The new achillies S1284 version 2

[Spawne32]

I just got it off the fedex truck 5 minutes ago, and i snapped two pictures for you of the different bases, expect to see performance #'s this week of these two heatsinks along with the TRUE black, among other top performers.

http://www.hostthenpost.org/uploads/321fac476b661eb79523ca2e6e55b4b4.jpg
http://www.hostthenpost.org/uploads/210d54e8fb15e554ca0209a829de322c.jpg

yes thats right, the spacing on the base is smaller, and the heatpipes are now fully copper for better heat transfer, i havent opened them yet for better shots, but you will hear more from me this week. :cool:

[cheezeit]

That looks interesting, will be looking forward to results.

[Zero82z]

The reviews I've seen have been mostly inconclusive, so I'm interested in seeing how it turns out for you. I'll be watching this thread :).

[Peteman100]

May I ask where you got it? Also, is there some way to tell between version 1 and 2? Thanks!

[Spawne32]

May I ask where you got it? Also, is there some way to tell between version 1 and 2? Thanks!

I got it direct from xigmatek for review, i was heading up Overclockerspulse.com for the past year and a half and i have connections through that site with companys, however that site will be coming to a close at the end of the summer as i open up new opportunitys for reviewing.

As far as telling the difference between version 1 and 2, so far the only obvious difference is the base, i contacted Xigmatek about the fact that this sample they sent me has been used and i was told its actually an engineering sample of the revised version, and the retail release will have nickel plated heatpipes as well like the ones currently selling on newegg. What ill be looking for this week is how well the base contacts the CPU compared to the original model, and whether it has any affect on performance or not.

[Peteman100]

As far as telling the difference between version 1 and 2, so far the only obvious difference is the base, i contacted Xigmatek about the fact that this sample they sent me has been used and i was told its actually an engineering sample of the revised version, and the retail release will have nickel plated heatpipes as well like the ones currently selling on newegg. What ill be looking for this week is how well the base contacts the CPU compared to the original model, and whether it has any affect on performance or not.

So what is the point of the review then, if they will be changing the design? How will that be a meaningful comparison?

[Spawne32]

So what is the point of the review then, if they will be changing the design? How will that be a meaningful comparison?

Because newegg made the decision to sell the first version, which you can get here...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233017

however this version 2 of the achillies that xigmatek sent me, is not released yet to stores.

[ocellaris]

I got it direct from xigmatek for review, i was heading up Overclockerspulse.com for the past year and a half and i have connections through that site with companys, however that site will be coming to a close at the end of the summer as i open up new opportunitys for reviewing.

As far as telling the difference between version 1 and 2, so far the only obvious difference is the base, i contacted Xigmatek about the fact that this sample they sent me has been used and i was told its actually an engineering sample of the revised version, and the retail release will have nickel plated heatpipes as well like the ones currently selling on newegg. What ill be looking for this week is how well the base contacts the CPU compared to the original model, and whether it has any affect on performance or not.

Sounds like more Xigmatek bullshit to me. Now if these perform like crap too, they can just be like "Oh so sorry, that was just a sample" and then they end up in the retail channels anyway. If they perform great, people will buy them up not realizing the nickel plating on retail versions may cause these to perform worse.

[Zero82z]

Sounds like more Xigmatek bullshit to me. Now if these perform like crap too, they can just be like "Oh so sorry, that was just a sample" and then they end up in the retail channels anyway. If they perform great, people will buy them up not realizing the nickel plating on retail versions may cause these to perform worse.

Nickel plating does not noticeably affect temps. Along with other manufacturers, Thermalright has been doing it to their heatsinks for years and they're the best-performing products out there. If there's anything that would make this cooler perform sub-par, it would be bad design, although whether or not that is the case remains to be seen.

[ocellaris]

Nickel plating does not noticeably affect temps. Along with other manufacturers, Thermalright has been doing it to their heatsinks for years and they're the best-performing products out there. If there's anything that would make this cooler perform sub-par, it would be bad design, although whether or not that is the case remains to be seen.

My point was not that the nickel plating would ruin the performance, my point was that this is the 2nd time in a row that Xigmatek has sent out "samples" for the Achilles then claimed the samples were not actually the retail version of the cooler. The first time it happened, the cooler performed poorly, they said the version was not retail and would change, then they shipped the unchanged design to retail anyway. So now thing comes out (version 2!) and yet again its claimed the version people have is not the retail version. After fucking up the first time, why did they even bother to send out non final hardware to people again?

[Peteman100]

My point was not that the nickel plating would ruin the performance, my point was that this is the 2nd time in a row that Xigmatek has sent out "samples" for the Achilles then claimed the samples were not actually the retail version of the cooler. The first time it happened, the cooler performed poorly, they said the version was not retail and would change, then they shipped the unchanged design to retail anyway. So now thing comes out (version 2!) and yet again its claimed the version people have is not the retail version. After fucking up the first time, why did they even bother to send out non final hardware to people again?

Thats what I mean about the test not being meaningful. Its not the final hardware.

[Spawne32]

My point was not that the nickel plating would ruin the performance, my point was that this is the 2nd time in a row that Xigmatek has sent out "samples" for the Achilles then claimed the samples were not actually the retail version of the cooler. The first time it happened, the cooler performed poorly, they said the version was not retail and would change, then they shipped the unchanged design to retail anyway. So now thing comes out (version 2!) and yet again its claimed the version people have is not the retail version. After fucking up the first time, why did they even bother to send out non final hardware to people again?

Yes i know how you feel, and i have been going back and forth with them about this, i have both versions, the ones that initially went to retail and this new one, so ill be running the tests on both despite their opposition to me testing the one on sale at newegg. I know several people that have purchased the one selling on newegg and they arent that happy. Ive been discussing this with olin coles from benchmark reviews as well, he has one of these new revisions as well for review, and you guys have already seen the original review he did several weeks ago.

[Zero82z]

My point was not that the nickel plating would ruin the performance, my point was that this is the 2nd time in a row that Xigmatek has sent out "samples" for the Achilles then claimed the samples were not actually the retail version of the cooler. The first time it happened, the cooler performed poorly, they said the version was not retail and would change, then they shipped the unchanged design to retail anyway. So now thing comes out (version 2!) and yet again its claimed the version people have is not the retail version. After fucking up the first time, why did they even bother to send out non final hardware to people again?

Fair enough, but you also said that people would buy the retail version without realising the nickel plating would reduce performance, so I replied to correct that part of your comment.

[ocellaris]

Fair enough, but you also said that people would buy the retail version without realising the nickel plating would reduce performance, so I replied to correct that part of your comment.

I said "may" reduce performance, simply because I do not trust Xigmatek currently. For all we know the nickel plated pipes are completely different internally.

[Spawne32]

http://www.overclockerspulse.com/cooling-reviews/xigmatek-achilles-s1284-review-or-preview/

[Zero82z]

http://www.overclockerspulse.com/cooling-reviews/xigmatek-achilles-s1284-review-or-preview/

Thanks for the linkage.

[Spawne32]

Thanks for the linkage.

No problem hope you enjoy it, lol you may notice i start getting at a loss for words at some points, most likely because ive been writing for several hours at a time :p i will tell you i was surprised to see the TRUE (the retail untouched one) fail so miserably at the overclocking tests, i knew the Q6600 was like a bbq grill but i hadnt realized how much. Obviously the flaws in the TRUE's base and mounting system got the better of it that time.

[Zero82z]

I have to say I'm honestly surprised that a Q6600 at 3GHz managed those kinds of temps, expecially with quality heatsinks. Granted, you were running it at 1.5v, but the numbers were still high. It's good to know that Xigmatek has made improvements, although hopefully it won't take too long for the revised version to hit retailers.

[Spawne32]

Those numbers are adjusted even, using core temp .99, i have to reduce those figures by - 15 degrees C in order to get accurate measurements consistent with the CPU's rated tjunction max. :lol: trust me, im quite surprised too.

It took me several weeks to figure out how the new system and software was different from what i had used last year during the Heatsink Showdown, and although it looks strange, i seem to be getting more consistent numbers in relation to how the board behaves, and the numbers the bios, and other programs show.

[Peteman100]

Are you planning a follow-up test with the retail version, when it is released?

[Spawne32]

Are you planning a follow-up test with the retail version, when it is released?

Yes, and the heatsink showdown 2 will highlight every cooler i have in one gigantic graph ;) I just wish coolermaster would respond to my emails about getting samples of their coolers.

[Zero82z]

Those numbers are adjusted even, using core temp .99, i have to reduce those figures by - 15 degrees C in order to get accurate measurements consistent with the CPU's rated tjunction max. :lol: trust me, im quite surprised too.

It took me several weeks to figure out how the new system and software was different from what i had used last year during the Heatsink Showdown, and although it looks strange, i seem to be getting more consistent numbers in relation to how the board behaves, and the numbers the bios, and other programs show.

Hang on, so are these the numbers before or after you subtracted the 15C?

[Spawne32]

Hang on, so are these the numbers before or after you subtracted the 15C?

after, all of these measurements are accurate, i figured out the adjustments that needed to be made weeks ago, however you will notice that on some of the older reviews, like the noctua review i did several weeks ago, the temperatures are in the 70s at default settings. Accurate in terms of scaling, but the numbers are off by +15c evenly.

[Old Hippie]

http://www.overclockerspulse.com/cooling-reviews/xigmatek-achilles-s1284-review-or-preview/

Nice Job.

Thanks!

[dd051]

spawne, what are your opinions a standard plate vs a hdt mounting surface?

[Old Hippie]

I'm pretty slow, but what is this "pressure-mod" you mention on the TRUE?

[Old Hippie]

I'm pretty slow, but what is this "pressure-mod" you mention on the TRUE?

Just mark me as the "Old Burnt Hippie"......

I see now that this mod is the cardboard/washer/penny mod, but "pressure mod" gives it an aura of respectability...I Iike it...I like it a lot. :D

I should'a known, I did the washer mod......I mean pressure mod, to my TRUE. :)

[Spawne32]

spawne, what are your opinions a standard plate vs a hdt mounting surface?

HDT is the next evolution in air cooling, and once thermalright gets its hands on the patent im sure air cooling will take another leap forward ;) thats my opinion on that

I'm pretty slow, but what is this "pressure-mod" you mention on the TRUE?


lol yeh, a good vinyl/nylon washer from your hardware store is perfect for this sort of thing, however it can be a bit of a pain to line the TRUE up properly and keep the washer in place at the same time :p

[WC Annihilus]

Sorry if I read over it, but do you happen to have an idea of when the v2 will be coming out? I'm looking to do a new build either this or next month for Nvision, so would you say it would be worth waiting for it over the 1283? Will you be testing with the bolt-through kit at all?

[Spawne32]

Sorry if I read over it, but do you happen to have an idea of when the v2 will be coming out? I'm looking to do a new build either this or next month for Nvision, so would you say it would be worth waiting for it over the 1283? Will you be testing with the bolt-through kit at all?

When the retail version is released im gona get a sample of the bolt through kit to test as well, i dont have an exact date of when that is though, however i hear they are out in a few more stores now. Personally i cant recommend it at this point because of this mystery with the versions, and the performance discrepancy. If you check out the site again i just published the OCZ Vendetta 2 review, which so far is the best HDT cooler ive tested ;)

[WC Annihilus]

Ooh, looks good. And guess what I found? It's on Buy.com for $32.85 AR FS

http://www.buy.com/prod/ocz-vendetta-2-cpu-cooler/q/loc/101/207682409.html

Also, do you know how well these coolers react to a more powerful fan? I have a Panaflo medium speed 120x38 fan (86.5cfm, 47.1 Pa static pressure). Would you think that would work better than the stock fan?

Edit: and apparently it's at Amazon for $29.95 AR FS

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00168ZE7E/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

[Spawne32]

you should manage to pull a few more degrees out of them, but they have less fin density then the TRUE

[WC Annihilus]

Are you going to be reviewing the Sunbeamtech Core Contact Freezer any time in the near future? 4 non-staggered heatpipes =O

[Spawne32]

yes, they are mailing me one ;)