Source: http://www.tsheatronics.co.jp/img/Basic_principle_E.gif
A New Approach?
In order to accommodate ever growing CPU performance, the material,
size, design, weight and fan power of CPU cooling devices has
been repeatedly improved and enlarged. But size and weight limitations
are putting a natural end to this development, which seems to
be reached by the current performance leaders the MC462 and the
PAL8045. They are so big and heavy that they don't fit on many
motherboards. The same goes for fans: with the insane noise level
of the MC 462's 80 mm Delta EHE 5,600 rpm/min fan the endurable
limit seems to be reached.
Time was therefore ripe to look for a different approach, which gives similar or even better performance than these monsters coolers. One answer is coming from Japan: the "CPU Radiator Zen SCR325-2F". As the name indicates: a radiator is the heart of this device. Normally a heatsink is absorbing the CPU heat at the bottom and dissipating it through fins or pins into the surrounding air either by itself or with the help of a fan. The Zen radiator follows a different principle: within a meandering aluminum pipe a refrigerant is circulating. That's the same type of liquid which is used in air-conditioning units and refrigerators. The refrigerant is absorbing the CPU heat at the bottom of the pipe, evaporates in the process, and goes up through capillary tubes where it liquidizes again, when the heat is radiating. The heat radiation is supported by fans which provide for strong airflow through capillary tubes. One fan is blowing into the capillary system and the other one on the opposite side is sucking air out.
The principle is of course not new. This is how a refrigerator works. Similar (liquid based) types of coolers (Cooler Master's Galileo) have been tried before, but with little success. Why? As easy as it sounds, it obviously takes a lot of experience and research with radiator technology to find an efficient design for this kind of mini radiator. The trick is to find a way to keep the refrigerant circulating inside the pipe in any direction. The Zen Radiator design is called "Heatlane" and patented in several countries for TS Heatronics. The initial investment in the tools to produce such a mini radiator is for sure higher than producing an aluminum or copper sink. It does not surprise therefore that TS Heatronics Co., the manufacturer of the Zen Radiator SCR326-2F, is not in the heatsink business like the other main Japanese cooler manufacturer Alpha. TS Heatronics' main business is radiator-based cooling solutions for industrial use.
The Zen Radiator
in detail:
Product: CPU Radiator Zen SCR325-2F
Manufacturer: TS
Heatronics Co., Tokyo, Japan
Dimensions: W90 x D86 x H76
Total Weight: 350 gram
Radiator Material and weight: aluminum / 135 gram
Refrigerant: HFC-34A
Refrigerant operating range: -60C to +95 C
Frame housing: ABS and Nylon 66
Fan (2): 60 x 60 x 15 mm (low profile), 4,200/min rpm, airflow
0.53 cm/min
Format: currently only for socket A /370
Street Price (over-the-counter Tokyo): 10,500 Yen (including tax)
/ 85 US$ / 170 AU$
Product Link: SCR325-2F
Assembly and Installing
the Zen Radiator
The 2 fans, the radiator, the housing, and the holding mechanism
come separately packed in a nice looking box The assembly takes
around 30 minutes, but is easy thanks to a 18 page manual (currently
available only in Japanese).
We were surprised that a device of this size and weight is fixed onto the socket only by 2 holders. The two holders are made of plastic and not metal. This gave us the impression that there grip is less firm then the usual HSF (metal) clip design. A direct comparison of the assembled unit shows that the Zen Radiator is substantially bigger than a usual 60 mm fan HSF like the PAL 6035. The Zen needs roughly the same space like a MC462. This means it will not fit on many motherboards. It should be carefully checked whether sufficient space is available around the socket before purchase.
During installation we realized that the arms, which connect the housing with the socket, are either too short or intentionally made this way to improve the pressure on the CPU die. It took us 30 minutes until we finally managed to extent enough pressure and press the 2 arms so far down that we could push the end of the holding arms with the spared-out openings over the socket extensions. We finished the installation with a rather unpleasant feeling. Looking at the 2 flimsy plastic arms under heavy pressure holding this massive unit gave us the impression they may flip out of the socket any time soon.
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