CPU cooler recommendations needed

I will need to buy a CPU cooler for Phenom X4 9850. I am trying to track down the 95W version, but may have to settle for the 125W, so the cooler must be able to handle either. Now comes the hard part, for which I need help. I want a CPU cooler that is not gargantuan in size, and is as quiet as possible. I've found many quiet ones (Noctua NH-D14, Zalman CNPS10X, etc.), but all were too huge. Seen many user reviews complaining that they were difficult or impossible to fit into even a full-size case, overcrowded the RAM, impeded air circulation, and so on.

So far, the smallest and most quiet I've discovered are the Scythe Mugen 4, and Gelid Solutions CC-BEdition-01-A. Can anyone suggest a CPU cooler for Phenom X4 9850 that is smaller than these two, and at least as quiet?

 

What about the cooler that came with the CPU? Understand in spite of what many claim, the OEM coolers that come packaged with CPUs are excellent coolers, fully capable of providing adequate cooling even with mild to moderate overclocking.

And today's OEM coolers are pretty quiet too (though the case plays a big role in quietness as well), and certainly OEM fans are fairly compact compared to some aftermarket coolers.

Also, I must point out that using an aftermarket cooler with a CPU that is packaged with a OEM cooler voids the warranty!!!! So - if your CPU came packaged with a cooler, I recommend using that.

If not packaged with a OEM cooler, or you are not concerned about CPU warranties and just want an aftermarket cooler, then be sure to use a cooler that moves lots of air.

The problem with "small and quite" is they don't go well together when it comes to fans.

Generally HUGE fans are preferred because they move massive amounts of air but do so while spinning at a much lower RPM - thus MUCH quieter than smaller fans which must spin faster to move the same amount of air.

Just something to think about while searching.

Oh, and as far as the coolers you listed, I don't like any of them and here's why. The OEM cooler fan for that CPU fires down. Motherboard designers intentionally cluster heat sensitive and heat generating devices around the CPU socket so they too can take advantage of the "expected" air flow created by the "expected" OEM fan. Those aftermarket coolers fire sideways - pushing the air in just one direction - and not down onto the heatsink where it is needed most.

Also, because the large fans on those coolers fire sideways, that means the fans stand up on end. Meaning they extend a bit into the case's internal cavity. To me, if small is a criteria, you should be looking at traditional fan orientations.

Finally, it is critical to note it is the case's responsibility to provide an adequate supply and "flow" of cool air through the case. The CPU fan need only toss the CPU's fan into that flow. If NOT extreme overclocking and CPU temps are too high, you really need to be looking at improving your case cooling - not replacing the CPU fan.