![[H]ardOCP](/images/blank.gif){kind=small}
- Date:
- Monday , January 26, 2009
- Author:
- Marc Adams
- Editor:
- Kyle Bennett
- Google +1
Prolimatech Megahalems LGA 775 and LGA 1366 Cooler
Prolimatech may be a new name to many computer hardware cooling enthusiasts. It is a new company with a lofty goal. Prolimatech claims to have built a CPU cooler worthy of taking on the King of the Hill in what it calls a Megahalems. We see if that is so on a new LGA 1366 test setup.
Prolimatech Megahalems
As mentioned before, the Megahalems is Prolimatech’s flagship cooler, even if by default. Prolimatech advertises its cooler as a “TRUE killer.” A claim not to be taken lightly. It shares many similarities with its Thermalright competition including the same amount of heat pipes, similar weight, materials, and overall design. Can the Megahalems differentiate itself enough to match or even outperform the TRUE?
Package & Specs
Taking a cue from the Thermalright Ultra-120 style of boxing, Prolimatech opted for a simple box to package their cooler in. Does the boxing really matter as long as it doesn’t add to the cost?
Dimensions: (L)130mm x (W)74mm x (H)158.7mm
Weight: 790 g
Material: Nickel plated copper heat pipes & base
Heat Pipes: 6 - full length, 6mm heat pipes
Compatibility:
(Intel only at time of publication)
- LGA 1366
- LGA 775
Fan:
- None included
Contents & Flatness
Prolimatech includes everything you’ll need to set up your new cooler. They even include extra pieces of the mounting screws and bolts should one get lost. Included is one back plate for LGA 775 Intel processors, one back plate for LGA 1366 Intel processors, mounting screws, two pairs of fan retention clips and some generic thermal paste.
The finish of the base is what ensures optimal heat transfer from the CPU to the heat sink. The finish of the base is smooth with a slight texture reminiscent of Noctua’s NH-U12P cooler. The reflection from the grid shows no abnormalities in the base that would interfere with the Megahalems performance. A promising start.
Photos
Here are a few photos of the Prolimatech Megahalems from different angles.
Installation & Contact
The method for installing the Megahalems is a bit more involved than most other coolers so I documented the process with photos for you here. Basically, after installing the back plate you’ll need to screw in the four double threaded bolts (Image 1). After that, place the two mounting plates over the bolts being sure to use the proper holes for your applications. (Inner holes are for LGA 775 and outer holes are for LGA 1366). Tighten the locking nuts over the mounting plates and you’re almost done (Image 2). Finally, place the hold down plate on the cooler and align them with the holes in the mounting plate. Tighten the final two screw and you’re done (Image 3).
The process is a bit lengthy but you are rewarded with a very secure mounting system that is sure to hold the cooler in place.
Contact of the base with the CPU is excellent. What we don’t want to see is any part of the base that contacts the IHS to be missing thermal paste. If that is the case it would lead to very poor performance and possible damage of the CPU. Thankfully, Prolimatech has created a very solid mounting system that creates even pressure across the base.
Installed
Here is what the Prolimatech Megahalems cooler looks like once installed. These photos serve to give you an idea of the necessary clearance required should you decide the Megahalems is the cooler for you.
One thing to be aware of is the final two photos. Without a fan attached it would appear the Megahalems fits just fine on our board with no worries. Once we add the fan it becomes apparent how massive this cooler is. The fan completely blocks any RAM from being installed in the first slot and even the second slot blocks the retention clip from properly holding the fan.
This is not the fault of Prolimatech but I wanted to bring it to your attention nonetheless. With many different variations on the ATX format, it is impossible to account for every single one. Should your motherboard place the DDR slots close to the CPU socket like ours does you’ll be forced to place the fan on the other side.
For testing our fan still blows into the cooler for best performance but now is mounted on the other side. This means the fan is on the opposite side of the DDR sockets and is blowing towards them, through the cooler. This works just fine for our purposes but if you were to install a system inside a case in this manner you would need to consider air flow and how to exhaust the hot air.