The CPU:

Intel Celeron 566 @ 935Mhz, with the Soyo 6VCA (VIA 133A Slot 1 motherboard.)

The Contenders:

If you read the Golden Orb review, then you would recall that the Alpha FC-PAL35 beat it. but I decided to modify the Alpha PFH6035 heat sink to allow it to compete. If you are interested, I just folded small strips of tape to imitate the four plastic pegs that are installed on the FC-PAL35. Doing so would enable many users that happen to still own the classic PFH6035 the ability to migrate it to a newer FC-PGA CPU for overclocking bliss.

The Test:

Since looping the Quake II crusher.dm2 demo and then following up by looping the Quake III pureexcess.dm3 demo became redundant, I've decided to just loop pureexcess.dm3 for 25 minutes to try to reach a maximum CPU temperature.:

Alpha FC-PAL35: 31C

Alpha PFH6035: 32C

Thermaltake Golden Orb: 34C

Conclusion:

The results are in; the Alpha FC-PAL35 is an excellent performer. It's at the top of its class and I have a lot of confidence in its ability to provide consistent cooling. But look at the classic Alpha PFH6035 go! With a simple modification, it rises to the occasion and shows that it is still a very apt performer.

I can recommend the Alpha FC-PAL35 for overclockers that want the lowest temperature (without going into more exotic methods, i.e. peltiers.) Additionally, overclockers should be aware that this cooler would probably block off one or more DIMM slots when mounted on a Slot 1 converter board. Users should also take note, that a simple modification to their PPGA coolers can breathe new life into them, and can hopefully save you the cost of ordering a new cooler.

Despite it all, the FC-PAL35 is a great cooler, and should be considered by any avid overclocker. But if money is a factor, then you should probably purchase a Golden Orb instead, or if you are like me, and have an Alpha PFH6035 lying around, make the simple tape mod, and re-use it.