ThermalRight AX-478  P4 Cooler

Manufacturer: ThermalRight
Supplied by: Sidewinder Computers
Price: $24.95 (less fan)

By Dean Barker  (10/14/2002)

Introduction

Just when you thought Intel is out of the game, they did a rope-a-dope with the Northwood against AMD's XP.  With the renewed popularity of the P4, have come cooling solutions to meet the processors thermal needs when it's on the jack.  The ThermalRight AX-478 is not a brand new sink but it seems to be one that slipped under the radar of most.  Our good friends from Sidewinder Computers made sure that we got a chance to abuse this inexpensive cooling alternative.  Kudos to Sidewinder.

Weighing in at 450 grams, the AX-478 is a big sink.  Out of those 450 grams the base which is nickel plated copper represents a big hunk.  But also some of the weight comes from the sink's center that is one big solid mojo. 

Actually, the AX-478 is effectively the AX-7 (for AMD), modded to fit the P4.  You have heard of micro fins, well this is the other end of that spectrum.  The fins do not necessarily have to be super thin because of the thermal properties of aluminum.  Aluminum conducts heat quickly and has a lower thermal capacity, unlike copper that is somewhat the reverse.  Each has benefits and drawbacks. 

You can see below how the fins are bonded to the base of the sink.  Very nicely done.  The attention to detail in the attachment of a heatsink's fins can make or break the performance of a cooling product.  If that heat doesn't transfer well to the fins you pretty much are done for.  Not so with the AX-478.  Their quality assurance guys on the line are doing their job well.

The base of the AX-478 is long and narrow when compared to the body of the cooler.  The base is plated and measures 50mm wide x 84mm long x 6mm thick.  To say I was impressed by the high shine of the base would be an understatement.  The base plate as mentioned before (and figured out after the fact) is nickel plated copper polished to a high shine.  You can see for yourself from the pic below.  I took this pic AFTER testing and changing it on and off no less than 18 or 20 times.  We were only able to figure out the base's construction thanks to my Dremel and a reader.

NEXT

Legal Notice and Fine Print

All names and trademarks used herein are the properties of their respective owners.  The Overclocker Cafe™ and its staff accept no responsibility for any damages incurred from deviating from your computer's factory settings.  All forms of correspondence sent in are viewed as eligible for public view unless mutually agreed to previously as otherwise.  The name Overclocker Cafe', its images and site specific logos are the Trademark and Servicemark of the Overclocker Cafe' Company. Williamsburg, Virginia.

All rights reserved.  All pages Copyright © 2000 - 2008 by R. Dean Barker.

Graphics by Navin Amarasuriya
[ Privacy Policy ]