Vantec Aluminum FCE 6030D  Vs Vantec Copper CCK 6035D HSF Comparison

Results - Vantec Copper CCK 6035D

Results - Vantec Aluminum FCE 6030D

Vantec Vs SK6 Comparison

The SK6 has been whooped.  All tests were run with the Delta 7200 RPM HSF.   The Al. HSF did well for its size and material but the Cu Vantec did awesome. I am guessing the hood, combined with the different pin configuration ( airflow out goes in the opposite direction that the SK6 does and the Al. HSF does) gave a real nice cooling effect for this HSF.

This I believe is a far more honest method of grading the overall HSF. By taking the average Ambient temp in the review  and stacking it up next to the average core temp. This will not judge a HSF by a one time peak temp, or a temp taken at any one time, but average temp from the entire 30 min set, from power up till the end of the test.

You can clearly see the SK6 was in the middle between both the Cu and the Al Vantec.   The Average ambient was lower for the Cu. Vantec due to its air flow design.

Overall Conclusion-

I am impressed with Vantec's quality and materials.  I could have done without their Delta 7200 RPM fans, but besides that I truly like the HSF design and layout.   The Cu Vantec will work perfectly in a Thunder K7 type motherboard arrangement as it will work with the airflow in the case better than a HSF pointing the other direction. Its also lighter than the SK6 which will give a little added security to those who are so worried about breaking their core in half with a heavy Cu HSF.

From working with all these fine HSF's its really hard who to give the props to on overall quality.  ThermalRight's SK6 is a work of art, and is just beautiful, the Vantec's are pretty in their own way and their quality is right up there. But still I think my heart is set on SK6's for looks and quality.

There is a Reason I wont rate these HSF's with stars, points, or any other scale... because to everyone looks at a HSF differently, some want looks, others want performance, others want a quiet PC...  I will give you the data, and my impressions but its up to you on which ones fit you and your machine. So no "ProCooling Recommended" BS here :)  Before you buy something on a review, or a comment someone makes, I would do a little more thinking and research to make sure you are getting what you want, and what will work best in your setup. Simple things like the orientation of the clip and how the air flows in and out of the HSF can be very important. ( ie: on the Thunder K7, the SK6's SUCK running normally... they run extremely hot, but reverse the fans, and they run great! ).

The Charts and Graphs above should also point out that the max. peak temp for a HSF may NOT be at the very last temp taken.  who knows how stable the ambient atmosphere is around most of the other tests done around the web. You can see mine isn't the most stable, but then again its really hard to keep a temp for 30 min within 2 or 3 Deg. The MAX change that happened in the tests above was 4Deg C and that was for only 1 minute. Please take all the numbers with the error factor of 2 or 3 Deg variance in ambient temp into consideration, but then again... in your case, how stable is the air?

As far as the SK6 loosing to the Vantec, I do believe it has EVERYTHING to do with how the air flows by the motherboard. Since the SK6 breathes directly onto the ATX connections, and to the Dimm/ATX sockets.. the air just collects on the board making the HSF hotter than it would be if it was breathing without restriction. I think this is the single biggest factor that made the Cu Vantec win. I am going to try and pick up a Mobo with the socket in the other direction and try to prove this theory.   I would keep it in mind when you are buying a HSF for your mobo and case... Sorta "Tune" the HSF to match your cases air flow and mobo layout.

Joes lil rant at the HSF industry:

My personal thoughts are moot on a products technical merits in a review, but I figure I will vent anyway. - So heres my mini rant: Cooling technology has been moving in the wrong direction in R&D.  Instead of making more innovative solutions cheaper, or more efficient, companies are just going with higher air flow fans.  This works, but at the sacrifice of noise, high power draw fans, and possible injury from the fans.  I do realize we are getting close to the peak of HSF technology but I think there are definite ways to to improve the HSF more without bolting on a Kerosene powered turbine to your HSF. The heat pipe technology, water-cooling to some level, better motherboard and case designs, better clipping mechanisms, and better airflow management are all things that could be done to make a HSF much more efficient and not require these overdriven fans.

I just think the next step for HSF's should be to work more efficient, not just louder and more obnoxious.

But that's just me :)

Thanks to KDComputers for the hook up on a top end core, and a set of great HSF's !

If you have any comments or Questions please email me at Joe@ProCooling.com