Copper heatsink question

[Kent]

I read the must read article on cooling. Now, is it my understanding that Aluminum heatsinks disperse heat faster. I've noticed on my Glaciator II that after running 3D2000/2001 that my cpu temp doesn't drop very fast. Would an Aluminum sink drop the temp faster and would a copper sink keep the load temps lower? Just wanted to know if I understood it correctly. Thanks, Kent :)

[Diggrr]

Basically, copper is a very good heat spreader, but aluminum seams more able to shed the heat from it's surface.
That's why the best heatsinks tend to have copper bases, and aluminum pins/fins.

At least, so I am told. (I watercool)

[UserName]

"Aluminum heatsinks disperse heat faster" is a lie made by satan to make people say silly things.

Copper is better in ALL ways when it comes to heat. If you don't understand it just belive it. Anything else is from satan.

Amen

Also,
1 Every time there is a break in the metal heat transfer is reduced. even a soldered joint will not conduct as well as a solid piece, by far. A solid Aluminum block will beat a copper/Aluminum block every time, all other things being equal.

2 Alloys always reduce heat transfer ability

[Aesik]

Ahhhhhhh!!!! Not this again! Username summed it up pretty good, but try reading this:

http://www.overclockers.com/articles223/

The only advantages aluminum has over copper is it's lighter and easier to machine.

[UserName]

DON'T SAY THING LIKE THAT.

The only way we are gonna stop this is to become zealots

Aluminum is from satan. It is good for nothing. Use it on pain of death. It causes cancer, perverts you children and parents, puts holes in your socks, and other unmentionable things.

That kind of stuff.

[Diggrr]

Gosh, glad I do watercool, you guys get pretty wound up about your hsf's. (and yes, it's copper)

By the way, (not trying to highjack this thread) but what would an all copper swifty weigh?

[Aesik]

Heh. I get pretty wound up about this because I first wrote that article on copper and aluminum there was so much information and mis-information flowing about the internet that I had about pulled all my hair out. The article caused me more arguments and fights on more message boards than I care to remember, and even got me banned from one site. Thing is, people weren't really arguing with me, they were trying to change the laws of physics and heat transfer to match with thier own opinions.

An all copper swifty would weigh a boatload. ;) Sorry I can't be more specific right now!

[ButcherUK]

Actually the Al does cool slightly faster - it's due to the specific heat capacity of Al. Al has a higher specific heat capacity, but a much lower density, so for equal volume the Cu holds more heat. Having said that who gives a damn about heat capacity of your HSF? It's the spreading and convection that matter and copper is better at the first and equal in the second. If you really care that your HSF cools from load to idle 1s faster get Al, if you want a HSF that keeps temps down get copper. :)

[Kent]

Thanks ButcherUK. That sums it up. :)

[Koooler King]

Here's my 2 cents ... I agree 100% copper is the best for heat sink performance due to the high thermal conductivity. Some more thoughts ... there are a couple of reasons why some heat sinks are copper / aluminum hybrids, the first is weight savings where the mobo or OEM manufacturer has specs on max wieght. Weight is not so much an issue for overclockers with a stationary cpu, but if the OEM installs a two pound all copper heat sink at the factory and the UPS guy drops the box on the way to you, well, you have a broken board ... the OEMs shipping spec. is something like a 10G force drop test! Another reason for a hybrid is that aluminum is easy to forge or extrude into shapes for fins or pins, but has poor heat spreading (conduction) compared to copper ... that is why there are many hybrids with copper bases and aluminum fins ... you will never see it the other way around!

Koooler King