Advice needed on stock Athlon coolers...

[DeepBlueJH]

I'm building my girlfriend a computer in about 6 weeks. From the looks of it, I'll probably be getting an XP2100+ by then. I'll have it in a 300W Antec case with two, 34cfm case fans. This will be a relatively low budget system and I dont want to spend $20 extra on a fancy cooler. This sysetm will be left completely stock and wont be overclocked in the slightest.

My question: Is the stock cooler on this Athlon sufficient for my needs. Ive heard the hsf combo on retail Athlons is pretty sad on the XP2000+ and up, but then again since its retail it will come with a 3 year warranty. It doesnt matter if this computer runs warm, so long as its stable. It absolutely cant be loud.

Another related question: Leave the pink grease on the CPU or get arctic silver? Keep in mind this is a budget system and I dont really want to spend any more than I have to.


Thanks for the input.

 

[Excelsior]

TMK, The stock cooler that comes iwth the 2200+ is actually pretty nice, and to be honest, the other ones will 'do the job'. And yes, i would definitely advise you to go ahead and spend the extra 6 or so dollars for some arctic silver 3. You could also get some quiet panaflos for better ventilation if you have any more space for them (I dont know which model Antec you have). But keep in mind the retail costs about 10 dollars more than the OEM, so youd really only be spending another 10 to get a good cooler.

And just cause it will be running a bit hotter doesnt mean itll die in a year or anything. It should be fine.

 

[DeepBlueJH]

Most of the decent HSFs I have seen have run in the $25 range... noting that price, I'd like to stick with retail if I can...

the Antec case I'm getting ishere

 

[mechBgon]

I have seventeen AthlonXP systems at work, sixteen of which use the stock AMD heatsink/fan units and the stock phase-change thermal compound that AMD provides on the heatsinks. You'll be just fine as long as you don't let airflow to the case itself get cut off (computer hutch, etc). Noise-wise, in our office environment the stock AMD heatsink/fan units blend into the ambient noise fine (and it's not like it's extremely noisy there). In a bedroom, it might be a little louder than some people would want. *shrug*

 

[DeepBlueJH]

thank you...