Thermalright AX-7

Top performing socket A/370 heatsink — Joe

SUMMARY: Exceptional performance, secure socket A mounting, but noisy with the 80mm Delta 68 cfm fan.

The good guys at Thermalright sent over a production sample of the AX-7. This is different from the prototype I tested (HERE) as it now has a three prong clip – a welcome addition. The base

looks very nice – polished finish and flat. It is a tad better than the prototype I tested. Thermalright includes four screws for a 38 mm fan; the fan is set off the base four rubber washers (5mm) – it decreases noise a bit and may reduce vibration also.

I measured noise with a Radio Shack sound meter 8″ from the fan’s intake at 68 dBA – about the same as the Delta 60mm 38 cfm.

The AX-7 was tested on the CPU Die Simulator which gives results that are unaffected by motherboard influences.

For this test, I used the Delta 68 cfm (FFB0812SHE) fan.

The Die Simulator indicates this is a top rate heatsink. These results place the AX-7 at the top of heatsinks we have tested (Heatsink Rankings HERE). Note that air cooled heatsinks are approaching water cooling C/Ws, although at much higher noise levels.

The AX-7 is top rank with the noisy Delta 80mm fan. Performance will scale based on which fan is used.

Thanks again to Thermalright for sending the AX-7 our way – an great design.

Email Joe