Xigmatek HDT S1283: Cool, Not Quiet
All coolers belonging to Xigmatek’s HDT-series have heatpipes that are in direct contact with the CPU. The manufacturer calls this design "Heatpipe Direct Touch."
The HDT S1283 stands out due to its enormous size. Its three heatpipes conduct the heat to aluminum fins cooled by a 120mm fan.
The installation is quick and easy using pushpins that are attached to the cooler by two screws. The motherboard does not have to be removed for this procedure - the pushpins are easy enough to reach as long as the fan is not mounted. If you want to unlock the pushpins with a screwdriver in order to unmount the cooler, the fan can also be removed fairly easily. An attachable “spoiler” ensures that all components on the motherboard (for example, the voltage regulator) receive sufficient airflow as well.
We were pleasantly surprised by the heatsink’s cooling performance. Under full load we measured a temperature of 63 °C on our quad-core processor, ranking the cooler slightly above our previous top model, the Thermalright IFX-14. At the same time, however, we also measured a noise level of 43 dB(A), which is rather high. With the CPU idle, CPU temperature fell to around 36 °C with a noise level close to 38 dB(A), making the cooler practically inaudible.
Offering very good cooling performance at a relatively modest price of just under $40, this cooler can be considered a real bargain.
CPU | 100% Load | Idle |
---|---|---|
Temperature | 63 °C | 36 °C |
Noise | 43.2 dB(A) | 36 dB(A) |
Fan Speed | 2,050 RPM | 1,130 RPM |
Weight | 712g | |
Intel Compat. | LGA775 | |
AMD Compat. | AM2/AM2+ | 939/940 |