AM4 CPU cooler brackets size. AM3?
Printed From: ASRock.com
Category: Technical Support
Forum Name: AMD Motherboards
Forum Description: Question about ASRock AMD motherboards
URL: https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4528
Printed Date: 10 Feb 2025 at 3:22pm
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Topic: AM4 CPU cooler brackets size. AM3?
Posted By: Nerio_Lab
Subject: AM4 CPU cooler brackets size. AM3?
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2017 at 8:05pm
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" rel="nofollow - 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 |
Replies:
Posted By: wardog
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2017 at 8:50pm
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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/" rel="nofollow - https://www.ekwb.com/news/ek-confirms-amd-socket-am4-compatibility/ |
Posted By: parsec
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2017 at 10:52pm
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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. ------------- http://valid.x86.fr/48rujh" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: wmunn
Date 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. |
Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 05 Mar 2017 at 2:51pm
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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). ------------- 
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Posted By: Nerio_Lab
Date Posted: 06 Apr 2017 at 6:51am
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May be like this? This is a clip from AMD original air cooler.  ------------- The One |
Posted By: rafay
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2022 at 4:59pm
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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: https://motherboardpros.com/best-am3-cpu-cooler/" rel="nofollow - AM3 to AM4 Cooler |
Posted By: threadzipper1957
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2022 at 5:14pm
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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 |
Posted By: threadzipper1957
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2022 at 5:37pm
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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 |