Intel Core i7 Heatsink Roundup Q309 @ [H]

Intel Core i7 Heatsink Roundup Q309 - Thermalright TRUE processor cooler has been kind of the hill for quite some time. Today we bring in four new challengers to see if any of them have what it takes to make our short list of coolers to buy for your next enthusiast box build.

All the coolers reviewed here today have shown themselves to be up to the task. The question you need to ask yourself is what matters to you? Are you looking for a silent heat sink for an HTPC or the very best heat sink money can buy. Maybe you’re looking more middle-of-the-road for your choice.

Any chance of you guys picking up a dial indicator to measure flatness in the future? Also, how did you guys measure thermal paste thickness to ensure each heat sink was had the same thickness?

After applying thermal paste countless times I have simply gotten to the point where I know precisely how much to apply and how to spread it out for a thin, even coverage area.

As far as a dial indicator for flatness, I would say that our temperature readings combined with our grid pattern will show you the level of flatness.

Poor performance mixed with a base that shows warped lines in its reflection is easy to notice.

Regards,
Marc Adams

Originally Posted by Marc Adams

After applying thermal paste countless times I have simply gotten to the point where I know precisely how much to apply and how to spread it out for a thin, even coverage area.

As far as a dial indicator for flatness, I would say that our temperature readings combined with our grid pattern will show you the level of flatness.

Poor performance mixed with a base that shows warped lines in its reflection is easy to notice.

Regards,
Marc Adams

That's a shame.

I know that this [HARD] site is meant for enthusiasts and such, but why not test the HSF setups with their provided thermal paste? I know using your own (as stated in the methods) cuts out variables, but it doesn't provide an 'out-of-the-box' review..

On that note, how bad is the provided paste usually?

Originally Posted by Mazgazine1

On that note, how bad is the provided paste usually?

It can range from generic white goop to their own brand of thermal paste.

We did a thermal paste roundup and temperatures can range by as much as 2º C if not more using poor quality stuff
LINK HERE

And we feel that most people have their own brand of thermal paste they prefer to use. So we stick with our single TIM.

This is what I like to see. No reason to trade in the TRUE, but the next time i need a heat sink for a project I can spend less. It's a win both ways.

Originally Posted by Marc Adams

After applying thermal paste countless times I have simply gotten to the point where I know precisely how much to apply and how to spread it out for a thin, even coverage area.

As far as a dial indicator for flatness, I would say that our temperature readings combined with our grid pattern will show you the level of flatness.

Poor performance mixed with a base that shows warped lines in its reflection is easy to notice.

Regards,
Marc Adams

Hey Marc, do you ever use the line method when applying paste? Or do you always spread it out evenly over the surface? Arctic Silver says to use the line method, and not spread it out........

Because I do not use the AS paste I spread a even layer across the base. This also has the benefit of letting me control how the paste contacts the base of the cooler. Very important to have consistency here.

If I were using the AS paste then I would absolutely follow their instructions.
In The article I linked earlier I tested the AS paste and followed their instructions with good results. You should read that article. It was a lot of fun.

There is something I have been wondering for a while, about the orientation of heat-pipe heatsinks. Most of those pipes are designed to use in a mobo setup is flat on table and the pips point straight up and that is how almost every reviews on internet tested.
However, most people install these in a tower case where these motherboards are installed vertically vs ground/gravity. Now these pips are just point side ways and totally defeats the flow of heat(upwards).

Please correct me if I am wrong.

Oh and big typo in article's headline.
"Thermalright TRUE processor cooler has been kind of the hill for quite some time."

Trying to find the COGAGE TRUE Spirit on FrozenCPU and NewEgg, but no dice. Any word on where/when?

79500 GT? Wow! Where do I get one?

Seems like alot of people areconcerned with how the thermal past was being applied, I am as well.
I kinda paid extra attention to the sections about Base Flatness/Polish. It seems that you favor a highly polished suface. However when you look at the pics of the base after being mounted alot of the heatsinks show signs that they were not making any direct contact with the CPU.
I had always thought that it is best to not to have a highly polished surface so that you dont end up with no direct contact between HS and CPU.

this flash the you linked to in your compound roundup best shows what I am talking about. http://www.mgchemicals.com/techsupport/860_demo.html

Originally Posted by Zok

Trying to find the COGAGE TRUE Spirit on FrozenCPU and NewEgg, but no dice. Any word on where/when?

I found it here: Cogage TRUE Spirit

Originally Posted by Marc Adams

And we feel that most people have their own brand of thermal paste they prefer to use. So we stick with our single TIM.

I agree completely.

does anyone know how well the Thermalright ultima 90 cools the the 920?

Hi Marc, great review this time around. May I recommend though that next time you test each heatsink in the round up with 3 separate mounts and runs? That way it can be even more accurate by removing some disparity between mounts and give us a good average to work with. 3 is okay but 5 is preferable IMHO.

Man, that Thermalright just won't die. You can call that a best buy since it seems to always be very high at the top no matter the platform. You can probably buy just that one and keep it for years through multiple platforms and still have one of the best performers.

I believe the only way to improve the TRUE is to make it a heatpipe contacting surface.

Thermalright TRUE processor cooler has been kind of the hill for quite some time.

However accurate this statement may be (Don't want the Thermalright cooler to think I am saying its anything but KIND) perhaps KING would be the better choice of words in this case...

Kind of sticks out like a sore thumb being at the top of the site and all...