The OCZ Vendetta 2 heatsink features three large copper heatpipes that make direct contact with the top of the processor. This approach takes advantage of the superior heat conducting capabilities of 8mm diameter heat pipes to efficiently move heat from the processor to the cooling fins, without any intermediary steps. The technique is called Heatpipe Direct Touch, and as you've seen by the Top 5 Heatsinks chart... it's a winner. In addition, the Vendetta makes use of several other measures to keep noise quite low, under 42 dBA according to FrostyTech's real world measurements.

Now there's no mistaking that OCZ's Vendetta 2 heatsink is basically a modified version of Xigmatek's HDT-S1283 and OCZ's original Vendetta heatsink. In this itteration, the geometry of the aluminum fins has been changed, dimpling added, and much slower speed 120mm fan supplied. The big question is whether the OCZ Vendetta 2 heatsink follws in the footsteps of Xigmatek's own cooler... or it if leads the way?

The Vendetta 2 heatsink is decked out for stealth in a couple different ways; for starters the fan is held in place with vibration absorbing rubber fan posts. The 120mm PWM fan scales in speed from a low 800RPM to a still pretty moderate 1500RPM. Behind it are some rather unique 'vectored' aluminum fins that 'break up laminar airflow'.

OCZ's Vendetta 2 heatsink is compatible with socket 775 Intel Core 2 Duo/Quad CPUs, and all socket 754/939/940/AM2 AMD Athlon64/Phenom processors. It stands about 157mm tall, weighs roughly 600grams and will set you back $49CDN ($49USD) at most online stores, or a little less here.

OCZ Vendetta 2 Heatsink

heatsink specsheet manufacturer: ocz model no.: vendetta 2 materials: aluminum fins, copper heatpipes, aluminum base with exposed heatpipes. fan mfg: ocz ad1212dx-a7bgl fan spec: 800-1500rpm, 12v, 0.13a pwm fan dim: 25x120x120mm heatsink & fan dim: 157x117x92mm weight: est. 600 grams includes: lga775 and k8 socket mounting hardware, thermal compound, molex power adaptor, instructions Compatible with Sockets: 754/939/940/AM2, LGA775 Est. Pricing: $49USD ($49CDN)

The OCZ Vendetta 2 uses 8mm diameter heatpipes at the bottom of the heatsink in an arrangement that minimizes thermal resistance. Heat energy is conducted directly to the heatpipes, instead of via a base plate and questionable solder joints. The heatpipes are larger in diameter than the standard 6mm you often see.

Most heatsinks have flat fins, sometimes with little bumps or ridges to stiffen them. The OCZ Vendetta 2 uses widely spaced aluminum fins with a gentle "V" shaped curve running down the middle. This helps lower velocity air pass through the heatsink with less resistance, while funneling air towards the regions of the aluminum fins adjacent to the 8mm diameter heatpipes. Small dimples in the fins create extra surface area and help break up laminar air flow.

The 120mm PWM fan is held in place on the aluminum fins of the OCZ Vendetta 2 heatsink with four vibration absorbing rubber mounting posts. Two are visible in the picture above. These rubber posts fit through the standard screw holes in a vaneaxial fan frame, and keep the fan elevated ~2.0mm from the metal. If the fan motor happens to develop vibrations down the road, the rubber 'shock absorbers' can reduce that from becoming noise.

The OCZ Vendetta 2 heatsink ships with mounting hardware to accomodate Intel LGA775 and AMD K8 processors (754/939/940/AM2 respectively). The Intel socket 775 clips use the standard push-to-lock plastic clips that insert into the four motherboard holes around the processor socket.

AMD Athlon64 processors on 754/939/940/AM2/AM2+ work with a modified spring clip that attaches to the lugs on the AMD heatsink retention frame. A cam lever at one end of the K8 clip applies pressure to the heatsink base directly. The AMD clip is tool free, but the metal is thin and bend towards one side or another after clamping pressure is applied.

The OCZ Vendetta 2 heatsink will be tested on FrostyTech's Intel LGA775 and K8 version of the Mk.II synthetic thermal temperature test platform, and compared against several reference LGA775 and K8 heatsinks. The whole test methodology is outlined in detail here if you'd like to know what equipment is used, and the parameters under which the tests are conducted.