Replace stock CPU cooler?

[Lance Aurora]

Hey guys. I'm looking to replace my stock CPU cooler, it's just so damn loud.
Sadly, I've got no experience with hardware on that level, so I thought I'd ask for a little advice, to make it a little more manageable.

I've got a GA-870A-UD3 motherboard with a AMD Phenom II X4 955 cpu. It seems like CM's Hyper 212 Evo is the one to go with on a budget, so that's what I got my eyes on. Let me know if that's the wrong variant, or if something new and better has come out.

Anyway, I got a CM Storm Scout case, and with that, the right side can be removed. I can't see the entire back of the mobo though, only a little metal plate with 4 screws. My question is, to anyone with experience with the case and mobo; would it be possible to replace the cooler without having to unplug everything, remove graphics card and mobo, and so on?

One other thing. Paste. I'm uncertain as to which to get, how much to use, and how to apply it. Also, what about the paste previously used, shouldn't that be removed first, and if so, how?

I hope you guys have some helpful advice, thanks in advance, and have a good day!

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

http://support.coolermaster.com/entries/22215170-Hyper-212-Series-AMD-Installation

Hyper 212 Series - AMD Installation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO4yokgcOY4

Install while still in case ^

 

[PandaButtonFTW]

the hyper 212 evo is a great budget cooler, ive got one myself, hiding in my closet 😛! no you don't have to remove everything, you just have to remove both side panels, the old cpu cooler and wipe the old paste of your cpu with a tissue or something like that. you wont have to buy paste as the evo comes with a tube of its own, as for applying it..... just squeeze a small blob in the center of the chip, maybe the size of a split pea? and you should be absolutely fine! just follow the manual if you get in trouble hehe!

 

[geofelt]

EVO is good, most coolers today have multiple mount capability. You need something for AM3 motherboards.
These coolers come with a small amount of thermal material which works fine.

You must remove the old paste. Use rubbing alcohol. The purer the better.
I use paper coffee filters. Tissue may leave lint.

The purpose of paste is to fill in microscopic pits where air might get trapped,
Many use too much which is bad as it acts as an insulator. It is hard to se too little.
I use a small drip or a very thin bead.

Your case has an opening to allow a cooler replacement without removing the motherboard.

 

[Guest]

Replacing the stock cooler is a definite upgrade, things will run cooler, quieter etc...
The reason your one is running so loud currently is because it's not doing a great job cooling the CPU, meaning the fan is working overtime to keep the temps at an acceptable level, and it's a tiny fan so it has to spin extremely fast to do so.

You are correct in thinking the Hyper 212 is a great cooler, it's a very popular one around here and represents great value.
You wouldn't need to unplug anything, although you can if you want a bit of extra arm room while you install. You would however, need to remove the original stock cooler, this is a reletively simple procedure on an AMD socket, I'll list how to do so, followed by answers to your next questions:

1. First, remove the side panel on your case, preferably lay the case down flat on a table, you must remove the side that gains access to all of your internals, so, when you remove it you should see your video card, power supply etc... Not the back of the board.

2. Locate the stock heatsink, unplug its single fan header (Follow the butt ugly yellow/red mix of wires and just pull it off the header.

3. AMD socket removal requires you to unhinge two clips attached to the mounting bracket. To do so AMD have made it pretty simple, you just need to pull the black hinge on the side facing the bottom of your case, be careful as it's quite stiff. Hold the heatsink in place while you do this.

4. Finally, just wiggle it around gently, you don't want to pull it straight up as this will most likely rip the CPU out, along with its pins. The stock thermal paste is basically glue. It's horrid. Eventually it will loosen enough allowing you to just lift it off.

The thermal compound on there will need to be thoroughly removed before you can attach a new heatsink. There are many tutorials for this, but the basics of it is to clean it using some kind of preferably lint-free paper. Such as coffee filters. I personally like to get the goop off with bogroll first, then use cotton ear buds, even though both of these are considered lint-ey. Isopropyl alcohol will aid you in this, there is also a cleaning kit available from Arctic that will do much the same thing. Make sure to get all of the goop off the CPU. I wouldn't bother removing it from the cooler you just removed, probably not going to use it again right?

The 212 and indeed most after market coolers will come with a flat base of TIM pre-applied, you can remove this if you wish but it's usually better than the stock cooler stuff.

If you do opt for a separate tube of paste take a look at the many methods of applying it to the CPU, such as the Line method, or spread. I like the Dot method personally. You don't need much, remember the force of the heatsink will squish it down and spread it out.

You will need to buy some if you remove the 212 in future, as this whole process will begin again.


Hope this helps.

 

[Lance Aurora]

Wow, lots of helpful answers, thanks a lot guys! I've ordered the Evo and I feel pretty confident in as to how to install it. The paste thing looks a little troublesome, getting the right amount on in the right way, but I guess I might as well just jump into it.

It seems like a good amount of people on YouTube only buy it for the heatsink, is the actual fan good enough?