Xigmatek HDT-S1284 Achilles Review





Official Xigmatek Achilles Website Link : Click Here

Xigmatek S1283 Red-Scorpion Review: Click Here

If interested to any of the Xigmatek Product?? Go to Prodigius's thread: Click Here

CPU cooling has always been important for the overclocker, but due to dual and quad cores it's becoming increasingly
important for the casual user too. Water cooling and phase change are both great ways of cooling a CPU; however the
extremes of these methods are both very expensive and can be rather risky. This is the reason why Air Cooling is still
used today, though don't label it as boring, air cooling has changed dramatically over the past 3 years.

Today I will be looking at the latest Xigmatek product, the "Xigmatek HDT-S1284 Achilles" which features the new 4x
8mm heatpipe and also inherit from its sibling the anti-vibration rubber and 120mm 4 white LED fan. So let's take this
cooler out for a spin and see how well it performs...

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Content

1. Overview / Features / Specifications / Application
2. Specification Comparison Between HDT-S1283 vs Red-Scorpion vs Achilles
3. A Closer Look
4. Problem With Previous SS-Kit
5. Test bed
6. Performance
7. Conclusion

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1. Overview / Features / Specifications / Application









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2. Specification Comparison Between HDT-S1283 vs Red-Scorpion vs Achilles

The specifications for comparison were taken from each of the product box. Take note that some of the specification printed
on the box are difference from what is posted in the Xigmatek website.



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3. A Closer Look

This time the box for this new Achilles has changed compared to its previous sibling which is HDT-S1283 and Red-Scorpion,
which uses plastic and cardboard instead of cardboard box only. But it is missing the foam for additional protection. This
time the theme color for Achilles is golden color which represent Royalty.



This post has been edited by vincentlaw: Jul 31 2008, 05:04 PM

The SPECIFICATION is were stated on the back of the box as usual and good news this time the spec printed on the box were
same with posted on the official website. On the both side of the box were stated the FEATURES and APPLICATION.



Inside the box we have even bigger heatsink now, a LED fan, a bag of accessories and lastly a manual. This time the heatsink
is made up of 4x Heatpipes instead of 3x for its sibling, the vanilla-S1283 and Red-Scorpion. It resemble the same features
from its siblings which is the Heat-Direct-Touch (H.D.T). Xigmatek has combined the efficient design of FOUR!! exposed copper
heatpipes with an extremely durable and quiet 4-white-LEDs 120mm fan in this Achilles.





Since the use of copper in their 8mm heatpipes were very successful, therefore this Achilles inherits it too. It can tremendously
improve the evaporation and condensation cycle in the HDT-S1284 Achilles. The heatpipes was coated with nickel except the base.

Looking from the top down, the small dimples in the aluminum fins for the spoiler to attach to is GONE!. Which means no more
radiating fins anymore. Wonder why they excluded it. Below is the 360' look.



This post has been edited by vincentlaw: Apr 18 2008, 01:53 PM

And here is how the base looks like. A new 4x 80mm heatpipe look with a total of 38mm long from the 1st heatpipe to the last
heatpipe.









Here is the combination of the fan + heatsink. The 120mm 4-white-LED fan are exactly the same as the Red-scorpion one. It still
inheriting the slightly the dull lightings from the Red-Scorpion Fan but at least it is much better compared to the vanilla S1283
which is only black.

This post has been edited by vincentlaw: Apr 17 2008, 11:27 PM

The accessories provided isn't much different from its siblings, LGA775 and AMD processors (754/ 939/ 940/ AM2 respectively)
included. The Intel socket 775 clips use the standard push-to-lock plastic clips that insert into the four motherboard holes around
the processor socket. AMD Athlon64 processors on 754/939/940/AM2/AM2+ work with a modified spring clip that attaches to the
lugs on the AMD heatsink retention frame. A cam lever at one end of the clip applies pressure to the heatsink base directly. The
AMD clip is tool free, but the metal is thin and tends to bend towards one side or another after clamping pressure is applied. 3-pin
to Molex converter, thermal compound, 2-screws are included too in the package. Take note that the packaging for the thermal
compound has changed. Wondering how it performs.





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4. Problem With Previous SS-Kit

NOTE: Please take note that this SS-Kit used for any previous Xigmatek product included HDT-S1283 and Red-Scorpion were not
able to use back on this Achilles. This is because the Achilles screw were made smaller therefore previous SS-Kit version which have
bigger screw and screw holes isn't going to be compatible with it. Picture below show the difference of the screw and screw holes size
used. So the Achilles testing were carried out with Push-Pin only.

NOTE: I strictly recommend users to use the SSKit because the PPKit (PushPinKit) really bend my motherboard into quite extreme condition. I can even feel and see its like a small hump at the back of the motherboard. That is bad for long term use.




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5. Test Bed

Software
Windows Vista Ultimate Edition Service Pack 1
Everest Ultimate Edition 4.10.1126
CoreTemp 0.97.1 (LINK)
CPU-Z 1.42 (LINK)
PRIME95 v25.6 Build 6 (LINK)

Hardware
HSF = Xigmatek s1283 Red-Scorpion (with SS-Kit) & Xigmatek s1284 Achilles (with Push-Pin)
Processor = Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 2.66ghz 1333FSB 4mb L2-cache G0-Stepping
Motherboard = Gigabyte P35-DS3 (Rev1.0)
Memory = 4x 1gb Kingston Value Ram DDR2-800mhz
Graphic Card = Asus 8800GT TOP Edition 512mb (700/1750/2000)
Power Supply = Silverstone Strider ST56F 560W
Casing = Cooler Master CM690 With 5x 120mm Silent/LED Fan
[1x Front-Bottom(Intake), 1x Bottom(Intake), 1x Back(Exhaust), 1x Top(Exhaust), 1x Side Panel(Intake)]

Thermal Compound = Artic Cooler MX-2 High Performance Thermal Compound

NOTE: Test is done with EIST, C1E, TM2 and virtualization turning OFF



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This post has been edited by vincentlaw: Apr 19 2008, 07:19 PM

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6. Performance





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7. Comparison of Area Contact Between Processor and Heatsink

For Xigmatek S1283 Red-Scorpion



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For Xigmatek S1284 Achilles



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8. Conclusion

The Xigmatek HDT-S1284 Achillles is a massive cooler (even bigger than Red-Scorpion) with 4x 8mm heat pipes. The great upside of such
a larger heatsink is the use of a large fan, which does significantly decrease the noise level and it does manage to cool the CPU well. So if
you are looking for a quiet alternative to that stock cooler, the very well built Achilles is a good choice as it will also cool the surrounding
components which cost around ~RM229. If you are seeking a cheaper solution yet a good performance cooler, Red-Scorpion is your 2nd
choice.

The Fan was extremely quite as same as Red-Scorpion fan, which they are the same. Cant hear anything from 1 meter away with side panel
closed even at its full speed which is 1,500rpm. Really a recommended cooler if you have the buck to spend on. On idle it loses to it sibling,
the Red-Scorpion, but it SHINE when it comes to 100% Stress LOAD. It won Red-Scorpion in this part. But we are more concern to the LOAD
temperature more than IDLE, where we don't want our processor to reach a danger temperature zone. Hence, this cooler is a good choice if
you have the budget for it. Predicted that it will be more benefitial to AMD proc because the area contact will be much larger due to
the size of the AMD processor.

Pros
- 4x 8mm Heatpipe!!!!
- H.D.T. design
- Anti-Vibration Rubber
- Quality
- Very quiet fan
- Replaceable fan
- PWM fan
- Great performance when LOAD

Cons
- LED Fan is not as bright, attractive, and nice as in advertise picture
- Will not fit in all cases (interm of height)
- The Box is not as firm as its siblings.
- Lost performance when IDLE

Common Note:
- More benefitial to AMD processor, Area contact. (Predicted)
- Less benefitial to Intel Processor, Area contact. (Predicted)

This post has been edited by vincentlaw: Apr 19 2008, 07:34 PM

OK..finally the benching for intel 45nm side is done


just to add a lil bit more to vincent's review, here's some brief comparison pictars between s1283 red scorpion n s1284 achilles

btw...i got the modded screw kit from ckhoong too

THE MODDED SCREW KIT


THE COOLER: achilles on teh left and red scorpion on teh right (achilles is a bit fat )


THE SCREW KIT MOUNTING: again achilles on teh left and red scorpion on teh right


CASING CLEARANCE




OTHERS
during the installation, i discover a minor bad news for DFI DK P35 user and those with big NB cooler... as all of us know the NB cooler is quite high and its quite impossible to install even vanilla s1283 on the mobo in vertical condition but no problem at all when we installed it horizontally... but with this s1284 rather fat n tough built and i would say its quite hard to bend the fins for vertical installation although i didnt try it (cos this cooler is not mine to try)

so the only way for me to install this cooler is via horizontal position only...but due to the fat build of this cooler, it occupies more space around it n the fan actually have to be installed a one or two fins higher to avoid the NB cooler




btw, just to highlight.. this s1284 doesnt comes with a spoiler like s1283..but thats not really important i would say



TEST BED

Motherboard: DFI DK P35-T2RS
Ram: 2x1GB Crucial Ballistix PC2-6400
Processor: Intel Penryn 45nm E8400
Graphic Card: G92 8800GTS 512MB
Psu: Silverstone Strider ST56F 560W
Casing: CM690

Cpu Cooler: Red Scorpion and Achilles only (both with SS kit)
Thermal Compund: Artic Cooling MX-2
Ambient temperature: around 25c in an air-cond room

This post has been edited by tkh_1001: Apr 22 2008, 01:15 AM

WOKEY... finally the performance chart is ready thanks to the kind help from YAB ham_revilo

IDLE



LOAD



the results i get whether on LOAD or IDLE from this Achilles seems to be almost the same like the one i get with Red Scorpion...i actually didnt really believe it myself but when i checked the s1284 once again, the contact is good n the TIM spreading is all done correctly...so i guess maybe we need more people to test n clarify the results

anyways...hopefully this cooler can get a real big boost from the AMD camp compared to Intel like what vincent said

btw, just in case if u guys are wondering about my TIM spreading





last but not the least, i would like to say thanks ckhoong for letting me to have the chance to test this sexy cooler!

feel free to tell me if u guys have anything to comment

This post has been edited by tkh_1001: Apr 22 2008, 02:07 AM

vincent and tkh, pls post some pics on the 1284 la.... i wanna see how is the pipe and design like...

thanks anyway...

can this cooler mount 120mm X2???

Can it Fit into Asus Striker ll Formula? Anyone tested before?

got pic already ma.... but slowly add la...

sorry ya if i occupied the space that u wanted to use macam tak cukup place for ur review ajer?

then how?? belanja me minum lor....

hahahha vincent bab blj minum laju jerk dier erk........hahahaha

damn,this cooler is nice
but too bad need to hold my temptation for awhile b4 actually have enough bullet for it

edited:
any test with quad?

This post has been edited by coolice: Apr 17 2008, 11:49 PM

sh!t...already in the market?

yup ckhoon just receive some samples and gave to vincent for reviews.......

bro, this thing baru reach la.... so currently only vincent and ckhoong has it and i guess both of them doesnt has striker now... so too bad... y not u get one and test it on ur own??

This post has been edited by ham_revilo: Apr 18 2008, 12:18 AM

i just got mine today
will conduct testing ASAP!

wawawa..~~new cooler again..
post the result ASAP guys

will do in ½hr time.... touching up the last part

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Added on April 18, 2008, 1:23 amokay it should consider done... if u all found any mistake in grammar/ spelling which would like to correct me... kindly pm me the mistake and correction for it... DO NOT post it there... thx

This post has been edited by vincentlaw: Apr 18 2008, 02:24 AM

vincent u are really such a great reviewer...

anyways thanks for all the effort put into this review and indeed its a great HSF but dont quite understand how it could lose to RS on idle...

imo its worth the money as it has improve temp on load and this is only the 1st review and other ppl might have different result and i think using ss kit would have better result... too bad xigmatek wanna make ppl spend more money to buy new ss kit .... no offense vincent.. its just my opinion...

This post has been edited by ham_revilo: Apr 18 2008, 02:20 AM

lol no worries.... currently even ckhoong himself dont have compatible achilles sskit.... thats why forced to use PushPin... the only reason i can think of that it loses on idle bcoz the heat generated from the 2x core in the middle of the processor didnt spread the heat to the side of the IHS, therefore only 2x heatpipe dissipating the heat on idle...... whereas when load... the whole processor IHS will heat up and thats when the side 2 heatpipe which is contacted only half of it start to functioning and dissipate heat.... there is a waste of ½heatpipe from each side... so to my prediction, its much more benefitial to AMD processor where their processor have larger area of contact and will fully utilizing 4 heatpipe (direct contact)....

just my personal opinion thou.... no solid prove...

This post has been edited by vincentlaw: Apr 18 2008, 02:32 AM

the corner heat pipe only contacted half of its ori size.
S1283 has fully contacted while 1284 wasted "1" heat pipe actually.
but since it's HDT,i dont think it's a problem with it.

the s1283 ss kit is not compatible with 1284 kah?

ace taking 1 to try ??

nope according to vincent cuz the skru size are different thus cant be used interchangeably

from what i see..
both sskit are different..not only the screw

This post has been edited by fesick: Apr 18 2008, 09:37 AM

new form look like cannot fit wif current mobo..

yape not compatible... the screw hole for Achilles is much smaller, thus the big screw from s1283 cannot be use.... unless u can find screw which have small diameter while having big head... but the SSkit will be loose also if u do so unless u tighten it very tight.... refer to the picture in "trouble with sskit section"

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Added on April 18, 2008, 1:30 pmwhy not? its only slightly bigger only for the fins... what mobo u using?

This post has been edited by vincentlaw: Apr 18 2008, 01:30 PM

Too bad. It is not 100% make by cooper.

yeah.use abit fatal1ty F-190HD.dis one a bit lebar i think.current xigma just fit wif d mobo.but i need to twist/rotate d position.i think dat why d temp a bit higher than others..

its copper...

aluminum dissipate heat faster than copper..copper absorb heat more than aluminum..

so, you can see the manipulation of their physical spec, the heat pipe/base and the fins..got it?

Wahhh....the new brother is here alredy arrr... but its slightly higher than the red scorpion isn't it...50mm on red and
60mm on achilles wonder if can fit in my Cm590...

the height = side-side, not the bottom-top ....... tall = depth..... so its slightly more GEMUK... not TINGGI... LOL u can know by its measurement also....50/60mm so short only? if its for depth

This post has been edited by vincentlaw: Apr 18 2008, 05:12 PM

Nice review vincent!

A few thoughts......

Can't you use a metal washer with the previous S&S kit?

One of the reason previous model of Xigmatek was popular was because of it's price..... with the new Achilles at RM229 (+RM25 for the S&S kit), I wonder whether it is better to go for TRUE..... (with a little bit more top-up, although no fan....)

Edit : Oh ya, also need to make sure the ambient temperature is the same.....

I guess a review comparing these two coolers would answer that question....

This post has been edited by kmarc: Apr 18 2008, 07:07 PM

onlt IFX14 can offer the 4x8mm heat pipe ..........TRUE does not have that wor.......

Errr... TRUE has 6 U-shaped heatpipes ma..... and it comes with the S&S kit in the package...

Based on reviews up to now, the king of coolers is the IFX-14 followed by the TRUE.....

thank you so much vincent for the great job...

i would like add some ideas for the S&S kit...

yes, the S1283 S&S kit cannot installed into Achilles, however there is a hidden way to make it works...



1st step, remove the spring&screw clip



remove them all, we need 4 sets of spring, screw, and clip



now goes to the Achilles push pin... take them off (most probably the push pin will damage and the warranty voided)



install the spring and screw onto Achilles s775 bracket and lock the clip



S&S for Achilles is ready sir!



moded S&S kit for Achilles and original s1283's s&s kit



while you might think "Hey! it looks like TR LGA 775 BOLT-THRU-KIT" LOL



now even intel stock cooler can have S&S kit too

This post has been edited by ckhoong: Apr 19 2008, 12:32 AM

good idea to mod the ss kit....

anyways the 6th picture is both 1283's ss kit and 1284's ss kit or is the 1284 kit is modified??

sorry for that question... im a lil

This post has been edited by ham_revilo: Apr 19 2008, 12:15 AM

left is modified ss kit for1284
right is original ss kit for 1283

haha icic.. nice work there, but i think i wont take the hassle to do it anymore.. LOL... Lazy la.. and start from next week is my important week... so cant do it... perhaps tkh can do it...

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Added on April 19, 2008, 12:55 amhmm ambient shud be around the same as testing done around 9-10pm without rain for both cooler.... same room, same computer, same spec, same fan arrangement, ~same time.

This post has been edited by vincentlaw: Apr 19 2008, 12:57 AM

i guess better not mod the thingy...nanti void warranty for him pulak

so this mean there isnt any ss kit for 1284 yet.....

will there be any or we just have to mod it??

it is an easy mod... i dont think u can void any warranty if u do it.. unless u go break it.. and i dont see the possibility to break a steel

I don't think it is even considered a mod..... Just replacing the push-pins with the screws only ma....

but according to ckhoong mostly the push pin will be damaged

later i go get the item n see how la

u need force to destroy(maybe) the push pin then install the SS kit lo... but hor... bro ckhoong, the way work liao arh?? require any extra work to the steel piece????

according to ckhoong.. u need to do a minor expansion on the PushPin hole on steel... bcoz it has a smaller hole were it wont let the spring screw to go thru... so a minor moding to expand the hole is needed.... there is still some new thgs that ckhoong haven't inform all yet... he will do it when the time comes.. .... Using SSKit is very recommended as the PPKit a.k.a PushPin Kit will seriously bend ur mobo this time..... i've got a shock from the bending during the installation process.... its very bad for longterm or frequent use of pushpin and might end up killing ur mobo if u are unlucky..

This post has been edited by vincentlaw: Apr 19 2008, 05:31 PM

Its time to get ur hand dirty this time on modifying the achilles to fit the current SS kit XD

are they going to be new model coming out again....i almost buy the 2nd model of this xigmatek....but know the third model Xigmatek HDT-S1284 Achilles coming out d....

vincentlaw,

whats the vcore used for the test?

the achilles isnt in retail yet... only have a few review sample... if the feedback to ckhoong is good then he will start selling it...

just got the cooler from ckhoong... very sexy i just say

will try to post results asap

updated the vcore used graph in the "6. performance" section.. made the graph but 4got to put up.. thx for reminder....

yeah... finally tkh updated some pics too.... i wonder when will the performance chart be update?

wow... nice cooler... but how's the price ???
looks pricy

actually its RM229 bro... look at ckhoong thread at garage sales...

229.... kinda over my budget....
rather get a water cooling for my self
wahahhaaa

---

Added on April 22, 2008, 1:56 amaquagate viva selling at RM210 only...
compatible with GPU and CPU....

ready assembled...
quite good, atlease better than air cooling la...

This post has been edited by general_odin: Apr 22 2008, 01:56 AM

ok guys...teh results for 45nm are all updated on teh 1st page already... feel free to tell me if theres anythg wrong ya

need to go sleep very badly now

i've some question, hope u dont mind.
1. did u wipe ur redscorpion b4 test is carried out for both heatsink? alot of dust i can see from the picture...
2. why on idle, archilles temp at 4ghz is 40'c vs 4.1ghz is 38'c only? same goes on LOAD for 3.2ghz vs 3.4ghz.
3. from the screw mounting kid comparison picture... do u think that RS will have more pressure on processor compared to achilles? due to the difference in mounting from above and below.

and lastly no related question
4. ur processor bracket on mobo seems to be kemek already at the top part.. izzit?

What method did you use to apply the tim? Coz I'm about to receive mine

wow that cheap?? i never notice about wc.... anyways how is the performance like? actually its a good idea too, to compare wc with air cooling (xigamtek)....

see with around the same price which cooler is the best...



no prob bro... glad i can help to contribute for this thread....


anyways maybe we need more user to test this s1284 for accuracy...

This post has been edited by ham_revilo: Apr 22 2008, 02:50 AM

1.yes
2.the readings are fluctuating...i m just giving the temp reading that stays stagnant the longest....
3.i guess the pressure applied will be the same... if u see nicely actually Achilles SS kit can have more pressure, IMO as long as its tight already then the pressure will be sufficient...


4.nola... top part where?

mine i just apply a very thin layer of TIM into the gaps between the HDT 1st... then i will apply a rice grain method of TIM on the proc IHS

agreed...we really need more ppl to test this cooler...once again really thanks alot for the help man!

bro tkh,

you cant install it vertically on that board for both HSF? planning to get that jengking merah..

well..actually can install wan... but u will have to bend a few fins lor... see u sampai hati onot lo

u can refer to this

http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=15303657

lol...sampai hati kut
just 3 fins..bend it nicely laa

ic...ic...will look what is the outcome....

now we really need a amd user to test it... or not we really dont know how it will perform as only amd proc can fully utilize 4 pipes... hope alive88 can provide us the result asap...

ps:i wonder what will happen to ckhoong sales if the s1284 doesnt do well...

frankly speaking it doesn't matter..

i'm very satisfied the 3c diff according to vincent.
we know the s1283 is a very good cooler...
so every single 1c drop cooled by the s1284 is the best effort by xigmatek engineers..
summary s1284 has greater cooling power for further oc..
we just need more reviews for it

now we need to wait for alive88 to review it on behalf of AMD user... hope the extra pipe will benefit AMD proc...

item received in good condition..ill conduct the test as soon as possible..will try to compare this cooler wif my tuniq and also fren's ttbtvx..

faster man hopefully amd camp can give real sweet results

hopefully bro..but this look real promising

will any of the 2 xigmateks do good for my FX-60?
cuz for others, to reach 3.0ghz and beyond must have superb cooling
my stupid Golden Orb II already reach 62c on idle at 2.8ghz

Archilles heat sink looks like Thermal Right Ultima 90i

refer to this picture , the processor only touch 0.5+1+1+0.5 (left to right ) surface of hsf , total up 3 only . why the temperature decrease 1-3c ? is it because of bigger dimension , especially extra more 10mm width . refer to the diagram , the fan is not powerful enought , max rpm only 1500 plus extra silent than valina s1283 ..
overall i can say is a good hsf ....

there is another factor.. do you guys see the heat-pipes alignment a bit cacat at first n third upper a bit while second n forth lower a bit, the engineers do that to make the heat-pipes transfer the heat to the fins faster..

so that is the reason....noob question here...are zigmatek will make water cooling?....

This post has been edited by myee: Apr 27 2008, 12:13 PM

guys..the latest review of achilles vs thermalright family is HERE by darksythe

yes xigmatek does have wc....

u can check out here

This post has been edited by ham_revilo: Apr 27 2008, 06:42 PM

xigmatek heatsinks seems nice..wan to try one..but i added a 40mm fan on top of my northbridge..guess it wont work on my pc...sob sob

u can try facing ur xigamtek up like tkh setup... but that depends on ur casing whether there is any fan on the top of ur casing....

i just wanna know..if we install d cooler not in 90degree where d heatsink n fan face up..could d proc temp will be affected?how much increase?

This post has been edited by magna_voxx: Apr 28 2008, 12:51 PM

i dont think it will affect much... but certainly u need a fan on the top of ur casing and ur power supply is on the bottom... or it will trap hot air in ur casing...