Xigmatek Achilles

[toadeater]

In case you haven't seen this yet. Xigmatek is on a roll.

http://www.xigmatek.com/product/air-achilless1284.php

The extra heatpipe is probably going to be enough to decisively defeat the TRUE and Zalman 9700 once and for all. They've also changed how the heatpipes are aligned, which I guess must improve something, unless they make design changes purely for looks like some other companies I've seen (e.g. Asus' heatsinks).

Xigmatek seems to have some very crafty engineers, you've got to appreciate the subtlety compared to Scythe's latest batch of "just make it bigger" sensationalist junk. Achilles' only weakness is pushpins.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: toadeater
In case you haven't seen this yet. Xigmatek is on a roll.

http://www.xigmatek.com/product/air-achilless1284.php

The extra heatpipe is probably going to be enough to decisively defeat the TRUE and Zalman 9700 once and for all. They've also changed how the heatpipes are aligned, which I guess must improve something, unless they make design changes purely for looks like some other companies I've seen (e.g. Asus' heatsinks).

Xigmatek seems to have some very crafty engineers, you've got to appreciate the subtlety compared to Scythe's latest batch of "just make it bigger" sensationalist junk. Achilles' only weakness is pushpins.

I accidentally mentioned the 1284 a couple weeks ago here, blamed it on a typo but, I didn't think it was out of NDA till the end of the month, guess it got pushed up, thats always refreshing to see. I was talking about it with some engineers who were my source for the info and I just don't see how the extra pipe is going to make that great a difference. IMHO with teh three pipe design it placed one pipe directly over the core and the other two were just about if not touching the IHS directly above the core, with this design we have two that should be directly over the core but the other two are off to the sides of the core so far they realy won't be fully utilized. That being said, I bed it beats the TRUE anyways

EDIT: I was also under the impression that Xigmatek would offer a bolt-thru kit with this just as they have with the 1283 for those who would prefer it.

 

[MarcVenice]

Cooling is one thing, how about noise and such ?

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
Cooling is one thing, how about noise and such ?

AFAIK uses the same fan as the 1283 red scorpion.

 

[Quiksilver]

Still has the shitty pushpins I'd pay an extra $5-$10 if they'd include their own heatsink backplate that doesn't use push pins. On another note can you lap a heatsink with exposed heatpipes? or would you possibly puncture them?

Also are these dimensions right?
120(W) x 60(H) x 159(D) mm

Looks like H and D are backwards :< or am I reading this thing wrong.

 

[Fallen Kell]

Lapping would be a no, no, on this one. I personally do not like the exposed heat-pipe designs. They leave too much gaps between the heat-pipe and whatever other metal they use which then needs to be filled with TIM, which isn't nearly as good of a heat conductive material as metal would have been. I would rather see a very thin layer of copper on the bottom, with the heat-pipe soldered to that.

 

[Tullphan]

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12

EDIT: I was also under the impression that Xigmatek would offer a bolt-thru kit with this just as they have with the 1283 for those who would prefer it.

Here's an e-mail I got from Xigmatek when I inquired about the bolt-thru kit that I talked about in an earlier post:

Dear Jerry,



This is Daniel, Channel Account Manager of Xigmatek (www.xigmatek.com), a providing Leader for Gaming thermal solution.

Thank you so much for your Support. I?ve enjoyed reading your e-mail & have sent it to everyone in the Xigmatek Office to show such a high rating we are receiving.

We ?were? indeed running a special promo. on bolt-thru-kits. But the offer was only good thru purchases made during the month of Feb.

the current status is in the following: (word document attached)


However, We are thriving to have top customer service for all Xigmatek user. & Since you?ve e-mail and inquire in, we?ll make an special offer exclusive to you only.

Please follow the instruction in attachment (word doc.) and send in the appropriate papers.

Xigmatek is glad to be of service to you J


Thank you again for your Support,

Please spread good words among your friends and gaming communities.



Daniel Tseng

Tel: 626-839-6800 ext 134

Fax: 626-839-6899

17837 Rowland St.

City of Industry, CA 91748

Needless to say, I made a copy of this e-mail along w/the receipt i'll send in with the barcode off the package.

I hope i'm not out of line for posting the phone #'s & address of the company?

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Originally posted by: Fallen Kell
Lapping would be a no, no, on this one. I personally do not like the exposed heat-pipe designs. They leave too much gaps between the heat-pipe and whatever other metal they use which then needs to be filled with TIM, which isn't nearly as good of a heat conductive material as metal would have been. I would rather see a very thin layer of copper on the bottom, with the heat-pipe soldered to that.

in my testing, i've found the gaps to be of no consequence. the design yields excellent results.

as for lapping, why? you will not improve on what came in the box.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: The Boston Dangler

Originally posted by: Fallen Kell
Lapping would be a no, no, on this one. I personally do not like the exposed heat-pipe designs. They leave too much gaps between the heat-pipe and whatever other metal they use which then needs to be filled with TIM, which isn't nearly as good of a heat conductive material as metal would have been. I would rather see a very thin layer of copper on the bottom, with the heat-pipe soldered to that.

in my testing, i've found the gaps to be of no consequence. the design yields excellent results.

as for lapping, why? you will not improve on what came in the box.

QFT. the gaps between the base and the heatpipes are probably actually a good thing, the heatpipes are supposed to carrying away all the heat, not the base, I'd actually be curious to see what a heatsink with the heatpipes directly next to each other, even welded to each other would be nice, and an acrylic or delrin base. With the heatpipes directly on the IHS the base is really only there for mounting.

As for lapping, I could see an advantage with polishing the base, hit it with some 1000grit to smooth out the surface of the heatpipes and take off an oils or anything on the base but, as for actual lapping, wouldn't benefit from it all.

EDIT:that really sucks about the bolt-thorugh kit, I really hope we can change their mind before it hits the channel. On the other hand, if you really think about it, if you're willing to throw down $10 extra for a bolt through kit to be in the box, why not buy one of thermalright's bolt through kits and install it with that, they're $5-6 plus shipping.