!* Come to think of it... I need to ask, how much thermal paste/grease would be right for an AMD AM3+ processor? I ask because my brother was the one who added the paste/grease and it seemed more than what many sites say (a 'pea-sized amount', or even half a pea-sized/the size of two grains of wheat to quote a page on techspot.com regarding case pressure).

And yes, before this commonly asked questions are asked and to clear things up quickly, the case has been cleaned out with pressurized air and nothing is blocking off the vents. Specs are in the linked thread as well.

Also, apologies if I seem a little OCD with my threads and posts - I just want to avoid any incidents with a new processor in my computer as well as any sort of hardware damage due to an unpleasant experience - one faulty PSU lead to a small series of damaged components and has me wary.

Thank you for your time.

 

[n0ns3ns3]

I prefer my computer clean of dust, so I'd replace the cracked glass with new one. Also looks better.
It seems that you have option to mount second intake fan in the front (I'd recommend using Noctua NF-F12 as intake or if it's too pricey, other SP optimized fans).
you probably have option to mount top fans. if yes, another exhaust fan would be great.
those changes should be sufficient to improve the airflow.

 

[OneHaplessGamer]

I prefer my computer clean of dust, so I'd replace the cracked glass with new one. Also looks better.
It seems that you have option to mount second intake fan in the front (I'd recommend using Noctua NF-F12 as intake or if it's too pricey, other SP optimized fans).
you probably have option to mount top fans. if yes, another exhaust fan would be great.
those changes should be sufficient to improve the airflow.

So you think replacing the glass wouldn't be the best idea?

Also, I'd need to have a better look inside my case, see if I can actually fit a second intake - although I don't think top fans would be possible with my current cooler (unless I were to mount them outside and on top, which would be rather odd). That issue with the cooler's size is one of the reasons I've been considering an AiO liquid cooler instead - I think with just how big it is inside the case with every other component, it's affecting just how much airflow there is inside of it.

If I switch to an AiO closed-loop liquid cooler, it'd help with airflow I imagine, and would make use of the top-vents of my case if the radiator and its fan were configured as exhausts. Or would it be better for a liquid cooler radiator to have its fans set as intakes at that position?

 

[n0ns3ns3]

Replacing the glass is not "bad" if you don't care about (or don't have) dust.
the 2 intakes are more important than extra exhaust. from my experience 2x120 intakes provide about the same airflow as 1x120 exhaust fan due to greater restrictions in form of dust filters/grills/mesh/HDD cages.
Switching to AiO will clean up the case internals. It also helps to reduce the in-case temperature since the heat instead of being dissipated within the case like now, would be pushed out of the case - exhaust of the rads is directly outside.
while there is nothing terribly wrong in putting liquid cooling as intake, in your case it would be very tricky at best to mount the 240 rad in front. The more natural way is to mount the rad on top.
intake fans on top are not great. you want to achieve best airflow with less turbulence. the natural way for air to circulate in case is from bottom to top. so you help it, not fight it. intake on lower front/bottom, exhaust on top or rear.
BTW, a great AiO would be Swiftech H220 X2. it is also competitively priced at ~120-130$

 

[OneHaplessGamer]

Replacing the glass is not "bad" if you don't care about (or don't have) dust.
the 2 intakes are more important than extra exhaust. from my experience 2x120 intakes provide about the same airflow as 1x120 exhaust fan due to greater restrictions in form of dust filters/grills/mesh/HDD cages.
Switching to AiO will clean up the case internals. It also helps to reduce the in-case temperature since the heat instead of being dissipated within the case like now, would be pushed out of the case - exhaust of the rads is directly outside.
while there is nothing terribly wrong in putting liquid cooling as intake, in your case it would be very tricky at best to mount the 240 rad in front. The more natural way is to mount the rad on top.
intake fans on top are not great. you want to achieve best airflow with less turbulence. the natural way for air to circulate in case is from bottom to top. so you help it, not fight it. intake on lower front/bottom, exhaust on top or rear.
BTW, a great AiO would be Swiftech H220 X2. it is also competitively priced at ~120-130$

I appreciate the input n0ns3ns3, thank you. I'd need to look around at some additional liquid coolers, but I'll give that one a look while I try and figure out what's going on with an SSD issue of mine. Got an idea on what the issue is with it, but this isn't the thread to talk about it. ;P Heh, but again, thank you.