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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.

Coolermaster Vortex 752

Provided by: Coolermaster

Platform support: Intel S775, AMD S939/AM2
Type of heatsink: Compact
Installation Type: Back Plate
Materials: Aluminum, Copper, Heat Pipes
Fan Support: 1x92mm custom design
Extra’s: None
Average Selling Price: ~$20

The Vortex 725 is a new low cost CPU cooler from Coolermaster, most likely a follow-up to their Sussuro heatsink. The Vortex 725 features two heat pipes, a large series of aluminum fins and a 92mm fan with custom housing which bends outwards towards the top to increase the in-take of air. Coolermaster has adopted a new installation method for the products which requires motherboard removal but ensures a very secure fit, they continue this trend even with this low cost cooler, this might proof successful, time to find out.

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These are the specifications given by Coolermaster:

Heat Sink Dimensions 112.3 x 108.4 x 75.4 mm

Heat Sink Material Cu base/ 2 heatpipes/ Al. fin

Fan Dimension (W / H / D) 92 x 25 mm

Fan Speed 800~2200 R.P.M.

Bearing Type Long life sleeve

Fan Life Expectancy 40,000 hours

Fan Noise Level (dB-A) 18 dBA

Connector 4-Pin PWM

Weight 307.81 g

The version of the Vortex 725 we tested comes with a transparent fan, there is also one with a black fan.

Inside the package there is the compact heatsink, manual and mounting gear:

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The fan is installed on the heatsink with 4 soft rubber mounts to reduce vibration noise:

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When the fan is removed you can get a better look at the heatsink design, a series of small aluminum fins cover the active area of the fan, the dead spot under the fan is empty:

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The bottom reveals the copper base which is machine lapped and flat, two heat pipes are joined in the base and transfer heat to the fins:

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Installation requires motherboard removal as mentioned before, the heatsink is turned upside down and the motherboard placed on top, then the screws are tightened:

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The compact size of the Vortex 752 ensures maximum compatibility:

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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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