| ProlimaTech Armageddon CPU Cooler Heatsink |  |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Cooling | |
| Written by Olin Coles | |
| Tuesday, 16 March 2010 | |
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Page 8 of 8
Between our recent Best CPU Cooler Performance project and the previous Q3-2009 Best CPU Cooler Performance article, I've learned that processor architecture can have a major impact on heatsink performance. I'm not referring to speed or voltage here, because those factors are a given when it comes to cooling. What I'm referring to is how the 45nm Intel Bloomfield Core-i7 is going to have a 'heat signature' area that differs slightly from 32nm Gulftown. In fact, Gulftown's 248mm2 die package is closer to a Lynnfield Core-i7 CPU. Those heatsinks with a larger contact surface (and heatpipe base) will best serve 45nm AMD Phenom-II processors with a 258mm2 die or 45nm Intel Core-i7 quad-core 263mm2 Bloomfield CPU's. Essentially, it's important to research the cooler's physical information in addition to performance results when you're shopping for a CPU cooler. It's not a one-size-fits-all heatsink market, and the biggest cooler doesn't always provide the best performance. Armageddon Heatsink ConclusionTo properly rank the ProlimaTech Armageddon, overclockers must first understand that this was not a product designed to replace their popular Megahalems CPU cooler. The ProlimaTech Armageddon belongs in its own class of heatsinks, along with the growing list of other products that have grown in size to accommodate larger but much quieter cooling fans. Considering how quiet the ProlimaTech Armageddon operates with either one or two 140mm fans attached, it's understandable if it doesn't cool to the same level as Megahalems... but it nearly does. In our benchmark tests, the ProlimaTech Armageddon (with dual 63CFM Xigmatek 140mm fans) performed better than a single high-output (80 CFM) Yate Loon D12SH-12 fan attached to the Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme, Tuniq Tower-120 Extreme, or Xigmatek Thor's Hammer S126384. Of course, most overclockers consider cooling performance to only be measured in degrees, and so the benefit of top-end performance that sheds fan noise is overlooked. On the other hand, there will also be PC hardware enthusiasts who find the ProlimaTech Armageddon heatsink very attractive, and may be drawn in by the new looks and unique allure. Armageddon shares the exact same mounting system as Megahalems, which supports only Intel LGA775/1156/1366 sockets. ProlimaTech offers an optional AMD AM2/AM2+/AM3 mounting kit, which works for either of these heatsinks and creates the same outstanding contact pressure. So while the ProlimaTech Armageddon didn't top our results as the very best heatsink we've ever tested, it silently finishes among the top performers without the irritation of high-output fans and continues to use the industries' best mounting kit. In terms of functionality, I'd say that this adds a level of features not quite possible in other cooling products.
Users of Intel processors need to pay careful attention to their processor size and the number of core it contains. When choosing a HDT-based cooler, the older LGA775 and even the newer LGA1156 CPUs all work best with three 8mm heatpipe rods in the base, or four 6mm rods. Larger Nehalem-based LGA1366 Core-i7 processors with the 263mm2 die are large enough to use four 8mm heatpipe rods in the base, and five 8mm rods (such as those in the IceAge Prima Boss-II or Tuniq Tower-120 Extreme) just barely make full contact. They key here is to choose a cooler with enough heatpipes to saturate the base, but not too few that they are overloaded. On the other hand, Westmere-based 32nm processors won't have as much die space to cool, and so some of the LGA775 and LGA1156 heatsinks may work perfectly well on them. As of May 2010, the ProlimaTech Armageddon (cpu-pro-14) is available at FrozenCPU for $69.99 or from NewEgg for $64.99. In terms of value, this price is similar to the ProlimaTech Megahalems, which sells for $61.99. PC hardware enthusiasts and overclockers will need to decide what they want out of the Armageddon, since the Megahalems offers better performance in most respects. Since ProlimaTech products allow consumers to select their own fan for the project, FrozenCPU is one of the few online retail outlets that specialize in CPU cooling hardware and will have a much better selection of fans and accessories than other online retailers. In conclusion, the ProlimaTech Armageddon delivers top-level performance without the noise that comes with top-level fans. The ability to mount twin 140mm fans will allow overclockers and PC hardware enthusiasts the ability to enjoy their personal computing experience without the distraction of high-power fans screaming in the background. ProlimaTech's Armageddon kit includes the heatsink and (industry-leading) Intel mounting system, so fans remain the choice of consumers but AMD users will need to purchase the AM2/AM2+/AM3 mounting system. Overall the ProlimaTech Armageddon performed extremely well, especially since we've tested it against the best CPU coolers available. If you're looking to cool and overclocked processor while keeping fan noise to a minimum, the ProlimaTech Armageddon is a winning choice. Pros:
+ Utilizes ProlimaTech Intel Mounting System Cons:
- AMD Mounting System Not Included Benchmark Reviews encourages you to leave comments and suggestions (below), or ask questions and join the discussion in our Forum.
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Comments
tall denominated style memory ? this is a Big problem for many
thank you Paul.
It's not possible to include this information in every article, because every system is different and memory comes in many different sizes. I can tell you that if you mount this heatsink so it blows air towards the back of the case, you won't come close to the memory.
I have a Home server Windows 7 in a smail case under my TV. I purchased a ASRock Gen4 X79 and an i7-3920 only to find no fan. Crazy!
I have little idea of these Coolers and their issues with Ram fitting in (or not fitting) and case size seem to be an issue not to mention height. I'm confused on what get. The intel cooler/fan you can buy seperate ($32) runs very hot for a standard and would cook the system in summer. What a mess intel have created.
On the bright side you seem to have the best cooler and I'm glad i found you guys. I wish it was more simple thou. Thank you
The Armageddon is a very tall cooler and I suspect you'd have problems fitting it in a small HTPC case. Also, these cases are designed for low-power components and typically do not have the airflow of a larger desktop case, so unless there's a fan pointed right at the heat sink I think running it without a fan would be a bad idea. Even a very low CFM fan is much better.
Note that this review dates from more than two years ago, long before the X79/LGA2011 systems were introduced. The Armageddon does not come with the mounting hardware for an LGA2011 socket; you'd have to buy that separately.