Verdict: More copper than in Black Adder's codpiece
The AK901XT is based on Akasa's previous Socket 478 HSF, the AK901, and purports to fix many of its predecessor's problems. These included the poor finish of the underside of the copper heatsink and the flimsy mounting mechanism.
The first thing we noticed about the AK901XT was the line 'U choose lo-noise or hi performance' emblazoned on the box. After we all picked ourselves up off the floor - having fallen off our chairs laughing at the use of script-kiddie speak - we were pleased to note the addition of an automatic speed controller. Along with this tidy new addition is a much tighter mounting clip and a better finish on the heatsink base, although it's still not perfectly smooth.
Mounting the heavy copper heatsink is a breeze; all you need to do is hold it in place while you attach the clips. With the HSF securely in place, you have two possible options: either manual fan speed control via a backplane-mounted rheostat, or automatic fan control using a thermal probe. Both methods work well, although on full speed the fan makes a rather cutting whir. Thermal performance at low speed is acceptable, yielding the same result as the reference Intel HSF with the processor idle. But the CPU was a full 12 degrees hotter under load, running RealStorm. Performance at high speed was understandably better, cooling the CPU one degree more than the Intel HSF at idle, but a disappointing five degrees hotter under load. Automatic speed control gave similar results, as the CPU was once again five degrees hotter than with the Intel reference HSF.
CONCLUSION
It's good to see that Akasa has attempted to fix the problems with the original AK901. The mounting mechanism is much better, and the hideous noise of the original fan has been reduced, but thermal performance has suffered. The AK901XT is a step forward, but it looks like a third revision will still be required
