Socket-A Cooler Roundup: September 2001

Conclusion

The winner of this roundup is the Alpha PAL8045. Depending on which fan you use with it, it provides either the best performance (with the Delta 68CFM fan), the best performance/noise ratio (with the Orix fan supplied by Alpha), or the lowest noise with still sufficient cooling performance for all current non-overclocked Socket A CPUs (with Papst 8412NGL fan). Also the mounting method is convincing. However,  the PAL8045 does not fit most motherboards for Intel CPUs: They do not have the necessary mounting holes.

Kanie's new "Wing type" cooler could also convince performance-wise (and is compatible with motherboards for Intel CPUs); however it is excessively loud when equiped with the Delta fans, and therefore we don't recommend this combination.

Quite impressive was the cooling performance of the Thermalright SK6 - the best of all coolers with one 60mm fan - especially considering the relatively small size of the unit. This cooler is our recommendation for overclocking Intel CPUs. This cooler is also available with a variety of fans, so you might chose a quieter one if you don't need cutting-edge performance. At around $34, this is also a good choice for those who want good cooling performance, but find the Alpha PAL8045, Kanie Wing, or Swiftech MC462 too expensive.

Cool Jag, a new cooler manufacturer that offers heatsink with amazingly fine copper fins, could also convince with their JAC-212C; it performed quite close to the Thermalright SK6. Since the cooler has not appeared on the market yet (at least not under this name), we do not know the retail price yet - but if it is attractive, then this cooler is definately a good alternative. Right now these coolers are sold under the name "DYNATRON DC1206BM-0" for about $40, which we consider a little too expensive, compared to the Thermalright SK6.

Those who are not overclocking and want just sufficient cooling performance at the lowest possible noise level, should consider the
Alpha PAL8045 with Papst 8412NGL fan - where available. When even less cooling performance is required (for lower MHz CPUs or most Intel CPUs), but even lower noise is desired, the Zalman CNPS 3001 with their "noiseless" 5V adapter are an option to be considered, if they are compatible with your motherboard/case combination. They don't cool too well, but they are as quiet as it gets.