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.

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Auras CTC-868

Auras CTC-868

  • Provided by: Auras

  • 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: Case Badge, LED fans
  • Average Selling Price: ~$55


Auras is a new name on the 3rd party cooling market, but they are not new to the cooling business, in their company profile they mention their cooperation with OEM manufacturers like Dell, Acer and many others, providing them with thermal cooling solutions. Their venture into the retail market is quite aggressive, as they are launching numerous products at once, aimed at different price targets. Our first sample is the most expensive at $55, the quite uniquely designed CTC-868. The naming convention is less encouraging (a mistake made by many companies going from OEM to retail market) as remembering a product code is not that convenient.

Starting with the retail packaging, Auras has put some though it in, the white cardboard box has plenty of useful information printed on the sides, including specifications, platform compatibility, as well as thermal scans and performance comparison between the Intel reference cooler and the CTC-868

Madshrimps (c)


On the side of the box this photo, less red = cooler running:

Madshrimps (c)


These are the specifications given by Auras:

  • 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)

    Inside the box you’ll find an installation manual, some extra info regarding the heatsink’s special ability, a large case badge, a tube of thermal paste and mounting gear for AMD/Intel:

    Madshrimps (c)


    In the photo above you can already see what extra feature Auras added to this heatsink which resembles the Zalman CNPS9500 quite a bit; you can flip one the sides in a V form. Closed it looks like this:

    Madshrimps (c)


    You open the sides by pinching these clips together and pulling the sides apart:

    Madshrimps (c)


    You can set the inclination separately for each side, and you have 2 steps:

    Madshrimps (c)

    Madshrimps (c)


    There are a total of 4 heat pipes joined in the copper base, one heat pipe runs the length of the fans on each side, the remaining two are connected to a heatsink in the middle which does not move:

    Madshrimps (c)


    Installation is easy on both platforms as we’re using push pins on Intel, and clips on AMD. The mounting bracket is screwed onto the bottom of the base, a very small Philips screwdriver is required for this. In the photo below you can see the excellent finishing on the base, Auras did an outstanding job here, a perfectly flat surface with no deformations in the reflection:

    Madshrimps (c)


    After securing the heatsinks onto the motherboard (did this not require motherboard removal, just push down on the plastic push-pins) the heatsink takes up quite a bit of space height wise, but enough room to clear larger Northbridge coolers and exotic memory modules.

    Madshrimps (c)


    It’s only when opening her up that you can run into problems, as the area occupied by the CTC-868 increases a lot. In the photo below you can see that the left side can not be opened all the way, without touching the rear exhaust fan.

    Madshrimps (c)


    Both fans are powered from the same 4-pin connector and each fan blows air towards the center of the heatsink, this might not be the best setup, as most system are configured to have airflow going from front to the back of the case.

    Auras added a bit of *bling* to their product as each fan is fitted with BLUE leds, if you have a case panel, you can expect a pretty light show:

    Madshrimps (c)


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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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