The Thermolab Micro Silencer TLI-S heatsink cooler accomodates Intel LGA775 processors only, up to a maximum of about 105W according to the manufacturer, and requires a phillips screwdriver to install. Retail price is estimated at $32.

Thermolab Micro Silencer TLI-S Heatsink

heatsink specsheet manufacturer: thermolab model no.: micro silencer tli-s materials: aluminum fins & chrome-plated base, copper heatpipes fan mfg: protechnic mgt9212hr-w25 fan spec: 2600rpm, 12v, 0.25a pwm fan dim: 25x95x95mm heatsink & fan dim: 65x99x102mm weight: 276 grams includes: mounting bracket, pre-applied thermal compound, instructions Compatible with Sockets: 775 Est. Pricing: $32USD ($19CDN)

The base of the Thermolab Micro Silencer TLI-S is chrome plated aluminum, and into it are swagged about 50 raw aluminum fins. The manufacturer call this "power clamping technology", but it's really nothing new to the industry. Swagging fins into a base block generally ensures a low thermal joint resistance, and can be more effective than soldering joints. A close up of the swagged joint is illustrated below.

Base Finish and Flatness

Flipping a heatsink over to inspect the business end is often a simple indicator of overall cooler quality. More practically speaking, a heatsink is in many ways only as effective as the contact it makes with the processor - the flatter and smoother the better. Base finish is one of the criteria that Frostytech measure in the course of evaluating heatsinks, and it involves two distinct aspects. Surface Finish is the first; this is calculated with the aid of Surface Roughness Comparator that has a cross section of common machine surface finishes and their numerical surface roughness equivalents in microinches. The second is Surface Flatness. This is tested with an engineers straight edge or proven flat surface, in two axis.