Vantec Aeroflow 2

February 17, 2003 admin Uncategorized 0

An OK choice for CPU cooling – Joe

SUMMARY: Good performance at acceptable noise levels.

Aeroflow A

Size: 89.5 (P4) 85.5 (A/370) x 71.5 x 72.9 mm; Fan: 70 x 20mm, 34 cfm @ 4000rpm, 35 dBA; Weight: ~470 gm; Power: 2.9 watts.

Aeroflow P4

The kind folks at Vantec were nice enough to send a sample of their latest heatsink, the Vantec Aeroflow 2 (P4) (model # VP4-7245) and Vantec Aeroflow 2 (Socket A/370) (model # VA4-7245). This is an update of the Vantec Aeroflow. The Aeroflow 2 is a sawed aluminum heatsink with a copper plug insert which sits on the CPU core. The base

Base

clearly show the copper plug and fin structure, which is different from the first Aeroflow; this version does not feature “unique, four-sided aluminum fins that slope inside the heatsink”, but rather a more traditional straight-cut design.

The grill on top of the heatsink is plastic – on one sample, it was broken:

Cover

It wasn’t immediately obvious until I powered up – then the fan made a racket as it hit the cover. Easy enough to fix – just lift the cover a bit until it clears the fan’s blades.

THE TEST

The Vantec Aeroflow 2 (P4) was tested on an Acorp 4S845A motherboard with a modified P4 1500 to read CPU case temps; for Socket A, I used the CPU Die Simulator.

P4 TEST RESULTS – Motherboard
Motherboard

CPU Case Temp

Ambient Temp

Delta

C/W

Vantec Aeroflow 2, 4476 rpm, 60 dBA²

35.7 C

23.2 C

12.5

0.22

Socket A TEST RESULTS – CPU Simulator

Heatsink
Die Temp
Ambient Temp
Delta
C/W
Vantec Aeroflow 2, 4522 rpm, 62 dBA, 70.6w²
47.1 C
22.7 C
24.4 C
0.35

Delta = CPU temp – Ambient Temp
C/W = Delta / CPU Watts

Interpreting C/W: For every watt (CPUw) that the CPU
consumes, the HSF will limit the CPU’s temperature rise to (C/W x CPUw)
plus the temperature at the HSF’s fan inlet. For example, at an ambient temp of 25 C, a C/W of 0.25 with a CPU radiating 50 watts means that CPU temp will increase 50 x 0.25 = 12.5 C over ambient temp, or 37.5 C. The lower the C/W, the better.

Test results place the Vantec Aeroflow 2 in the mid rank of P4 heatsinks and Socket A heatsinks (Heatsink Ranking) tested to date.

CONCLUSIONS

Vantec’s Aeroflow 2 is an OK choice for CPU cooling, but not much more than that. This is a case of where the original was better than the sequel.

Thanks again to Vantec for sending these our way.

Email Joe