360° View - OCZ Vendetta Heatsink Information on Frostytech's test methodology is available here.
The 25x92x92mm PWM fan on the OCZ Vendetta heatsink spins at 1200-2800RPM depending on the temperature of the CPU and BIOS settings. Power is supplied by a 4-pin motherboard fan header. The three copper heatpipes are 8mm in diameter, and extend from the base up through all the fins. The joints are unsoldered. Looking from the top down we see small dimples and the curve in the aluminum fins, a 4.5mm plenum behind the fan, and the tips of the heatpipes. The curve helps funnel air towards the higher temperature metal around the heatpipes, leaving the center portion of the fins open where there is the least amount of airflow. The dimples help break up laminar airflow over the thin aluminum.
The central shape in the OCZ Vendetta's aluminum fins changes from a convex curve to a flattened out "V" shape at the back. The heatsink itself stands ~136mm tall, with the bulk of that elevated 36mm above the base to provide clearance for adjacent motherboard devices. The base is capped with a 14mm thick aluminum section that provides support for the CPU clamping brackets. The aluminum fins are 0.4mm thick and spaced 1.75mm apart. The two cuts in the aluminum base are for the AMD K8 mounting clip to lock into.
The three copper heat pipes are packed in closely at the base where they make direct contact with the processor's integrated heatspreader. This configuration ensures that the maximum amount of heat is conducted from the CPU to the heatpipes. The usable area of the OCZ Vendetta's base is 35x35mm in size. Note how the copper heatpipes have been pressed flat into the aluminum base. The two screw holes are to attach the Intel LGA775 mounting brackets.