14 DAY TRIAL // When it comes to cooling solutions, the various coolers on sale (or on the way) have differing degrees of performance, noise generation and reliability. The extent to which companies go to optimize either aspect ultimately determines not just the target consumer base, but also the product's marketing appeal. Thermalright just unveiled its latest such invention, though it strove to maximize all of its aspects. The product goes by the name of HR-02 and is a high-performance CPU cooler compatible with LGA 775/1156/1366 motherboards.
Essentially, Thermalright claims that the HR-02 can handle the heat of an Intel Core i7 central processing unit, whose TDP (thermal design power) can reach up to 130W, without needing any fans. This may come as something of a surprise, considering that all the 'beasts' swarming the market failed to achieve this goal, even using two fans instead of one in some cases.
The fanless construction practically eliminates one of the biggest woes that massive cooling-intended creatures are known for, namely noise. Granted, hardware makers have been making progress in their quest to develop silent spinners, but absolute noiselessness is still just a far off dream. As such, Thermalright used six 6mm heatpipes and 32 aluminum fins to draw and dissipate heat. Said fins have punched holes, for better thermal dissipation efficiency, and the nickel plating maximizes the cooling effect even further. All in all, any Intel chip should be able to chill out if helped along by this massive object that measures 110 (L) x 140 (W) x 160 (H) mm and weights 860 grams.
The Thermalright HR-02 tower CPU heatsink can still be equipped with fans if consumers so desire. In fact, it even ships in a bundle with two sets of 120mm and 140mm fan clips, as well as the Chill Factor III thermal compound. Availability will ramp up before the ongoing month is out and the price will be of 59.90 Euro.