Question Raising attention to the Ocypus Iota A62 "digital" air-cooler

[BonzaiDuck]

Threads and posts elsewhere should indicate that I'm planning a slow, deliberate upgrade to what is now three (3) Z170 systems built in 2017 and 2022. Two are twins, but with Sabertooth S and workstation ASUS mobos respectively. all are running great, with only anxieties about the end of support for Win 10 in October. I have plans to purchase the Extended Support Update subscription at $30/annum for either one or two of these systems. My current options are to either buy a Dell EBT 2250 desktop with series 2 Core Ultra 7 265, 64GB DDR5 and 2TB NVMe -- or -- (my practice over the last 30 years) -- build a Z890 system with the same processor.

As much as I've flirted with exotic water-cooling possibilities with mild attention given to the AIOs, I've managed to stick with air-cooling, even for my overclocking adventures. The best of these coolers was the ThermalRight Grand Machos with the accordion rubber duct-ie you could purchase, and nano-diamond thermal paste. I have Skylake and KabyLake I7 6700 and 7700K, which had been sent to Silicon Lottery in Texas for re-lidding with Thermal Grizzly liquid metal.

Exploring all options while I wait for those Microsoft ESU subscriptions, I'm looking at cooling options as a preliminary priority for my otherwise exclusively usual build-my-own choice. I don't think I can re-use the Macho coolers, as much as I might like. So -- moving on -- I discovered this today:

Ocypus Iota A62 Digital dual tower air cooler

Ocypus Comparison Review

For the bench test results, the Ocypus is not among the high performers, until you see that most of the better scores -- maybe all -- come from AIO offerings and several with "360" rads. I'll continue to search for better comparison reviews with "OC" tests, but overclocking is no longer of much interest -- apparently.

I throw this out to the forum because it seems to be a more recent entry. The AI web-search results indicate it was first introduced in August, 2024.

All comments or observations encouraged, but particularly for anyone who has firsthand experience with the Ocypus Iota A62 -- not so likely since it's only been available for 9 months, but maybe somebody has used one. Ocypus seems like a stupid name, but people who see me driving my 30-year-old Trooper think "ISUZU" is a stupid name, so -- there . . . . a lot of people who label odd things stupid are just stupid . . . Right?

 

[dlerious]

The cooler you linked on Amazon is the A40, not the A62. What's wrong with a Thermalright Peerless Assassin? If you want digital, they have that too.

Amazon.com: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Digital ARGB Black CPU Air Cooler, Digital Screen Top Cover,6 Heatpipes Computer CPU Cooler, for AM4/AM5,Intel LGA1700/1851/1150/1151/1200, PC Cooler-Black ARGB : Electronics

Buy Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Digital ARGB Black CPU Air Cooler, Digital Screen Top Cover,6 Heatpipes Computer CPU Cooler, for AM4/AM5,Intel LGA1700/1851/1150/1151/1200, PC Cooler-Black ARGB: CPU Cooling Fans - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Edit:I see that one is returned a lot here's a better link

Amazon.com: Peerless Assassin 120 Digital CPU Air Cooler, Temperature Digital Display | 6 Heat Pipes |1850RPM PWM Fans, for Intel 1851/1700, AMD AM4/AM5(Black) : Electronics

Buy Peerless Assassin 120 Digital CPU Air Cooler, Temperature Digital Display | 6 Heat Pipes |1850RPM PWM Fans, for Intel 1851/1700, AMD AM4/AM5(Black): CPU Cooling Fans - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[BonzaiDuck]

The cooler you linked on Amazon is the A40, not the A62. What's wrong with a Thermalright Peerless Assassin? If you want digital, they have that too.

Amazon.com: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Digital ARGB Black CPU Air Cooler, Digital Screen Top Cover,6 Heatpipes Computer CPU Cooler, for AM4/AM5,Intel LGA1700/1851/1150/1151/1200, PC Cooler-Black ARGB : Electronics

Buy Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Digital ARGB Black CPU Air Cooler, Digital Screen Top Cover,6 Heatpipes Computer CPU Cooler, for AM4/AM5,Intel LGA1700/1851/1150/1151/1200, PC Cooler-Black ARGB: CPU Cooling Fans - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Edit:I see that one is returned a lot here's a better link

Amazon.com: Peerless Assassin 120 Digital CPU Air Cooler, Temperature Digital Display | 6 Heat Pipes |1850RPM PWM Fans, for Intel 1851/1700, AMD AM4/AM5(Black) : Electronics

Buy Peerless Assassin 120 Digital CPU Air Cooler, Temperature Digital Display | 6 Heat Pipes |1850RPM PWM Fans, for Intel 1851/1700, AMD AM4/AM5(Black): CPU Cooling Fans - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

No -- the "digital" feature isn't important. I was interested in the ranking of the comparison review. You're RIGHT about the link though -- my mistake. But the A62 has an offering at Amazon.

I might actually take the plunge and go for an AIO or even a custom "soft-tube" water system from Micro Center. But with little planned over-clocking, a 9C difference of a good water system and the best heat-pipe cooler is not a serious shortcoming. Nothing that could go wrong with a water system will happen with the heatpipes.

Also -- latest news. "ThermalRight cooling model supports Intel LGA 1851"

Check the leftmost column: Le Grand Macho RT. I may be able to re-deploy the best cooler I ever had, if I decommission one system as I build a new one. Just to be sure, I'm going to look for adapter kits, because I don't remember what I did with the spare parts from my Grand Macho installation.

UPDATE: I'm not going to attempt re-deploying one of the Grand Macho coolers. the heatsink base may not cover the processor entirely, or I'll have trouble with adapter hardware. So it looks like the Ocypus Iota A62 will be the cooler of choice . . . Well -- it's not a lot of buckets of ducats . . .

 

[igor_kavinski]

Why not save yourself the trouble and go with this? https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/des...urora-act1250-gaming-desktop/useact1250wcto01



No headache with trying to troubleshoot if some component isn't compatible with the rest of the system and you get full system warranty instead of having to dismantle the system and sending everything back for RMA in case it isn't evident what isn't working.

You could sell the Geforce card in there and use an existing one you may have since you probably aren't a gamer. That should save you at least $250 more.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Why not save yourself the trouble and go with this? https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/des...urora-act1250-gaming-desktop/useact1250wcto01

View attachment 126194

No headache with trying to troubleshoot if some component isn't compatible with the rest of the system and you get full system warranty instead of having to dismantle the system and sending everything back for RMA in case it isn't evident what isn't working.

You could sell the Geforce card in there and use an existing one you may have since you probably aren't a gamer. That should save you at least $250 more.

Thanks -- that's actually a useful alternative to building one, and better than some of the Dell XPS units I've seen.

I've got to think about it. I can't be in a hurry. I can see the Win 10 ESU coming out before October, and that gives me some time.

Somehow, after my Bro and Moms passing, I've lost my enthusiasm for computer building, but I need to upgrade eventually. 50% of the world's desktop PCs are running Win 10!! I'm not alone.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Windows 10 Enterprise IoT will be supported until 2032. That's no less than seven years from now! No need to be stressed about end of life.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Windows 10 Enterprise IoT will be supported until 2032. That's no less than seven years from now! No need to be stressed about end of life.

That's nice to know, but the IOT and LTSC versions seem to be meant for "fixed purpose" systems in banking or healthcare, or critical business functions.

Do you know the implications of this? Otherwise, how would we obtain these versions of Windows 10?

 

[dlerious]

That's nice to know, but the IOT and LTSC versions seem to be meant for "fixed purpose" systems in banking or healthcare, or critical business functions.

Do you know the implications of this? Otherwise, how would we obtain these versions of Windows 10?

Article from 2023

What Is Windows 10 IoT Enterprise? How to Free Download It? - MiniTool

What is Windows 10 IoT Enterprise? How to free download it and how to install it? This post provides answers to the above questions.

www.minitool.com

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Article from 2023

What Is Windows 10 IoT Enterprise? How to Free Download It? - MiniTool

What is Windows 10 IoT Enterprise? How to free download it and how to install it? This post provides answers to the above questions.

www.minitool.com

I spent some time searching and looking for more information. I suppose this defines my question. Windows 10 IoT Enterprise is intended for installations and systems that have "fixed purposes", or a limited inventory of installed software. IF -- IF -- your system has a wide variety of software -- some needed frequently, other used occasionally etc. -- what happens to your ability to install new software compatible with Windows 10 on a system "upgraded" to Windows 10 IoT Enterprise? How does IoT Enterprise limit or impair the installation of future software acquisitions, if they had been produced with the thoughtful inclusion of Windows 10 as a compatible operating system?

There are other options or alternatives we've discussed. One alternative is to do nothing but assure that AV and similar protectiions are kept up to date. Then there is a product available called 0Patch, which does much the same thing as the ESU upgrade available before or during October 2025. Another possibility is to install Windows 11 Pro on the old hardware with workarounds such as WinBootMate, and then cross your fingers.

Anticipating ALL of these possibilities and the eventual acquisition or building of a current-generation PC with (my preference) an Intel processor like Arrow Lake, I found RETAIL installations with USB and license for Windows 11 Pro in sealed packaging for less than $60. My best guess is that I can experiments with these on one of my Skylake systems, and -- if there are problems that arise -- I can re-install the retail license on a new system.

But given the history of pricing for versions of the Windows OS in both white-box OEM and retail licensing, getting two install "discs" or licenses for an average of $55 each is a worthwhile investment while I go forward with these "old" computers.

 

[igor_kavinski]

Turn off HT on your 6700K/7700K for safety reasons. It's buggy under certain conditions. Also, install the latest BIOS for any security mitigations.

Then try and see if the Win11 responsiveness is acceptable to you. You can do this now without getting license. Disconnect storage from the PC and install Win11 on a spare SSD and try it out.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Turn off HT on your 6700K/7700K for safety reasons. It's buggy under certain conditions. Also, install the latest BIOS for any security mitigations.

Then try and see if the Win11 responsiveness is acceptable to you. You can do this now without getting license. Disconnect storage from the PC and install Win11 on a spare SSD and try it out.

Roger-Dodger-Wilco on that. Everything in due time with my daily chores and morning exercise.

 

[dlerious]

I spent some time searching and looking for more information. I suppose this defines my question. Windows 10 IoT Enterprise is intended for installations and systems that have "fixed purposes", or a limited inventory of installed software. IF -- IF -- your system has a wide variety of software -- some needed frequently, other used occasionally etc. -- what happens to your ability to install new software compatible with Windows 10 on a system "upgraded" to Windows 10 IoT Enterprise? How does IoT Enterprise limit or impair the installation of future software acquisitions, if they had been produced with the thoughtful inclusion of Windows 10 as a compatible operating system?

I've never run the Enterprise versions, but my understanding was no feature updates, just security patches. I'll be installing Linux on one of my computers and removing the Win10 machine from the internet - keep around in case there's some software I can't get running in a VM.

Here's a youtube channel that might have some helpful videos

Britec09

Britec Tech Tips, Tech reviews, tutorials, PC hardware and do-it-yourself computer building are my favourite things, so that's what I make videos about. - Malware Removal - PC Computer Repair, How to videos and Troubleshooting and Repair videos to help those to help them self's on how to fix...

www.youtube.com

 

[AnitaPeterson]

I moved ALL my computers to Win10 IoT LTSC nearly two years ago, to avoid being forced to move to 11.

So I have an extensive experience with it, on a range of CPU architectures going back more than a decade (from Intel 3xxx to 12xxx, plus the entire AM4 roster), all three GPU makers, as well as a wide variety of peripherals (including a Soundblaster X-Fi Platinum still running on a PCI slot, which is notoriously finicky, despite being one of the best soundcards ever made!)

The bottom line? It's just as good as any "regular" Windows 10 edition. I've been getting regular security updates (although I'm the one who decides when to download and install them), I'm not pestered to install OneDrive, and I get no protestations about compatibility with first-generation Zen chips. In fact, I'm pretty sure I can install the OS on a venerable Sandy Bridge machine that still runs Windows 7 (but I'm not going to do it, because that's a dedicated vintage gaming rig).

There are zero downsides to this, and I have never come across any software package or game that wouldn't run on this operating system. If it's Win10 compatible, it is guaranteed to run on the IoT version. No ifs or buts: Premiere? Check. Topaz? Check. Office? Absolutely. SoundForge? Yup. I even installed a Windows 98-era program that had some audio morphing tools that I couldn't find in newer software packages.

Think of it as a strreamlined version of 10, without useless bells and whistles. I'd even wager that it's faster than Home and Pro versions, precisely because it's not bloated, and designed from the ground up for low-powered machines. So it absolutely flies on 128GB RAM and something like the 5900XT, but also works nicely on a venerable Ivy Bridge i3 laptop with 4GB RAM.

I hope this helps.

PS: Forgot to add: No obligation to create a Microsoft account either. Yes, you can bypass that with Rufus, but still... it's quite satisfying to revive the classic experience of installing a proper OS.

 

[igor_kavinski]

I hope this helps.

It absolutely does though your post would make M$ probably furious

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I moved ALL my computers to Win10 IoT LTSC nearly two years ago, to avoid being forced to move to 11.

So I have an extensive experience with it, on a range of CPU architectures going back more than a decade (from Intel 3xxx to 12xxx, plus the entire AM4 roster), all three GPU makers, as well as a wide variety of peripherals (including a Soundblaster X-Fi Platinum still running on a PCI slot, which is notoriously finicky, despite being one of the best soundcards ever made!)

The bottom line? It's just as good as any "regular" Windows 10 edition. I've been getting regular security updates (although I'm the one who decides when to download and install them), I'm not pestered to install OneDrive, and I get no protestations about compatibility with first-generation Zen chips. In fact, I'm pretty sure I can install the OS on a venerable Sandy Bridge machine that still runs Windows 7 (but I'm not going to do it, because that's a dedicated vintage gaming rig).

There are zero downsides to this, and I have never come across any software package or game that wouldn't run on this operating system. If it's Win10 compatible, it is guaranteed to run on the IoT version. No ifs or buts: Premiere? Check. Topaz? Check. Office? Absolutely. SoundForge? Yup. I even installed a Windows 98-era program that had some audio morphing tools that I couldn't find in newer software packages.

Think of it as a strreamlined version of 10, without useless bells and whistles. I'd even wager that it's faster than Home and Pro versions, precisely because it's not bloated, and designed from the ground up for low-powered machines. So it absolutely flies on 128GB RAM and something like the 5900XT, but also works nicely on a venerable Ivy Bridge i3 laptop with 4GB RAM.

I hope this helps.

PS: Forgot to add: No obligation to create a Microsoft account either. Yes, you can bypass that with Rufus, but still... it's quite satisfying to revive the classic experience of installing a proper OS.

It absolutely does though your post would make M$ probably furious

Isn't she wonderful?!! I hate to say that she was the perfect guinea-pig for me!! But all that experience, and the head-start that she got with IoT Enterprise LTSC.

I found ONE STEAM GAME that gave me trouble on my initial test machine, but it is likely due to a glitch in LAN installation when the game was set up to be interactive. I'll just install it again, but -- hey -- when I want to race in GRID2, I'll just use this system I work on daily.

This means that I'm going forward to install IoT Enterprise LTSC on my Media PC. So I can keep all those ripped ISO movies available for -- umm -- seven more years. But I have a backup for the collection, and we'll see what develops after that. And I'm close to a final decision to install it on this machine I mentioned for daily use.

I myself didn't bypass linking to my longstanding Microsoft account. I cannot believe they'll take notice of the OS version I'm using, but THIS IS THEIR FAULT! -- TAKING TOO LONG OFFERING THE ESU and giving us this cluster-f*** of hardware incompatibility with the newer OS, or otherwise failing to offer a decent maintenance program for old OSes and hardware that PEOPLE NEED TO USE!!

What are they going to do, anyway!? Now I can plan that new build for a Core Ultra 265K or an AMD Ryzen, and go forward at my own pace.