X-bit labs

0 Degrees Centigrade: APACK ZEROtherm CPU Coolers Roundup (page 2)

Category: Coolers

by Sergey Lepilov

[ 04/03/2008 | 01:32 PM ]

Design and Functionality

The coolers look very beautiful. See for yourselves:

The design of BTF80/90 and BTF92 O.E. is identical. All these coolers are based on four copper heatpipes 6mm in diameter, each originating from the copper base, looping through the copper or aluminum heatsink array and ending in the same copper base again:

BTF80/90 are of the same size and measure 100mm x 94mm x 77mm. They weigh 458g and 678g respectively. BTF92 O.E. is a little larger: 108mm x 81mm x 128mm and weighs 638g.

However, the coolers differ not only by their size and weight. The thing is that despite smaller size, BTF80/90 models have 46 heatsink plates, while BTF92 O.E. model has 5 less – only 41 plates. As a result, the heat dissipating area of the BTF80/90 coolers is claimed to be 4,400cm², while that of the BTF92 O.E. is smaller and equals only 3,624cm².

The BTF80/90 plates density is also higher (the gap between the heatsink plates is smaller):

If you look at the top part of both coolers, you will see that the stamped heatsink plates are of identical shape, and with the plastic insert in the center they even look like a butterfly:

I wonder what’s the purpose of those different diameter holes at the end of the plates where the airflow comes out? Looks like these are purely decorative elements. I doubt that they affect the airflow turbulence in this area or in any way reduce the level of generated noise.