Dynatron Model S Socket 478 Heatsink Review

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When you think of Dynatron you inevitably think of skive heatsinks. The DC1206MB-S, or Model S as we will be calling it, is a socket 478 heatsink with a tiny low-noise fan. Oddly, of the heatsinks that we have looked for socket 478 processors in the last little while, the Model S is on the noisier scale - I suppose from the sound of the air moving through the rough fins more than anything else.

Still, you have to admit, that blue fan is rather eye-catching, but does it have the necessary thrust to penetrate the 24mm of fin? Well, since it's about one in the morning while I'm writing this up I'll save you the suspense of the question by saying no - the fan is a little under powered for the heatsink. But it is such a nice blue colour... :)

	Heatsink Specsheet: Model: DC1206BM-S Fan: Top Motor, 530RPM, 12V, 0.3A. Fan Dim: 10x60x60mm Airflow: 24CFM Noise: 40dBa Heatsink Dim: 88x62x46mm HS Material: Skived Aluminum Mfg by: Dynatron Comes with: HSRM, clips, screws. Cost: ~$34 Sold By: www.dynatron.com

There are two very good redeeming qualities about Dynatron heatsinks (well skive heatsinks in general). The first is that Dynatron currently boast one of the highest fine densities of a skive heatsink on the retail market. No other skive heatsink we have seen has yet been able to match their densities - and that means they have very good surface areas.

Number two has to do with the skive process and how the base is always finished. For whatever manufacturing reasons, the base plates of skive heatsinks are always well machined, and the Model S is a prime example.

The baseplate of this heatsink is perfectly flat in both the x-axis and y-axis. The surface is very smooth, although some machining marks are still visible.

The heatsink arrived at our test labs with a clear plastic protective cover and white thermal compound pre applied which only reinforces the level of detail we have become used to seeing from this manufacturer. Of course there are down sides, and in the past Dynatron has used less than ideal fan shrouds. The Model S fairs well in this regard however, so there isn't much we can say against this cooler, other than it should have come with a more powerful fan it is to be a real contender in the socket 478 cooling arena.

To use the Dynatron Model S on a socket 478 P4 you will need to install the HSRM it comes with. Unlike the clip ones you have become used to seeing, the Model S appears to have originally been made for the socket 423 P4 which is now basically obsolete. The clip has actually found a lot of use around here, enabling us to test out a few coolers which we otherwise wouldn't have been able to. The HSRM simply screws into place using the mounting holes and set of small screws and nuts. The wire clips are springy, and keep the heatsink in tension on the processor.