Thursday, August 11th 2011
AMD Contemplates Bundled Water-Cooling for Some FX-Series Processors
The certified fan-heatsink that comes with the CPU is perhaps the first thing enthusiasts get rid of, from their machines. The bundled heatsinks are almost never built in a way that allows you to squeeze the most out of your CPU. It looks like AMD is deciding whether to change this notion with some of its top-tier 8-core "Bulldozer" FX-series processors. The company reportedly plans to bundle self-contained liquid-based coolers with their processors.
Over the last couple of years, consumers have taken a liking for $100 self-contained CPU water coolers, kits that include the block with a motor, pre-fitted tubing to the radiator, which latches onto the common 120 mm rear fan hole of most cases. Bundling water coolers indicate two things: firstly, that the top-end FX-series chips will be hot, secondly, AMD is trying to woo enthusiasts. AMD could have asked its cooler OEMs to come up with a heavy tower-type fan-heatsink, but it chose water-cooling instead. So the move to pack water-cooling could either work for AMD's image (wooing enthusiasts), or against it (to convey that FX chips are so hot that nothing short of water-cooling is fit for them). Pictured below is a popular self-contained water-cooler by Corsair.
Source:
X-bit Labs
Over the last couple of years, consumers have taken a liking for $100 self-contained CPU water coolers, kits that include the block with a motor, pre-fitted tubing to the radiator, which latches onto the common 120 mm rear fan hole of most cases. Bundling water coolers indicate two things: firstly, that the top-end FX-series chips will be hot, secondly, AMD is trying to woo enthusiasts. AMD could have asked its cooler OEMs to come up with a heavy tower-type fan-heatsink, but it chose water-cooling instead. So the move to pack water-cooling could either work for AMD's image (wooing enthusiasts), or against it (to convey that FX chips are so hot that nothing short of water-cooling is fit for them). Pictured below is a popular self-contained water-cooler by Corsair.
100 Comments on AMD Contemplates Bundled Water-Cooling for Some FX-Series Processors
and again this is highly unlikely(LCS in a tin box is impossible)
I don't see it happening
I agree with those that think a beefier air cooler period should be used. This would ensure every customer gets a "decent" cooler and might actually considering keeping it. If they can get even a small percentage of customers to keep the stock cooler because it isn't the complete BS we are use to, it would be a small win. Especially if they can do it with on a $5 or $10 bump in price. It would also be something they could easily design themselves.
It doesn't have to be a tower either. AMD is also obviously concerned about RAM and case clearance issues. Dear AMD, this is all you have to do. Take the cooler you give out with Phenom II X6 CPU's spread the 4 copper pipes it has out more to get better heat distribution and increase the size of those pipes by 2mm. Increase the area of the aluminum fins up to just a few milimeters shy of the CPU area (say the distance away you normally find between RAM slots). The go up to a 92mm or 100mm fan. Slant the cooler slightly to get the air flow at least toward the back or top of the case and you are done.
Something like this should be great with a faster fan:
If AMD would incorporate a tec into the radiator that would be sick!
Many people including myself have one of these type of coolers on both AMD and Intel chips so i can see why it could seam like a good idea to someone within the company but if/how it works out only time will tell.
that said roll on september :) can't wait to finish my upgrade
already got my ram and crosshair V standing by :D
The only way this will work out for AMD is if they shift enough watercoolers that they can bring the price down so far that it it's a bargain.
Edit : If it helps I'll be even clearer.
Top end air cooling is overpriced, and the performance you gain is very slight over 'reasonably' priced mid/high end. If AMD are going to come up with something here then they need to sell a massive volume of them (relative to normal aftermarket cooler sales) in order to bring the price down so that they can compete with mid end air, because if they can get the price down to a 40 dollar premium over OEM CPUs then that's the point at which I believe people will be interested.
Someone who is going to spend a relatively large amount on a self contained watercooling solution for their CPU isn't going to be happy at only getting a $10 discount, but being unable to choose the manufacturer or model.
We can. But some of these are only the low end made for custom only cooling solutions.
I actually like the Phenom heatpipe cooler, but for the same amount of money a setup like this
XIGMATEK AIO-S80DP All-in-one liquid cooling syste...
Or one with a integrated motor to run the pump and fan with magnetic coupling and temp controlled off the board would be awesome enough for most people to want. Everything you just said but no heat pipes other than a couple copper or rubber pipes to carry the coolant.
When Frostytech (one of the most reputable data based sites I've ever come across) I trust their result and opinion.
www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=2564
www.legitreviews.com/article/1025/1/
www.tomshardware.com/reviews/corsair-h50-fort120,2370.html
www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/corsair-h50.html
www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Antec-Kuhler-H2O-620-CPU-Cooler-Review/1233/1
www.eteknix.com/cooling/antec-kuhler-h2o-620-liquid-cpu-cooler-review-1519/
benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=694&Itemid=62http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/antebaconuhler_h2o_620_review/
www.madshrimps.be/articles/article/1000149/Antec-Khler-H2O-620-CPU-Cooler-Review#axzz1UpTl1HPZ
Here against a Thermolab Trinity Heatsink.
www.hardwarelook.com/review.php?id=43&page=1
www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=2600 That's what I read. There nice but what's the MTBF for the pump? Pumps do fail!... take my word I hear many issues everyday in my line of work. Such "entry systems" are more a novelty… for those who say I’ve get a water cooler.
www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Xigmatek/AIO_S80DP/1.html
www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=2070