Heat pipes: Direct touch or not?

[perdomot]

Recently upgraded to 1156 and my HSF uses 3 8mm heat pipes that feature direct contact with the cpu. I tested a bigger HSF with 5 pipes but only 3 of them touch the cpu so I was thinking of getting a HSF where the pipes are soldered onto a base because I think that all 5 pipes get used for heat dissipation. Good idea?

 

[Rifter]

That is how my Noctua NH-D14 is(plate not direct touch) and its one of the best air coolers around. So i would say its a good idea.

 

[perdomot]

That is how my Noctua NH-D14 is(plate not direct touch) and its one of the best air coolers around. So i would say its a good idea.

Thanks. Looking at the Thermaltake Frio right now as the price seems about right and its not too big.

 

[Rubycon]

Direct touch is more of a fad than a design yielding real benefits. That being said, coolers having the most solid base bonded correctly to heatpipes are the most effective. Also be wary of designs with heatsinks on the block itself! This is completely un needed as you want as much heat as possible to move away from the CPU block and into the fins.