Xigmatek HDT-S963F CPU Cooler Review

Packaging

The colour scheme looks like something from the not so distant future with a blue colouring and lightning bolt on the left hand side. We get a clear plastic window so that we can see the Xigmatek branded fan and the main features are listed below. It also touches on the H.D.T technology which stands for heat-pipe direct touch which will we look into in a little bit more detail later on. A sticker has also been placed up the top to tell us that this particular cooler is compatible with Core i5 processors and down the bottom is the badge to notify us that it’s also compatible with AMD Phenom X4 64 bit processors too, thus catering for the latest sockets from AMD and Intel.

The side of the packaging gives us the three main features in picture format, showing the heat-pipe direct touch technology, how the fan is fitted via anti-vibration rubber and that the CPU cooler comes with a spoiler. I’ve got to be honest, the first two features are common practice these days, but the spoiler is something very unique indeed.

The other side gives us clear information on exactly which sockets are supported for this cooler, but we do have to note that since the packaging was made, the application on Intel based systems has increased and has more support than just socket 775 but we are guessing that’s why they have included the sticker on the front of the box about being Core i5 ready.

No matter what product you look at these days, it’s generally the back of the box where you find the technical details and specifications and this packaging is no different with a full table of the specifications telling us about the materials used on the base and fins of the heatsink, how many heat-pipes there are, even down to the fan details including air flow, noise level range and thermal resistance.

Once again the applications are listed to tell us exactly what socket motherboards this CPU cooler is suitable for including all AMD sockets and Intel 775, and we can only assume that this cooler packaging will be updated in time to reflect the newer 1156, 1366 and maybe even 1155 sockets in the near future.

Inside the box is exactly what we expect with a cooler of this nature. We get the main two parts; the heatsink and fan as well as installation user’s manual, push-pin screws for socket 775 installation, anti-vibration rubbers for mounting the fan, spoiler, thermal compound and all of the relevant brackets for installing the cooler onto your socket.

Unboxing Video: