Windows 7: Some fan questions

Ok, so my AMD Phenom II X2 idles around 40 - 45 C, which I don't like. I'm currently using a heatsink from a 2003, Socket 768 era computer. The heatsink actually fits my AM3 socket. The fan I'm using is from another heatsink which shipped with my CPU, it was a generic made-in-china heatsink and fan, and said heatsink was very flimsy and didn't cool very well.

I'm looking for a fan that is not only a lot quieter, but has more airflow. If I have to get a new heatsink, then so be it, but I just need to get this thing cooled down.



1. What is "quiet" in decibels?
2. Which is better, thermal pads or paste/compound?
3. What is a generally good CPU temp?

According to another discussion we had on here, 40-45 C isn't that bad. I will provide a link to the discussion at the bottom of this post (read pages 1 and 2). Fans are going to make noise. Usually, quieter fans have a lower rpm, which means they won't cool as well. If you still want a new fan, here is one I found on newegg. The reviews all say it is fairly quiet, and one guy said his overclocked phenom II x2 went from being 65 C to 45 C. Seems like it will do what you need it to.

Link to previous discussion:
Cpu temp emergency!!!

i use that fan - it's not silent - no fan is, but it's pretty quiet for its price, easy enough to install, and does a good job cooling my overclocked cpu - i would recommend it. as with many other things, you'll get what you pay for.

i've never used thermal pads, so can't advise there.

generally speaking, a large fan at low rpm shifts as much air (so cools the same) as a small fan spinning fast - and is quieter.