Intel Revises Heatsink Design For Desktop, Xeon CPUs

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Wolfgang Gruener is an experienced professional in digital strategy and content, specializing in web strategy, content architecture, user experience, and applying AI in content operations within the insurtech industry. His previous roles include Director, Digital Strategy and Content Experience at American Eagle, Managing Editor at TG Daily, and contributing to publications like Tom's Guide and Tom's Hardware.

  • geekapproved
    Now that's news!!
    Reply
  • phatboe
    why?
    Reply
  • mopman411
    why?

    Can't you tell, it's geekapproved
    Reply
  • KelvinTy
    Reverting back to the 775 platform design?
    Reply
  • chaz_music
    It's engineering: This is a cost reduction exercise on the heatsink and a user install improvement for the frame. They can take out a slight amount of metal from the heatsink fin area that has little effectiveness (saves metal), while also using a simpler manufacturing technique that is circular. The plastic change appears to help people install it easier. In reality though, the heatsink thermal resistance will go up, ever so slightly due to the total fin surface area reduction. But overall, a good move for Intel.
    Reply
  • Be0wulf22
    Journalism 101: Who, What, Where, Why, When, How.

    You failed.
    Reply
  • COLGeek
    If it still uses the nearly useless "push-pin" connectors, then the new ones will go where my old ones go.....to the recycling bin. I have found Intel OEM HSFs to be pure junk because they don't mount as securely as I require.
    Reply
  • freedom4556
    They can take out a slight amount of metal from the heatsink fin area that has little effectiveness (saves metal)

    I betcha the reason they did it now is that they upgraded the assembly robot so that it can now safely grab circles.
    Reply
  • InvalidError
    Funny how Intel makes a "visual change" to stuff that is impossible to see once the HSF is mounted.
    Reply
  • tobydruHot
    I got the new design with my I5-2500k at around October.
    Reply