Coolermaster CH5-5K12 Heatpipe Review

Author : Wayne Date : 5th December 2000

Installation.

After some of the fights I've had recently getting HSF's on and off, this was a pleasure to fit. The locking clip is perhaps the best designed clip I've ever used, with a large lever to grip, a lever which actually pivots to allow you to slip it onto, and more importantly, off, the lugs. At no point did I feel the slug (processor die) was in any peril, and it certainly seemed to snuggle down nice and flat.

Out with the old.

And in with the new.

Testing.

Because I'd moved my computer to a new location with slightly less room for ventilation around it, I had to run all the results from scratch to ensure accuracy. I used the MSI K7T Pro's inbuilt sensor rather than a seperate probe, so while the readings may not be degree accurate, any errors will at least be across the board.

As you can see for yourself, the performance is perhaps a touch on the weak side. Now, it certainly wouldn't be fair to expect this to perform in the same category as the Super Orb and similar class of coolers, after all, the Super Orb does have two fans to share the workload, but I can't help feeling the results should be so much better than they are. So where to we start to look for the weak link?
Well, the first place to look is on the base. Maybe that graphite pad (or what ever it is) just isn't up to the job. Next phase then is to get hold of some Arctic Silver and see if I can eliminate that as the problem.
Next on the list is the thermal epoxy used in the (perhaps too many) mating surfaces that hold the base, sides and heat pipes together. Not much I can do there short of rebuilding it. Or perhaps it's the fan! The 5500 rpm spin speed is certainly healthy enough, but maybe it's air shifting ability at just 11.4cfm doesn't cut it. Clearly time to investigate a little, I'm not giving up on this one just yet.

Oh look! I've got room on the back there for another fan 8)
Watch for an update!

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