Cryorig is relatively new company, being officially founded in 2013 and have members of their team that have worked directly and indirectly with other top names in cooling, such as Thermalright, Prolimatech, Phanteks and more. Cryorig felt the industry could benefit from their products and such they “go all out” on their journey to design products that offer the best in performance and quality while still looking cool. Their aim is to give customers the best of all worlds when purchasing Cryorig products, which if nothing else, is a tall order to fill. Today I will be taking a look at the Cryorig R1 Universal which is one of their top model CPU coolers. The R1 universal is designed to be compatible with most Intel and AMD sockets and as it is “Universal” is said to offer support for small boards and/or tall RAM. The R1 Universal features 7 x heatpipes spread out for maximum heat dissipation and comes included with 2 x 140mm fans, one each XT140 and XF140. There is no denying the R1 Universal looks very compelling, but how will it perform? Before we get to the fun, let’s take a quick look at an unboxing video I did for the Cryorig R1 Universal: Cryorig is a company you’ve probably never heard of, one of the many fledgling manufacturers that have sprouted up left and right trying to capture a piece of the PC enthusiast market. The name is an amalgam of “cryo” and “rig” as their goal is to help users achieve cool running PCs. So it’s fitting that their initial catalogue is specialized, currently focusing only on CPU coolers. While the brand is new, they have plenty of experience in this field as their team is composed of former employees of big names like Thermalright and Prolimatech. Their pedigree is evident in their flagship product, a massive dual fan heatsink dubbed the R1. Cryorig R1: Specifications (from the respective product web pages located here and here) Model Ultimate Universal Performance (TDP) 250 W + 240 W + Dimensions (with fan) L142.4 mm x W140 mm x H168.3 mm L128.5 mm x W140 mm x H168.3 mm Weight (with fan) 1282 g 1181 g Weight (without fan) 936 g 936 g Heat pipes 6mm heatpipe x 7 units 6mm heatpipe x 7 units Front Fin T = 0.4 mm ; Gap = 2.4 mm T = 0.4 mm ; Gap = 2.4 mm Front Fin Pcs 42 PCs 42 PCs Rear Fin T = 0.4 mm ; Gap = 1.8 mm T = 0.4 mm ; Gap = 1.8 mm Rear Fin PCs 53 PCs 53 PCs Copper Base C1100 Pure copper nickel plated C1100 Pure copper nickel plated Distance From Center 40 mm 35.5 mm RAM Height Limit 30 ~ 35 mm (Fan position adjustable) Limitless Fan Frame Color Black White Fans Model XF140 (Ultimate & Universal) XT140 (Universal only) Dimension L140 mm x W140 mm x H25.4 mm L140 mm x W140 mm x H13 mm Weight 156 g 89 g Rated Speed 700 ~ 1300 RPM ±10 % 700 ~ 1300 RPM ±10 % Noise Level 19 ~ 23 dBA 20 ~ 24 dBA Total Noise Level (both fans) 41 dBA 44 dBA Air Flow 75 CFM 65 CFM Differences listed in bold. The Cryorig R1 is huge dual tower heatsink with a seven heatpipe design and a pair of 140 mm fans. It comes in two variants are practically identical, to the point where the weight, fin count, and fin density are exactly the same. Both have an asymmetric shape with the fin-stacks pushed forward for better compatibility, but the Universal is further off center and its back fan is a slim 13 mm thick model to ensure it clears the memory slots completely. The Ultimate, with two matched fans of standard 25 mm thickness offers better performance, but like many such coolers, it hangs over a portion of the DIMM slots. The R1 Universal on the left, R1 Ultimate on the right.It seems kind of silly to have two separate products so similar but tall heatspreaders are popular amongst enthusiasts despite the interference issues they cause and their dubious benefits. The Ultimate offers an additional 17 mm of clearance in total, 5 mm from shifting over the heatsink body and another 12 mm due to the thinner fan. Cryorig seems to focus heavily on compatibility, providing precise schematics for each of their heatsinks and even a “” which you can print out at home and fold into an origami replica of the product to place on your motherboard. The R1 has two more differentiating features. Each tower is actually comprised of two different fin-stacks, a silver and black portion, with the latter being more densely packed. The intake section is loose while the exhaust section is tight, forcing the air passing through it to speed up as it exits. The fans are also mounted in an unusual way. It sports traditional wire fan clips but they attach to plastic housings that snap onto the heatsink. This allows the user to adjust the fans’ vertical position easily but it also covers up a good portion of the heat dissipation area. Packaging.Considering the size of the coolers, the packaging is rather compact. However, the interior box containing the heatsink is encapsulated in a completely unnecessary and extremely tight fitting sleeve. We wouldn’t normally bother commenting on such a minute detail, but it’s seriously frustrating to pull off and should go immediately into the recycling bin. Accessories. More accessories.The R1 ships with all the necessary mounting hardware which includes backplates for both Intel and AMD installations, a screwdriver, a tube of thermal compound, a dual fan adapter, and a tube of thermal compound. It also comes with two extra sets of fan clips which doesn’t quite make sense as it seems impossible to mount four fans, and an additional set of rubber dampers that aren’t designed for non-Cryorig models. The installation guide is packed with a registration card (registering extends the warranty), and a single-use isopropanol pad to help clean the heatsink base and processor. PHYSICAL DETAILS The R1 shares a similar construction to other dual tower/fan heatsinks aside from its asymmetrical shape. It has a copper base, 7 x 6 mm thick copper heatpipes, and 42/53 fins aluminum fins, all of which are nickel-plated and soldered together. Each tower is 43 mm thick and the gap in the middle is 27 mm, so there’s barely any clearance behind the center fan. It weighs 940 g on its own while each thick/thin stock fan is an additional 160/90 g. The Cryorig R1 Universal doesn’t sit flat due to its heavily uneven weight distribution. The Ultimate ships with two XF140 fans (pictured left) while the Universal is equipped with one XF140 and one XT140 (pictured right). These 140 mm fans have octagonal frames and rubber dampers around the mounting holes. The tips of the blades are enveloped with a unusual smooth lustrous coating. A side shot of the Universal. The two heatsinks have an odd dual-layer fin structure. The fins are all of equal thickness, about 0.42 mm, but the black fins are more numerous, creating a denser structure with an average spacing of 1.78 mm vs 2.37 mm on the silver side. Each fin is soldered to the R1’s seven, equally distributed heatpipes. The heatsink alone stands 16.4 cm tall but the fans add an extra 4 mm (if centered). Like every dual tower we’ve seen thus far, a plate above the base with large spring-loaded screws mates to the mounting bracket, applying downward pressure to ensure good contact. While the base surface produces only a dull reflection, the sheen and many fine semicircular marks indicates it has undergone extensive milling. The base is faintly convex while many of its competitors, from the likes of Thermalright and Noctua, have more pronounced curvature.INSTALLATION The most critical aspect of installation is firm, maximum contact between the base and the CPU heatspreader for efficient heat conduction. Ideally it should also be a simple procedure with the user having to handle as few pieces of hardware as possible. The R1’s mounting system qualifies as outstanding as it uses a similar system to other high-end manufacturers with well-constructed the components and ease of assembly. The R1 mounting system consists of a backplate secured with screw pillars (which also ensure correct spacing), and thumbnuts to hold a pair of mounting brackets in place. The Intel backplate has a snug socket adjustment system that keeps the bolts locked in the correct position. There are holes at the center of the heatsink that guide the screwdriver, so the center fan can stay in place during installation. The bolts have a natural stopping point so they’re impossible to strip or over-tighten. The R1 Universal fully assembled on our LGA1366 test platform. On our platform, there is 11 mm of clearance between the R1 Universal’s thin fan and the first DIMM slot. The R1 Ultimate extends over the slot by 5 mm, almost completely covering it. The branching patterns of thermal compound left behind at the edges are a sign of poor contact, but the center’s faint residue indicates a snugger union where it counts.TESTING Before thermal testing, we took some basic physical measurements of the radiator for comparison. Approximate Physical Measurements Weight 940 g (heatsink only) 1180 g (with Universal fans) 1240 g (with Ultimate fans) Height 164 mm Fin count 53 / 42 Fin thickness 0.42 mm Fin spacing 1.78 / 2.37 mm Vertical Clearance* 44 mm * measured from motherboard PCB to bottom fin of heatsink Large Heatsink Comparison: Average Fin Thickness & Spacing Heatsink Fin Thickness Fin Spacing SilverStone Heligon HE02 0.52 mm 3.30 mm Thermalright HR-01 Plus 0.45 mm 3.15 mm Thermalright HR-02 Macho 0.34 mm 3.12 mm Thermalright HR-22 0.53 mm 2.74 mm Scythe Ninja 3 0.39 mm 2.64 mm Noctua NH-U12P 0.44 mm 2.63 mm Noctua NH-C12P 0.47 mm 2.54 mm LEPA LV12 0.51 mm 2.38 mm Noctua NH-D14 0.43 mm 2.33 mm Thermalright Archon SB-E 0.49 mm 2.33 mm Phanteks PH-TC12DX 0.39 mm 2.30 mm GELID Tranquillo Rev.2 0.40 mm 2.30 mm GELID GX-7 Rev.2 0.31 mm 2.25 mm be quiet! Dark Rock 2 0.38 mm 2.22 mm Phanteks PH-TC14PE 0.40 mm 2.21 mm Prolimatech Armageddon 0.51 mm 2.08 mm Cryorig R1 Ultimate/Universal 0.42 mm 1.78 / 2.37 mm Zalman CNPS10X Quiet 0.40 mm 2.00 mm Prolimatech Megahalems 0.50 mm 2.00 mm Scythe Ashura 0.43 mm 1.97 mm NZXT Havik 140 0.41 mm 1.91 mm Scythe Mugen-2 0.31 mm 1.89 mm SilverStone Tundra TD03 (radiator) 0.43 mm 1.86 mm SilverStone Argon AR01 0.30 mm 1.85 mm Thermalright Venomous X 0.53 mm 1.84 mm Scythe Mugen 4 0.30 mm 1.82 mm Noctua NH-C14 0.38 mm 1.79 mm Enermax ETS-T40 0.40 mm 1.79 mm Noctua NH-D15 0.46 mm 1.79 mm Scythe Yasya 0.32 mm 1.78 mm Enermax Liqtech 120X (radiator) 0.46 mm 1.76 mm be quiet! Shadow Rock Slim 0.42 mm 1.73 mm SilverStone Argon AR03 0.42 mm 1.72 mm Noctua NH-U14S 0.42 mm 1.72 mm Cogage TRUE Spirit 1366 0.40 mm 1.70 mm Scythe Kotetsu 0.35 mm 1.66 mm Scythe Grand Kama Cross 0.38 mm 1.66 mm Zalman CNPS9900 MAX 0.16 mm 1.59 mm Thermalright Silver Arrow 0.32 mm 1.57 mm Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 0.43 mm 1.54 mm Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme Rev.C 0.56 mm 1.52 mm NZXT Kraken X31/X41 (radiator) 0.15 mm 1.07 mm NZXT Kraken X61 (radiator) 0.13 mm 1.02 mm Testing on larger heatsinks like this one is done on our LGA1366 heatsink testing platform. A summary of the test system and procedure follows. Key Components in LGA1366 Heatsink Test Platform:
The systems are silent under the test conditions, except for the CPU cooling fan(s). Normally, our reference fans are used whenever possible, the measured details of which are shown below. Reference Noctua 140mm fan Anechoic chamber measurements Voltage Speed SPL@1m 12V 1250 RPM 28~29 dBA 9V 990 RPM 21 dBA 8V 880 RPM 18 dBA 7V 770 RPM 15~16 dBA 6V 660 RPM 13 dBA Reference Nexus 120 mm fan Anechoic chamber measurements Voltage Speed SPL@1m 12V 1080 RPM 16 dBA 9V 880 RPM 13 dBA 7V 720 RPM 12 dBA Reference Nexus 92 mm fan Anechoic chamber measurements Voltage Speed SPL@1m 12V 1470 RPM 17 dBA 9V 1280 RPM 14 dBA 7V 1010 RPM 12 dBA Measurement and Analysis Tools
Noise measurements are made with the fans powered from the lab’s variable DC power supply while the rest of the system is off to ensure that system noise do not skew the measurements. Load testing was accomplished using Prime95 to stress the processor, and the graph function in SpeedFan was used to ensure that the load temperature is stable for at least ten minutes. The temperature recorded is the highest single core reading. The stock fans were tested at various voltages to represent a good cross-section of airflow and noise performance. The ambient conditions during testing were 10~11 dBA and 21~23°C. STOCK FAN MEASUREMENTS Specifications: Cryorig R1 Ultimate/Universal (Thick) Stock Fan Manufacturer Cryorig Power Rating ? Model Number XF140 Airflow Rating 76 CFM Bearing Type High Precision Low Noise (Sleeve) Speed Rating 700 ~ 1300 RPM Frame Size 140 x 140 x 25 mm (120 mm mounting holes) Noise Rating 19 ~ 23 dBA Hub Size 41 mm Header Type 4-pin PWM Blade Diameter 131 mm Starting Voltage 5.0 ~ 5.5 V Cable Length 30 cm Weight 150 g Corner Type Open Retail Availability Yes Additional notes: The larger XF140 fan is equipped with smooth, featureless blades that are gently curved but the lack of separation between each blade and the total count (11) is somewhat unusual for a 140 mm variant. It’s a 1300 RPM PWM model with a dubious noise rating of 19~23 dBA (if this is correct at one meter’s distance, it would be a revolutionary miracle fan). The mounting holes are spaced the same as 120 mm models and are fitted with rubber damping pads with slits to accommodate the tight-fitting fan clips The stock fan’s PWM range according to Fan Xpert2.According to ASUS’ Fan Xpert2 utility, its effective PWM control range bottoms out at just under 700 RPM which is right in line with the specifications. Specifications: Cryorig R1 Universal (Thin) Stock Fan Manufacturer Cryorig Power Rating ? Model Number XT140 Airflow Rating 65 CFM Bearing Type High Precision Low Noise (Sleeve) Speed Rating 700 ~ 1300 RPM Frame Size 140 x 140 x 13 mm (120 mm mounting holes) Noise Rating 20 ~ 24 dBA Hub Size 44 mm Header Type 4-pin PWM Blade Diameter 131 mm Starting Voltage 4.0 ~ 4.5 V Cable Length 30 cm Weight 90 g Corner Type Open Retail Availability Yes Additional notes: The thinner XT140 has a similar frame structure but the blades are slim, almost finger-like, and more numerous. The hub is also noticeably larger which creates a greater dead spot at the center. The stock fan’s PWM range according to Fan Xpert2.According to ASUS’ Fan Xpert2 utility, it the minimum speed is 730 RPM on PWM control, so it has a similar upper and lower limit as the thicker XF140. Stock Fan Measurements: Cryorig R1 Voltage XF140 Speed (XT140 Speed)* SPL@1m 1 x XF140 (single fan) 2 x XF140 (Ultimate) XF140 + XT140 (Universal) 12V 1390 RPM (1390 RPM) 35 dBA 38~39 dBA 36 dBA 9V 1120 RPM (1200 RPM) 27~28 dBA 30 dBA 31 dBA 7V 910 RPM (1030 RPM) 22 dBA 24 dBA 25~26 dBA 6V 800 RPM (940 RPM) 19 dBA 20~21 dBA 22~23 dBA 5V 690 RPM (850 RPM) 14 dBA 16~17 dBA 20 dBA 4.5V 590 RPM (760 RPM) 12 dBA 14 dBA 17 dBA *Applicable to R1 Universal only. Measuring mic positioned 1m at diagonal angle from the center of the heatsink. Ambient noise level: 10~11 dBA. The measurable noise difference between the Ultimate and Universal’s fans is quite interesting. The Ultimate’s fans are only louder at 12V — as the voltage is reduced, it actually becomes quieter, beating the Universal at every test level by 1~3 dB. The two fans have a similar nominal speed, but the larger XF140 slows down quicker. Subjectively, we also find that the XT140 sounds worse, so in the end, the Ultimate’s matched fans have better acoustics and are capable of achieving a lower overall noise level to boot. The acoustics of the Ultimate’s two XF140 fans are mostly innocuous for 140 mm models. It has a mostly smooth sound with some low frequency hum audible at closer distances. Its profile is mostly broadband with little tonality resulting in a relatively even frequency distribution. With the Universal’s mismatched fans, we can see the difference right away in the frequency analysis. This odd couple produces multiple minor tonal peaks mainly due to the thinner fan. Our XT140 sample has noticeable chuffing at lower speeds (~1000 RPM and below); It sounds like the blades are constantly hitting a soft piece of fabric giving off the impression it’s off-kilter or damaged. At higher speeds this effect disappears, but then it emits much more noise. TEST RESULTS Test Results: Cryorig R1 Ultimate vs. Universal Fan Voltage Ultimate Universal SPL@1m Thermal Rise SPL@1m 12V 38~39 dBA 34°C 35°C 36 dBA 9V 30 dBA 36°C 36°C 31 dBA 7V 24 dBA 36°C 38°C 25~26 dBA 6V 20~21 dBA 37°C 38°C 22~23 dBA 5V 16~17 dBA 41°C 39°C 20 dBA 4.5V 14 dBA 42°C 41°C 17 dBA Measuring mic positioned 1m at diagonal angle from the center of the heatsink. Ambient noise level: 10~11 dBA. While the Universal is handicapped with the thinner fan, it actually didn’t make that much difference in our thermal tests. At similar noise levels, the Ultimate has the advantage at almost every level but the results are quite close. It’s clear you don’t give up much performance for the Universal’s superior compatibility. Test Results: Cryorig R1 Ultimate w/Stock Fans Fan Voltage Single Fan Dual Fan SPL@1m Thermal Rise SPL@1m 12V 35 dBA 37°C 34°C 38~39 dBA 9V 27~28 dBA 39°C 36°C 30 dBA 7V 22 dBA 40°C 36°C 24 dBA 6V 19 dBA 41°C 37°C 20~21 dBA 5V 14 dBA 45°C 41°C 16~17 dBA 4.5V 12 dBA 49°C 42°C 14 dBA Cryorig R1 Ultimate w/Ref. 140 mm Fan (NF-P14) 12V 31 dBA 38°C 34°C 34 dBA 9V 24 dBA 39°C 36°C 26 dBA 8V 20 dBA 40°C 36°C 22~23 dBA 7V 17 dBA 43°C 37°C 18~19 dBA 6V 14 dBA 46°C 41°C 15~16 dBA Measuring mic positioned 1m at diagonal angle from the center of the heatsink. Ambient noise level: 10~11 dBA. With the two heatsinks having differing back fans, it begs the question of whether a second fan is even necessary. For most of its range, the dual fan configuration has a 4°C advantage, a slightly larger difference that what we typically see with single tower heatsinks. However, at the ultra low 4.5V level, the gap widens to 7°C. Even though the second fan produces more noise, the difference in performance is enough to make it the more efficient option. Using our reference Noctua NF-P14 fans in lieu of the stock models yields similar numbers. HEATSINK COMPARISON TABLES °C Rise Comparison: CPU Coolers with Dual Fans SPL (dBA@1m) 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 NZXT Kraken X61 33 34 35 37 Prolimatech Genesis* (reference fans) 35 36 37 39 Thermalright Silver Arrow 35 38 40 Noctua NH-C14 36 37 39 41 Thermalright HR-22* (reference fans) 37 38 39 Noctua NH-D15 38 39 40 Thermalright HR-02 Macho* (reference fans) 36 37 40 Cryorig R1 Ultimate (reference fans) 37 41 Phanteks PH-TC14PE 38 39 41 Cryorig R1 Ultimate 37 41 42 Scythe Mugen 4* (reference fans) 39 40 42 NZXT Havik 140 39 41 Cryorig R1 Universal 39 41 Phanteks PH-TC12DX 41 44 Cooler Master Seidon 240M 40 43 53 SilverStone Tundra TD03 40 SilverStone Heligon HE02* (reference fans) 44 46 Enermax Liqtech 120X 44 45 Zalman CNPS9900DF 48 50 53 SPL (dBA@1m) 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 Air-cooled heatsinks in dark green, liquid coolers in dark blue *Models lacking dual stock fans tested with dual reference Noctua NF-P14 fans. Compared to previous coolers we’ve tested with dual fans, the Ultimate and Universal fall somewhere in the middle, performing on par with coolers like the Scythe Mugen 4 and Phanteks PH-TC14PE. It’s a decent showing but the margins are slim enough that a ~3°C deficit lands it well short of the leaders. °C Rise Comparison: CPU Coolers with Single/Dual Stock Fan(s) SPL (dBA@1m) 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 NZXT Kraken X61 33 34 35 37 Prolimatech Genesis* (reference fans) 35 36 37 39 Thermalright Silver Arrow 35 38 40 Noctua NH-C14 36 37 39 41 Scythe Kotetsu 35 38 41 42 Thermalright HR-22* (reference fans) 37 38 39 Noctua NH-D15 38 39 40 Thermalright Archon SB-E 39 40 43 Phanteks PH-TC14PE 38 39 41 Thermalright HR-02 Macho 38 39 40 41 43 Scythe Mugen 4 40 42 45 Noctua NH-U14S 38 40 43 Cryorig R1 Ultimate (reference fans) 37 41 NZXT Kraken X41 38 NZXT Havik 140 39 41 be quiet! Shadow Rock Slim 40 41 42 Cryorig R1 Ultimate 37 41 42 Scythe Yasya 40 43 Cogage TRUE Spirit 1366 41 43 46 Cryorig R1 Universal 39 41 Zalman CNPS10X Quiet 40 42 47 Scythe Grand Kama Cross 40 41 44 49 Scythe Ashura 42 44 Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 41 44 54 Cryorig R1 Ultimate (single fan) 40 41 45 49 Phanteks PH-TC12DX 41 44 Silverstone Argon AR03 41 43 48 Scythe Ninja 3 44 46 SilverStone Argon AR01 42 44 50 Titan Fenrir 43 45 47 Cooler Master Seidon 240M 40 43 53 SilverStone Tundra TD03 40 SilverStone Heligon HE02* (reference fans) 44 46 Antec Kühler H20 620 42 44 47 LEPA LV12 45 48 52 Zalman CNPS9900 MAX 45 47 49 NZXT Kraken X31 43 44 47 Enermax Liqtech 120X 44 45 GELID Tranquillo Rev.2 48 49 50 be quiet! Dark Rock 2 48 52 55 61 Zalman CNPS9900DF 48 50 53 GELID GX-7 Rev.2 49 51 56 Core i7-980X Stock Cooler 53 62 Enermax ETS-T40 49 55 64 Core i7-920 Stock Cooler 64 FAIL SPL (dBA@1m) 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 Single/Dual fan air-cooled heatsinks in light/dark green. Single/dual fan liquid coolers in light/dark blue. *Fanless models tested with dual reference Noctua NF-P14 fans. When we add single fan heatsinks into the mix, the resulting picture is less flattering. A myriad of smaller coolers, all of which carry lower price-tags than the R1, perform similarly or better, even though R1 is equipped with dual fans. MP3 SOUND RECORDINGS These recordings were made with a high resolution, lab quality, digital recording system inside SPCR’s own 11 dBA ambient anechoic chamber, then converted to LAME 128kbps encoded MP3s. We’ve listened long and hard to ensure there is no audible degradation from the original WAV files to these MP3s. They represent a quick snapshot of what we heard during the review. These recordings are intended to give you an idea of how the product sounds in actual use — one meter is a reasonable typical distance between a computer or computer component and your ear. The recording contains stretches of ambient noise that you can use to judge the relative loudness of the subject. Be aware that very quiet subjects may not be audible — if we couldn’t hear it from one meter, chances are we couldn’t record it either! The recording starts with 5 second segments of room ambiance, then the fan at various levels. For the most realistic results, set the volume so that the starting ambient level is just barely audible, then don’t change the volume setting again.
FINAL THOUGHTS At a glance, the Cryorig R1 has all the makings of a high performance heatsink from any of the big name manufacturers. When you look and handle it, it just feels solid and well-polished. It’s of a beastly size, the nickel-plating gives it a nice sheen, and the fans are attractive and adorned with rubber dampers and sleeved cables. The mounting system is very secure and idiot-proof, the fan clips fit are snug, and all the accessories are neatly packed. Scrub the name off the box and fans and it could easily pass for a Noctua, Thermalright or Prolimatech. Unfortunately, for these big models to justify their price, they need to offer top-notch performance. There are quite a few heatsinks much smaller in size and lower in cost that can compete and/or beat the R1 in overall efficiency. There’s no one aspect we can point to where it’s clearly deficient. We might clip the fans to the heatsink directly rather than using plastic brackets, which add needless complexity and possibly hinder thermal performance. As for the two different versions, the Ultimate is clearly the superior of the two. Its cooling ability is only slightly better but the sound it produces is more pleasant. The Universal’s thin back fan generates noticeable chuffing at lower speeds and the thick/thin fan combination emits extra noise. This isn’t a big penalty to pay for improved memory compatibility if you need it, but keep in mind the Universal isn’t special in this regard. Like the Ultimate, a plethora of alternatives exist that can fill its role. There are a many thin single towers coolers for which this isn’t a problem, and among the bigger models, both the Thermalright HR-22 and HR-02 have asymmetric designs that clear the memory slots as well. |