Gelid Solutions HTPC-1U 28mm Low Profile AMD Socket AM2, AM2+, AM3 CPU Cooler

For the price, I frankly didn't expect much. Given the low clearance required, there weren't a lot of choices. But I have to say, the HTPC-1U turned our to be a great choice. It's quiet and easy to mount. It keeps my 60 watt CPU at about 90 F, and when teamed with an 80MM case fan, the entire chip set runs cool. I've been running it steady for about 4 months now on a teeny HTPC server, and have had no issues. The HTPC-1U appears to be reliable, quiet, efficient and a great choice for cases that have limited CPU fan height clearances. Be sure to check your CPU wattage and CPU height clearances before purchasing this fan. Happy computing.

Wonderful heatsink. great design, but one VERY dangerous flaw....the fins are RAZOR SHARP and will QUICKLY cut into you...I mean to the point you need stitches! Worst part is that they are so sharp you do not even know you are sliced open....Dexter would love these.. ;-) The reason is that apparently they "cut out" the center section where the fan goes after the fact, and they do not clean up the cut edges, or at least file the fins to a dull edge....(which I did myself, only after cutting myself several times!) Trust me, do not try to touch these..you will be bleeding all over the floor... Only reason to knock 2 stars from a 5 star rating is due to the safety issue...

Works with AM2/AM3/FM1/FM2 Pros: - Compatible with 1U cases (I'm using it for pfSense rack) - Quiet when it counts. - Does the job if the CPU is under 45W TDP. Cons: - Company says compatible with 95W TDP, that's a stretch unless there's a 120mm or high-rpm 40mm blowing directly at it. - Will NOT work ALONE with higher than 65W TDP CPU's, even 45W is pushing it when under full load. - Needs a compliment source of airflow (another fan) to cool anything higher than 50W TDP. - Loud (>40dB) when CPU is running hot. - Might not clear CPU 'neighborhood', make sure the mounting area is free and clear because it will be hugging the entirety of it. - Back-plate not compatible with some motherboards I currently have it in a 1U case with 2x 40x20mm Noctua fans complimenting the cooling. Underclocked/volted A8-6600K at 1.4GHz, works just fine and is stable & quiet at 65C when under load.

AMD motherboards have a standard retention clip that is well designed and works very well. For some reason, some heat-sink manufacturers feel the need to design a proprietary bracket. This requires access to the backside of the motherboard which requires that the motherboard be removed from the computer. Since that isn't going to happen, I can't comment on how well it cools. Don't buy this unless there is literally no option.

I have been using this cooler for over six mths. now In my HTPC system zotac GeForce 8200-ITX wifi cooling a AMD Athlon 64 X2 5400+ 65 watt dual core chip. It is totally silent and i mean silent, fits easily and nicely with full installations instruction. My chip cores under maximum loads does not exceed 60 degrees(C)135(F).Also in my rig 1TB Seagate Serial HDD, 1 Slim LG DVD Serial RW, 380 watt mATX(PHD Series PHD380M 380W MicroATX Power Supply), 2x2gb ddr2 memory and a Silverstone SST-LC19B (black) case with all 8 usb occupied. This cooler is extremely flat and powerful. Perfect for HTPC builds. 5/5

i recently purcahsed this cooler for my A10 6700 chip, which is 65W, and the temps reach 73C at idle with room temperature of 24C, it is very noisy as well, even stock cooler performed much better, so if you want to replace your stock cpu cooler go for scythe Kozuti, which costs only 3-4$ more than gelid

I built an ITX box into a NES case. I did need to source some fiber washers to space the backing plate off the motherboard I used due to the motherboard maker's poor choice of component location on the back side of the motherboard, but that's not the fault of this HSF. It fit the bill perfectly on the top side leaving the 1mm gap between it and the slimline DVD drive (though this was removed later since I decided the DVD drive wasn't needed for my purposes). This was the ONLY HSF I could find that actually fit the 1U space requirement my setup requires.

I made an FM2-based computer for a mobile recording system. It had to fit in a 1U rack case. This was the key enabler of the project.. keeps things cool, and it's much better made than any of the alternatives I found.