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3RSystem Iceage 120 Exposed Heatpipe Base Heatsink Review
3RSystem Iceage 120 Exposed Heatpipe Base Heatsink Review
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Abstract: The 3RSystem Iceage 120 heatsink FrostyTech is reviewing today is equipped with four exposed copper heatpipes at its base, vibration absorbing foam pads behind the fan, a 120mm low speed fan and a fan speed controller.

 Manufacturer  Category  Published  Author 
3RSystem   Cooling / Heatsinks   Jul 05, 2007   Max Page  

Home > Reviews > Page: 360° View - 3RSystem Iceage 120 Heatsink

360° View - 3RSystem Iceage 120 Heatsink
Information on Frostytech's test methodology is available here.

The Heatsink Fan:
The 3RSystem Iceage 120 heatsink comes with a translucent 120mm fan that spins at 1000-2200RPM. Fan speed is controlled by a separate fan PCI bracket fan speed controller. A wire fan grill is not provided. The fan connects by a standard 3-pin fan power cable, and is internally illuminated by four blue LED's (one at each corner). There are four foam spacers on the back between the fan and the aluminum fins to minimize potential noise sources. The motor uses hydraulic bearings, which are supposed to provide quieter operation. If you remove the sticker on the back of the fan you can have a look at one of them. :-)

Heatsink Exposed:
The four pairs of "U" shaped copper heat pipes are set side-by-side at the base, and 38mm apart as they rise up through the 60 or so aluminum fins. The black foam blocks at each corner of the fan are partially visible here. The base is capped with a 10.2mm thick aluminum block to provide a rigid support for the mounting clip. There are two 2.3mm diameter stainless steel posts set into the aluminum. They keep the mounting clip aligned and centered on the base so clamping forces are distributed evenly. The clip has to go over these posts, but they are a little tricky to work with. The aluminum fins take up an area of 125 x 115mm.

Heatsink Top:
The top of the 3RSystem Iceage 120 heatsink is pretty plain. The interesting bit about this photo is the geometry of the leading and trailing edges of the aluminum fins. Each edge as a scalloped texture which helps to break up the profile, reducing the pressure drop as air is pushed from the fan into the fins. The fins are a good 50mm deep, and the designer has augmented this by locating the four pairs of heatpipes 7mm from the back of the 120mm fan (12mm from the opposite side). Springy wire clips hold the fan firmly in place.

Heatsink Side A:
Behind the 120mm fan is a 115mm tower of nickel plated aluminum fins. The fins are 0.3mm thick and spaced ~1.75mm apart. The Iceage 120 heatsink stands 148mm tall, and the first fin is 34.5mm above CPU socket for clearance of adjacent capacitors, northbridge heatsinks, etc. The four copper heat pipes are positioned side by side at the center of the aluminum block so they directly contact the processor. This configuration ensures that the maximum amount of heat is conducted from the CPU integrated heat spreader directly to the heatpipes in as short a distance as possible.

Heatsink Base:
The base of the 3RSystem Iceage 120 heatsink measures 35x34.5mm in size. Each of the four 6mm diameter copper heatpipes has been swaged flat into the aluminum base block. A light sanding gives the total surface a even and level texture. The copper heatpipes have been pressed flat into a semi-circular recess in the aluminum base cap. Surface roughness is on the order of ~63 microinches, which is satisfactory. The copper and aluminum surfaces are pretty flat in both axis. The thin voids between the copper and aluminum are easily filled by thermal compound.

 Previous Page ° ° Next Page 

Table of Contents:

 1:  3RSystem Iceage 120 Exposed Heatpipe Base Heatsink Review
 2: — 360° View - 3RSystem Iceage 120 Heatsink
 3:  Acoustic Comparisons and Base Surface Quality
 4:  AMD K8 Heatsink Temperature Comparisons
 5:  Intel 775 Heatsink Temperature Comparisons

List all 3RSystem heat sinks that Frostytech tested?

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