Question about cooling my Phenom II 940 Black

[timz45]

Hey all,

This is my first post, so forgive me if I have put this in the wrong place. I built a computer about 5 years ago with an AMD Phenom 9600 Black @ 2.3Ghz X4. It served me well, but I wanted to upgrade to help my computer's performance and I didn't have enough money to build a new system, so I bought a mildly used AMD Phenom II 940 Black @ 3.0Ghz X4 from my friend. I popped it in, flashed/updated my BIOS, and the CPU showed up and performs great. My only issue, is based on AMD, they say this CPU should run at 62° MAX. This seems pretty low compared to CPUs I have used in the past. Using AIDA64, I see that at idle/low load (such as just browsing the internet/using messenger applications) it ranges anywhere from 45°-50°. After about 45-60 minutes of Crysis 3 on high settings, I hit about 60°-62°. I do not like that I am reaching their recommended max after an hour or so of gaming, regardless of how low their max seems. Right now I am using the stock AMD cooler that came with my original 9600, which I am guessing is pretty similar to the stock cooler that would have came with the 940. I guess my real question is, would buying an aftermarket heatsink do much to bring down those max temps my CPU seems to be hitting? I am sure a more efficient heatsink would bring it down a couple degrees or so, but do you all think it is really necessary/cost effective? If not, are there any other suggestions as far as keeping that temp down as low as possible. I have my CPU fan running at about 85%. I have 2 fans in the back of my case, one in the front, and one on the side. I did put a fresh coat of thermal paste on the CPU before I installed it by the way ( I used Arctic Silver Ceramique). I'd really appreciate any thoughts/suggestions. Just in case it is asked, I am going to include my system's specs underneath this. Thanks in advance for any help.

- Tim

SPECS

MOBO - MSI K9A2 Platinum AM2+/AM2 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard

CPU - AMD Phenom II X4 940 Black Edition Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Processor

PSU - CORSAIR TX Series CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE

RAM - CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

GPU - MSI R7770-2PMD1GD5/OC Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

Hard Drives - Western Digital WD Blue WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

Kingston HyperX 3K SH103S3/120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Case - NZXT Guardian 921 CS-NT-GD921-B Black Steel ATX

 

[clutchc]

If this is your processor: http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K10/AMD-Phenom%20II%20X4%20940%20Black%20Edition%20-%20HDZ940XCJ4DGI%20%28HDZ940XCGIBOX%29.html
... 62C is only the recommended max. That processor, like most, will work at much hotter tmps without damage. But to keep the temps within the rated max, you will probably have to go with an aftermarket cooler, yes. They can be had for a small amount of money and still provide better cooling than the staock cooler. And generally quieter.

But since your old CPU was only a 95W processor and this one is a 125W processor, I would imagine that your old cooler is a bit inadequate for the newer CPU. If funds are limited, you can usually find stock Phenom II X4 125W cooler on ebay at discounted prices.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/CPU-Fans-Heatsinks-/131486/i.html?Socket%2520Compatibility=Socket%2520AM2%7CSocket%2520AM2%252B&Type=CPU%2520Fan%2520with%2520Heatsink&_dcat=131486&Brand=AMD
Try to find the model with the 4 heat pipes rated at 125W.

 

[timz45]

That is my CPU. What you said does make sense, and money is not really an issue, I just didn't want to spend it frivolously. I am going to include a pic of my current temps/voltages if it helps at all. Do you have any recommendations as for an aftermarket cooler for an AM2+? Thanks.

Tim

If this is your processor: http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K10/AMD-Phenom%20II%20X4%20940%20Black%20Edition%20-%20HDZ940XCJ4DGI%20%28HDZ940XCGIBOX%29.html
... 62C is only the recommended max. That processor, like most, will work at much hotter tmps without damage. But to keep the temps within the rated max, you will probably have to go with an aftermarket cooler, yes. They can be had for a small amount of money and still provide better cooling than the staock cooler. And generally quieter.

But since your old CPU was only a 95W processor and this one is a 125W processor, I would imagine that your old cooler is a bit inadequate for the newer CPU. If funds are limited, you can usually find stock Phenom II X4 125W cooler on ebay at discounted prices.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/CPU-Fans-Heatsinks-/131486/i.html?Socket%2520Compatibility=Socket%2520AM2%7CSocket%2520AM2%252B&Type=CPU%2520Fan%2520with%2520Heatsink&_dcat=131486&Brand=AMD
Try to find the model with the 4 heat pipes rated at 125W.

 

[cars12345]

If you are willing to spend around $30, and remove your case's side fan, you could get this aftermarket hsf: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr2

It will provide plenty cooling to your cpu, and even allow you to overclock a little.

 

[clutchc]

Considering that your case seems to have plenty of air flow, the idle temps seem to verify that the Phenom 9600's 95W cooler can't keep up with the 125W Phenom II 940. This is a popular cooler that fits just about all sockets, including the AM2+: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099
...IF you have the room in you case. It has a 120mm fan, so it will take up some room.

If you think that is too big for your application, this one is a little smaller and more than adequate for that processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103064

If you don't overclock, you probably don't need a cooler that efficient. This is a factory stock cooler for the Phenom II X4 940: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ORIGINAL-AMD-PHENOM-II-HEATSINK-CPU-FAN-FOR-X4-910-920-940-SOCKET-AM2-AM3-NEW-/261279617359?pt=US_CPU_Fans_Heatsinks&hash=item3cd57a914f

Here's the store I usually go to for stock AMD coolers for my builds: http://stores.ebay.com/The-Original-Heatsink-Store?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

 

[timz45]

Thanks for the recommendations. I have my GPU off towards the other side of the case, so I am pretty sure the larger one will fit no problem, as long as the gigantic Corsair Dominators don't get in the way. Regardless of any of this, do you think I will have issues if the temps I am currently seeing do not change very much? I have a feeling that even if I upgrade the cooler, it is not going to make a very large difference. I guess it doesn't matter that much because within the next year or two I plan to build a new system, but I'd like this to run well as long as possible. Thanks again for the recommendations.

Tim

Considering that your case seems to have plenty of air flow, the idle temps seem to verify that the Phenom 9600's 95W cooler can't keep up with the 125W Phenom II 940. This is a popular cooler that fits just about all sockets, including the AM2+: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099
...IF you have the room in you case. It has a 120mm fan, so it will take up some room.

If you think that is too big for your application, this one is a little smaller and more than adequate for that processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103064

If you don't overclock, you probably don't need a cooler that efficient. This is a factory stock cooler for the Phenom II X4 940: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ORIGINAL-AMD-PHENOM-II-HEATSINK-CPU-FAN-FOR-X4-910-920-940-SOCKET-AM2-AM3-NEW-/261279617359?pt=US_CPU_Fans_Heatsinks&hash=item3cd57a914f

Here's the store I usually go to for stock AMD coolers for my builds: http://stores.ebay.com/The-Original-Heatsink-Store?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

 

[lazyboy947]

The hyper 212 evo is a great cooler and temps will def be quite a bit different. My friend has a 945 x4 and uses a CM tx2 and doesnt even get close to what the stock cooler ran, and what temps u are getting. His x4 isnt a 125watt, but aftermarket coolers if decent will usually beat out the stock one in temps and noise

 

[timz45]

Thanks for the recommendation. If it's working that well for your friend's 945, it'll prob do well for mine. If I could bring it down 5 degrees or so, I'd be really happy.

Tim

The hyper 212 evo is a great cooler and temps will def be quite a bit different. My friend has a 945 x4 and uses a CM tx2 and doesnt even get close to what the stock cooler ran, and what temps u are getting. His x4 isnt a 125watt, but aftermarket coolers if decent will usually beat out the stock one in temps and noise

 

[timz45]

Does anyone know where I can find the size of the current stock heatsink that came with my Phenom 9600? I did some googling and I am having a hard time finding the specs on it. I'd like to know what the size of it is so I can tell if I will have room for the 120mm fan on the Hyper 212 Evo. Thanks.

Tim

 

[cars12345]

Does anyone know where I can find the size of the current stock heatsink that came with my Phenom 9600? I did some googling and I am having a hard time finding the specs on it. I'd like to know what the size of it is so I can tell if I will have room for the 120mm fan on the Hyper 212 Evo. Thanks.

Tim

I found that for the case you listed, the CM Hyper 212 EVO will fit if you remove the side fan.

 

[clutchc]

If you have memory sticks with tall heat syncs, the EVO may not clear them if the slots are close to the CPU socket. The EVO sits quite close to the MB. You can raise the fan up a bit on the EVO, but too much and the cooling will suffer.

 

[timz45]

Just as an update for those who helped me:

I bought the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103064 because I was afraid the Hyper 212 Evo wouldn't fit in my case, and figured this would suffice. I also had the fan face the back of my case rather than towards the RAM like it does in the installation instructions because of my gigantic RAM. I also used the Zalman grease based compound rather than arctic silver. Now it idles between 37°-40° and I did a 15 min stress test and the temp didn't go above 53°, so needless to say your recommendations were extremely helpful and I achieved exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for all your help!

Tim

 

[clutchc]

Glad we could be of some assistance. The stressed temps look good. The idle temps are probably because the system is using cool and quiet and the fan is at low RPM. But 37-40C is still fine. The stressed temps are what is important anyway.