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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-Z775-EX

Provided by: Rosewill

Platform support: Intel S775
Type of heatsink: Tower
Installation Type: Push-Pins (Intel), Clip (AMD)
Materials: Aluminum, Copper, Heat pipes
Fan Support: 1x 92mm
Extra’s:
Average Selling Price: ~$40

The second heatsink from Rosewill is a compact Tower cooler made to work with a 92mm fan, it has 3 heat pipes to dissipate heat.

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These are the specifications given by Rosewill:

Heat Sink Material: Aluminum Fins / Heat pipes / Copper base plate

Fan Dimension: 92 X 92 X 25 mm / Ball Bearing

Connector: 4 pin (PWM)

While the product photo at the Rosewill site shows the aluminum fins with their natural color, the sample we received had a nice dark coat over the fins.

Inside the box you’ll find an installation manual, tube of thermal paste and mounting gear:

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The fan cover can be removed with 2 screws and shows us the design of the tower heatsink more clearly:

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A group of tightly packed fins dissipate the heat from the 3 U formed heat pipes:

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As the product name implies, this heatsink is only compatible with S775, part of the mounting bracket is already on the heatsink. The heat pipes are bend outwards to offset the center of the heatsink, as to balance the weight when the fan is installed.

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The copper base is nicely flat and close to a mirror polish:

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The 92mm fan is clipped into place and can be easily swapped out if needed; you can orientate the Z775 as needed, pointing towards the rear exhaust for best result:

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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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