Is a CPU Cooler really necessary? Is it all hype? Or does it actually work? Or will it be much better than the stock CPU coolers that come together with the original CPUs.
In this simple, unofficial review of the Antec C40 CPU Cooler, I hope to answer some of those questions from my experience with this product. Firstly, for all the official information, please go to the following sites, so I won't repeat the stats of the device in this post:
Why do I need a CPU cooler?
My Windows PC has been turning-off by itself at irregular and unpredictable times. Sure most of the times it is because of Windows - and I am never shy of blaming Windows because most of the time it is Windows' fault. I've checked for drivers incompatibilities, new programs that may cause crashes, anti-virus/anti-malware, plugins misbehaving, Windows Update. But none of this were the reasons. Good for Windows that it is not the problem this time.
By the way, the effect is not really the PC 'crashing'. What happens is that while working on the PC, the computer literally turns-off or powers-off, the same effect as if someone just pull out the power plug.
So this can only be two things:
- Power Supply Unit
- Overheating CPU (either motherboard or CPU triggers a shutdown to prevent damage)
The Power Supply Unit problem will be very difficult to check. Perhaps qualified electricians can use a multimeter to check a few points (DO NOT TRY THIS). But most PC enthusiasts way of testing is to try a different Power Supply and see if the problem exist. In addition, this problem happens at totally different activities while working on the PC.
Although it looks random, the pattern of the auto turn-off problem emerges. It happens when the computer is left running for some time. It may also happen when doing heavy browsing. It feels more and more like a heat problem. But SpeedFan program says the temperature is between 45-60 degrees. This does not seem to be overly critical although it is high.
Then one day I rebooted, when into BIOS and check the temperature from the BIOS stats, and it is 80'C degrees. Obviously SpeedFan is wrong! The PC is placed at a corner next to a tall filing cabinet, which I thought would have sufficient airflow since it is not tightly cramped, but apparently not. Bringing the PC out of the corner, and removing the side panel of the motherboard reduced the temperature to 60-70'C degrees.
So definitely temperature is the most likely culprit. Although 60-70'degrees may not cause the problem anymore, but I would need to place the PC back to its original position, hence I thought of purchasing another CPU Cooler to replace the stock standard CPU cooler that came with the original CPU.
CPU Socket Type
My desktop PC is based on an AMD APU (CPU + graphics) of FM2 socket type. So I did a whole lot of research of price vs functionality of CPU coolers before selecting this. What I did not realise that was motherboard was FM2+ socket type until after the purchase. However it turns out to be fine since FM2/FM2+ are compatible not only in terms of the motherboard but also the Antec C40.
Product Selection
So apart from the price / functionality, why exactly did I choose this among the many other choices:
- Antec seems to be a specialised brand when it comes to CPU cooling. Other brands which I seriously considered were Coolermaster and Thermaltake.
- The Copper base was an important point for me.
- The weight of the cooler - it is not the lightest but quite reasonable given the dimensions.
- The cool factor from the blue LED lighting.
Installation
Before installation of the Antec C40, the original stock standard AMD CPU cooler fan has to be removed. These are the steps I follow - and I do not guarantee any safety - please read other instructions or manuals before doing this.
Uninstalling the AMD stock standard CPU cooler:
- Switch of the PC and all connected equipment.
- Unplug everything connected to the PC.
- Open the CPU case and make sure you touch the metal from to unearth any static charge.
- Reposition the CPU case in a comfortable position, with proper lighting, so it is easy to work with.
- Gently move any wires aside.
- Unlock by pressing the lever on one side of the AMD stock standard CPU cooler. This type of cooler is extremely easy to remove. Once unlock, gently and lightly tilt both ways to let the CPU cooler unhinge from the motherboard latches. NEVER EVER use force. If anything does not move, just tilt or change some other position.
- As you lift up the old CPU cooler, you will see some old thermal paste on top of both the CPU and the base of the old CPU cooler. Clean the thermal paste on top of the AMD CPU by rolling the tip of a cotton butt on it.
(Old AMD stock standard CPU. The best thing about this is the super easy way to install/remove due to the excellent lever design. The Antec C40 on the other hand is hard to clip on, and even harder to unclip to remove)
Installing the new Antec C40
- Unpack the Antec C40.
- Ignore the screws and square harness. Those items are for Intel CPUs.
- Test Run Only: Gently lower the Antec C40 on top of the AMD CPU. Practice to latch one side of the CPU Cooler onto the motherboard around the CPU - just to experience any challenges or difficulties. Get a feel of how difficult or easy it is to secure the latch but DON'T do the actual attachment yet.
- Use the thermal paste supplied by Antec and squeeze a light amount on top of the AMD CPU. Gently spread the paste with the thermal paste tip, then use a small flat thin cardboard to evenly spread the paste on the CPU.
- Get the Antec C40 cooler AND REMOVE THE THIN FILM from the base of the C40 cooler.
- Lower the C40 down on top of the AMD CPU. In my case, lowering the side opposite to the latch until it hooks onto the CPU edge was actually quite easy - to this at an angle.
- When one side is latched, then very very gently tilt the CPU cooler to be horizontal, to latch on the other side, in order to clip it on. This is the hardest part. You need to apply force, but applying too much force may damage the CPU.
- When securely attached, close the PC case, attach the PC components again, restart the PC and go to BIOS screen.
Problem Solved
Is a CPU Cooler really necessary? Is it all hype? Or does it actually work? Or will it be much better than the stock CPU coolers that come together with the original CPUs.
YES, it is necessary. No it is not hype. Yes it does work. Yes, it is definitely better than the AMD Stock Standard CPU Cooler.
Actually the first time I installed it, the BIOS showed 80'C degrees. That was totally unexpected. At least if it was like 60-70'C degrees, that would be similar to the old AMD CPU cooler - that would be understandable. But why would the new Antec C40 produces 80'C degrees when first installed. After checking this and that, with the PC case still open, there seems to be a shiny border between the CPU and the base of the CPU Cooler. Then the shocking realisation that I actually forgotten to remove the thin film packaging on the C40 cooler's base as described in step 4 above.
So after uninstalling the new C40 cooler (uninstalling is even more difficult when trying to unclip the new C40 cooler), remove the thin file at the base of the cooler, then reinstall everything again, the PC was rebooted. Now the very good surprise was that the temperature is hitting about 40'C degrees only. What's more when I place my hand near the CPU cooler fan, it is actually cool air, instead of the hot air I previously felt.
When Windows was restarted, running many applications, browsers, etc to test, the temperature was much lower than with the previous old AMD cooler (actual numbers given by SpeedFan were wrong in absolute terms, but the temperature readings are significantly lower with the new Antec C40 cooler). So the conclusion, at least on my particular AMD FM2 system, the Antec C40 cooler definitely show a dramatic reduction in CPU temperature and the PC does not switch off by itself anymore.
Below image shows the Antec C40 in all its glory (PC case is open)
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