Direct contact heatpipe technology has been around for a couple of years now. Each cooler manufacturer that uses it calls it something different but it is all the same, rather than running the heatpipes through the center of a block of copper or aluminum, the pipes are placed in an aluminum block with a channel cut into one side for each heatpipe. The pipes are flattened a little, then the whole thing is machined flat. Some are then buffed and lapped, others remain fairly rough.
The purpose for this technology is that lighter and less expensive aluminum can be used for the base rather than heavier and much more expensive copper, but the cooler still has the benefit of the much greater thermal transfer properties of copper. The end result is a lighter, less expensive cooler that performs at least as well as a solid copper base.
After doing a lot of experimenting with coolers utilizing this technology, I have found that it does work rather than just looking good on paper. Today’s cooler will be the 11th I have tested using this, and I have found that just as a copper-based cooler, it is what the manufacturer does with the remainder of the cooler that determines how well it cools.
Today I will be looking at the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus CPU Cooler. It is a 4-heatpipe 120mm tower cooler utilizing Direct contact heatpipes. It has a brand new style of mounting hardware, one base/retainer fits all three of Intel’s mounting configurations. Will the Hyper 212 Plus keep my new LGA 1156 i7 cool? Read on to see!
Special thanks to Cooler Master for providing us with the Hyper 212 Plus CPU Cooler to review.
Specifications:
Model #: RR-B10-212P-G1
CPU Support:
-Intel LGA 1366/LGA 1156/LGA 775
-AMD Socket AM3/AM2+/AM2
Heatsink Materials: Copper heatpipes/aluminum fins/aluminum base
Heatpipes: 4 x 6mm copper heatpipes
Fan Dimensions: 120 x 120 x 25 mm
Bearing Type: Long life sleeve bearing
Fan Life Expectancy: 40,000 hours
Fan Speed: 600 – 2000 R.P.M. (PWM)
Fan Airflow: 21.2 – 76.8 CFM
Air Pressure: 0.40 – 3.90 mmH2O
Noise Level: 13 – 32 dBA
Power Connector: 4-pin PWM
Overall Dimensions: 120 x 79.7 x 158.5 mm (L x W x H)
Weight: 1.38 lbs (626g)
Packaging:
The Hyper 212 Plus is packaged in a cardboard box in CM’s familiar white/fuchsia color scheme. It has a photo of the cooler and the barest of specs/features.
Inside, the cooler is protected in a compartmented blisterpack.
