The Xigmatek HDT-S1284EE heatsink is an extension of the Achilles model, built on the same great frame but with a new fan that offers identical performance and just about the same noise values. At full tilt the HDT-1284EE barely purrs at 44.2dBA, while the Achilles hums away at 42.7dBA. The Xigmatek HDT-S1284EE heatsink features an "exposed heatpipe base" that stacks up very well in the competitive world of AMD and Intel processor cooling.

Like many of Xigmatek' coolers , the Xigmatek HDT-S1284EE heatsink has an aluminum base with four wide copper heat pipes inset. Heat is conducted directly away from the core of the AMD or Intel processor to the 8mm diameter heatpipes, then rapidly dispersed to a 115mm tall tower of aluminum fins. It's a simple and efficient design, no unnecessary flash or bling. Best of all, when paired with a low noise 120mm fan the approach works.

Xigmatek's HDT-S1284EE heatsink is equipped with rubber vibration absorbing fan posts to quietly support a 120mm PWM fan which can scale in speed from 800-1500RPM. The 660 gram HDT-S1284EE 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 upwards of 160mm high, which is fine for full and mid-tower PC chassis, but may be too tall for some microATX systems. The Xigmatek HDT-S1284EE's retails for around$40CDN ($40USD) through your favorite heatsink retail store.

Curiously, while the heatsink is offered with two different LGA775 mounting brackets, one push-pin and the other using spring-tensioned screws, a LGA1366 mounting bracket is not supplied. With the release of Intel's Nehalem processor so close, this lack of foresight boggles the mind.

Xigmatek HDT-S1284EE Heatsink

heatsink specsheet manufacturer: xigmatek model no.: hdt-s1284ee materials: aluminum fins, copper heatpipes, aluminum base with exposed heatpipes. fan mfg: xigmatek ad1212dx-a7bgl fan spec: 800-1500rpm, 12v, 0.13a fan dim: 25x120x120mm heatsink & fan dim: 160x120x87mm weight: 660 grams includes: lga775 and k8 socket mounting hardware, thermal compound, instructions Compatible with Sockets: 754/939/940/AM2, LGA775 Est. Pricing: $40USD ($40CDN)

Xigmatek's "Heat-pipe Direct Touch" technique describes how the copper heatpipes come in direct contact with the top of the processor, minimizing thermal resistance. Unlike a lot of heatpipe heatsinks out there, you'll also notice there aren't any cooling fins on the base block either. The base plate surrounding the heatpipes shouldn't ever get hot enough to need to be cooled if the heatpipes are working correctly. The grooves you see are for the K8 mounting clip.

Xigmatek have constructed the HDT-S1284EE heatsink with widely spaced aluminum fins so that lower velocity air can pass through the heatsink with less resistance. The PWM fan spins anywhere from 800RPM to 1500RPM, and even at full speed is nearly inaudible from a few feet away.

The 120mm PWM fan is held in place on the aluminum fins of the Xigmatek HDT-S1284EE heatsink with four vibration absorbing rubber mounting posts. These fit through the standard screw holes in a vaneaxial fan frame rather tightly, and keep the fan elevated 2.0mm away from the metal. If the fan motor happens to develop vibrations down the road, the rubber 'shock absorbers' can help prevent that from becoming noise.

What's in the box?

The HDT-S1284EE heatsink ships with brackets for 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. A second LGA775 clip is available which uses spring tensioned screws for a firmer mount, it's not known at this time if Xigmatek will include this kit with the HDT-S1284EE or sell it separately. 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 clip applies pressure to the heatsink base directly. The AMD clip is tool free, but the metal is thin and tends to bend towards one side or another after clamping pressure is applied.

The other mounting option for LGA775 processors is the Xigmatek Crossbow ACK-17753 mounting bracket. It uses spring tensioned screws to positively lock the HDT-S1284EE heatsink in place.

The Xigmatek HDT-S1284EE heatsink will be tested on FrostyTech's Intel LGA775 and K8 version of the Mk.II synthetic thermal temperature test platform, and compared against a hundred 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.