Question 1

I am not a IT guy an need help to make sure this is compatible for my sons custom computer.  He has an ASUS F2A85-v PRO CPU.  Can I pull of the heat sink and add this to it instead?  He keeps getting overheating warnings.  Thank you.

Accepted Answer

While it is compatible, it may not solve the problem of over heating. This CPU cooler is quiet, but it is not a better cooler than the stock heatsink/fan. Check the BIOS to see if the system is overclocked. If so, reset it to normal settings. Is the system running hot all the time, or just when worked hard, like in a game, with all the graphic settings set high? Other things that can cause a CPU to run hot are bad application of thermal paste, and air flow obstructions. Check your cables, and try to clear an air flow path from front to back for maximum airflow. Good luck.

Question 2

Is this noisy? It has a pump & fan.

Accepted Answer

You can't hear the pump and the fan is as loud as any other 2 120mm case fans.  In all under Pretty quite if your MoBo has a 4 pin fan controler and you set the fan speed to auto adjust based on tempertaure in your bios.

The biger question is will it fit in your case.  Note the large bump in the radiator above the fan.  Check your case to see if you have clearance for it.  I had to remove a bracket from my Thermaltake Armor case to make it fit.  And I had to remove one of the fans due to a clearance issue with the side cover fan.

This cooler reduced stock cooler CPU temp from 58 C to 32 C with 2 fans and open side cover.  I'm now at 42C with just one fan.  This is with a AMD 6-core 1055T OCed from 2.8 to 3.4 Ghz running Prime95.exe.   This cooler was not able to OC the CPU more than with the stock cooler even with adjusting Vcore up.

Side note;  You will have to remove your MOBO from the case to change the back support from the stock cooler as the screw threads between the stock cooler and this cooler are not compatable.

Question 3

I've had the 2.0 for a couple years now, and the pump is starting to go. So I was thinking of replacing it with the 3.0. My question is can I use the motherboard brackets from the 2.0 for the 3.0? I remember the bracket installation was kinda tedious

Accepted Answer

The back retaining plate should be the same for both, as it is a universal hole and thread layout.  The ring and water block may differ slightly, but you can use the new mounting hardware with the old back retaining plate if that is the case.  I would recommend using the new hardware regardless so you don't run into seating issues.

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