Akasa Evo 120 Heat Sink Review

Manufacturer: Akasa
Supplied by: Sidewinder Computers
Price: $45

by Jeremy Lawrence (3/10/2006)

 

Introduction

One of the most recent and most popular technologies in the world of air cooling is the Heat Pipe.  Heat pipes contain a liquid in the base of the pipe, and when the liquid gets hot, it evaporates, sending it upward.  As the evaporated liquid reaches the top of the pipe, the cool air blowing over the fins and the heat pipe causes it to cool and return to it's liquid form, thus creating a drastic drop in temperature.  This constant phase changing keeps the base of the heat-pipe cooler than it would with a standard, solid copper base.  Today, I get the chance thanks to the good people of Sidewinder Computers to look at the Akasa Evo 120 Heat Pipe cooler and see how well Akasa puts this technology to use.

Specifications

• Application: Intel Socket 478 & LGA775, AMD Socket 754, 939, 940.

• Heat Sink Dimensions: 122 x 165 x 115 mm

• Construction: Copper base and Heat Pipes with Aluminum Thin Fins

• Fan Dimensions: 120 x 120 x 25 mm

• Fan Speed: 1000 - 2000 rpm

• Fan Airflow: 32.2 - 67.5 CFM

What you get

First off, let's dig into the box and see what comes in the box.  Along with the heatsink and attached 120mm fan, there was a fan speed controller, mounting brackets for an Intel P4 platform, mounting brackets for AMD Socket 754, 939, and 940 platforms, an "H" bracket back plate, all the necessary screws and fan wires, as well as a very detailed manual.

Looking more closely at the Akasa Evo and see what we have to work with.  You can get an idea of the sheer size of this cooling unit just by looking at it next to the PCI fan speed controller that it came with.  Let's move in for a closer look.

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