A Comparison of 34 Coolers for the AMD Athlon XP

Brand-New: Molex 37256-0005

A bit tardy, Molex sent us the top-of-the-line model in the new 37256 series to test, which Molex recommends for the Athlon-XP-2700+. The cooler sits on a solid copper plate. The cooler fins are soldered to the base plate and connected with each other. Molex calls these kinds of ribs "linked, stamped fins."

Interlinking the fins makes them equidistant to one another, which is supposed to improve the airflow between them.

The contact surface with the CPU is pretty smooth and came with a heat conductivity pad (removed for the test).

At a mere 250 grams, the cooler is amazingly light. Its cooling performance during the test was good. We recorded a thermal resistance of 0.48°C/W, with the die temperature rising to a maximum of 55°C. Due to its 60-millimeter fan rotating at 5300rpm, however, the Molex 37256-0005 is not one of the quietest. To those who like things a little less noisy, we therefore recommend you use the 37256-000-1/ -2 models. Their fans rotate at only 3000rpm and 3600rpm, respectively, and the units are recommended for the Athlon XP 2200+ and 2600+.