To carry another post I made in a thread not pertaining to this, and to keep from hijacking: Anyone familiar with the Thermalright IFX-14? I ordered it one this evening for a new build I'm making.My question is: There's a split heat sink, which looks pretty neat. I've ordered one 120mm fan to pull air through it, but I'm curious if I can fit one 120mm between each sink, instead of on one side. I believe this could move air through the sink a little more efficiently (at least for a single fan set up).

Not only can you fit 2x 120mm fans on it, the 14 in the name of the heatsink actually stands for the width of the sink in cm, which means you could actually use 140mm fans. I believe there's enough room for 3x 120mm fans but airflow testing I've seen indicates this causes too much turbulence and actually impedes heat dissipation. 2x 140mm fans is the best bet. Here's some more info on the IFX-14 from an independent review site.

Thank you. I did happen across this review a few weeks ago, but couldn't tell you why I missed the fact that one fan could be mounted between the sinks. This review however, as far as I can tell, doesn't seem to mention testing with a single fan mounted as I mention (in the center without any other fans). I guess I'll do some testing when I finish the PC in the next 2 months, though. Can't see it making much of a difference.

Thank you. I did happen across this review a few weeks ago, but couldn't tell you why I missed the fact that one fan could be mounted between the sinks. This review however, as far as I can tell, doesn't seem to mention testing with a single fan mounted as I mention (in the center without any other fans). I guess I'll do some testing when I finish the PC in the next 2 months, though. Can't see it making much of a difference.

The way I look at single fan when I test that is it will be mounted on the inside of the unit blowing air through the side of the unit closest to the rear tower fanAerodynamics is not my bag so I am sure a bit of trial and error will be needed to see what the best method is to use but I also think that will be defined by the case in use as well.Also, lets not forget that Sergey did a partial lap job on that 920 he tested... something I do to ALL my processors after they have been verified for several weeks as good and not defectivehttp://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/d...p_16.html#sect0That process alone drops temps 3-5c instantly.. Never fails to do that. And he is 100% correct that a mirror finish is not required.For a controlled PWM fan Push-Pull system that allows the motherboard to control the fan speed through software it will require 2-120mm fans as I have not been able to locate any 140's with PWM (4pin) not to say they are not out there..I just ordered 2 of these to play with on an adapter line that will allow 1 fan be monitored for speed while both are controlled by speedfan off the motherboard 4pin connectorhttp://www.frozencpu.com/products/5879/fan..._R121225BU.html(Sorry I got the last two there)

Thanks Nick and Max(?) . I always lap as well--both the CPU and the heat sink.After everyone's discussion in the other thread, I was relieved of my purchase of the IFX14. I've only seen "reviews", but I've been hard pressed to find any actual gurus who saw that particular review and had input. I'm always leery of reviewers' actual results... I'm also leery of dropping >=$70 on a heat sink. I'll be ordering another 120mm next pay day (next Friday). Better enjoy this time outta school while I can! This has been an expensive summer for a college student.

I also can give you some info.As for i7 air cooling. The tops in the market of 09 are the TRUE 120 (can lap for better performance) Noctua SE1366http://www.xbitlabs.com/images/coolers/cor...-(Xbitlabs).pngIsn't it amazing? That this cooler can defeat the ultimate beast TRUE 120.Might as well equip the Thermalright IFX-14 with a Noctua 120mm fan @ 1300fpm.