Xigmatek Gaia SD1283 CPU Cooler Review

The heatsink consists of a fairly large aluminium fin array with fairly tight fin spacing, 3 8mm copper heatpipes and a H.D.T. (Heatpipe Direct Touch) base. The black 120mm, 7 bladed, PWM fan is capable of up to 1500 RPM rotational speed, 56.3 CFM of airflow, 40,000 hours of life and as little as 16 dbA operational noise output.

All 3 of the 8mm heatpipes are parallel to one another in terms of their location throughout the fin array. The spacing between each heatpipe should allow for a fast transfer and efficient of heat to the aluminium fins.

Closed sides which help create a vacuum effect inside the fin stack and jagged edges which increase the fin array’s surface area as well as acting as fan mounting points are just some of the heat dissipation and airflow enhancements incorporated by the Xigmatek engineers.

The narrow and deep cut-out in the heatsink helps create a pocket of positive air pressure allowing fans with a lower rotational speed (and henceforth noise output) to perform acceptably without being rendered ineffective. Xigmatek chose to emboss their “X” logo on the summit of the heatsink’s fin array for all to view.

A high quality machined finish to the 8mm heatpipes which form the H.D.T. designed base should ensure optimal heat transferral from the CPU heatspreader to the heatpipes and then onto the aluminium heat dissipation fins.