![[H]ardOCP](/images/blank.gif){kind=small}
- Date:
- Thursday , September 16, 1999
- Author:
- Kyle Bennett
- Google +1
Alpha PIII Cooler Review
I think what we have here is the most impressive cooling device we have ever seen that does not cool the processor by any means other than simply removing heat using a heatsink and a fan.
I am pretty sure by now that you have noticed the big ass copper insert on the heatsink itself. If not, lay down the crack pipe and go get some help. Please, we are concerned with your fitness and don't want you dead. After all, what llama are we gonna frag when you are gone? :P
I think these two images really make a statement about the quality that goes into the production of the Alpha. You don't just chunk in a copper plate and sand it off. While in theory it is that simple, to have a quality professional finish on an end product is just not that easy. The guys who are manufacturing these muthas really care.
Why the copper insert? Well copper conducts heat from point A to point B quicker than Aluminum. Aluminum is what the rest of the unit is made of. It is the Alpha theory (and I think they prove it) here that the more conductive copper moves the heat off the CPU quicker to the aluminum heatsink. Why not make the whole damn HS out of copper? Well you start getting into some pretty costly production. Copper ain't cheap while aluminum is. There are also a few other negatives to the copper we will not get into simply cause I will put MYSELF to sleep.....
Well, put it together already!
With all the crap you get in the little box you would think it is like some huge project to get the thing assembled but it is extremely easy.
First you have to mount the little ducting / fan support unit. This acts as two things, both ducting and fan support. :) Really though it takes a whopping 4 screws. Hardest thing about this was figuring out which screws..
The fans then simply screw onto the ducting. You will notice the twisted wires. We do this in house. I like the look and it makes the wires much more manageable to myself. Now we did skip a step for putting in the supports if you use the bracket that the Pentium slides down into to stabilize it. I do suggest you do this at home. This unit is very heavy and liable to fall out of the slot over time or be shaken loose by moving the case around.
Also you see the two big gaping holes in the copper. These are cut to allow air flow to the cache chips. I really wonder about this move. Maybe it helps and maybe it does not. I got a feeling they proved it helped in testing because it cost them some extra dough to those in there. Not much but some.
Also this unit is supplied with Global Win fans that really move some air. Anyways, let strap some silicon on this bitch.................