AMD Athlon Stock Cooler any good?

Spoonhead98

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Hi, i am going to build my own pc soon and plan on getting the AMD Athlon X4 760K CPU. I wanted to know if the stock cooler is any good? I am prepared to buy a new cooler if i need to. Sorry if im asking lots of questions over the next few weeks, i just need to know how to get it done right. :)
 

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    Windows 8.1 Pro X64
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    AMD FX 8320
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    ASUS M5A97 R2.0
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    16GB DDR3
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    Thermaltake Toughpower 750W
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AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz with stock cooler on this rig with no issues. AMD Athlon II X4 620 2.6GHz with stock cooler on my other desktop, no issues there either.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
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    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
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    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
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    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
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    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
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    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
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Hi Spoonhead98,

I (personally) would not take a chance on using the stock cooler for a 100W AMD CPU. If you research this issue, you will find others that have complained about the stock cooler noise and some have also complained about overheating as well (when using the stock cooler). In addition, if you intend to do some gaming, that could affect your stock cooling capabilities as well.

Let me just throw in my preference for an alternative for you to consider. Specifically, I like the Intel I3-4130 over the above. Why? Because it actually benchmarks higher than the above and this 54w CPU will run just fine with the stock cooler (included).

Yes, I know the I3-4130 only has 2 cores but it is still faster than the other CPU in single-threaded operations (which is an important part of everyday general computing IMHO). So, if you consider the total cost of the AMD + after-market cooler with the base cost of the I3-4130, it is about the same. BTW, You'd also save a few bucks on electricity as well (now I'm really splitting hairs). Anyway, all just food for though so good luck with your final build. Here's a benchmark compare of the two CPUs:

comp.jpg

UPDATE: My response is/was not in response to alphanumerics post. I did not realize we were posting simultaneously. However, since he is using the stock coolers on similar AMD CPUs, his advice is more appropriate, but I doubt he is a gamer, so please take that into consideration as well. I still prefer an Intel solution myself. Good luck.
 

My Computer

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    Windows 8.1.1 Pro
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    PC/Desktop
The stock cooler on my AMD Phenom II has heat pips so its not the plain jane heat sink only cooler you'd get in the past. I game on this PC and heat is not an issue. Just saying.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Keep in mind if you switch from AMD to Intel your going to have to switch sockets/motherboards as well. They are not interchangeable.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
The stock cooler on my AMD Phenom II has heat pips so its not the plain jane heat sink only cooler you'd get in the past. I game on this PC and heat is not an issue. Just saying.

My apologies for assuming you were not a gamer.
No problem, I didn't see that last UPDATE in your post when I made mine. I game quit a bit actually. FPS and flight sims.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Hi, i am going to build my own pc soon and plan on getting the AMD Athlon X4 760K CPU. I wanted to know if the stock cooler is any good? I am prepared to buy a new cooler if i need to. Sorry if im asking lots of questions over the next few weeks, i just need to know how to get it done right. :)
In my experience, stock coolers that come bundled with processors are good enough for normal running but are utter garbage when it comes to overclocking or pushing computer hard for prolonged time. As they are usually just good enough they come with small and noisy fans turning upwards to 5000 rpm. It's always better to use an over sized cooler and set fan speed to lover speed. Something like this : Cooler Master: Hyper 212 EVO with eventually one more fan added in push-pull configuration would let you set fans to almost inaudible speed but with enough reserve to seriously OC or overwork processor.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
Ok, thanks for all the helpful replies. That Cooler master EVO loos good but is the thermal paste included any good? I have heard that some people have had problems with cheap thermal paste. And yes i am a gamer :geek:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    ASUS M5A97 R2.0
    Memory
    16GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon R9 270X
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128GB SSD + 1TB HDD
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower 750W
    Case
    Thermaltake Commander MS-I Snow Edition
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Avast
Ok, thanks for all the helpful replies. That Cooler master EVO loos good but is the thermal paste included any good? I have heard that some people have had problems with cheap thermal paste. And yes i am a gamer :geek:
Any paste is good enough unless it's the "chewing gum" type, some manufacturers (including AMD) are pre-applying on their factory supplied coolers. That kind of paste (a pad) is a bear to remove later on, it gets stuck as cement. Last I looked there is no more than a degree or two between worst and best pastes. I think CM gives a pretty good paste as they have their own brand that sells separately too.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
Thanks, i will just use the one that comes with the cooler then. What is the best way of applying thermal paste? Ive seen the DOT method, X method and Line method. Which do you recommend?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    ASUS M5A97 R2.0
    Memory
    16GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon R9 270X
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128GB SSD + 1TB HDD
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower 750W
    Case
    Thermaltake Commander MS-I Snow Edition
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Avast
"Dot" method works best for very flat and shiny surfaces but can be tricky to apply just right amount. Almost same goes for the "X" method. but not as critical. All of them work just fine if you manage to put right amount but I prefer to do it with a credit card to smear thin layer. Too much paste could be just as bad as too little, by doing it with "credit card" method you can control it much better. just leave couple of mm inside top surface so that paste won't spill over the edges when pressure is applied.
Even if all the components are brand new, clean both surfaces with alcohol and cotton swab and try not to touch them with bare fingers.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
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