Thermalright SI-128 SE Heatsink

Published on August 29, 2008, by Clue69Less - Posted in Cooling 0

Overall Score

Introduction:

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I was originally running the stock Intel cooler on the quad core processor in my HTPC. When I saw that there was basically no hope of running it at anything other than stock clock, I started looking for a better HSF. Then baligavinod posted this thread, and my search ended. I decided that I was going to buy the SI-128 SE and see how it handled a quad. When I got back to school, I purchased this fine piece from Xoxide.

Specifications and Features:
Specs:
• Dimension : L125 x W145 x H91.5 mm (heatsink only)
• Weight : 510g (Heatsink Only)
Features:
• Works optimally with a quiet, low RPM 120mm fan
• Proprietary thru-holes adopted from the HR-series to increase air flow movement
• 8mm heatpipes with high heat transfer efficiency
• Patented support bar design preventing heatsink from deformation over time
• Increased height of heatsink fins for better motherboard compatibility
• Fan blow down design helps to cool CPU surrounding
Compatibility:
INTEL: All Intel P4 LGA775 processors
AMD: Intel Socket AM2 Athlon64 / FX / X2 / Opteron

Package Contents:
• SI-128 SE Heatsink
• Mini Wrench
• Multi-Backplate
• Mounting hardware for sockets AM2 and 775
• Anti-Vibration Strips
• Thermalright Thermal Paste
• Installation Guide

The Package was the typical Thermalright – excellent. A clean brown box with more than ample protection for its precious contents.

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She’s not going anywhere.
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This is a good shot of the 4 massive 8mm heatpipes and the “Proprietary thru-holes adopted from the HR-series to increase air flow movement”.
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Here is a shot of the ”Patented support bar design preventing the heatsink from deformation over time”.
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This is a lot bigger than I expected. :wideeyed: And I was actually starting to worry whether or not it was going to fit in my case. :skeptical:

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The bottom looked really nice. It is very smooth – even though you can see the machining marks. I didn’t notice any concave or convex points in it either.
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The included hardware.
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The pieces needed for a socket 775 installation (minus the 4 screws in the upper right. Those are actually for the AM2 installation set).

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The AM2 components.

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The all-important, and pretty sweet looking case badge!!!
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120mm fan clips, Thermalright Thermal Paste and the Anti-Vibration fan strips.

Installation:
Installing this beast was a little more difficult than I was expecting coming from the TR U120E where it’s just 4 screws that are fairly simple to put in. The TR SI-128 SE put up a little more of a fight.

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This is the Multi-Backplate with 2 of the posts in. The posts are secured by rubber O-rings that slip into a grove in the post, holding it in the backplate.

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This picture shows how the posts sit between 2 raised points to secure the post from spinning when the screws that hold the heatsink bracket are secured.

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Here is the mounting bracket on the top side. This camera angle shows that there is just enough clearance to get over the voltage regulators.

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Now both brackets are on. The SI-128 SE has the same bracket setup as the Ultima 90.

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Like a lot of the other large, aftermarket heatsinks, installation of the SI-128 SE is most easily accomplished with the motherboard out of the case (unless you have really, really small hands).
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With the “SilentPipe” heatsink on the Gigabyte P35-DQ6 motherboard, there wasn’t a whole lot of clearance for this baby. Here, the two heatsinks are actually touching. I had to do some playing around to see just which way this would fit. And now, after I completed all of the testing, I have it mounted a quarter turn clockwise and have bent the fins on the top tower of the northbridge heatsink so the two wouldn’t touch. The way that it was worked fine, I turned it because if I want to stand the case up, I want the heatpipes to be running horizontally so that they are able to function better. When the case lays flat, the orientation of the heatpipes isn’t important.

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A look from the other side. I would also like to say that the use of the included “Mini Wrench” is a must as there is no way to get a screwdriver in to tighten the screws down. I have also noticed that the heatsink does slide around a little if you push on it, but a simple solution would be to place a washer on the top side of the mounting bracket to eat up the extra space. Note: The movement is not bad by any means. I just wanted to include it here as an FYI.

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Showing the clearance a little more.

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Now, it’s back in the case and the rest of the components are joining it.

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As you can see, it’s a pretty tight fit in my case, a Gateway G6-200 that I salvaged and gave new life. [URL="http://forum.xcpus.com/case-mods/13324-gateway-g6-200-case-mod.html"]http://forum.xcpus.com/case-mods/13324-gateway-g6-200-case-mod.html[/URL]

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This is how the SI-128 SE is situated in my case now.

The Competition:

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Intel Stock Cooler