Aeroflow 2 VS Aeroflow: Round 2

FIGHT!

Just a short time ago we had a look at the P4 brother (or should we say sister) of the Socket A Aeroflow 2, and were to say the least, not overly impressed. Now the two main design flaws that we found in the P4 version do not come into play with the socket A version (due to the lack of a heat spreader on AXP chips) and therefore we expect that it will perform significantly better. We are once again pitting it up against the original Aeroflow cooler, which has become known as the standard for price/performance cooling. If you want more info on the original model's performance check out our review here.

The Socket A version of the Aeroflow 2 looks exactly like the P4 version minus the retention mechanisms. The smaller Socket A mechanism allows this version to be slightly lighter at 468g (as compared to 472g), however it is still well above AMD's recommended specs, although admittedly very few high end coolers are not.

Here is a complete list of specs. Full details can be found at Vantec's website.

Model No.: VA4-7245
CPU Socket: 370/7/A(462)
Rated Voltage: 12V
Rated Current: 0.24A
Power Consumption: 2.88W
Bearing Type: Ball Bearing
Fan Speed: 4000RPM
Fan Dimensions: 70x70x20mm
Airflow: 34CFM
Noise Level: 35dB(A)
Outline Dimensions: 85.5x71.5x72.9mm
Weight: 468g
Life Time: 50,000hrs

As with the P4 models, the Aeroflow 2's major changes include a switch from a TMD fan to a ball bearing one with fan guard, along with the extension of the four way fin design and a slightly larger copper core.

There is a significant length increase with the new Aeroflow 2 socket A model. This shouldn't come into play on most motherboards as typically there is plenty of room off to the sides of the CPU socket, the concern is more at the top and bottom. Check the placement of resistors around the CPU socket of your board to make sure things will fit before considering making an upgrade to the newer Aeroflow.

As you can see here, even though there is plenty of room on both sides, things are quite tight at the top of the CPU socket on our DFI Lanparty nForce2 motherboard.

Next Page: (2)

Page 1: Page 2: