Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme 1366 RT review

Hanners · **Posted:** Sun Jan 25, 2009 4:01 pm

We reviewed our first Socket LGA 1366 compatible CPU cooler here last week (and have another review in a similar vein on the way), but it's still difficult to find decent coolers for Core i7 systems on the market. Hardware Canucks have taken a look at Thermalright's Ultra-120 eXtreme 1366 RT to see if can break the mould.

Quote:

The Ultra-120 eXtreme Black and Ultra-120 eXtreme Copper are the latest derivatives of this already excellent heatsink but with the release of the Intel i7 processor and its new LGA 1366 socket, Thermalright had to adjust the Ultra-120 eXtreme. Well, the heat sink didn't get any refinements but the accessory package has. Under an all new title of Ultra-120 eXtreme 1366 RT, the same powerful CPU cooling heatsink gets upgraded with a new mounting bracket to accommodate the LGA 1366 socket, and a new fan retention system.

In fact, unlike previous generations of the Ultra-120, the new Ultra-120 eXtreme 1366 RT is fully equipped with a fan and ready for action right out of the box. We will be testing the performance of this "new-old" heat sink on a well equipped Intel i7 965 Extreme processor. The goal of this review will be to see what gains can be had by the Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme 1366 RT over the stock Intel i7 cooler and which fan configuration is the ideal for our test setup. This newest generation of quad core processors are the hottest yet and adequate cooling is an absolute must for a stable overclock. We will soon find out how this legendary heat sink handles the highest heat load we can throw at it.

Read their findings in full here.

bhame · **Posted:** Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:29 pm

Thermalright really impresses me.
It's all about the heatpipes and they seemed to latch to that mentality faster than most.

Lukozer · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:18 am

I'd really like a good 3rd party cooler for my system. It's not that the stock Intel cooler is bad this time around, but there must be better out there. Two things put me off this thing though... Firstly i have never had any success with coolers that don't use the same mounting as their stock counterparts... and secondly, i really, REALLY hate putting PC's together and the thought of having to dismantle this one just to install a new HSF doesn't exactly thrill me.

Cyberguy · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:42 am

Too bad they didn't compare it to some of the TRUE's competitors. Would have lived to see how this cooler stacks up against some of its cheaper competition.

bhame · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:24 am

The stock 'twist pin' method of many LGA775 coolers is garbage compared to something that's anchored by screws. No, it's not as-easy, at all - especially if you need a backplate installation, but it's far more secure.

I've never seen a proper HSF review - so many variables...

Lukozer · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:36 am

The AC Freezer 7 Pro is a great LGA775 cooler and that uses the same mounting as the stock HSF... The only problem is actually fitting them, but the Freezer 7 is much easier than the damn Intel stock HSF which has you almost breaking your fingers to get the bloody pins fitted.

bhame · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:49 am

Well, the stock Intel HSF 'undid' itself on my father's motherboard - 3 of the 4 twist pins unlocked themselves AND popped the tension portion out of the mobo.
Very astonishing and unimpressive.
Good thing the G0 Q6600 is so cool @ stock because the heatsink was hardly making contact at all!!!
I have no desire to deal with plastic anymore. I don't doubt someone else could do it better, I just don't want it. Give me a screw that will clamp down and stay as such.
Reminds me of the garbage plastic push-pin-springs on the Radeon 9x00 coolers - eventually they'd succumb to the (miniscule) amount of weight of the heatsink and allow the heatsink to detach from the die. Seen that 3 times personally now.

Lukozer · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:58 am

I had exactly the same thing happen to my old Radeon 9800 AIW... fucking thing...

Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme 1366 RT review

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