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My “AMD 64 3500+ processor is running a bit warm! I can’t over-clock to more than 2.4Ghz before it over heats. My case is cooled to a pleasant 27oC but i cant get the CPU any lower than 45oC.

Can any one recommend a good heat sink/fan/cooling system for a socket 939 AMD 64?

I’m looking for something affordable (around £30)!

Cheers.

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For — short, practical checklist and buying guidance for an Athlon 64 (Socket 939) that runs warm when overclocked.

The 3500+ was shipped in more than one stepping: some 90 nm revisions run with a lower TDP (~67 W) while older steppings were specified higher (around 89 W); the package (case) temperature limit for these K8 parts is in the order of ~70°C, so cooling capacity and contact quality matter when you push clocks. (techpowerup.com)

Before buying anything new, rule out simple installation/airflow issues: remove the cooler, clean old thermal compound with high‑purity isopropyl alcohol, apply a fresh, small pea‑size dot of good TIM, and remount with even pressure (tighten opposite corners in sequence). Make sure the heatsink base and IHS are clean/flat and that the cooler’s protective film (if any) was removed. Also confirm fan direction and that the case has a clear intake → exhaust path (front/bottom intake, rear/top exhaust). Practical how‑to and paste guidance is covered in manufacturer manuals. (noctua.at)

If you do upgrade, look for an aftermarket air cooler whose specs list a copper base and multiple heatpipes plus a larger 92–120 mm fan (bigger fans move more air for less noise). Verify the vendor’s mounting kit explicitly supports Socket 939 and that the cooler’s rated cooling/TDP is at or above your CPU revision. Good cooler design (base finish, heatpipe contact, fan static pressure) usually matters more than brand buzz. (gamersnexus.net)

For overclocking workflow: raise clock/FSB in small steps, keep voltage as low as stable, and validate each step with a proper stress test while watching temps with monitoring tools. Use a CPU torture test (Prime95 / torture mode) to generate sustained load and watch for thermal throttling or instability — back off if temperatures approach the package limit. If temps remain high after the checklist and a suitable air cooler, re-evaluate case airflow, fan speeds, and whether the specific 3500+ stepping in hand is the higher‑TDP variant. (forums.anandtech.com)

Notes tying back to the thread: was right that overclocking raises temps; // were pointing toward better cooling and fans — this summary adds what to check first (TIM, mount, airflow, socket mounting compatibility and proper testing) so any money spent buys the most effective improvement.

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Member Avatar for nizzy1115

i dont have one personally but this one looks pretty good

Member Avatar for Zachery

Well, you are over clocking it.

Member Avatar for NuGG

i dont have one personally but this one looks pretty good

Ive seen that one before. The reviews say its good, but the price is to high!

Member Avatar for alc6379

That's only around £20.74-- right in your price range, isn't it?

But, not to be facetious or anything, but I mean, like Zachary said, you are overclocking it... My first thought response to your question was "Duh!", but I thought that'd be rude. If you're really serious about overclocking your system, you're going to want to invest a little bit of cash into your heatsink. I don't overclock, but I run a Swiftech MCX462-v on my Athlon, and it's about one of the biggest coolers you can get for it. I have OCed it before, and had no trouble heatwise doing so. Swiftech has a 64-bit version of my cooler, but it's pricey, and you have to get a fan for it:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=35-108-037&depa=0

Depending on your needs, you might want to consider even water cooling it. If you put a big enough fan on that Swiftech (I've got a 92mm Vantec tornado on mine, WAY noisy), you could pull off the same temperatures as water cooling.

Fan full blast on my XP2500 system at 100% load, I can get as low as 37-38C with my Swiftech, and that's right up with my buddy, who's running a Zalman watercooling setup. :cool:

Member Avatar for NuGG

But, not to be facetious or anything, but I mean, like Zachary said, you are overclocking it... My first thought response to your question was "Duh!", but I thought that'd be rude.

obvioulsy im overclocking it, and thats why its warm, i wasnt asking why it was warm, i was asking if anyone knew any good cooling systems.

I did concider watercooling, because some water systems cool the cpu, chipset, and memory. Water cooling doesnt come cheap though!

Thanks for your ideas anyway, ill check them out...

Member Avatar for mdbillus

www.frozencpu.com has some nice fans that should get the job done...and some reasonably priced and some are neat looking!

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