AM4 CPU cooler brackets size. AM3?

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   Does AM3 CPU cooler fit for AM4 ?
I am on water system, just want to know what should I do with a CPU block.
Thank You.

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Nerio_Lab Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 19 Nov 2015 Location: Novorossia Status: Offline Points: 28	Post Options Post Reply Quote Nerio_Lab Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: AM4 CPU cooler brackets size. AM3? Posted: 04 Mar 2017 at 8:05pm
	Does AM3 CPU cooler fit for AM4 ? I am on water system, just want to know what should I do with a CPU block. Thank You.
	The One

wardog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 15 Jul 2015 Status: Offline Points: 6447	Post Options Post Reply Quote wardog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 04 Mar 2017 at 8:50pm
	No. The AM4 is different than all previous mounting dimensions. You should contact the AiO/block manufacturer to see if they are offering a free upgrade to AM4 compatibility. More info and details from EK: https://www.ekwb.com/news/ek-confirms-amd-socket-am4-compatibility/

parsec Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 04 May 2015 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 4996	Post Options Post Reply Quote parsec Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 04 Mar 2017 at 10:52pm
	Many CPU air cooler manufactures are offering AM4 compatible parts for their products. Some are free, others not. I just hope the AM4 CPU cooler mounting designs are improved compared to some of those I've seen in the past. I've always believed the manufactures designed the cooler with Intel mounting in mind, and then just threw something together so it would fit on AMD boards. When I look at the parts for AMD system mounting, I wonder what they were thinking.


wmunn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 04 Mar 2017 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 17	Post Options Post Reply Quote wmunn Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 Mar 2017 at 7:42am
	Phanteks has been pretty decent regarding their AMD solutions, They use a custom top side bracket, and reuse the stock backplate from the motherboard maker. They also stepped up to the plate and provided free AM4 adaptor hardware to those who could document they owned the cooler, and had ordered the am4 motherboard.

Xaltar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 16 May 2015 Location: Europe Status: Offline Points: 25298	Post Options Post Reply Quote Xaltar Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 Mar 2017 at 2:51pm
	Any cooler that uses the plastic clips on the motherboard will also work fine with AM4 (not that I am a fan of that solution).


Nerio_Lab Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 19 Nov 2015 Location: Novorossia Status: Offline Points: 28	Post Options Post Reply Quote Nerio_Lab Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Apr 2017 at 6:51am
	May be like this? This is a clip from AMD original air cooler. Edited by Nerio_Lab - 06 Apr 2017 at 6:54am
	The One

rafay Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 07 Apr 2022 Location: Pakistan Status: Offline Points: 15	Post Options Post Reply Quote rafay Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Apr 2022 at 4:59pm
	Yes, your AM3 or Am3+ cooler can easily fit into AM4, but you might need a different mounting bracket for this. However, if you are using a cooler from Noctua, I think it will be the same for both architectures. Source: AM3 to AM4 Cooler

threadzipper1957 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 05 Mar 2022 Status: Offline Points: 9365	Post Options Post Reply Quote threadzipper1957 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Apr 2022 at 5:14pm
	Just to be clear. We are talking about 2 different things. 1. backplate (on the back of the board) 2. the CPU cooler The picture shows an Intel 11xx waterblock, mounted on top of an AM4 CPU. Intel is using a square mount, and Intel board, do not come with a backplate, this is always provided with the CPU cooler. AMD uses a rectangle backplate, and almost every AMD board, is equiped with a backplate and retention modules AM3, has a smaller distance between mounting holes, than AM4, so an AM3 backplate, will never fit, on an AM4 board, vice versa. When you require a backplate, or retention clips, google for AM4 retention module, and you can buy them everywhere And when applying thermal paste, keep in mind, a small 3mm drop in the middle of the CPU, that is really all it takes, never smear the whole CPU, because it will end at the sides of the CPU, and although impossible, people see fit, to even get the thermal paste, in the holes of the CPU socket. When removing a cooler always lift it up in one corner, and slightly rotate the cooler back and forth, this will allow to remove the vacuum. Otherwise it can happen you rip out the CPU from the socket.
	Kind Regards

threadzipper1957 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 05 Mar 2022 Status: Offline Points: 9365	Post Options Post Reply Quote threadzipper1957 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Apr 2022 at 5:37pm
	one last remark. Watercooling only cools the CPU, NOT the Voltage Regulator Modules (VRM's) that supply power to the CPU. See to it that the VRM's get enough airflow, otherwise they will get really hot, and it's no use when a CPU is 45 degrees and VRM's are 85 or above, they can handle it, but if this is done often enough, at some point, any VRM, wil stop working
	Kind Regards