Dr(s) Thermal TI-S86 and V86 HSFs

Manufacturer: Thermal Integration
Supplied by: Thermal Integration
Price: TBA

By Dean Barker (12/11/2001)

Introduction

Several months ago we had an opportunity to play with the Dr. Thermal TI-V77 heatsink.  We were very impressed by the performance of this sink and its being on par with the Vantec CCK at a substantially lower noise level.  Thermal Integration obviously recognized the strength of their oversized ThermoEngine like design and tried some new things.  Namely, a shift to traditional 60mm fans.  Today we have two Thermal Integration units up on the review bench.  The TI-S86, that carriers a 60 x 60 x 25mm fan and the TI-V86, that is a shorter version heatsink, with a 60 x 60 x 15mm fan roosting up top.  Actually, each model is offered with the choice of a 60 x 60 x 25, 60 x 60 x 15, or 60 x 60 x 10mm fan.  Let’s see how well these cooler stack up in the ever competitive field of cooling solutions.  We do wish to thank the folks at Thermal Integration for sending these review sample over to us.

TI-S86 Heatsink

The S86 model heatsink from Thermal Integration resembles a fat ThermoEngine.  Its fin design has fins radiating in four directions from the center.  This design has proved extremely effective with the Thermal Integration TI-V77, so why not improve upon it by swapping the fan for a 60 x 60 x 25mm, 38CFM monster?  This is exactly what Thermal Integration has done.  The S86's fan looks a bit out of place given the fact that the heatsink is much bigger.  A shroud was utilized to help channel the air to compensate for a smaller sized fan.  Speaking of the fan, more and more heatsink makers are moving away from using three pin connectors on high volume fans.  You don’t want to blow out a motherboard header, so you use the adapter that most companies include with their respective cooling products.  Why not just stop using the three pin power connectors on the sink and eliminate the need to use the adapter.  Fewer wires in you box is always a reason to smile.  In doing this, Thermal Integration didn’t forget about fan monitoring.  In addition to the fan being run off a four pin Molex connector, it also has a RPM cable coming off of it.

The sink itself is solid aluminum.  It does not have a copper core as do the other “Dr. Thermal” heatsinks we have seen so far.  We will find out in a minute if that helps or hinders things.  The sink is rather large with its dimensions being 83.3 x 69.8 x 61.8mm (with fan.)  The total package weights in at 238gms.  The TI-S86 has a semi-dull nickel color to it.  The sink’s top area is larger than the 60mm fan that sits on top of it.  To maximize efficiency a fan shroud has been utilized to mate the fan to the sink to direct the airflow better.  It lends a rather clean look to the unit as a whole. 

The clip is definitely a thing of beauty.  It mounts overtop the entire heatsink, raising the center of gravity which ensures a firm mating between it and the processor.  The interesting thing about the clip is the presence of a small finger lever.  This lever turns a shaft with a bend in it, which in turn pulls the clip up which locks things in place.  Installation went easily and with confidence.  They say a picture is worth a thousand words…

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