Been searching for a sub-145mm tall heatsink? If so, you'll want to pay close attention as Frostytech tests the Auras Shagon ARC-118 tower heatsink - it stands just 139mm tall!

In the era of +160mm tall tower heatsinks, it's getting harder and harder to find a CPU cooler suitable for compact PC chassis, so if there is another mid-compact cooler you'd like to see Frostytech review, please drop us a line.

The Auras Shagon ARC-118 heatsink is built around four 6mm diameter copper heatpipes and a 50x100mm aluminum fin stack. The heatsink features an exposed heatpipe base and utilizes a single 2400-1000RPM 92mm PWM fan for all its cooling needs. Since this heatsink is equipped with a 92mm fan, noise levels tend to be moderate at stock speeds and whisper quiet at minimum RPM. Total heatsink foot print is 101x88mm, its weight is 460 grams.

While the small size of the Shagon ARC-118 heatsink might make it better suited to processors with a TDP of less than 95W, no thermal limits are noted. As you'll see in Frostytech's test results, this little cooler can handle heat loads of 150W without difficulty, but is much better suited to 95W TDP environments.

Auras' Shagon ARC-118 heatsink installs onto Intel socket 775/1155/1156/1366 and AMD socket AM2/AM3+ processors and retails for about $30.

Auras Shagon ARC-118 Heatsink

heatsink specsheet manufacturer: auras model no.: shagon arc-118 materials: aluminum fins, copper heatpipes, aluminum base with exposed heatpipes. fan mfg: power logic pla09225s12m fan spec: 2400-1000rpm, 12v, 0.20a fan dim: 25x92x920mm fan airflow: 42cfm heatsink & fan dim: 139x101x88mm weight: 460 grams includes: multi-socket mounting hardware, thermal compound, instructions Compatible with Sockets: AMD - AM2+/AM3+ Intel - 775/1156/1155/1366 Est. Pricing: $29USD ($29CDN)

To reduce vibration transmission from the 92mm PWM fan to the rest of the heatsink, small rubber fan posts are used to secure the fan in position. No rear fan can be installed on this heatsink.

Exposed heatpipe base heatsinks go by a variety of similar names, the Shagon ARC-118 uses four 6mm diameter heatpipes set into an 8.5mm aluminum base block to get the job done. In Frostytech's tests we noted that all four heatpipes were not perfectly flush to the surface of the aluminum base, this will impact thermal efficiency as heatpipe-to-CPU gaps are filled with relatively less conductive thermal compound. No details on the heatpipe wick structure were provided by the manufacturer.

Heatsink Installation Hardware:

Heatsink installation isn't too complicated for the Auras Shagon ARC-118. The cooler is compatible with Intel socket 775/1155/1156/1366 and AMD socket AM2/AM3 processors. In each instance a set of metal brackets is attached to the aluminum base of the heatsink and a rear metal motherboard support plate installed. Spring tensioned, collared thumb screws apply the clamping force.

With regards to the Intel brackets, the slot for different Intel sockets is broken down into three distinct tabs; one for 775, one for 1155/1156 and one for 1366 processors. Pay close attention to the instructions or you may find the heatsink isn't sitting properly. A packet of SIL thermal compound is provided in the package as well as a printed instruction sheet.

FrostyTech's Test Methodologies are outlined in detail here if you care to know what equipment is used, and the parameters under which the tests are conducted. Now let's move forward and take a closer look at this heatsink, its acoustic characteristics, and of course its performance in the thermal tests!