Question 1

Will this work with an FX-8350 if so does it work good?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The type of chip isn't what matters, it's the socket that matters and this one will fit an AM3+ socket. Be warned: this cooler is huge. You may find once you go to install it that you can't fit your RAM in the slots especially if they have some kind of heat spreader attached. I tried using this cooler on my Asus 990FX. Luckily I was using a two-stick RAM configration and the default slots for that board are the A2 and B2 slots, not A1 and B1. Even so, the cooler and RAM were almost touching.

Question 2

I recently ordered one of your diy combos. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1413568) AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz Six-Core CPU + ASUS M5A97 970 MOBO + G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL (Model:F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL) All will go on an APEVIA X-DREAMER4 Series X-DREAMER4-RD Black / Red Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case. Will this fit in the case and not block my ram slots?

Accepted Answer

The best you can do is try it and see.  The A30 is very large and heavy as you would expect from an enthusiast cooler but its worth it, have it sitting on my FX 8350 and its usually as low as 9 degrees celsius idle.  My mobo is a gigabyte 990 fxa.  Yes most ppl will have issues with ram slots being covered but the A30 can be mounted in different ways as it comes with 2 different bracket setups.  What worked for me was having the fan at the back of my case, you can pull the fan housing right off.  Thus with this method i flipped the fan itself around in the housing so its pulling heat away from the heatsink instead of blowing cold air on it like normal. With it like that none of my ram slots are covered.  That being said in my old case which was a Rosewill Redbone, the A30 was pushing tight against the inner sidewall so i got a corsair 230t now cuz its a wide case.  Good luck!

Question 3

Is it possible to replace the cooling fan on this without replacing the whole cooler?

Accepted Answer

The fan detaches easily enough, so I would think yes, but I haven't had the need to replace mine.

If you go with this cooler, make sure you have a deep enough case. I was going to put it inside the Coolermaster Wavemaster TAC-T01 case (the case for the MaximumPC Dream Machine from 2003) and it was too tall. So I ended up ordering the HAF 932 case and migrating by new rebuild into the new box.

It really is bigger that it appears in the ad but it works great and it's very quiet.

Question 4

The manufacturer's website specifies the dimensions as 130mmx100mmx90mm (HxWxD)  including the fan. Too many people have complained that the size is huge. Are not the manufacturer's specs true?

Accepted Answer

The manufacturer specifications for dimensions are correct.  This is a huge device!  It also has exceptional cooling capacity.  A pain to get into place, but worth the effort.

Question 5

Can someone tell me the dimensions of this "bad boy"?

Accepted Answer

about 5 x 4 inch width and length.
approx. 5-51/2 inch off the MB 
Fan died in a year BUT is easy to replace and it Totally cools my machine.  I use overpreassure and filter the air to keep it clean.
(Floorvent filters work and are cheap)

Question 6

Will this work with AMD FX-9590 Vishera 8-Core 4.7GHz Socket AM3+ 220W FD9590FHHKWOF Desktop Processor - Black Edition?

Accepted Answer

If I had to guess I'd say yes, but I don't use it on my 9590.  It is an awesome cooler on the FX-8350 though and it's thermal rating indicates it probably would handle it.  That said I had thermal problems with my 9590 and AMD's stock liquid cooling system.  I'm currently using a liquid cooler from Corsair on that machine.  Good luck.

Question 7

How well does this heatsink perform with a faster, stronger fan? The heatsink looks very thoughtfully designed, and those heatpipes are pretty thick, so I'm guessing it'd be a beast at heat dissipation if it had more air flowing through it. Has anyone tried it with a Blademaster, for instance?

Accepted Answer

the fan is awesome no need to change it is blows right at the back case fan so in a since the are both pulling thru the heat sink it is large pic does not do I justice I have a rosewell thor case and it just fits

Question 8

Can i put this on a ASUS M5A78L-M/USB3 AM3+ board ? it looks like it will cover the memory slot.

Accepted Answer

You should be able to, the freezer a30 has multiple mounting options, experiment and see what works for your board, i have mine installed with fan cradle facing the back of my case, and flipped the fan around inside the cradle itself so its pulling heat off the heatsink instead of blowing air on it, works great, temps as low as 8c and none of my ram slots are covered.  Beware this cooler is huge and heavy, make sure its mounted properly using your backplate and that your case is wide enough, i got a new case cuz it was pressing tight against the side panel of a Rosewill Redbone case. Good Luck.

Question 9

Will this fit in my Antec three hundred illusion? I have the gigabyte 970A-ud3p mobo with HyperX KHX1600c10D3/8g x2, will it fit? planning on the FX-8350.

Accepted Answer

Can't say for sure about the case but it fist my Corsair Obsidian 450D with the MSI FX990-GD80v2 and Corsair Dominator platinum (8g x 4) with little room to spare.  If someone has your exact system - great.  If not, do what I did, measure carefully.  Their online specs on the cooler (ARCTIC website)  are quite accurate .

Question 10

I have an asus sabertooth, and i tried placing this in all four directions but it either covers the heatsink, the ram, or the gpu? Is this cooler compatible with my motherboard?

Accepted Answer

Make sure to have the brackets facing the right way when you assemble the mounting fixture. Also make sure you have enough graphite lube on the processor after relocating so many different times.

Questions & Answers