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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 NextApril 20, 2008 by Lawrence
Lee
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Products
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Thermaltake
Big
Typhoon VX
CPU Cooler |
Xigmatek
HDT-D1264
CPU Cooler |
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Manufacturer
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Thermaltake |
Xigmatek |
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Street Price
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~$55 USD |
~$?? USD |
For the past couple of years, tower heatpipe heatsinks have dominated CPU cooling, taking all the glory and accolades. Does this mean traditional top-down
coolers are dead? They certainly aren't as popular as they were a few years
ago, but they remain. Motherboards are still designed with the expectation of tertiary
airflow over the board components near the CPU, specifically the power
regulation circuitry. MOSFET heatsinks are now a common sight on higher-end
mainboards and they aren't just for show. For users concerned about these components,
their lifespan, efficiency, and general well-being, a top-down cooler is an
ideal choice, even at the cost of higher CPU temperatures.
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The Xigmatek HDT-D1264 on the left, Thermaltake Big Typhoon VX on the
right.
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The Thermaltake Big Typhoon VX happens to be such a heatsink. An updated
version of the original Big Typhoon, the VX is equipped with a new fan, a manual
fan speed control, and a completely different mounting system. While it may improve upon its predecessor's rather lackluster performance, the
question is whether it can compete against the elite top-down coolers we've
tested in the past, without sounding like a lawnmower. Our
experiences with Thermaltake products have usually left us with headaches and
a ringing in our ears.
To give the VX a little new competition, we'll also be looking at Xigmatek's HDT-D1264.
Another top-down cooler, the D1264 utilizes four, 8mm thick heatpipes, and a
120mm PWM fan secured via rubber fan isolators. It's a bit wider than the Typhoon,
but it's also shorter, lighter, and has fewer heatpipes. On paper the Typhoon
has the edge, but the D1264 uses the "direct touch" technology
that allowed the S1283 and SD964 heatsinks to turn in impressive performances,
so it will be interesting to see which cooler comes out on top.
BIG TYPHOON VX
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Instead of a clear plastic film window, a large hole is cut in the front
of the box to make the heatsink visible to prospective buyers.
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A massive plastic clamshell container accounts for the box's large dimensions.
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In fact the box is nearly twice as big as it needs to be.
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Feature & Brief
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Our Comment |
Best performance, supports
up to TDP 130W.
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To be determined. |
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6 heatpipes, maximized heat
transfer. |
A common feature these
days. |
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High density of aluminum
fins, provides large surface for heat dissipation. |
High density does provide
more surface area for heat to dissipate, but it also makes it harder to
cool with low speed fans. |
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Seamless soldering process
and large copper base provide good contact for heat conductivity |
Another common feature. |
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Waved fins to reduce wind shear noise. |
We doubt this has much
effect, if any on actual performance. It does make the cooler look more
elegant though. |
3 in 1 application
- For LGA775: push pin design for faster install.
- For K8 and latest socket AM2, tool-less clip, easy to install. |
Abandoning their previous
nut and bolt method, the VX returns to more traditional mounting techniques. |
VR Fan
- Silent and powerful VR fan, 16dBA at minimum fan speed.
- Adjustable fan control to boost cooling performance. |
Any type of fan control
is welcome, but it must be set manually. 16 dBA we find hard to believe. |
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Compatibility
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Intel Core 2 Extreme(Socket LGA775)
Intel Core 2 Duo (Socket LGA775)
Intel Pentium Extreme Edition (Socket LGA 775)
Intel Pentium D (Socket LGA 775)
Intel Pentium 4 (Socket LGA775)
Intel Celeron D (Socket LGA775)
AMD Athlon 64 X2 (Socket 939, AM2)
AMD Athlon 64 FX (Socket 939, AM2)
AMD Athlon 64 (Socket 754, 939, AM2)
AMD Sempron (Socket 754, AM2)
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Heatsink Dimension |
122(L) x 122(D) x 103(H)
mm |
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Heatsink Material |
Copper Base & Aluminum
Fin (142Fin) |
Heatpipe
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Copper Tube, 6mm x 6 pcs |
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Weight |
822g |
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Fan Dimension |
120x120x25 mm |
Rated Voltage
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12V |
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Started Voltage |
7V |
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Power Input |
3.00W |
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Fan Speed |
1300 ~2000 RPM |
Max. Air Flow
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86.5CFM |
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Max. Air Pressure |
2.22mmH2O |
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Noise |
16dBA~24dBA |
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Life Expectation |
30,000hrs |
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Connector |
3 Pin |
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