Akasa AK 824CU-RA

Advantages: Very cool, easy to install
Disadvantages: copper on the cpu side far from mirror ( needs a polish )

...Test system: processor - AMD Athlon FX62 (2 x 2800 MHz / 125W TDP) motherboard - ASUS M2N32 DeLuxe Wireles Edition (passive cooling system with HeatPipe) Cooler is very easy to install just one lever. More experienced users will probably remove thermal compound and polish the surface of the cooler ( it is far from being a mirror ) and then apply high quality thermal compound. This will give You another 1-2 C less and faster cooling down after stress. all tests were done using Zalman STG 1 ( high quality thermal compound ) Temperature readings after 60 minutes in idle: Akasa AK-876 37 Arctic Cooling 64PRO 38 Scythe Katana II 39 Temperature readings after 60 minutes in 100% load: Akasa AK-876 56 Arctic Cooling 64PRO 58 Scythe Katana II 61 Temperature readings... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Non-conducting, easily applicable, very good cooling
Disadvantages: tube is rather small, for approx 10 applications

...When buying a CPU or Graphics card, most manufacturers have already installed or included a heatsink + thermal conducting paste or pad with the product. This thermal conducting paste is usually made of silicone, either grey or white and has the effect of filling the gaps between the heatsink and the chip, to improve heat transfer from one surface to the other. So you are wondering why companies like Akasa produce heatsink paste when something is already included. The answer is that the Akasa product (TC 5022 Pro) performs significantly better than the standard one and holds its ground against other pastes (like Arctic Silver). The paste comes in a small tube and is pretty expensive. The compound is made of silicone, but has the benefit that it is easily applied on surfaces, as well as performing very good, even when not applying too... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: simple to install and use
Disadvantages: thermal pads

...Well there isn't a lot to say about this cooler other than it is one of the simplest heatsinks I have ever installed. With its simple lever design and one side flat head screw driver holder (which prevents the screw driver from slipping and damaging the motherboard) lets you know which way the heatsink is meant to got on. Also each bracket has a 3 holed foot which makes it very secure and puts less stress on the zif socket as it spreads itself out over 3 hooks. With its copper base it allows the user to have a processor easily up to 3000+XP. The only problem I did have with them was that they came with one of those horrible thermal pads fitted which are pretty much useless on anything over 2400+ XP but there is light at the end of the tunnel. The latest 785CU's now come with a layer of good quality thermal paste which is great news... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful