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CPU Heatsink Roundup Fall 2007

Cooling/CPU Cooling by jmke @ 2007-11-06

In this large group test we compare over 30 CPU heatsinks with different fan speeds, giving you the data on both thermal and decibel performance. Want to upgrade your stock cooler? This roundup will help you out.

Rosewill RCX-Z5-Ultra

Provided by: Rosewill

Platform support: Intel S775, AMD S939/AM2
Type of heatsink: Tower
Installation Type: Push-Pins (Intel), Clip (AMD)
Materials: Aluminum, Copper, Heat pipes
Fan Support: 2x 92mm with custom frame(included, 4-pin PWM)
Extra’s: LED fans
Average Selling Price: ~$55

Rosewill might be a new name on the retail market, their product line-up and professional approach do lead us to believe they have been active in the OEM market in the past, learning the trade and now implementing their knowledge for their retail channel. The amount of products they carry is huge, from PC cases, power supplies, gaming gear to CPU coolers and much more.

We received two samples from Rosewill for our roundup, the first in their high end RCX-Z5-Ultra.

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These are the specifications given by Rosewill:

Heat Sink Dimension: L113 x W105.4 x H135.2 mm

Heat Sink Material: Stamped Micro-Fin / Heat pipes / Copper base plate

Bearing Type: 2 ball bearing

Fan Dimension: 92 X 92 X 25 mm

Fan Speed: 800~2400 rpm

Fan Airflow: 47 CFM

Rated Voltage: 12 V

Noise Level: 23 dBA

Connector: 4 pin (PWM) / 3 pin

LED: 4 + 2 sets (blue light)

Weight: 568.5 g (with fans)

Looking at the retail box above you have not really a good idea of what’s inside, let’s take a look at it from a different angle:

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Hmmm… that photo looks rather familiar. Let’s open the box and peak inside:

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On the left we have the Rosewill Z5 Ultra on the right the Auras CTC-868.

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The packaging, specifications, features and design is identical. Rosewill confirmed that they are working together with Auras for some products, like this one, for example :)

Comment from Rutar @ 2007/11/06

impressive

A new sheriff in town from Coolink (former Noiseblocker), it is VERY interesting that it seems to be geared towards silent computing (hence performing best there while not outperforming with a high speed fan. I can't seem to get it here tough

Comment from thorgal @ 2007/11/06

John, in your chart the "coolIT freezone" : where is that review ?

Edit : found it :$ But it's watercooling :s : why did you include it in the charts ? Shouldn't there be an explanation added ?

Comment from jmke @ 2007/11/06

it's water cooling and it's not water cooling at the same time imho; this all in one kit doesn't install different from many other heatsinks, there is zero maintenance, zero risk. It gives you an idea of TEC performance combined with water cooling. Plus, if you state that I should not include it, why include the GTO-990 ? It has a radiator, pump and water block, mounted on a small surface; should I not include that one either?

While the CoolIT does use water to cool down the CPU, it's such a compact and one in all device that I never stopped to think of it as a water cooling setup, similar to the Swiftech and Dangerden offerings. It can be installed by any PC illiterate without risk of damage, most water cooling kits sold do require a bit more knowledge and include some risk.

Comment from thorgal @ 2007/11/07

My feeling is you're walking a thin line here. I do not disagree with your previous post, but to my feeling : air is air, and water is water

Hassle is not a criterea I think, or you could just as well include a resorator from Zalman for example : all in one solution with only one waterblock to install to the cpu, almost the same as the CoolIT in my book. Zalman uses a clamp system not unlike CoolIT to attach the tubing to the cpu block, external connections with Zalman are clampless. Just to say there's no hassle there as well (I'm not a real resorator fan myself

)

And then there's the price : air coolers of around $40 compared to a watercooling system from over a $100... in that respect the CoolIT is definately in the watercooling league.

Anyway : the chart is not necessarily wrong, and provides an interesting comparison between the two technologies, but isn't this comparing apples to oranges ?

All imho of course

Comment from jmke @ 2007/11/07

The Ultra ChillTEC is $120+, all air cooled. THe reserator is not all in one kit, you need to handle the tubes = more risk

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