The rule of thumb for CPU
heatsinks is that you can never tell how a cooler
will perform just by looking at it. The Spire Fourier IV SP607B3-C is
one of those heatsinks where that saying really rings true. It's a
hefty Intel/AMD heatsink made entirely out of copper, it has four heatpipes and
a fan that spins at 3500RPM.
The Spire Fourier IV SP607B3-C is a heavy heatsink, so it installs with
very secure mounting hardware that is quite inconvenient. The heatsink is compatible with
socket 754/939/940/AM2 AMD Athlon64 processors and socket 775 Intel CPUs. In each
case, the motherboard must be removed from the computer case
and a metal rear-PCB support bracket installed. The Fourier IV's mounting screws go
in from the back of the motherboard to the front where the heatsink support bracket
is. It takes at least two hands to do this, and the
rear metal support plate doesn't have an adhesive patch to keep it in place
so it's tricky.
Each turn of the mounting screws compressed
the heatsink against the processor, which means if you over tighten on one side, or
too much, you could potentially damage the CPU or motherboard. Most heatsink
companies use spring tensioned screws with collared stand-offs to prevent
over tightening.
Once
installed, if you want to swap CPUs out... out comes
the motherboard, then all the mounting screws while being carefull to support upwards
of 650 grams of copper so it doesn't go sliding off into the back of
a videocard or board mounted component. In terms of ease of installation, the mounting
hardware used with the Spire Fourier IV SP607B3-C heatsink is just too
rudimentary given the many well engineered CPU bracket systems
available.
Spire Fourier IV Heatsink
|
 | |
 |
| HEATSINK SPECSHEET |
| Manufacturer: Spire |
|
Model No.: SP607B3-C Fourier IV
|
|
Materials: copper fins, base, heatpipes |
| Fan Mfg: N/A |
| Fan Spec: 2000-3500RPM,
12V, 0.40A |
| Fan Dim: 25x92x92mm |
| Heatsink & Fan Dim:
97x125x113mm |
| Weight: est. 680 grams |
|
Includes: multi-socket mounting hardware, screws,
thermal compound |
Compatible
with Sockets: 754/939/940/AM2, 775, 478 |
| Est. Pricing: $40USD ($48CDN / £20
GBP) | |
The Spire
Fourier IV SP607B3-C heatsink uses four 6mm diameter copper heatpipes to conduct heat from
the copper base plate to copper fins above. The 92mm fan is mounted below the fins,
with airflow directed up and out. This leaves the copper base below
out of direct airflow, but does keep the hight of the cooler
to 97mm.
Springy wire clips hold the fan in place, so it isn't
difficult to swap fans out, or change the direction of the translucent blue 92mm
fan so it points down.
Brackets for Intel
and AMD Processors
The Spire
Fourier IV SP607B3-C heatsink ships with three sets of mounting brackets; one
for socket 754/939/940/AM2 AMD Athlon64 processors, one for socket 775 Intel CPUs, and one
for Intel socket 478 processors. Different metallic side brackets attach to
the heatsink base, and in each case a rear-motherboard metal support plate is utilized. Screws
are tightened from the back of the motherboard, rather than the top
which is always accessible.
The heatsink is installed onto the motherboard in the complicated
way we've already mentioned. Although we don't particularly like this approach, it holds
the cooler very firmly in place.
The
Spire Fourier IV heatsink will be tested on FrostyTech's Intel LGA775 and
K8 version of the Mk.II synthetic thermal temperature test
platform, and compared against several reference LGA775 and K8 heatsinks. The
whole test methodology is outlined in detail here if you'd like to know what equipment is used, and the parameters under which the tests are conducted. Now let's move
forward and take a closer look at this heatsink, its acoustic characteristics,
and of course its thermal performance!
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