360° View - Thermalright SI-128SE
Heatsink
Information on
Frostytech's test methodology is available
here. | |
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The Heatsink
Fan:
The Thermalright SI-128SE
accomodates 120mm fans, regardless of thickness. In this review Frostytech
will be using a Mechatronics model that spins at 1500RPM, but you can choose
whatever fan you prefer. Before the fan is installed onto the heatsink two
small strips of elastomer are stuck to the bottom edge of
the fan frame. This helps reduced fan vibrations from being transmitted to the heatsink,
or from creating any noise. |
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Heatsink Frame
The base of the Thermalright SI-128SE
heatsink is formed from a 5mm thick copper base plate
and 8mm extruded aluminum section. The total base thickness is 14.5mm. All joints are
soldered for enhanced thermal conductivity. The aluminum fins have small 1x5mm vents punched
into the side to improve lateral airflow through the fins. Wire clips designed for
a 120mm fan are provided, and these slide into the two very small holes alone either
bottom edge of the 33x125mm fin array. |
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Heatsink Side
B:
The Thermalright SI-128SE is shipped
with three different mounting brackets for various Intel and AMD CPU
sockets. Each of these clips meets with another bar that locks into place
in the center hole in the base, that keeps the Thermalright SI-128SE from
sliding around on top of the CPU. The four nickel plated heatpipes are 8mm in
diameter, and all base and aluminum fin joints are soldered. |
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Heatsink
Side C:
The bulk of the Thermalright
SI-128SE is elevated 55mm above the base to provide good clearance for adjacent motherboard components. The body
of the heatsink stands 92mm tall, the upper aluminum fin section is 120mm square. Each
aluminum fin is 0.27mm thick and spaced 1.2mm from the next. This is a
rather fine fin pitch. The thin wires at the right support the upper portion of
the heatsink, a good measure since heatpipes will fail once they crack. |
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Heatsink Base:
The base of the Thermalright SI-128SE heatsink is machined very smooth, surface roughness
is only about 16 microinches. The base is not perfectly flat however, Thermalright
have purposefully machined it with a very slight convex profile in both
axis. The nickel plated copper base plate measures 41x45mm in size
- and you may want to spend a few minutes lapping it flat. The
four 8mm diameter copper heatpipes are soldered to the copper base
to reduce thermal joint resistance. |
