|
|
A
hardware tech site for the rest of us.
 |
|||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||
|
Global Win CAK II 16 Variable Rate Heatsink/Fan Manufacturer:
Global Win by Dean Barker 3/21/2002
Introduction First, we all wanted copper sinks when the only copper sinks available were the Alphas and those were copper inlay only. Then we wanted thin fins. Again the demand was supplied. More and more powerful fans began to be employed; the Delta 60 x 60 x 38mm EH and the Delta 80 x 80 x 38mm EHE for example. It was at this point that the noise a fan makes really came under scrutiny. With this, came several medium performance heatsinks that were quieter. But we geeks as a whole want it all, excellent performance AND tolerable sound levels. Of late, more and more heatsink makers are experimenting with products that have variable speed fans. With the widespread use of Rheostats and the increasing din of complaints due to fan noise, it’s no wonder. Global Win has thrown their hat in this arena with the CAK II 16. The CAK II 16 is a CAK II heatsink with a variable rate fan up top. Unlike Thermaltake who put the Volcano 7’s temperature sensor on the outside of the sink’s fan, Global Win has put the sensor on the underside of the fan to better gauge the heat coming off the sink. So let’s take a look at the CAK 16 and see how well it stacks up. We wish to extend our thanks to the Global Win folks for sending this product over.
We all have seen heatsinks that are aesthetically pleasing. But the CAK II 16 is the first product I have seen that has obviously put direct attention and work in that area. The sink is of copper construction with a gloss black aluminum shroud that covers two sides and provides a seat for the fan. The Global Win logo and web address are printed neatly on one side of the shroud. This gives the CAK II 16 a deserved high quality look.
There are a total of 37 fins on the base. They and the base are cut from the same piece of copper. From the side, the fins have a wave like look. This could be an offshoot of the manufacturing process or a small effort to increase the velocity of the air coming off the fan. I find the latter doubtful because the gains in velocity would be minimal but then again, we do live in the time when performance differences are sometimes one or two tenths of a degree. The fins are smooth on both sides with their height being just shy of 3mm from the top of the aluminum shroud. The shroud serves to channel air out opposing sides, along the length of the heatsink.
The 6mm thick base of the CAK II is smooth to the touch. Some very minor imperfections remain from the machining of the base. These being some scratches that travel lengthwise along the bottom. These are obviously from the machining process and is the only thing holding the base from being a true shaver. (So clean and shiny you could shave by its reflection.) It is however, as close to a shaver as you can possibly get.
The clip on the CAK II 16 is of the standard variety but with one major difference. Most standard clips have the usual and expected catches on one end to give a screwdriver grip, so you can pry it on and off the socket lugs. The CAK II 16 has these catches on both ends. This is nice because there are some cases out there that I have had to remove the power supply to be able to install a heatsink because of such a tight fit. Hats off to Global Win for addressing this issue. Installation went easily and without incident.
Here we are at the heart of the CAK II 16, the fan. This 60 x 60 x 25mm job differs from most other sinks in that it has a thermal sensor mounted under the fan motor (the blue lead on the pic above.) This basic principle got put forward by Thermaltake with their Volcano 7. Except the Volcano 7 had the sensor on the outer side of the fan. An argument can be made about the Global Win that it will also be reacting to any heat the fan motor puts off. While this would indeed have merit, the Global Win set up fan and its RPMs would still be more relative to the CPU temperature that the former. Specifications
|
|
|
All rights reserved. All
pages Copyright © 2000 - 2008 by R. Dean Barker.
|
