Xigmatek Introduces the Dark Knight Frostbourne CPU Cooler

By Tarun Iyer
published

Following in the footsteps of the Nighthawk Edition of the Dark Knight SD1283, Xigmatek is now offering the cooler in silver.

Though "Frostbourne Edition" sounds like something from World of Warcraft, it's actually the latest variant of Xigmatek's popular Dark Knight CPU Cooler with an impressive silver exterior. The cooler measures 120 x 50 x 159 mm, weighs 406 g and includes an XOF-F1251 120 mm PWN fan that spins at between 800 and 1400 RPM and is capable of moving 60 CFM of air at noise output of just under 16 dBA.

The SD1283 is an aluminium alloy fin-tower heatsink with Xigmatek's Stealth ceramic coating for improved heat dissipation and feature three 8 mm U shaped heatpipes that are rated for a maximum TDP of 160 W.

The Dark Knight SD1283 Frostbourne Edition supports nearly all modern AMD and Intel sockets and is expected to hit store shelves at a price of $50.

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Tarun Iyer
Topics
Cooling
Xigmatek
21 Comments Comment from the forums
  • samwelaye
    16dba for $50? sounds good if the cooling can match up
    Reply
  • mortuum
    The thing is, Noctua HD14 set the standards too high. There is only a handful of coolers that can compete and they still can't reach Noctua's performance. They just have better size-to-performance ratio (meaning that they are smaller but work very well for their size).

    IMHO the Air-cooling market is a bit saturated, we can hardly expect any more breakthroughs.
    Reply
  • vmem
    mortuumThe thing is, Noctua HD14 set the standards too high. There is only a handful of coolers that can compete and they still can't reach Noctua's performance. They just have better size-to-performance ratio (meaning that they are smaller but work very well for their size).IMHO the Air-cooling market is a bit saturated, we can hardly expect any more breakthroughs.
    the only possibility of a breakthrough is in material sciences and a creation of a cheaper, ligher, or more thermal-conductive alloy (or any combination of the three). unfortunately this is not the job of any of these cooling companies :P
    Reply
  • EzioAs
    Dark knight? White knight would've been more appropriate if you ask me...
    Reply
  • They are good coolers, I had one of their first releases with my last CPU 2 over years ago, but went with Corsair's liquid cooled H80 and never looked back at air since.
    Reply
  • kensingtron
    If you check this cooler out on frostytech this is one of the best price/performance/silent coolers at its price point.
    Reply
  • boulbox
    mortuumThe thing is, Noctua HD14 set the standards too high. There is only a handful of coolers that can compete and they still can't reach Noctua's performance. They just have better size-to-performance ratio (meaning that they are smaller but work very well for their size).IMHO the Air-cooling market is a bit saturated, we can hardly expect any more breakthroughs.
    Actually in a lot of tests, Xigmatek Aegir gave better results with just one fan on it and by better, like 1-3C difference while being fairly cheaper.
    Reply
  • A Bad Day
    The SD1283 is an aluminium alloy fin-tower heatsink with Xigmatek's Stealth ceramic coating for improved heat dissipation

    Um, aren't ceramics typically thermal insulators?
    Reply
  • fkr
    AMEC Thermasol has introduced a new range of Micro Porous Ceramic Heat Sinks (MPCHS). Due to the open irregular structure of the Micro Porous Ceramic, the heat sinks provide a greater surface area to contact with the air compared to metal. Due to this structure, the heat sinks have excellent heat dissipation and heat convection properties.

    The MPCHS dissipates heat faster than metal heat sinks without storing heat within itself. MPCHS heat sinks are made from the lowest thermal capacity material in unit volume compared to traditional copper and aluminum solutions. The surface area of the MPCHS is greater than metal heat sinks by around 30%; hence, more surface area to contact air and dissipate more heat in a set unit time. Being non-metallic they also help ensure a reduction in any possible EMI/EMC issues.
    - See more at: http://www.electronics-cooling.com/2010/11/micro-porous-ceramic-heat-sinks-enhance-heat-dissipation/#sthash.ZIqCcJwa.dpuf
    Reply
  • blazorthon
    mortuumThe thing is, Noctua HD14 set the standards too high. There is only a handful of coolers that can compete and they still can't reach Noctua's performance. They just have better size-to-performance ratio (meaning that they are smaller but work very well for their size).IMHO the Air-cooling market is a bit saturated, we can hardly expect any more breakthroughs.
    There are several air coolers that beat the NH-D14. Some of them are even quieter too. Phantek's top cooler is a good example.
    Reply