Thermalright SLK-900 Review at Systemcooling.com

ToshiroOC · Feb 9, 2003, 08:15 PM

One of the most sought-after features of a high-performance computer is a quiet but highly efficient CPU cooling system. It was found that a larger fan spinning at a slower speed could still cool the CPU efficiently, and without the noise associated with smaller 60mm screamers. Because of this, 80mm coolers have come to dominate the market over their 60mm predecessors, and it was only a matter of time before a heat sink manufacturer brought to market a product designed to accept an even larger fan. Thermalright, a name already synonymous with high performance CPU cooling, has done exactly this, releasing the next in their line of much-vaunted SLK series coolers, the SLK-900.

Like its smaller sibling, the SLK-800, the SLK-900 offers the user the option of choosing from a variety of fans sizes by offering various "steps" cut into the top of the fins, giving fans of different diameters a resting point. The SLK-900 though, doesn't stop at a paltry 80mm, though. It also offers an additional step to allow for the mounting of a 92mm fan without the necessity of using an adapter. This opens a whole new realm of cooling options, ranging from mild to wild. In another deviation from the SLK-800's design, Thermalright also changed the retention mechanism, forgoing the traditional clip design and replacing it with a novel system that uses the four mounting holes around the CPU socket of many motherboards. While this feature precludes use of the heatsink on motherboards not equipped with mounting holes around the processor socket, it also ensures the ability of the retention system to cope with the increased weight of the 900 over its already-heavyweight brethren.

--By Howard Weitzel / Pijo, source: Systemcooling.com

Article can be read here.

ToshiroOC · Feb 9, 2003, 10:39 PM

Only a matter of time until the HSF manufacturers realize that they can get good airflow and low noise with bigger fans :cough120cough:...

~~DriveEuro~~ · Feb 10, 2003, 12:29 AM

Um, can you imagine how bg the heatsink would be with a 120mm on it? It's look disgusting. Think about how small the core of the CPU is. That's just weird.

ToshiroOC · Feb 10, 2003, 12:34 AM

If it means better cooling with less noise, then why complain? Sides, I'm not going to be staring at my HSF, so it wouldn't bug me in the slightest

Also, just because the core is small doesn't mean it can't have something big cooling it...

~~DriveEuro~~ · Feb 10, 2003, 12:39 AM

I know I don't look at mine either. Hell, my case is opaque and no windows. But still, think about how big all of that **** would be... a heat sink (with a 120mm fin size), 120mm fan........ EWWWWWWW ****ing huge.

Feb 9, 2003, 08:15 PM	#1
ToshiroOC Unbiased. Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 4,812 Rep Power: 0	Thermalright SLK-900 Review at Systemcooling.com One of the most sought-after features of a high-performance computer is a quiet but highly efficient CPU cooling system. It was found that a larger fan spinning at a slower speed could still cool the CPU efficiently, and without the noise associated with smaller 60mm screamers. Because of this, 80mm coolers have come to dominate the market over their 60mm predecessors, and it was only a matter of time before a heat sink manufacturer brought to market a product designed to accept an even larger fan. Thermalright, a name already synonymous with high performance CPU cooling, has done exactly this, releasing the next in their line of much-vaunted SLK series coolers, the SLK-900. Like its smaller sibling, the SLK-800, the SLK-900 offers the user the option of choosing from a variety of fans sizes by offering various "steps" cut into the top of the fins, giving fans of different diameters a resting point. The SLK-900 though, doesn't stop at a paltry 80mm, though. It also offers an additional step to allow for the mounting of a 92mm fan without the necessity of using an adapter. This opens a whole new realm of cooling options, ranging from mild to wild. In another deviation from the SLK-800's design, Thermalright also changed the retention mechanism, forgoing the traditional clip design and replacing it with a novel system that uses the four mounting holes around the CPU socket of many motherboards. While this feature precludes use of the heatsink on motherboards not equipped with mounting holes around the processor socket, it also ensures the ability of the retention system to cope with the increased weight of the 900 over its already-heavyweight brethren. --By Howard Weitzel / Pijo, source: Systemcooling.com Article can be read here.

Feb 9, 2003, 10:39 PM	#2
ToshiroOC Unbiased. Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 4,812 Rep Power: 0	Only a matter of time until the HSF manufacturers realize that they can get good airflow and low noise with bigger fans :cough120cough:... __________________ [img][/img] [color=White]Peace be with you, Joe.[/color] Driverheaven Staff Member (Supermoderator)

Feb 10, 2003, 12:34 AM	#4
ToshiroOC Unbiased. Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 4,812 Rep Power: 0	If it means better cooling with less noise, then why complain? Sides, I'm not going to be staring at my HSF, so it wouldn't bug me in the slightest Also, just because the core is small doesn't mean it can't have something big cooling it... __________________ [img][/img] [color=White]Peace be with you, Joe.[/color] Driverheaven Staff Member (Supermoderator)

Feb 10, 2003, 12:29 AM	#3
~~DriveEuro~~ Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gurnee Illinois Posts: 4,677 Rep Power: 0	Um, can you imagine how bg the heatsink would be with a 120mm on it? It's look disgusting. Think about how small the core of the CPU is. That's just weird.

Feb 10, 2003, 12:39 AM	#5
~~DriveEuro~~ Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gurnee Illinois Posts: 4,677 Rep Power: 0	I know I don't look at mine either. Hell, my case is opaque and no windows. But still, think about how big all of that ** would be... a heat sink (with a 120mm fin size), 120mm fan........ EWWWWWWW **ing huge.