Recently I noticed that my Linux box was running a little hot at times, specifically CPU temperature. I looked inside and the CPU fan was dead. So I decided to replace it. Unfortunately, the idiot that assembled this thing years ago put way too much compound between the CPU and the cooler, and the cpu came right out when I tried to remove the cooler.

After trying to remove it, I decided to hell with it, I'll just get a new processor. But I am not very comfortable knowing what my motherboard can take.

So I guess my question is, if my motherboard supports an AM3 processor, does that mean any AM3 processor will work in it? Or are there other considerations?

Specifically, the motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2P. I don't remember what the old processor was, other than it was a quad core AMD.

So, can I use any AM3 ? And does anyone have some processor recommendations? It's a file and media server so I don't need something super fast; my previous processor was adequate speedwise.