Thermalright XP-90 Multiple Heatpipes CPU Heatsink

Pros: None

Cons: None

Overall Review: This saved my Pentium D 830 from going to the trash (or at least sold off). I was running 75+C under load, which is past Intel's danger point, no matter what I did to cool it. I bought one of these and a Panaflo 92mm fan (don't forget to buy the fan, and the 775-adapter if appropriate!). I also used Arctic Silver 5 instead of the included thermal compound. Thermalright support recommended mounting the fan to point down, blowing air into the heatsink. I saw about a 3C improvement in cooling when the fan points down.

Installation was much easier than expected (despite having to take out the motherboard). Just be sure you can clear any obstructions on the motherboard when mounting, since you swivel it in from the front (I couldn't mount it the first direction I tried as the fins prevented me from swivelling it into place). But once it's on it seems much more secure than the stock Intel heatsink! (plus, it weighs less!)

Load temps have gone down from 75C to 60C on average. I'm sure the copper unit would be even better, but given this one does most of the cooling of the XP-90C at about 2/3rds the price, it seems like the better deal unless you are overclocking.

Pros: Cooled well while I had it.

Cons: Mounting bracket very flimsy plastic, snapped while being shipped and caused over 200 dollars in damage to the CPU (which it had pulled out of the socket and slung to the bottom of the case) and the surrounding parts.

Overall Review: I would advise anyone considering this product to stay away.