SPCR: Thermalright HR-01 CPU Heatsink

Thermalright HR-01 CPU Heatsink :: SilentPCReview.com

Thermalright has delivered a very competitive heatsink in the HR-01. Performance is neck-and-neck with the Scythe Ninja, and that's saying something. Yes, there are nuances to the comparison between the two, but when it comes down to it, the two perform very similarly. That means that Thermalright is back at the top of the quiet high-performance heap — it seems they never fade for long.

We were pleased to report that installing the High-Riser was a breeze: It's easier to install than the Ninja, and a huge improvement over Thermalright's own XP-120. The High-Riser has one of the most elegant clips we've seen, similar to that used by Shuttle in some of their SFF systems.

Of course, there are always a few bones to pick, mostly related to compatibility. At the moment, the only processors supported out of the box are AMD. Intel's current processors are not yet supported at all, as there are no mounting options available for Socket 775. Older socket 478 processors require the purchase of a separate clip. Still, the lack of Intel support isn't as big a problem. Passive cooling is simply not an option for most of Intel's chips because they run so hot, and the performance (and silencing) markets are currently dominated by AMD anyway.

There are some other potential issues:

1. Not all motherboards have the CPU socket oriented in the same direction, so there may be a few situations where the heatsink cannot be mounted in the correct orientation. This hurts compatibility.
2. The height of the heatsink may prove to be an issue in a smaller case.
3. The cantilever effect is strong, so shipping with the HS on is not recommended.
4. There is currently no standard way to attach a fan to the High-Riser, but cable ties or solid-core wire will both work well.

All of these are relatively minor issues, however. What counts most is performance, and the High-Riser delivers. If you're looking to build a high-end quiet system, the only other serious contender among tower heatsinks is the Scythe Ninja.

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