Intels new X38 chipset

[covert24]

Was reading that the new X38 chipsets will have a IHS (Integrated Heat Spreader). This is like a small heat sink that fits over the core of the ,in this case, chipset. Wouldn't it have better cooling if it wasn't here? Even in abits X38 display where fugger and the other guy was overclocking they said it got too hot to touch. Why would Intel make a dumb move like that when they know you get better cooling without it????

Link To Article

Discuss.

 

[f4phantom2500]

well i know they put them on cpu's because, for example with the socket a processors, people would mess up when trying to install a heatsink or something and would crack the core. so it serves as a little piece of "armor" to help protect it. however i dont know why they would do this on a chipset, perhaps they expect people to put more heavy duty cooling solutions on it? that might outweigh the less efficient heat transfer of the spreader.

 

[covert24]

true, but people usually focus more on the cpu side of things when it comes to cooling. usually an upgrade to a chipset is a small dinky piece of aluminum/copper or a small wateblock. And on the CPU side of things people go HUGE. I personally have taken a IHS off of an old 3000+ winchester i had and it cooler soooo much better. Basically what im trying to say is the need for 'armor' is unnecessary due to the lack of 'care' for the chipset cooling.

 

[JKing76]

But with the increasing complexity, feature set, and power draw of new chipsets, proper cooling for them may become as important as for the CPU, like it did for GPUs.

Another issue may simple be Intel working around cheap motherboard manufacturers. These manufacturers love putting the dinkiest, worst designed heatsinks on the chipsets. Intel's not going to like getting a reputation for over-hot, unstable chipsets because ASUS can't be bothered to apply a heatsink properly.

These heat spreaders provide a larger, sturdier area. The mobo maker's cheap heatsinks can probably get a better mount on a surface like that. And the heatsinks can be pressed/bolted down harder without cracking the chip.

 

[lopri]

And effectively you can hide/change what's underneath without drawing too much attention.

 

[aka1nas]

Removing the IHS on a chip is only really useful for the really extreme overclockers. For pretty much everyone else, having the IHS is useful as it provides a larger contact area and protects the chip.

 

[NXIL]

Hey JKing,

maybe Asus will get some more of those awesome 8,000 RPM A8N-SLI chipset fans--those were great!

NXIL

 

[MotF Bane]

From looking at the X38 chipset, it looks to be VERY close to being able to mount an old CPU waterblock, so there's your cooling solution. I think the IHS makes it easier in a way, especially depending on where the final mounting holes are placed... you can adapt bigger coolers onto it.

 

[covert24]

yea i guess protection and a larger surface for bigger coolers is what they were aiming for. ````

 

[dandragonrage]

The larger surface is not beneficial because it still has the same contact area with the CPU die underneath. If the heatspreader were made out of silver (awesome thermal conductivity, better than copper which is better than aluminum) then it might help a little. Might.

That said, I don't think an IHS is a bad thing. The performance difference will be minor and it WILL help protect the die.