EggXpert

Hey everybody. I've been looking out for a good kit to build a low-priced machine for my parents. They don't need a monster system but I want to build them something that'll perform well for a few years. The most recent kit deal on the egg, minus the gaudy case, is perfect (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.278844&cm_sp=InfoCenter-_-AMDAthlonIIBundle-_-na)

I've built a system before (been running strong for 1.5 yrs now), but this processor is MUCH harder to find a fan for (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103714). It's Socket AM3, and as far as I could find on the egg, there are like 4 compatible fans. This is a Micro ATX board and the RAM slots are right next door to the CPU, so it needs to be reasonably compact. Does anyone out there with a Socket AM3 processor have any suggestions? Does it really need to specifically list AM3-compatible in the fans specifications? Will AM2/AM2+ work? Thanks guys I appreciate it

Nice kit.

yes, most any AM2/AM2+ cooler should work for the AM3 socket. The biggest thing you need to look at is the wattage handling of the cooler.

Ya AM2+ is the same physical slot, AM3 just means it supports DDR3, any AM2 or AM2+ cooler will work. With current prices of DDR3 i would suggest going with it, not only does it perform better but it runs at much lower voltage, that means u save power. In the end you might spend $10 more on the mobo, worth it in my mind. Im sure theres a similar combo deal with DDR3 for you. As far as RAM, i would get something that runs at 1.5v or less.