5 Heatsink Shootout at OCIA.NET

zerodamage · Dec 12, 2003, 03:33 PM

" 'It seems that a consistent theme is being used in many of today's better heatsinks. Copper absorbs heat better than aluminum while aluminum sheds heat. Aluminum fins therefore shed the heat faster while the copper base is more efficient pulling the heat from the CPU due to its better thermal absorption properties.' "

Source: OCIA.net

Matth · Dec 12, 2003, 05:54 PM

Unconvinced by "Copper absorbs heat better while Aluminum shaeds it better".

Aluminum is good for heatsinks because it's thermal conductivity relative to UNIT WEIGHT is good, the thermal conductivity of copper is better, but it's heavier.

This leads to 3 approaches:

1. All Aluminum - where more conductivity is needed, make it thicker.
2. All Copper - but this means there must be less material in the fins to reduce the weight
3. Cu/Al - the Copper heat spreader on an Aluminum heatsink - but just how lossless is the interface between the two materials?

The_Neon_Cowboy · Dec 12, 2003, 11:55 PM

Copper absorbs heat better while Aluminum shaeds it better".

copper cost twice as much.. so that cuts into thier profit magins... doent cost them 2 much to make a hsf. the make up is insane.

copper is the best materail, is has the highest thermal conductivity, but since it slight denser then alumnum it holds more heat. with good air flow copper way is way better then alumnium any day

an alll copper cooler will beat any alummuim cooler nuff said

mike2h · Dec 13, 2003, 12:28 AM

Cu base, Al fins, the best of both worlds. my swiftech mcx 4000 is a prime example of this implementation.

krazy1 · Dec 13, 2003, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by The_Neon_Cowboy
Copper absorbs heat better while Aluminum shaeds it better".

copper cost twice as much.. so that cuts into thier profit magins... doent cost them 2 much to make a hsf. the make up is insane.

copper is the best materail, is has the highest thermal conductivity, but since it slight denser then alumnum it holds more heat. with good air flow copper way is way better then alumnium any day

an alll copper cooler will beat any alummuim cooler nuff said

I worked with copper and Aluminum for 10 years and I could not state it any better then how you did... NICE JOB!!

-={420}=- · Dec 13, 2003, 03:46 AM

My prommie cpu contact dealie is all copper.

Dec 12, 2003, 03:33 PM	#1
zerodamage HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 3,478 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	5 Heatsink Shootout at OCIA.NET " 'It seems that a consistent theme is being used in many of today's better heatsinks. Copper absorbs heat better than aluminum while aluminum sheds heat. Aluminum fins therefore shed the heat faster while the copper base is more efficient pulling the heat from the CPU due to its better thermal absorption properties.' " Source: OCIA.net

Dec 12, 2003, 11:55 PM	#3
The_Neon_Cowboy HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 16,009 Rep Power: 92 System Specs	Copper absorbs heat better while Aluminum shaeds it better". copper cost twice as much.. so that cuts into thier profit magins... doent cost them 2 much to make a hsf. the make up is insane. copper is the best materail, is has the highest thermal conductivity, but since it slight denser then alumnum it holds more heat. with good air flow copper way is way better then alumnium any day an alll copper cooler will beat any alummuim cooler nuff said __________________

Dec 13, 2003, 12:28 AM	#4
mike2h DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: norcal Posts: 6,483 Rep Power: 91 System Specs	Cu base, Al fins, the best of both worlds. my swiftech mcx 4000 is a prime example of this implementation. __________________

Dec 13, 2003, 03:46 AM	#6
-={420}=- DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 1,095 Rep Power: 0	My prommie cpu contact dealie is all copper. __________________ [COLOR=red]My eBay Auctions[/COLOR]

Dec 12, 2003, 05:54 PM	#2
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	Unconvinced by "Copper absorbs heat better while Aluminum shaeds it better". Aluminum is good for heatsinks because it's thermal conductivity relative to UNIT WEIGHT is good, the thermal conductivity of copper is better, but it's heavier. This leads to 3 approaches: 1. All Aluminum - where more conductivity is needed, make it thicker. 2. All Copper - but this means there must be less material in the fins to reduce the weight 3. Cu/Al - the Copper heat spreader on an Aluminum heatsink - but just how lossless is the interface between the two materials?