Xigmatek HDT-S963F CPU Cooler Review

A Closer Look
The CPU cooler comes with all of the relevant mounting brackets for Intel socket 775 and 1156 respectively using the push pin mounting system that has been a favoured application for quite some time now.

Also on the 1156 push pin mounting brackets, the model number is etched into the bracket so that their is no confusion between the various Intel brackets, though from a more advanced user’s view, you will notice the size difference.

The fan that comes supplied is a 92mm Xigmatek branded fan. It’s black and has a standard fin design that we’ve seen on other fans on the market from other brands.

Fans can be bought with various different connectors including 3-pin and Molex but more importantly (as technology develops) we see 4-pin PWM fans being more frequently sold on the market. This fan has a 4-pin PWM fan connector for complete control from your system, over the fan speed.

It also has a rubber braided style sleeve to help cover and insulate the fans wires by way of shielding.

The heatsink itself is made from 42 individual aluminium cooling fins with the heat-pipe system running through. Due to the heatpipes being joint onto the base plate, technically there are only three heatpipes, but others may argue that there are six.

The top of the cooler shows the heatpipes petruding out of the top of the aluminium design. On the sides, we can see the cut-outs for the fan mounting grommits on the front, and the stream lining cut-out slats on the rear for improved air flow and distribution.

The Coolers Pièce de résistance is the heat-pipe direct touch technology. The Heat pipes are directly touching the CPU base plate for maximum heat transference. This will ensure that the CPU can be pushed hard, and overclocked if the user feels that way inclined without worry of overheating or potential CPU Death.

Once the fan has been attached to the heatink you can see from the side profile of the cooler that the design is a simple method seen on other coolers before. Some CPU coolers on the market tend to lose a lot of clearance once the fan has been added, but this particular cooler poses no threat of that.

The fan is attached via Rubber grommets instead of the usual wire fan clips or screws. The heatsink block has special grooves cut-out for fitting the grommets. The grommets themselves are rubber to try and minimize vibration and other feedback from the fan spinning, especially at higher RPM’s.

Once the fan has been attached using the rubber grommets, it’s a matter of slotting into the grooves to finalise the installation.

The rubber mounts that are used for mounting ensure no vibration from the fan, whilst maintaining an easy installation procedure should you wish to change the stock fan for an aftermarket fan system.

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