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Evercool Transformer 4 CPU Cooler


Date
: 06/27/09 – 01:24:53 PM

Author
:

Category
: Cooling

Page 1 : Index

Manufacturer
: Evercool

After their introduction here at Overclockers Online, Evercool has continued in their attempts to impress us with their products focused on cooling. Today, we bring forward the Transformer 4.

As we look at several different aspects of the Transformer 4, we will be focusing on the quality of the build, the pronounced silence, and most importantly, its cooling performance.

Page 2 : Package

The Transformer 4 comes in a neat, little package. Set in a plastic mold, the cardboard insert that faces us displays the product, the product name, compatible processors (K8, AM2, LGA775, and newest to the list, the LGA1366), and the phrase ‘Free collocation makes much colder and quieter’. What does collocation mean? It means to work closely; work side by side. From a glance, we believe that this is a reference to the number of heat pipes and fins.

On the left side of the packaging, we are given a very thorough list of the compatible processors that Intel has produced. This definitely beats having to search the web for a list of what works with it, and what doesn't.

On the right side, we are again given a very thorough list of compatible processors, though this time it is a list of compatible processors produced by AMD.

As for the rear, displayed to us are the product features and specifications. We will get into more detail on that shortly.

Page 3 : Content

Cutting the package open, we are simply shown the cooler and its necessary box of parts for the installation.

Cracking open the box and spreading its contents out, we see the adapters for the different chipset specifications and the necessary screws and washers. Those with a keen eye will notice the installation manual is missing.

Evercool has also included a 1g tube of Evercool Thermal Compound. Here are the specifications of the compound:

• Thermal Conductivity: 5.0 W/mK
  
  
• Thermal Resistance: 0.007 C-in2/W

Page 4 : Specifications

According to the Evercool website, these are the exact specifications:

Features are as listed:

• 4 heat pipes in 8 collocate with large aluminum fins to make effective cooling
  
  
• All in one design for application to Intel LGA 1366 & LGA 775 and AMD K8 & AM2 series motherboard
• According to the needs, users can assemble one or two 12CM fans by themselves to achieve quiet and cooling function
• Brightly silver and solid appearance
• Users do not need to use tools for easy installation

The Transformer 4 is designed to be compatible with the following processors.

Let's have a closer look at the Transformer 4.

Page 5 : Exterior

Here we have the top of the cooler. ‘Transformer 4 – Evercool Ideal Cooling’ is cleanly raised from the surface, alongside the tips of the heat pipes.

Flipping it onto its side, we see a clear image of one of the two fans Evercool has supplied us with.

Rotating the heat sink 90 degrees, we find ourselves looking at the fins. Through the fins, we can see the heat pipes jutting through.

With the Transformer 4 completely flipped over, we can see the base. Obviously, there is a difference about this base than the typical base of a CPU heat sink. In my past experience, the block is usually aluminum, with copper or aluminum pipes running through it. But here, we have the copper pipes making direct contact. This can be beneficial as the heat will now be transferred away even faster from the CPU.

Removing the WARNING! sticker, we can clearly see the copper/aluminum surface. As we can see, it is a perfectly flat surface. Placing a blue tack on its surface, we can see that, though not a mirror finish, it is a clean, smooth surface.

Let's keep moving forward and see how easy this heat sink is to install!

Page 6 : Installation

I opened the box of the necessary installation components and originally thought there to be no installation manual. But after being informed of its placement, I quickly moved to find its hidden location – in the rear cardboard insert of the packaging. Opening the insert, multiple images and lines of text popped out at me. Here was the installation guide, with step by step instructions accomodated with images for installation type. Being very impressed, I still couldn't help but be somewhat disappointed that Evercool has in a sense hidden this from me.

Let's install the Transformer 4 now. First off, I placed universal mounting bracket on top of the block.

The next step is to tighten thumb screws down through the proper pre-drilled holes, through the holes on the motherboard and into a universal-fit back plate.

Seeing as this is a universal fitting plate, there is a lot of unused plate sticking out. As you can see, the unused ‘wings’ just pushed apart 2 capacitors. Though no damage was done in this case, there is definitely a large potential for it.

Here is the final installed product! The Transformer 4 has a slightly smaller form-factor than other heavy-weights, so it blocks no RAM slots, onboard power connectors, and fan connectors.

Now that it is installed, let's go see how it performs!

Page 7 : Testing and Performance

The following system configuration will be used to test the Transformer 4's cooling capabilities:

Control

• XFX nForce 780i SLI
  
  
• Cooler Master Cosmos 1000
• Intel Core2Quad 6600 @ 2.4GHz
• OCZ EL Platinum Rev.2 2x1024MB @ 5-6-5-16, 400MHz
• OCZ GameXStream 700W
• eVGA e-GeForce 8800GT @ 650/1620/950MHz SLI
• Seagate Barracuda 250GB
• Windows Vista Home Premium SP2

Coolers

• Evercool Transformer 4
  
  
• Coolermaster V8
• Scythe Mugen
• Stock Intel cooler

For the test, I will have the processor idle for two hour. Once the two hours are done, I will record the temperatures of the CPU core. I will then stress the CPU with two instances of SP2004 for two hours. Temperatures will be recorded again. The
The ambient room temperature is 21 degrees Celsius

Here are the results:

The Transformer 4 performed very well. Using two very low speed fans, it fought its way to the top and hung on to the position. Compared to the other coolers, the Transformer 4 was completely inaudible. Evercool has not only offered a great product that cools superior, it is also dead silent.

Page 8 : Conclusion

In the end, I was very impressed with this heat sink's performance. Utilizing only 4 heat pipes in direct contact with the processor, it pushed ahead of its competition. My only concern would fall with the universal mount and the possibility of the excess material impinging on a protruding transistor or capacitor.

Overall, the idle temperatures were all the same amongst all coolers but Evercool's Transformer 4 brought itself above the game a whole two degrees cooler than the next top heat sink while maintaining a low noise level. Who would I recommend this to? Simply put, almost everyone. Anyone looking to built a HTPC, this is a noiseless CPU cooler that will not only give you dead silence, but also excellent cooling as well. Gamers and enthusiasts alike can benefit from this as well. The only problem with it is it's size; though slightly smaller than a high-performing, budget-breaking HSF, it still has its size and stature, which is significantly larger than the stock HSF, to deal with. Let's weigh it out:

Advantages

• Smaller profile
  
  
• Impressive cooling performance
• Secure mounting system
• Thorough installation instructions

Disadvantages

• Hidden installation manual
  
  
• Universal mount may pose as installation problems
• Heavy at 843.5g

A special thanks to Evercool for making this review possible.