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Socket 775 and AM2 heatsink roundup
Mike D.
December 11, 2007 1:00 AM ET in Tech
Reference Heatsinks
I decided to throw a couple of baseline measurements into the mix for good measure. I have both an AMD and Intel retail heatsink to use for the testing. Both are very different but are thought by their respective manufacturers to provide adequate cooling to their processors.
AMD Reference
AMD’s retail heatsinks have come a long way. I still recall the small aluminium model I received with my old Athlon XP 1800+. There are actually three different heatsink/fan combinations shipping with AM2 processors today. The one we’ll be focusing on for this roundup is what I like to refer to as the “Flagship” HSF. This is the four-heatpipe model that shipped with higher end dual-core processors like the FX-62. Since we’ll be using an X2 6000+ in this comparison, the lower-end aluminium based heatsinks would not be sufficient. This also gives the competition a higher reference mark for comparison, which is always good.
As you can see, the heatsink really does not look very OEM at all. With an 80mm fan and four copper heatpipes, there are after-market coolers that pale in comparison. The fan is interchangeable with just about any 80mm fan with a 25mm thickness. The heatsink mounts using the standard retention clips. The fin count is quite high for an OEM heatsink but it is very short in stature.
Intel Reference HSF
Intel’s latest reference cooler that bundled with my Q6600 is one of the new 4-pin models. It is an open fan and fin design that is intended for both low noise and cooling of the mainboard components surrounding the socket.
As you can see, there is an interesting placement of the thermal pads on the heatsink. It is spread horizontally in order to cover the area of the heatspreader in contact with the two dual cores dies underneath. Arctic Silver suggests applying their products in this similar way on Quad core processors.
Installation was rough to say the least. You think an OEM like Intel would strive to make mounting as painless as possible. The four-post push mount system requires a lot of force and literally bends the mainboard PCB more than I’m comfortable seeing. In my opinion the mount is too secure — the HSF does not budge and feels like it has become part of the mainboard. The bulge I observed at the rear of the socket proves that this statement is not far from the truth.
The open-fin design allows quite a bit of air to cool the mainboard, and the sink’s footprint would allow it to fit in even the shallowest cases.
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