When the Pentium 4 first broke into the scene, there wasn't a whole lot in the ways of moster coolers. There were a few, but the original Pentium 4s didn't really need them. Credit Intel and their CPU engineers, as well as their heatsink engineers for creating a package that really needs no more than an aluminum heatsink and low RPM fan. Of course, enthusiasts demand more, and we've seen bigger, and better performing heatsinks emerge the past 18 months.

The Pentium 4, contrary to popular belief, is still a fairly hot processor, especially when we get to the higher frequencies. The stock cooler that comes with the retail CPU is still good enough to handle the heat though, even up to 3GHz, but when it comes to overclocking you'll want something that can handle the extra heat.

That's where copper heatsinks come in. Copper has the ability to absorb heat much quicker than aluminum, but tends to take longer to dissipate it. Copper/aluminum hybrids are popular among manufacturers because they take the best properties of both metals to create (sometimes with mixed results) better heatsinks. Some manufacturers use a copper base, with aluminum fins or pins, whereas others prefer to use a copper core.

The Vantec Aeroflow is one heatsink that utilizes a copper core attached to an aluminum heatsink. It did a great job cooling our Athlon, but how will the model hold up with the Pentium 4?

Specifications

Model No.: VP4-C7040
CPU Socket: P4 478
Rated Voltage: 12V
Rated Current: 0.30 A
Power Consumption: 3.84W
Bearing Type: TMD (Tip-Magnetic Driving)
Fan Speed: 5600 RPM
Airflow: 35.5 CFM
Noise Level: 38 dBA
Outline Dimension: 74.5 x 87.5 x 60.0 mm
Weight: 436.0 g
Life Time: 80,000 Hrs

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Like the Athlon Aeroflow, the P4 version is constructed mostly of aluminum. There is a copper core embedded into the base, and it's lined up perfectly with the P4 core upon installation. The core does not occupy the height of the heatsink, thus creating the same windtunnel effect as their Athlon version. The same criss-cross pattern directs airflow through, and then away from the base of the heatsink.

The shroud serves to help raise the fan off the surface of the heatsink, as well as to securing the fan to the heatsink. By raising the fan, the "dead spot" (the area directly beneath the center of the fan) is alleviated somewhat as most of the moving air actually happens a little further away from the center of the fan. For regular fans, this design works well, but it works even better with the 70mm fan the Aeroflow uses...

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The works differently from the traditional fans we're used to seeing. One key benefit is potentially more airflow. With a center moter, fan surface area is reduced, therefore the fan will have to spin faster to put out more air pressure. The TMD fan moves the motor to the 4 corners of the enclosure, reducing the size of the center core, which will allow for more fan surface area. The secondary benefit is that with a reduced core, the "dead spot" is also not as bad as before, and the air turbulance will happen closer to the fan, hence improving cooling if the distance between the fan and heatsink is small. Through our testing, we've also found the TMD fan to be remarkably quieter than similar CFM fans.

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One thing Vantec has always been admired for is their excellent HSF mounting system, and the Pentium 4 Aeroflow does not dissapoint. It's completely tool free, and for those of you with experience with the stock Pentium 4 mounting mechanism, you'll know that it's easy to install. Well, the Aeroflow is even easier to install, which is simply amazing.

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