- Back to homepage
- Related articles
  Related articles

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.

Auras LPT-709

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: 1x 92mm
Extra’s: Case Badge, LED fans
Average Selling Price: ~$40

The third cooler from Auras is the smallest and most affordable LPT-709, a more classic tower heatsink design, with a 4 heat pipes bend in a U form and joined in a copper base, aluminum waved fins (to increase surface area) dissipate the heat with help of a 92mm fan (the same fan used on the GTO-990).

The retail packaging is very similar to their other products, listing specifications and also including the thermal image on the side:

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: L92 x W86 x H140 mm

Heat Sink Material: Stamped Micro-Fin with 4 heat pipes / Copper base plate

Bearing Type: FDBB (2 ball)

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)

LED: 4 sets (blue light)

Weight: 415 g (with fans)

The package contents are again very similar, Auras has designed a mounting mechanism which can be re-used by most of their CPU cooler products; the included goodies are the same here.

Madshrimps (c)

As you will see in the photo below, the fin area is as big as the 92mm fan, making the cooler rather compact:
Madshrimps (c)

The heat pipes are slightly bent to shift the weight balance towards the middle of the heatsink:

Madshrimps (c)

The copper base has a mirror finish, almost perfect:

Madshrimps (c)

The 92mm fan is mounted with soft rubber mounts which are slipped over the aluminum fins to keep in place:

Madshrimps (c)

We had no compatibility issues with the LPT-709, it fits perfectly inside the case and leaves enough space around the CPU area, so you can orientate it to point towards the rear without issue:

Madshrimps (c)

As before, once powered on the blue LED fan will be visible if your case has a side panel window:

Madshrimps (c)

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

All information and graphics contained in Madshrimps are sole property of the Madshrimps crew and may not be reproduced or copied in any manner without written permission from us.