Everything You Need to Know About AMD CPU Fans
AMD has been producing hardware like CPUs for years, so there are many computers with these processors in them. Since this hardware is prone to heating up while in use, you need to use a CPU fan or heatsink to reduce the heat to nominal levels. Here is everything you need to know about CPU coolers to make an informed buying decision.
How strong does the CPU fan need to be?The answer to that question is dependent on the type of hardware that you are using. This hardware will release heat as it works. Every processor has a Thermal Design Power (TDP) rating that measures how much heat the hardware produces. You must get a fan that meets or exceeds the TDP value of your processor.
You can find the TDP rating by looking through the hardware's owners guide, or you can check the manufacturer's website for more information.
What CPU sockets will a fan work with?Some CPU coolers are universal, meaning that they can work with any socket, while others must be paired with a specific socket. For example, AM2 and AM3 socket sizes are relatively common with this brand, but other brands might use other socket measurements. Make sure that the fan works with the type of socket on your motherboard. The socket type will usually be listed near the hardware area, or you can check the manufacturer's website to see what type of socket the processor uses.
What fan sizes are available?Fans come in many different sizes from a few inches to more than 1 foot in length. Size is usually relative to the TDP rating, but not always. It's more important to know what size will fit in your individual computer. You can do this by opening up the tower or wherever the fan will be installed and measuring the area with a ruler.
As long as the fan fits within those measurements, you should be able to install it. Slim models are available if you have little space to work with.
How can you find a quiet fan?If you are worried about the noise level of your fan, there are a few factors to consider that will help you determine how loud the unit will be when it's running.
- Fan size: The size of the fan is typically relative to how much power it has. Larger and stronger fans have a higher potential for noise but will usually only be loud if they are running at full capacity.
- Unit strength: There should be a gap in how powerful the fan is and the maximum heat rating of your CPU. If the fan is working at its highest setting to keep the computer cool, then it will be loud. If the fan can cool your computer with ease, then it will run slowly and quietly.
- CPU proximity: Fans that are further away from the processing hardware will typically run quieter than those without a gap between fan and CPU.