Introduction

What constitutes as a bang for buck cooler? First, It must be supplied with a decent fan (or two), have support for both Intel and AMD platforms, and further still must have the same high performance cooling as the elite coolers but without the same expensive price tag. Akasa must be one of those companies who have that very list pinned up on their walls at the technical office. As of late, they have produced an array of coolers and fans that provide the user the means to achieve higher overclocks and lower temperatures with coolers that cost near half the price of the big brand names in the business like Prolimatech and Thermalright. Today we are taking a look at Akasa’s lower end new cooler; the Freedom Tower. Both Venom and Nero S have graced our labs at OCT. Can the lower model of the three keep the trend running of performance without the cost?

About Akasa

Akasa design and manufacture a comprehensive range of high quality technology products including coolers, heatsinks and fans. They work closely with Intel and AMD to ensure the products match the complex demands of CPU and form-factor technology. So when new, advanced technology arrives, Akasa have the products and expertise to make it work for you.

Specifications

Heatsink Material: Aluminum fins, 4x Copper heatpipes

Weight: 774g

Cooler Dimensions: 160x120x65mm

Socket: Intel LGA775/1156/1366, AMD AM2/AM3

Fan Speed: 500-1700RPM (PWM Controlled)

Noise Level: 18.3.9-27.18dB(A)

Introduction

We reviewed the Akasa’ Nero S CPU cooler only just last month dubbed their “premium cooler”. Now however Akasa have come to the market with a cooler capable of mounting two 120mm fans titled, the “Venom”, not to be confused with the Venomous X from Thermalright. Akasa state on the box “King of Cooling”. Now this isn’t to be taken offense but Akasa is more known for their low cost budget coolers delivering serious bang for buck for any consumer, CPU or GPU cooling. When a company takes a brave step to dub there cooler so, one can only be pessimistic. However, no doubt it will probably be the best cooler Akasa produce to date. With the tag line on the box, “unlock Venom GAME ON!”, we could be in for a real treat with a cooler offering a lot of cooling potential.

About Akasa

Akasa design and manufacture a comprehensive range of high quality technology products including coolers, heatsinks and fans. They work closely with Intel and AMD to ensure the products match the complex demands of CPU and form-factor technology. So when new, advanced technology arrives, Akasa have the products and expertise to make it work for you.

Specifications

Heatsink Material: Aluminum fins, Copper heatpipes

Weight: 805g

Cooler Dimensions: 120x96x160mm

Socket: Intel LGA775/1156/1366, AMD AM2/AM3

Fan Speed: 600-1900RPM (PWM Controlled)

Noise Level: 6.9-28.9dB(A)

Introduction

While heatsinks have become a common feature at Overclockers Tech since the start of this year, Prolimatech’s Megahalems never really made much of an impact in our testing. That said we did review the more expensive Mega Shadow variant that wasn’t worth the extra £20 premium over the original and didn’t perform too well on AM3 based systems compared to the Venomous X or Titan Fenrir. The Megahalems was and still is a cooler capable of serious cooling with high performance, high static pressure fans. The introduction of Cogage (Thermalright’s sister company) and their new Arrow cooler based on an update of the IFX-14 has all but taken the crown from the big boys and now reigns king here at OCT. However such coolers like the Arrow and Noctua’s NH-D14 are huge twin tower cooling beasts that are not compatible for most people regarding space requirements. What Prolimatech have done is they have brought a small sized (not pocket-sized) cooler that still will pack a serious blow with its 6 heatpipes and the ability to mount two 140mm fans. The Armageddon has some pretty big shoes to fill, but can it still perform with the best?

About Prolimatech

Prolimatech (founded in 2008 and based in Taiwan) stands for Professionalism exceeding beyond all Limits. We are here to challenge any limits that stand in our way to achieve what was thought to be impossible. Prolimatech incorporates integration of the aerospace resource-saving technology and advanced heat conduction technology to create the best heat absorption and dissipation solutions while pertaining to the science of aesthetics. Our never-ending quest is to satisfy every computer overclocker’s and every enthusiast’s needs for high quality and performance oriented thermal solutions for their high-end computer components.

Specifications

Size (LxWxH): 144x60x160mm

Weight: 1.65 LBS (750 Grams)

Heatpipes: 6x 6mm Sintered

Fan(s): Supports 2x 140mm or 120mm fans

Socket: Intel LGA775/1156/1366

Clip System: Bolt-Through with Back-Plate

Base: Polished Nickel Plated Copper

Introduction

Choosing the right memory kit for you isn’t easy nowadays – especially if you factor in the recent hike in memory prices. It’s getting harder to decide just what is value for money, and what is cheap and nasty. Patriot’s 6GB (3x2GB) 1600MHz CL8 Vipers for X58 systems are reasonably priced currently at £150.00 Inc VAT (£120 before the memory hike) which is supposed to offer the enthusiast speed and performance, but without the price tag. Aggressive pricing – but are they actually aggressive?

About Patriot

Patriot Memory builds a full range of memory module and flash memory products, offering a perfect blend of quality and value. Established back in 1985, Patriot has since grown rapidly in the current market with their latest range of memory and SSDs. Patriot Memory ensures that every module meets or exceeds industry standards. The manufacturing process begins with high-quality components and ends with rigorous functional testing to ensure each module’s reliability and compatibility. Patriot Memory modules are approved by leading motherboard and system manufacturers such Intel, Tyan, Supermicro and Iwill.

Manufacturers Specifications:

• Extreme Performance PC3-12800 (1600MHz) 8-8-8-24
• Patriot Viper Heat Shields with integrated ACC (Aluminum Copper Composite) technology
• 100% Tested and Verified
• BTT Tested to ensure maximum performance
• 10 Year Warranty
• RoHS Compliant

Introduction

AKASA cooling in many people’s eyes has been a brand associated with decent low cost cooling for a while now. They may not shout about being the best, as they are not and they know it. What AKASA is good at is bringing cheap, bang for buck cooling to the market with their heatsinks and fans. Today though, we see AKASA step up a gear with their newest heatsink; the Nero S which they say is their ‘Premier Cooler’.

Specifications

Size (HxWxD): 120 x 87 x 160 mm

Weight: 726g without fan

Material: Aluminium fins, copper heatpipes

Fan Size: One 120 x 120 x 25mm

Socket: Intel LGA775, LGA1156, LGA1366 | AMD 939, AM2, AM2+, AM3

Introduction

The Baram by little known Thermolab first graced the scene last year and scooped up a flurry of awards. In fact this reviewer saw a comparative review with the Baram leading the pack ahead of the usual top performance heatsinks including the TRUE, IFX-14, and Vendetta 2. Nothing much really became of the cooler though and was rather over-shadowed by the more well known brands and availability of their stock. Thermolab have been busy though. Today we are taking a look at the Baram 2010 – an update over its older brother!

Specifications

Size (HxWxD): 160 x 132 x 67 mm

Weight: 710g without fan

Material: Pure Copper and Pure Aluminium

Fan Size: Two 120 x 120 x 25mm

Socket: Intel LGA775, LGA1156, LGA1366 | AMD AM2, AM2+, AM3

Introduction

Dual tower heatsinks usually provide the end user with two things; performance cooling, but also lack of space. Manufacturers are continually trying to not only better their rivals, but trying to develop new ways to have the ultimate cooling solution.  This quest is to be the best of the best, or to have great performance for the pound. From our stand point, air cooling can only go so far, yet continual tweaking is still being carried out to get that ‘just right’ product. Today we are looking at a heatsink that follows this trend; Coolink’s Corator DS.

Specifications

Size (HxWxD): 155 x 140 x 121 mm

Weight: 800g without fan / 1040g with fan

Material: Copper (base and heatpipes, Aluminium (base and cooling fins)

Fan Size: One 120 x 120 x 25mm

Socket: Intel LGA775, LGA1156, LGA1366 | AMD AM2, AM2+, AM3

Introduction

What more does an enthusiast desire when they already have the edge with speed & performance? One might add aesthetics to the table! Today we will be focusing on Crucial with their flashy line of 1600 MHz Triple Channel Ballistix Tracer’s for the X58 platform. We opted for the blue, but Crucial provide Red and Green alternatives’ to fit best with both Nvidia and ATI fanboys no doubt. The problem these days (and in the past) is that most products that boost top specs and look flashy, tend to be over-hyped, over-exaggerated pieces of junk that are not worth their weight in gold. They may look great, but can they meet the mark and more so with the promise of great performance?

About Crucial

Crucial is a key brand in the Lexar Media family of products. As the Memory Expertsâ„¢, they are the only DRAM supplier that’s part of a major memory manufacturer.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Micron Technology, Inc., Lexar Media, Inc. boasts one of the most comprehensive offerings of memory product lines in the industry. They deliver high-quality, award-winning products in every memory category: USB flash drives, all popular form factors of memory cards and card readers, DRAM computer memory for PCs and Mac systems, and solid state drives (SSD). They back there products with outstanding customer support and industry-leading warranties, and strive to expand their offerings to meet the ever-changing needs of the customers.

The Lexar brand has long been synonymous with reliable, high-performance products, which is reflected in the award-wining memory products and USB flash drives sold under the Lexar name.

The Crucial brand reflects their status as the only consumer memory upgrade supplier that’s part of a major DRAM manufacturer. They sell high-quality memory that has been qualified and approved by most major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The Crucial.com website features innovative online tools and an intuitive design that makes it easy to find compatible memory and recommended upgrades.

Manufacturer’s Specifications:

Module Size: 6GB kit (2GBx3)

• PC3-12800 / DDR3-1600 MHz
• 8-8-8-24
• 1.65V
• Unbuffered
• NON-ECC

Introduction

Having large amounts of memory installed in ones computer system is very beneficial in all daily tasks. Choosing the right memory though can prove tricky when trying to match the consumer’s needs. Speaking for the overclocking community, one must find memory that not only runs at high speeds with tight timings, but can also push beyond its stated specifications for finding that sweet spot. Overclocking your memory is rarely worth the effort and doesn’t really yield noticeable results in day to day tasks. However, not having the biggest budget to spend on memory can result is purchasing lower speed RAM and romping it up to speeds of a much more expensive product. Today this reviewer will be looking over at G.Skill’s corner with their Trident CL9 2000Mhz Triple Channel RAM for the X58 platform.

About G.Skill

G. SKILL has one of the widest breadths of products available in the memory industry and will continue to develop new storage products based on the cutting edge of technology. “G. SKILL”, established in 1989 by enthusiasts, is a leading memory module manufacturer based in Taipei, Taiwan. With traditional strengths, they have built an excellent reputation by meeting market demand and fostering business competitiveness both locally and internationally with their dedication to providing competitive prices, on-time delivery, assured quality, customer-oriented services and diversity of products.

Introduction

Over the course of the past six months, there has been one brand of cooler causing a real stir among many cooling ranks. This reviewer even had Thermalright banging on ones door demanding answers as to why the Titan Fenrir is so good in the reviews they have seen. Today, we shall be taking a look at a cooler that many consider the best bang for buck on the market.  If you’re reading this and you’re a big overclocker, you know all too well the importance of choosing  the ‘right’ cooler for the job, but at the same time not costing so much that you’d might as well jump on the water-cooling bandwagon.

Titan was launched in 1992 with a focus on low cost cooling solutions for the masses.  Generally speaking, Titan hasn’t had the best track record until they struck a bit of fortune with the Fenrir.  Previously, many Titan coolers have had less than stellar performance, let alone great build quality.  Titan looks to put their uneven past behind them with an up to date Fenrir – the V2, meaning the cooler now supports LGA 1156 out of the box. Something which Titan now hopes will gain them an even bigger majority share of the Intel and AMD cooler market.

Specifications

• For AMD Socket AM2+/AM2/AM3/940/939/754/K8
• For Intel Socket 775/1156/1366
• PWM intelligent controller: automatically adjust fan to provide wonderful balance between performance and rumble generated from CPU
• 12mm Fan – 800 to 2200RPM
• Heat Pipe Direct Touch: provide the maximum heat conductivity and draw heat away immediately
• Unique fin design: reduce air resistance to enhance cooling performance