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Product:
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Thermalright SI-128 CPU Cooler |
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Price:
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$52 (CDN) / $47 (U.S)
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Supplied By:
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Thermalright
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Author:
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clsGrinder
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Date:
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August 27th, 2006
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Rating:
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MODTHEBOX would like to thank Hank from Thermalright
for sending the SI-128 CPU Cooler for review.
Introduction:
In the early 2000’s there were very few companies offering very few enthusiast cooling products. It was in these times
that Thermalright emerged as a designer of superior CPU cooling products, shaking up the industry, and acquiring a few
performance crowns along the way. Today things are much different and the enthusiast HSF cooling market is fiercely
competitive; with copy-cat designs, themed cooling products and everything else in-between. Through all this
Thermalright remains a favorite by designing some legendary products that backup performance claims. Today in the MTB
labs, we will be evaluating the new SI-128; a universal 120mm CPU cooler designed for both AMD and Intel platforms.
Specifications:
The Thermalright SI-128 is a massive cross platform CPU cooler designed to run a user supplied 120mm fan. Four nickel
plated 8mm copper heat pipes transfer heat onto a huge cooling surface area of 78 aluminum fins. Here are some specifications
taken directly from the Thermalright website:
| Model |
Thermalright SI-128 CPU Cooler
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| Dimensions |
128mm (L) x 145mm (W) x 91.5mm (H) |
| Weight |
510g (without fan) |
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Compatibility |
Intel: all LGA775 processors and AMD: A64 / FX / X2 / Opteron (all models)
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Features |
- 120mm fan recommended for maximum cooling capability
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| - Huge 8mm multiple heatpipes for even more efficient heat transfer to the aluminum fins
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| - Multiple tightly gapped fins for more surface area with longer and wider wingspan than SI-120
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| - Vast compatibility across multiple platforms for newest AMD and Intel CPUs
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| - Enormous wingspan gives extra cooling to MOSFET or NB chipset
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| - Includes adapters for LGA775, K8, and AM2 platforms
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Click image for larger view
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Click image for larger view
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The SI-128 arrived in trademark Thermalright packaging; a brown cardboard box, with a Thermalright logo on the top and
a model number on the side. My overall impressions were positive as I removed the soft foam inserts, and took the heatsink
out of its protective thick plastic bag. Installation hardware for the various platforms is neatly found in a white
cardboard box.
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Click image for larger view
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Click image for larger view
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The main box has the SI-128, LGA 775 reference sheet, case sticker and installation hardware. A good look at the installation
hardware gives us the following bundled accessories:
- Generic thermal paste
- 2 x Anti-Vibration adhesive strips (2)
- AMD mounting clip
- AMD replacement collar
- 2 x Fan wire clips
- Thermalright sticker
- LGA775 mounting clip
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Click image for larger view
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Click image for larger view
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The overall mantra for the SI-128 is big, big and big. For starters it has a large mounting surface area. While functional
or not, it looks proportionate to the detached cooling area above it. Four 8mm heat pipes connect the two, offering an
efficient pathway for the heat to get from the base to the top. Due to its girth, two supporting rods are installed on
the side opposite the heat pipes. This eliminates sag of the upper cooling fins, and incorporates rigidity to Thermalright’s
design. The bottom finish of the SI-128 looks to be very flat (Thermalright measures all of their bases to be within 0.03mm
in flatness and within 4 corners when leaving the assembly line). The reflection isn’t mirrored, but looks more attractive
than most. The interface metal is copper, however it is nickel plated to protect from oxidization.
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