Trying to decide if I go with the stock cooler, which is a little more expensive than just the chip or just buy an aftermarket cooler which I might be able to save a few dollars on over the holidays and come out about the same cost.

 

Thoughts on if the stock cooler is good enough?

Depends on the case. If the CPU fan is going to have access to a decent volume of near room temp air, then stock is fine. If you are using a cramped case with poor ventilation, then you might need an aftermarket heatsink and fan to keep the CPU temps in check.

Thanks, sounds like I'll be fine then.  I'll be putting this in an Antec 900 mid tower case.

My 1245v3 is on a stock cooler and I have never run in to any issues. Though, it is well ventilated in a Antec 1200.  I wouldn't think you need waste money on an aftermarket. These chips run so cool.

Having the stock cooler around is always nice to have.  I once through a stock cooler way after it being in my drawer for a while and a week later I got a new HTC case and sure enough  the heat sink was 1/2" too tall.  The new case wasn't even a low profile case it had full height PCI brackets.  I ended up having to spend $80 on a new heatsink, if I still had the stock one I would had just used that one and lived with it.