Cooler Master Details Vertical Vapor Chamber Technology

Category: CPU Cooling
Posted: January 22, 2012 09:01AM
Author: Nick Harezga

Cooler Master has come a long way since releasing the first heatpipe heatsink in 2000. Its newest innovation is Vertical Vapor Chamber technology, developed by its OEM and industrial cooling division. The technology helps to cut down on air resistance by reducing airflow vortexes. A byproduct of this is a reduction in noise. The vapor chambers also increase the fin contact area by a factor of three, allowing for better heat transfer. By adding the vertical vapor chambers to existing heatpipe technology, Cooler Master will be able to develop heatsinks with lower noise without sacrificing cooling performance.

Cooler Master Unveils Pair of New Coolers

Category: CPU Cooling
Posted: January 18, 2012 05:04PM
Author: Nick Harezga

Cooler Master has announced two new CPU heatsinks, the TPC 812 and the X6 Elite. The TPC 812 is the first heatsink to use vertical vapor chamber cooling in conjunction with heat pipes. It is made of copper, and improved soldering techniques increase the thermal transfer capability. The heatsink fin design and fan mounting system will allow for more than enough air to draw the heat off the metal. The TPC 812 will set you back $69.99 and will be available in Q1 of this year. The X6 Elite features a honeycomb fin structure and an angled base to provide increased airflow. The addition of an air duct on the heatsink directs airflow from a PWM controlled fan. The X6 Elite will cost $49.99 and will also be available Q1 of this year.

Thermaltake Launches Frio Extreme CPU Cooler

Category: CPU Cooling
Posted: January 2, 2012 02:01PM
Author: bp9801

Thermaltake is one of the leading manufacturers of computer components, and this time has a new product being released. The Thermaltake Frio Extreme CPU cooler was first shown at Computex 2011, and now will soon be available to purchase. The Frio Extreme features six 6mm heatpipes and dual heatsink towers paired with two 140mm fans. All told, the Frio Extreme has a cooling capacity up to 250W, ensuring every overclocker can take their CPU to the highest possible frequencies on air. The Frio Extreme also has a VR and PWM controller for the two 140mm fans, which lets you control the speeds between 1200 and 1800RPM. It will work with all Intel and AMD sockets, including the new Intel LGA2011 socket, thanks to its universal all-in-one backplate.

The Thermaltake Frio Extreme CPU cooler will be available soon, though no price was mentioned.

Coolink Corator DS CPU Cooler for LGA2011

Category: CPU Cooling
Posted: November 11, 2011 05:55AM
Author: Dale Shuck

Coolink has just announced its first CPU cooler designed for Intel's upcoming LGA2011 socket platform for Core i7-3000 series Sandy Bridge-E processors. The Corator DS – LGA2011 is based on the existing Corator DS cooler and comes with the SWiF2 - 120P PWM high-performance fan along with the SecuFirm 2 mounting system upgraded for LGA2011.

The four 8mm heatpipes are anchored in a gapless all-copper base giving the Corator DS - LGA2011 a large contact area. The cooling fins are designed using an asymmetrical dual stack design wider spacing on the first set of fins for increased airflow efficiency. Cooling is provided by the included SWiF2-120P fan which uses an innovative 11-blade impeller to improve airflow, especially at lower speeds. The cooler also supports PWM to allow it to be controlled by the motherboard depending of CPU temperatures.

Coolink also includes a tube of Chillaramic thermal compound and backs it all up with full five-year warranty. The Coolink Corator DS - LGA2011 can be purchased now at a suggested retail price of € 39.90 / US $44.90.

Thermaltake Announces Frio Advanced CPU Cooler

Category: CPU Cooling
Posted: October 24, 2011 04:57PM
Author: Nick Harezga

Thermaltake has announced the next entry into the Frio series of CPU coolers, the Frio Advanced. The Frio Advanced hopes to expand on the cooling technologies already featured in the Frio and Frio OCK coolers to provide excellent cooling performance. The heat pipes on the Frio Advanced are assembled directly to the base of the heat sink, removing the need for weld points that can trap heat in the material. Pulse-width modulation is used with the two 13cm fans to optimize sound and cooling performance. The all-in-one back plate design allows for all sockets to be supported, including the newest sockets from both Intel and AMD.

Noctua Offers Free Upgrade for LGA2011 Socket

Category: CPU Cooling
Posted: October 19, 2011 04:45PM
Author: Nick Harezga

Noctua has announced plans to offer the NM-I2011 mounting kit for the new Intel LGA2011 socket. This mounting bracket will fit all Noctua CPU coolers that have been released since 2005, and will be available by providing proof of purchase on the Noctua website. Noctua has done this this for several recent socket upgrades for Intel and AMD, and this will allow people to save some money on upgrades by keeping their current Noctua heatsink. I'm sure the current heatsinks will be able to handle the new socket, as I know my Noctua heatsink does a great job keeping my current CPU cool. An official statement on this was released by the CEO of Noctua, Mag. Roland Mossig, "We feel that product quality and service quality should always go hand in hand, so we're determined to give the best possible support to our customers. Having provided free mounting upgrades for the last generations of Intel and AMD platforms, we're happy to announce that we will continue this tradition with the NM-I2011 kit for LGA2011."

GELID Launches GX-7 CPU Cooler

Category: CPU Cooling
Posted: August 20, 2011 04:02AM
Author: Daryn Govender

Hong Kong-based GELID Solutions today launched the latest product in its GAMER line, the GX-7 CPU cooler. The new cooler features seven heat pipes arranged in a "V-shape" for more even cooling, along with aluminum fins. A PWM-controlled Wing 12 PL blue-LED fan is also included. The Wing 12 PL fan uses Nanoflux bearings to achieve friction-free fan operation for a quiet computing experience. The GX-7 CPU cooler supports a dual fan configuration, with Gebhard, Sales Director of GELID Solutions Ltd. saying that  "The GX-7 when using dual 120mm fans can provide cooling equivalent to liquid cooling solutions." The GX7 also meets RoHS and WEEE certification, and will be bundled with GC-2 thermal compound along with mounting clips for a variety of both AMD and Intel sockets. The GX-7 CPU cooler is available now for US$65 (€45) and is backed by a three-year warranty.

Enermax Unveils ETS-T40 CPU Cooler

Category: CPU Cooling
Posted: July 18, 2011 12:54AM
Author: Daryn Govender

Enermax today unveiled its latest CPU cooler dubbed the ETS-T40. The new CPU cooler is designed for quiet and effective cooling, featuring a patented SEF (Stack Effect) based on Bernoulli's Law, to enhance heat transfer. Enermax claims that the ETS-T40 has a "world leading" thermal resistance value of 0.09°C/W. A Vacuum Effect (VEF) forces air to flow through the fins of the heatsink, helping increase cooling capability. In addition, the heatsink also uses Vortex Generator Flow (VGF) technology to improve air convection around the fins. The ETS-T40 CPU cooler has 52 aluminum fins, backed by four 6mm Heat Pipe Direct Touch (HDT) copper heat pipes, for rapid heat dissipation. Extra cooling power is provided by an 120mm Twister-bearing fan running between 800 and 1800RPM. The ETS-T40 heatsink has a rated maximum noise output of 26dBA and weighs in at 610g. The Enermax ETS-T40 heatsink will be available in three variants, each with a different fan type: either dual color LEDs, a single color LED, or no LED. The new heatsinks are compatible with a wide range of Intel and AMD sockets, and will be priced from US$39.99.

Breakthrough in Microelectronics' Cooling

Category: CPU Cooling, Science & Technology
Posted: July 12, 2011 05:38PM
Author: Guest_Jim_*

Researchers at the Sandia National Laboratories have developed a new technology that may greatly affect air-cooling of microelectronics. Current air cooling systems can suffer from “dead air” around cooling fins and act as a boundary. Their creation minimizes the thickness of that layer of air by as much as 90%. This could reduce the overall consumption of electricity in the USA by more than 7%, if implemented in more than just computers and servers. The current focus is the information technology sector in the USA, which has a yearly electric bill around seven billion dollars, and growing.

What the team has created is the Air Bearing Heat Exchanger, also called the Sandia Cooler, and at first glance, just looks like a heat sink with radial fins in a tight spiral. When in use though, the cooler spins, pulling air in from above and forcing it out of the sides. This obviously enhances the heat transfer from the electronics to the environment, but also causes the reduction in dead air. Because of the aerodynamics of the cooler, it is extremely quiet. The team has also stated that the technology can be scaled to different sizes, allowing for wider implementation than just electronics.

(Image is a composite of those used in the source article. Please visit the link for larger views.)

Corsair H80 and H100 CPU Coolers Available for Purchase

Category: CPU Cooling
Posted: July 7, 2011 02:04PM
Author: F13Bubba

Corsair announced today that its newest generation of Hydro CPU coolers is now available at retail outlets. This new generation includes the Hydro Series H80 and H100 liquid CPU coolers. As with their predecessors, the H80 and H100 are both pre-filled, closed-loop cooling solutions for the user that wants the quiet operation of a water cooling loop, but in a compact package. The H80 has a double thick radiator, two 120mm fans, and can be mounted wherever one would mount a 120mm fan, much like the H70. The H100 is a completely new design, featuring a full 240mm radiator with two 120mm fans. Both coolers come with a Corsair Link connector, which enables them to take advantage of Corsair’s new Link software for temperature monitoring and fan control. The H80 has a suggested retail price of $109, with the H100 coming in at $119. More information on all of Corsair's Hydro series coolers can be found at the manufacturer's website.

Spire Unveils Swirl CPU Cooler

Category: CPU Cooling
Posted: June 3, 2011 09:03PM
Author: Daryn Govender

Spire today unveiled its latest CPU cooler, dubbed the Swirl. The Swirl has a unique cylindrical design comprising of 45 all-directional aluminum fins, supported by a copper base and three 8mm copper heat pipes. The Swirl is designed to cool CPUs with power outputs of up to 150W, and includes a nine-blade cooling fan complete with red LEDs. The fan speed can be adjusted between 800 and 2000RPM using the included PCI controller. A dark nickel coating is included to protect the heat sink from oxidation. The Swirl CPU cooler supports Intel's 1155, 1156, and 1366 sockets and AMD's AM2/AM3 sockets. The Swirl will be backed by a five-year warranty. Spire did not disclose details regarding the pricing or availability of the Swirl.

Deepcool Unveils Assassin CPU Cooler

Category: CPU Cooling
Posted: May 14, 2011 01:32AM
Author: Daryn Govender

Beijing-based Deepcool has unveiled its latest CPU cooler, named the Assassin. The new cooler consists of two nickel-plated towers supported by eight 6mm copper heatpipes. Two fans will be included, both held in place by a patented rubber frame cover. One 120mm fan will push air through the heatsink, the other 140mm can be positioned in between the two towers to enhance the CPU's performance. Additionally, a third fan can also be attached depending on the motherboard design. The Deepcool Assassin will support Intel's LGA775/1155/1156 and 1366 sockets along with AMD's AM2/AM2+ and AM3 sockets. Deepcool did not reveal a launch date or price for the Assassin CPU cooler.

Antec Announces the Antec Kühler H2O 920 Liquid Cooling Unit

Category: CPU Cooling
Posted: April 12, 2011 04:00AM
Author: Dale Shuck

OCC recently reviewed the Antec Kühler H2O 620 CPU cooler and found it to be a very good performer, especially when you consider its $69.95 list price. Today, Antec is upping the ante by launching the Kühler H2O 920 maximum-performance liquid CPU cooler.

Like its little brother, the Kühler H2O 920 is a sealed liquid CPU cooling unit developed in comjunction with Asetek and features several upgrades over the Kühler H2O 620. The Kühler H2O 920 uses a double-thick radiator and twin 120mm fans in a push-pull configuration for enhanced cooling performance. It also comes with Asetek’s ChillControl software for interactive fan control. Like we saw in our review of the Kühler H2O 620, the new unit uses easy-bend tubes for maximum flexibility in radiator positioning. the Kühler H2O 920 incorporates a third-generation copper cold plate and a latest-generation low-profile pump, all of which combine to offer maximum CPU heat dissipation.

The Kühler H2O 920 uses Asetek’s ChillControl V software, a Kühler H2O 920 exclusive feature, to provide monitoring and control of liquid temperatures, fan speed, pump speed, sound level, and the ability to customize fan speeds at three levels based on liquid temperature.

Antec has announced the Kühler H2O 920 will be available at the end of April at a price of $119.95.
 

Zalman Unveils CNPS11X Extreme CPU Cooler

Category: CPU Cooling
Posted: March 10, 2011 12:17AM
Author: Daryn Govender

Zalman has unveiled a new CPU cooler, named the CNPS11X Extreme. The CNPS11X is designed for optimum cooling with a maximum TDP of 350W. This is achieved by using a unique V-shape design for enhanced airflow, coupled with a composite heatpipe and Zalman's ZM-STG2 thermal grease. A blue LED 120mm fan with PWM support, operating between 1000 and 1950RPM improves cooling performance. The cooler is made from pure copper and aluminium, weighing in at 600g and measuring 132x80x154mm (LxWxH). The cooler is plated with black nickel and is compatible with various Intel and AMD sockets. The Zalman CNPS11X Extreme CPU cooler should be available by the end of April.

Prolimatech Launches Genesis CPU-Cooler

Category: CPU Cooling
Posted: February 15, 2011 11:43PM
Author: Daryn Govender

Prolimatech has launched its latest CPU-cooler, named the Genesis. The Genesis features two towers with a unique tower placement. One tower is placed vertically, following in line with the Megahalems and Super Mega, but the other is placed horizontally. This enables the cooler to be mounted with up to three 120mm or 140mm fans, allowing maximum airflow. As always with Prolimatech, the cooler will not be bundled with any cooling fans to let enthusiasts choose their own fan setup. The new cooler supports AMD's AM2, AM2+ and AM3 sockets, along with Intel's 775, 1155, 1156 and 1366 sockets using the included mounting kits. The Genesis will also be bundled with mounting parts for two fans, a tube of the Prolimatech PK-1 thermal paste and a CPU backplate. The Prolimatech Genesis CPU-cooler is available for pre-order now from Caseking.de and will release on March 4 for around US$81 (€59.90).

Thermaltake Frio OCK CPU Cooler Unveiled

Category: CPU Cooling
Posted: February 14, 2011 04:37PM
Author: bp9801

Thermaltake is a leading manufacturer in a variety of computer components, including cooling. It launched its Frio CPU cooler last year and it was quite the success since it delivered exceptional cooling performance. Now, Thermaltake is launching an updated version in the form the Frio OCK CPU cooler. The Frio OCK has six 6mm heatpipes that transport the heat into two separate towers. The move to a dual-tower design allows for an increased airflow and ventilation by the two included fans, though I will wait for a review to see if it is better than the original. The Frio OCK can handle up to 240W so any processor should be nice and cool under it. There are two 130mm high-pressure fans working in a push-pull configuration on the Frio OCK. Each fan runs at 1200RPM but can ramp it up to 2100RPM for improved cooling during a high overclock or extreme load. As for the design, Thermaltake based it off the bunkers from StarCraft II so that you could have a little piece of the popular RTS game in your case of choice.

The Thermaltake Frio OCK CPU cooler will work with all current Intel and AMD sockets, though no mention was made of a price or launch date.

ARCTIC Announces Freezer 13 PRO CPU Cooler

Category: CPU Cooling
Posted: February 11, 2011 06:39PM
Author: bp9801

ARCTIC's Freezer 13 CPU cooler hasn't been out for too long, but that isn't stopping ARCTIC from releasing a new flagship version of it. The ARCTIC Freezer 13 PRO CPU cooler builds on the design of the Freezer 13 by adding a new technology it calls Cross-Blow. What makes the Cross-Blow technology unique is that ARCTIC has added a 50mm PWM fan to the base of the cooler which generates airflow to cool down the Northbridge and other chipset parts. The Freezer 13 PRO can generate up to 300W of cooling capacity which is far more than enough for even the hottest running processors. There are four U-shaped 8mm copper heatpipes on the Freezer 13 PRO that lead up into the aluminum fins. Cooling it all is a 120mm PWM fan that generates 49.7 CFM. The Freezer 13 PRO uses push pins to install on to your motherboard plus ARCTIC has pre-applied some of its MX-4 thermal compound to the base which will make installation that much easier. The cooler is compatible with all Intel and AMD sockets, including Intel's latest 1155 socket.

The ARCTIC Freezer 13 PRO CPU cooler will launch at $54.90 or €39.90. No word on how soon it will launch, but it is covered by a six year warranty.

Antec Introduces KUHLER H2O 620 Liquid CPU Cooler

Category: CPU Cooling
Posted: January 21, 2011 03:17AM
Author: Daryn Govender

Antec has introduced its latest liquid CPU cooler, the KUHLER H₂O 620. The new cooler aims to balance "ease of use, performance and price," according to Antec. As with other ready-made liquid CPU cooling solutions in the market, the KUHLER is pre-filled and factory sealed. This, of course, makes installation easy and leaves no maintenance for the end user. The KUHLER features a copper base plate for good heat conduction, paired with bendable tubes and a 120mm fan running between 1450 and 2000 RPM to cool the radiator. Dynamic switching of the fan speed enables effective and quiet cooling. The pump also has a MTBF of 50,000 hours, ensuring reliable cooling. Antec's internal testing shows that this new cooler increased the performance of the Core i7-980X by 20% compared to the stock cooler. The Antec KUHLER H₂O 620 liquid CPU cooler will be compatible with Intel's LGA 775, 1155, 1156 and 1366 sockets along with AMD's AM2, AM3, AM2+ and AM3+ sockets. The KUHLER will retail for US$69.99.

EverCool Unveils Transformer 3 CPU Cooler

Category: CPU Cooling
Posted: January 20, 2011 10:03PM
Author: Daryn Govender

EverCool has unveiled a new CPU cooler, the Transformer 3. The Transformer 3 is part of EverCool's Transformer series and features three heat pipes as indicated by the '3' in it's name, along with numerous aluminium fins. The three heat pipes, crafted from nickel-plated copper, are 6mm thick and directly touch the CPU at the base of the heat sink. One chrome-plated 120mm PWM fan helps dissipate heat, running between 800 and 2200RPM with a sound output of 15-34dBA. The Transformer 3 CPU cooler measures 130x161x78.5mm, weighs in at 630g and supports Intel's LGA1366, LGA1155, LGA1156 and LGA775 sockets, and AMD's AM3, AM2+ and AM2 sockets. EverCool did not disclose any details regarding the pricing or availability of the Transformer 3.

Zalman Launches Several New Products at CES

Category: Cases, Power Supplies, Monitors, CPU Cooling
Posted: January 7, 2011 11:09AM
Author: bp9801

Zalman has been an industry leader in cooling products since the company first made it on the scene. The CPU coolers were the only cooler to consider for ages, and even with a plethora of competitors, a Zalman cooler is still one of the best around. Now, Zalman seeks to improve on its CPU cooling by introducing a new element, or rather a design, by creating a new V-shaped heatsink. The V-shape improves cooling performance by increasing the "Thermal Control Area" of the heatsink, creating a much bigger surface area to generate more airflow. Denser heatsink fins have been incorporated as well which will prevent loss of surface area and provide for maximum heat dissipation. This new technology, plus Zalman's Composite Heatpipe Technology (which uses axial grooves on the inside of the pipe), has allowed for a QMAX of 350 watts on the new CNPS11X Extreme Series CPU cooler.

The CNPS11X Extreme CPU cooler features the new V-shaped heatsink design and the 350 watts QMAX. The entire cooler is coated in black-pearl nickel plating which gives it a striking appearance, plus the 120mm fan should be more than adequate to cool even the biggest overclock. The fan will generate between 17 and 34 dBa, though it will sit between 17 and 24 in its low setting. Zalman promises a large range of socket compatibility, but doesn't mention which sockets are supported. It would seem safe to say with that high QMAX that every socket currently available is supported, and possibly the new Sandy Bridge and Bulldozer ones as well.

The next cooler using the V-shaped heatsink design is the CNPS7X. It comes in two variations, the Performa and the LED, with the main difference being the fan. The Performa gets a 92mm PWM fan that generates between 17 and 32 dBa, while the LED gets a 92mm PWM fan that goes between 17 and 27 dBa. It seems the CNPS7X LED cooler will be the one you want for a low-noise environment, but both promise a strong cooling performance and large socket compatibility.

The last new cooler is the CNPS5X SZ, which forgoes the new V-shaped design for the more traditional tower appearance. There is a 92mm PWM fan cooling everything down on this cooler, which generates between 20 and 32 dBa. It promises a hassle free installation (and even appears to use push pins), plus a large range of compatibility.

Next up we have a pair of cases from Zalman, the Z9 and the GS1200. The Z9 is a mid tower and comes in two versions, the Z9 and Z9 Plus, with both featuring a mesh front panel and up to seven 120mm fans. There is also tool-free HDD installation with six internal 3.5" bays available. Cooling it will be one front 120mm fan, one rear 120mm fan, two top-mounted 120mm, two side-mounted 120mm, and even one bottom-mounted 120mm, though it seems only the front and rear fans are included stock. Motherboard support includes ATX, micro ATX, and even E-ATX, plus a graphics card can be installed so long as it is less than 290mm in length. The Z9 Plus includes a fan controller and temperature display on the front, while the Z9 does not. Both feature four USB 2.0 ports and audio in/out on the front.

The other new case is the GS1200 which improves upon the success of the GS1000. The GS1200 has a mesh front bezel which now includes two 92mm LED fans. Up top is one 200mm LED fan, the side has another 200mm LED fan, while the rear has a regular 120mm fan. It seems cooling performance will not be a problem in the GS1200. Like the Z9, there is support for ATX, micro ATX, and E-ATX motherboards though the GS1200 can also fit video cards up to 350mm in length. There are six internal 3.5" bays which include support for SSDs. The hot-swap feature of the GS1000 returns in the GS1200, but this time the 92mm fans in the front provide cooling for all the hard drives you can possibly fit behind them. There is even an HDD dock on the top of the case. The GS1200 has audio in/out, three USB 2.0 ports, one USB 3.0 port, and one e-SATA port on the front.

Now we come to the power supplies, which Zalman is getting in to. The two models being shown are the 850-HP Plus and 1000-HP Plus, which are both modular units and have 850 and 1000 watts of power, respectively. There is a 140mm fan cooling each unit plus there is support for up to three graphics cards. Each unit is also 80 PLUS Silver certified and uses Japanese capacitors, though not much else is known besides that.

Lastly, we have a 3D monitor from Zalman. There will be a 21.5" and a 24" model, and both are a polarization 3D monitor which means the glasses needed are of the passive variety and not active shutter like virtually all other 3D monitors require. The passive glasses are surprisingly cheap compared to active shutter ones. Passive glasses will be found in the five to fifteen dollar range compared to 150 dollars or more for active shutter. The 3D monitors from Zalman, called Trimon, is a 1080p display with HDCP support. Zalman promises no ghosting in the image and also the ability to switch between 2D and 3D mode easily. Included with each monitor is one pair of passive glasses and one pair of passive clip-on glasses, which is quite nice to see for those who already wear a pair of prescription glasses.

All of these products will be shown during CES 2011 but no word was made on any availability or pricing for any of them.

Corsair Link Technology Revealed at CES

Category: CPU Cooling
Posted: January 6, 2011 04:05PM
Author: Nick Harezga

Corsair has announced a new tool for system monitoring, Corsair Link. It will allow users to connect several devices to the Corsair Link Controller for improved monitoring and control of components. Users will be able to connect a variety of different components that feature the Corsair Link connector, and can monitor and change parameters such as temperature, fan speed, and voltage. Some upcoming products from Corsair that will include the necessary connectors are Dominator and Dominator GT memory with DHX Pro technology and the H60 water cooling system. Future releases of power supplies, CPU coolers, and a light and fan controller will include the the connectors as well. Corsair has worked with CoolIT Systems to develop a software application for the monitoring and control aspects. Using a drag and drop GUI, users will be able to create a variety of profiles for different situations.

Arctic Cooling Releases Freezer 11 LP CPU Cooler

Category: CPU Cooling
Posted: December 11, 2010 02:34AM
Author: Daryn Govender

Arctic Cooling has released its latest CPU cooler, the Freezer 11 LP. The Freezer 11 LP (low-profile) is designed for compact systems where silence is paramount. The new cooler measures 115x106x53mm (LxWxH) and weighs in at 255g, resulting in a low-profile footprint suitable for a variety of situations. Other features such as a 92mm PWM fan, two 6mm copper heatpipes and 50 aluminium fins enable a maximum cooling capacity of 90W. The Freezer 11 LP also includes a push-pin mounting system and pre-applied ARCTIC MX-2 thermal paste for clean and quick installation. The cooler supports Intel sockets 1155, 1156 and 775. The Freezer 11 LP will retail for US$19.90 (excluding VAT).

Noctua Unveils New AMD Opteron Coolers

Category: CPU Cooling, Affiliate News
Posted: December 9, 2010 08:01PM
Author: Dale Shuck

Noctua has upgraded its lineup of CPU coolers for AMD Opteron servers and workstations. The two new coolers, NH-U12DO A3 and NH-U9DO A3, are equipped with two Noctua NF-P12 120mm or NF-B9 92mm fans to achieve improved quiet cooling performance and support AMD's socket G34 platform. The coolers are based on Noctua's NH-U series which have six heatpipes, a performance optimized fin stack and an enlarged contact surface suitable for socket G34 CPUs allow for further improved performance. The units make use of NM-A3 SecuFirm2 mounting system, which gives the NH-U12DO A3 and NH-U9DO A3 support for both Socket F and the newer G34 and C32 sockets. Both coolers can be installed rotated by 90° for added flexibility and to allow optimal positioning which can be especially critical on dual socket motherboards.

Noctua Offers Free Mounting Kit for Future Socket 1155 Motherboard Owners

Category: CPU Cooling
Posted: December 1, 2010 12:25PM
Author: bp9801

The Intel Sandy Bridge processors will be using a new socket, LGA1155, as opposed to the current LGA1156 socket. Noctua has confirmed that the mounting holes for both are identical which means that its LGA1156 coolers will be compatible with LGA1155 provided you have the NM-I3 SecuFirm2 mounting kit. If you do not have that kit for your Noctua cooler and are getting a new LGA1155 motherboard, then Noctua will offer you a mounting kit free of charge. Everyone who owns an older Noctua cooler will be able to contact Noctua and ask for the new NM-I3 SecuFirm2 mounting kit provided you have documentation saying you own an older cooler and a new LGA1155 motherboard or CPU. If you own the NH-C14, NH-D14, NH-C12P SE14, NH-U12P SE2, or NH-U9B SE2 then you already have the NM-I3 SecuFirm2 mounting kit and won't need the upgrade. All the older coolers don't have that mounting kit so you are included in the free upgrade. The NM-I3 SecuFirm2 mounting kit is compatible with all Noctua coolers produced from 2005 to the present.

Asetek Launches Liquid CPU-Coolers for PCs with 92mm Fans

Category: CPU Cooling
Posted: November 30, 2010 11:59PM
Author: Daryn Govender

Asetek has launched its latest liquid CPU-cooling offerings; three new coolers with 92mm exhaust fans. The new coolers aim to provide quiet, efficient and effective cooling in a variety of demanding situations where space matters such as compact gaming rigs, servers and workstations. The new line-up consists of the Asetek 545LC, a single exhaust port, single CPU-cooler, the 565LX, a dual exhaust port, single-CPU cooler and the behemoth 585LX a dual exhaust port, dual-CPU cooler. All coolers are rated to run at 26dB and have a 50,000 hour expected lifespan. The Asetek 565LX and 585LX are available immediately to system builders, which means that they will only be available in pre-built systems. Additionally the Asetek 545LC is scheduled to be available later this month, in mid-December. Either way, I'd expect to see system builders such as BOXX Technologies releasing systems using the new coolers in the coming months.

Evercool Announces Transformer 4 PLUS CPU Cooler

Category: CPU Cooling
Posted: November 12, 2010 08:50PM
Author: bp9801

Evercool's original Transformer 4 CPU cooler debuted late last year and had some good success keeping overclocked processors cool. Now, Evercool is getting fit to launch a revision, the Transformer 4 PLUS. What sets the PLUS apart from the original is the addition of PWM fans and support for Intel's 1156 socket. It will still provide good and silent cooling, just now it has some added features. There are four 8mm copper heatpipes that directly contact the CPU to provide for a more rapid heat dissipation. The PWM fans will get as low as 800RPM which will generate 15dBa. You will have the choice to install one or both fans depending on how much cooling you need. Like I said, the Transformer 4 PLUS includes socket 1156 support, in addition to Intel socket 775 and 1366. It also has support for AMD AM2, AM2+, AM3, and K8.

No word on pricing or availability was announced at this time.

ARTIC Freezer 13 CPU Cooler Announced

Category: CPU Cooling
Posted: October 24, 2010 11:28AM
Author: bp9801

ARCTIC, formerly Arctic Cooling, has just announced the newest CPU cooler in its lineup, the Freezer 13. The Freezer 13 is expected to build on the legacy of the Freezer 7 Pro while offering improved features and performance. The new heatsink is still a tower-style one with four high-performance heatpipes and a 92mm PWM fan. The maximum cooling capacity is 200W so the Freezer 13 should be able to handle any processor and overclock out there. ARCTIC has applied a layer of its ARCTIC MX-4 thermal paste to the base, so you won't have to worry about how to apply the paste to the processor. The four U-shaped heatpipes are soldered into the 45 aluminum fins, while the heatpipes and base are made of copper. The 92mm fan operates between 600 and 2,000RPM. The Freezer 13 features a new, custom mounting system that should make it go by easily and quickly. It uses push-pins and will not require removal of the motherboard since it will be compatible with both Intel and AMD. The mounting bracket is fiber reinforced so it should be able to withstand some amount of transporting, just I would still be careful with it regardless.

The ARCTIC Freezer 13 CPU cooler will be available this October for $35.90 or €27.60.

Scythe Unveils New CPU Cooler

Category: CPU Cooling
Posted: August 31, 2010 05:32PM
Author: bp9801

Scythe has unveiled a new CPU cooler it is dubbing the Rasetsu. The Rasetsu measures in at 131 x 140 x 130mm which makes it a horizontal cooler instead of the typical tower style. The new cooler features two blocks of aluminum Trident Multi Layer Fins, or TMLF, six copper heatpipes, and a 120mm Slip Stream PWM fan to cool it all down. The fan can go as high as 4700RPM which will generate 37dBa but no word on the CFM produced. The Rasetsu is compatible with Intel sockets 775 / 1156 / 1366 and AMD sockets 754 / 939 / 940 / AM2 / AM2+ / AM3, so you should be just fine in using this on virtually every processor you would want.

The Scythe Rasetsu cooler should be available now for 55 USD or 33.50 Euro.

CoolIT Offering Discounted Upgrade Chance to Domino A.L.C. Owners

Category: CPU Cooling
Posted: August 20, 2010 07:04PM
Author: Dale Shuck

CoolIT Systems introduced the ECO A.L.C cooling system to the public back in January at the Consumer Electronics show. OCC had a chance to review the ECO A.L.C. unit a few months back and today CoolIT is announcing an opportunity for existing owners of its older Domino A.L.C. units to trade in their Domino for a ECO cooler for only $50, which represents a 33% discount of the normal $75 price.

CoolIT is responding to customer requests and has made the entire process fairly painless. All customers have to do is visit the Trade My Domino web site and enter the serial number from the Domino cooler and upload a picture showing their current unit.

Antec Launches KÜHLER Series CPU Coolers

Category: CPU Cooling
Posted: August 5, 2010 08:12PM
Author: Dale Shuck

You know Antec for its cases and power supplies among it lineup of computer products. Now, Antec has announced its new KÜHLER series of high performance CPU coolers. The series consists of three cooler models, the KÜHLER Box, KÜHLER Shelf and KÜHLER Flow.

The KÜHLER Box is a symmetrical tower design which can be rotated 90°, 180° and 270° to coordinate with interior airflow requirements in your case. The unit uses a single 120mm PWM fan sandwiched in between two large aluminum heatsinks. The fan can crank out up to 68.2 CFM on high or or you can tone it down a bit and have it operate as quiet as 11.35 dBA. The KÜHLER Box features eight heatpipes to keep things cool and is compatible with a full range of Intel and AMD CPUs including Intel LGA 1366, 1156, 775 and AMD AM3, AM2+, AM2 sockets.

The KÜHLER Shelf is a C-design cooler featuring a 120mm top-mounted PWM fan with downward airflow cooling not only the base of the heatsink, but nearby motherboard components as well. The KÜHLER Shelf has seven copper heatpipes neatly arranged in a space-saving design to better accommodate tight spaces and tall chipsets.

Finally, there's the KÜHLER Flow CPU cooler, which is also a tower design but is narrower than the KÜHLER Box and can also be repositioned to match the case's airflow. It, too, has a 120mm PWM fan and is only 122mm wide.

All three coolers are designed to fit a wide range of leading desktop processor sockets, including LGA 1366, 1156, 775 and AMD sockets AM3, AM2+, and are compatible with Intel Core i7, Core i5 and AMD® Phenom II processors. Additionally, all come with an easy-installation kit which includes a mini-wrench for simple, fast set up.

Antec has priced each of the KÜHLER models at $59.99 and should be available now.