New CPU Cooler

Hey lately i have currently been looking for a new cpu cooler considering that i still have the default stock cooler that came with the cpu and/or case...

Which isn't really doing its job too well not cooling and extremely loud (doesn't help that the computer is in the hottest room thats like a oven through out the day). I would like to aim for something between $30-60$ excluding postage costs (preferably something cheaper thats half decent).

I was wondering if you could recommend a good cpu cooler for me? I'll list all the main pieces of hardware in my case so you can have more information in as what i would be able to use.
what i have:
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-MA790XT-UD4P
PSU: 620W HX Corsair
Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD4870 x1
CPU: AMD Phenom II x 4 955
Fans: 1 120mm bottom fan, 2x 120mm top exhaust, 1x120 rear exhaust
Case: CM 690

Thats the main components of my computer and also i live in Australia so i dont know if all the products that might be good for me will be available.

PS: To save you having to read about it the motherboard is AM3 socket.

well thanks for help in advance.

Are you just worried? Or do you know for a fact that your temps are up against the limit for that CPU?

Are your exhaust fans at least average?

Replacement CPU coolers come in 2 general categories:

1: Gargantuan

2: Not quite gargantuan

The Arctic Cooling Freezer Pro is kind of the default non-gargantuan replacement in the Intel world and is moderately priced. I think they make a model that fits AMD processors as well.

It's quieter than stock and cools better than stock without costing a lot.

It's $30 in the US.

Look here:

Newegg.com - ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic CPU Cooler


The gargantuan and more expensive units are made by the likes of Xigmatek, Prolimatech, and Scythe.

It's up to you to determine if they are too tall to fit in your case or if they will overhang your RAM slots and have clearance issues.

well a little bit of both ignatza.... well my CPU is kinda random with its temperatures sometimes it will idle at a good 35-40 degrees and under load 45-50 but sometimes it will be idling at like 45-50 and and under load be high 50s which makes the fan run really loud!! but the core seems to run a lot higher than the CPU (dont know if that is what its supposed to be like) but at times playing some games i have seen it get up to around 60 or low 60s which is on the limit for my cpu considering its max temp. is supposedly 62 degrees.

And whats the best way to determine if it will fit ? measure out dimensions with a ruler or something or is there any easier way to determine it?

MHWadester said:

And whats the best way to determine if it will fit ? measure out dimensions with a ruler or something or is there any easier way to determine it?

You could research the height of your current cooler and any prospective replacement. Note the difference between the 2 in millimeters.

Then look in your case and speculate if you have that much clearance above your current cooler.

Or note your case make and model and ask on Internet forums if anyone has issues putting cooler X in that case.

Most coolers will fit in most traditional ATX cases, but I know nothing about your case situation.

There are such things as low-profile coolers.

amd "low profile cooler" - Google Search

If you have a stock exhaust fan, you might do well to replace it also. There are some fine fans out there that are both quieter and more efficient than what you may have.

Scythe, Nexus, Noctua, and Yate Loon are good case fan brands. They often come in S, M, and H variations (slow, medium, high, RPM ratings). Be sure to get the right diameter--typically 92mm or 120 mm.