Question 1

3 pin or 4 pin power connector?

Accepted Answer

3 pin, runs at full bore the whole time, but its no louder than my case fans, so to me its not really noticable

Question 2

my cpu is listed as socket am2 (940) so this seems like it would be compatible. However, when I measure the current cpu fan that is in there it is only 80 mm and yours is 92mm. My current fan has a clip similar to what I see in your pic but on the other side it has a latch. Not sure what yours has on that side and I am wondering if you believe this would be compatible with the fit?

Accepted Answer

I don't know this for sure - but I would guess this would work in your situation just fine.  There really isn't much difference in the physical size of all the AMD sockets. The only real difference is the number of pins that are used in the socket itself.  938-941.  (Or something like that)

There is a  nice link on Tom's Hardware that explains the differences in the AMD CPU sockets.  Just google it.

Since the physical size of the socket and therefore the CPU aren't much different, I can't imagine why this CPU cooler  wouldn't  work with all of them.  I'm using it on an FM2 board and it works just fine.

Be very careful when taking off the old cooler  Make sure that the cpu is hot before you try to remove the old fan so the cpu silver stuff is warm before you remove it.  .  I didn't do this and ended up bending pins on my cpu which forced me to have to buy an new one.  An expensive lesson to learn!

Overall, I've been very happy with this fan.  Just make sure you have enough room in the case to accommodate the larger fan size in your case.

Question 3

It says that this will work with an AMD3+ , so I assume that it will work with a AMD 3(125w) processor? I'm updating to a black' processor and need better than stock cooling. I have an ATX case.

Accepted Answer

Yes - it should work just fine with an AMD 3 processor.  The AMD 3+ chip has one extra pin and is just slightly larger in diameter than the 3 chip.  Therefore - if this is large enough to cover the AMD 3+, it will certainly work on an AMD 3.

It also works with AMD APU's as that is what I am using it for.

Question 4

I have a 300Watt Power Supply. And a AMD Phenom II X4 945 Quad Core Processor. is this a good choice, Im moving from my stock cpu cooler and my thermal paste is failing so i need a new cooler asap! Please help?

Accepted Answer

This is a big upgrade over the stock cooler, I would recommend getting a different paste, stuff that comes with it not as good. Fan is much quieter and better cooking than the stock one. I am using it on an amd 6 core processor black edition with no issues. Slightly over clocked also

Question 5

Would this cooler keep my fx-8350 at 50 degrees during load, and would it have any headroom for overclocking? I appreciate any response in advance.

Accepted Answer

Your processor is 125 watt Thermal Design Power which this cooling system is ratted for. I'm shore if it will keep your processor at 50 but you can run a processor just fine at, or bellow 65° C. I'm running a Phenom 9750 Quad Core which has a Thermal Design Power of 95 watts and with this cooling system my temp stays around 55° C under a full load for hours. So honestly I don't know. I say buy it and try it out. If you don't like it you can always send it back. I will say that this fan runs very quite which is a plus. If you do return it be shore to clean off any thermal compound with a q-tip and some 99% isopropyl alcohol and also to give Newegg a call to make shore that you can return it.

Question 6

PC Part Picker suggested I use this cooler for a planned Mini-ITX build which I plan to have inside a Corsair Obsidian 250D case. There is little room for a tower cooler so I thought this would be great, but I plan to use the Anthlon X4 760K which is an FM2 processor and this page says nothing about FM2/FM2+ compatability. 
Was PC Part Picker correct to say this is compatable with an FM2 motherboard?

Accepted Answer

I have installed it on several amd builds and it isn't the most slim cooler. This would likely be tough fit for a mini itx build. It was not designed for FM2/1.

Question 7

Can I swap out the fan? I want to get the cooler, but would like a Blue LED fan.

Accepted Answer

I believe so, from what I remember the fan is just screwed on the heat sink, but the fan is actually quite nice

Question 8

Does this come with thermal paste? IF not, what paste would you use for a AMD FX-8350 4.00GHz 8 core CPU?
Is it quiet? Will this keep my cpu cool (not gonna overclock)
Also gonna be using the Rosewill Line Glow ATX Mid Tower Case and Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard along with the CPU I listed and this fan. Would this fan be sufficient? Should I invest in a better model or just more fans?

Accepted Answer

It comes with a packet of thermal grease hidden within the plastic clasps of the packing. I didn't use it so I can't vouch for it, but I'm sure it's fine. I used Arctic Silver 5, and it's working like a champ! The fan is quiet and moves a lot of air past the pipes. I'm a big fan of this heatsink, as its keeping my Opteron cool as... a fan. The Beta 400ST is rated for 125 TDP and my CPU is rated at 110 TDP, so in my case it's a good match. The CPU you mentioned is also 125 TDP, so it should match. Personally though, I would probably consider getting something that could probably cool a little more, but in theory it should match just fine. Nothing but good ratings for the Beta 400 ST, though. I love it.

Questions & Answers