Heatsink with 3 heatpipes vs 4 heatpipes - does it make any difference?

[Rangan Das]

I have an AMD FX 8320, running at stock speeds, being cooled by a Cooler Master Hyper TX3 Evo, in a push/pull config. The idle temps during summer are between 27 to 36 degree centigrade, around 50s when browsing the web and close to 65 or so during gaming. According to AMD Overdrive, I stay about 6-7 degrees below the thermal margin at worst cases. Now, that's not such a great scenario. The heatsink is 6 years old, the thermal paste is about 1 year old.

I own a Corsair Carbide 100R case, that gives me a 150mm maximum heatsink height. With that room, I cannot get a cooler with 120mm fan, but I can get ones with 92mm fans. I have the Antec A40 Pro and Cooler Master Hyper 410R on my mind. Both have four heat pipes, but the latter does not support a push/pull config. Will chaging the heatsink be any use now?

 

[WildCard999]

TBH I'd stick with the TX3 Evo, your still running under the thermal limit so there's really no reason to change it.

 

[Eximo]

Doesn't seem like the CPU is overheating, so you won't gain much by replacing the cooler. However, if you are satisfied with the FX-8320 and want to make it quieter/cooler. No reason not too.

I'm not sure I agree on your limitation. I see plenty of builds using the 159mm tall Evo 212 in that chassis with an AMD FX chip. That is one of the taller heatsinks available.

I see no reason a deepcool gammaxx 400, Cryorig H7, or various other 120mm coolers won't fit. You could also consider a 120mm AIO water cooler.

 

[why_wolf]

I wouldn't bother, both of those represent a mild if any improvement. Looks like you'll have to switch cases to something that can accommodate a bigger heatsink or a radiator for AIO water cooler.

 

[Eximo]

Corsair shows one of their 120mm AIO coolers mounted in the case in the promo photos.

 

[Rangan Das]

During hotter months, that 6 - 7 degree difference from the thermal margin may cease to exist. Hence I am looking forward to a new heatsinks.

So, will the new ones I'm planning be any good? Even by a small margin? And out of the two I shortlisted, which one seems better?

 

[why_wolf]

boom 120mm fan heatsink that will fit that case. https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4UF2DZ6565&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

https://pcpartpicker.com/b/cM8Ycf

 

[Eximo]

If I had to pick, the Antec. But you have many more options in 120mm coolers. I'm seeing pretty much every style of cooler fitting in that chassis.

Corsair H60 https://pcpartpicker.com/b/3qGfrH

CM Evo 212 https://pcpartpicker.com/b/Gj3Ff7

CM Evo 212 https://pcpartpicker.com/b/vnQZxr

Deepcool Captain 120mm https://pcpartpicker.com/b/hVYTwP

Cryorig M9a (another 92mm cooler) https://pcpartpicker.com/b/H9GG3C

Bucking the trend of tower coolers, a Cooler Master Gemini: https://pcpartpicker.com/b/KBq48d

I limited myself to AMD FX based systems so that the positioning would be accurate to what you are doing. Though height-wise I think you are fine for most coolers. Some might have memory interference issues, but there are plenty of zero interference 120mm designs out there. Check Thermaltake NiC coolers for example.

 

[Rangan Das]

Can anyone then let me know what's the maximum cooler height for that chassis? Please cite your sources.

 

[Eximo]

I know Corsair lists 150mm, but I think they are being conservative and going with the height to the panel/chassis interface. The panel itself has a pop-out which adds additional height.

You have the thing, just measure from the base of the TX3 to the side panel. Add the pop-out depth.

 

[Rangan Das]

I get 1.5 cm of room above the TX3's copper heat pipe that protrudes through the aluminum fins. With the pop out added, its 0.5 - 0.6 cm extra.

 

[Rangan Das]

Just an update. Moving to the Antec A40 Pro gives me around 10 degrees of thermal headroom on average, as opposed to 5 or 6 previously.