[on soapbox]
Sorry for coming in late here, but it is important to note that according both the
Intel CPU Warranty and the
AMD CPU Warranty for their retail, "boxed" CPUs that come with a supplied cooling solution, the use of any aftermarket cooler besides the one supplied with the CPU
voids the 3 year warranty. In fact, AMD makes it crystal clear,
AMD Warranty said:
"This Limited Warranty shall be null and void if the AMD microprocessor which is the subject of this Limited Warranty is used with any heatsink/fan other than the one provided herewith."
Of course, this may not be a concern to many enthusiasts, but it is something every builder should be aware of.
The good news is, because the OEM coolers are warrantied for 3 years (most aftermarket coolers are for just 1 years - somet just 90 days) they are excellent coolers fully capable of adequately cooling the CPUs, even under moderate overclocking, for the life of the CPU.
This assumes, of course, the case is
also doing its job of providing sufficient cool air flow through the case (something the user/builder must ensure). It is the case's responsibility to provide adequate cooling flow throughout the case. The CPU cooler must only toss the CPU's heat up into that flow. Unless extreme overclocking, the OEM coolers are fine, because again, the case has the job of extracting the heat.
Both AMD and Intel provide less costly "OEM" versions of many of their CPUs packaged without supplied coolers - with the intent the builder will supply his or her own. But note too, those CPUs are warrantied for only 1 year.
Please don't come back at me on this. I am just the messenger. This information is clearly printed in the warranty booklet that comes with our CPUs and as noted, on-line. And certainly, if warranty support is not a concern, then this is not an issue. But note attempting to seek a free warranty replacement without informing AMD or Intel you violated the terms of the warranty by not using the CPU in accordance with the installation/usage instructions is "
fraud" by deceit - a serious criminal offense - even if it is easy to get away with it.
My advice is to use the OEM coolers and save your CPU warranties and some cash. If temps are too high, look at case cooling first, before aftermarket coolers. Note, having the coolest temperature is just for bragging rights. A CPU does not operate better just because it is cooler as long as it is operating within it's specified "normal operating environment". I don't begin to get nervous until CPU temps touch and stay above 60°C. Even then, there is quite a bit of headroom left before system stability issues begin to surface.
I don't do extreme overclocking anymore - I just prefer to buy a bigger CPU. But I do build HTPCs - PCs used in expensive home theater environments where fan noise of any kind is unacceptable. Many clients want "silent running" HTPCs - with totally passive (no fans, no noise) cooling. While Intel and AMD coolers are much quieter (and better cooling, much more reliable) than OEM coolers of 7 - 10 years ago, the OEM coolers can still generate some noise (though not a much as many GPU fans). So in those cases, I will use an aftermarket cooler - designed for quiet or silent operation. But note here too the case plays a major role in suppressing noise. A quality made, heavy steel Antec case, for example, will suppress noise much better than an excellent, quality made, lightweight aluminum case, for example.
OEM coolers are NOT the same as OEM coolers of yesteryear. They are excellent coolers and pretty quiet. And ONLY OEM cooler warranties cover damage to the CPU too, in the (admittedly very rare) event a failed cooler takes out the CPU.
About cases - I'm 60. Crawling under my desk to tear down my systems to lug outside to blast out all the heat trapping dust is not something I enjoy doing - especially with 8 computers in the house. So I will NEVER buy a PC case again that does not come with removable, washable air filters. With grandkids and dogs running in and out stirring up dust to be sucked into the cases, the filters mean tearing down and lugging outside once a year instead of every few months (at least for the busier computers). I like the
Antec Three Hundred. It is reasonably priced, very well built, sturdy, "true" (exactly 90° bends), lots of large (120mm or larger) fan support, not flashy, plus it has removable, washable air filters.
While still on my soapbox, I don't like fancy lights or pretty facades. Pretty facades fade out of fashion and flashy lights do nothing for performance, consume some power, add some heat and do nothing for performance (worth repeating). I like my cases to sit quietly, and discreetly off to the side and not draw attention to themselves. After all, I tend to pay attention to what's on my monitors, and not the case. That said, if lights are still desired, the
Antec Nine Hundred Two V3, with
massive cooling support is excellent. And note the Big Boy 200mm blowhole (top) fan, even when running full speed, is almost silent (note there is a lessor Nine Hundred without filters).
[off soapbox]
