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Recap: When Intel launched Alder Lake final yr, some customers rapidly seen a fault: the brand new socket’s built-in loading mechanism (ILM) pushes down on the CPU from solely two small tabs, inflicting it to bend in a approach that separates the CPU from the cooler and will increase its temperature.
In January, Buildzoid from Actually Hardcore Overclocking developed an easy resolution: including skinny washers to the screws between the motherboard and ILM that scale back the stress exerted by the ILM to a stage that does not bend the built-in warmth spreader (IHS).
Igor’s Lab examined it then and located that it supplied a couple of 5° C temperature lower with the 12900K. It turned the de facto resolution for overclockers that did not need to delid their CPUs (a preferred choice with the 12900K), however as a result of it additionally reduces socket stress, it may possibly trigger minor issues.
Thermal Grizzly is now producing a extra polished resolution in collaboration with legendary overclocker Der8auer. It’s a Contact Frame that replaces the inventory ILM and gives even stress to all 4 sides of the CPU. It’s additionally capable of deflect the strain within the IHS to the sides, enhancing the contact within the middle between the die, IHS, and cooler.
Stock ILM
Der8auer made a video concerning the body earlier than it was launched, which explains the way it works in additional element. In his testing, with a lapped EKWB Magnitude water block, it supplied a 7° C temperature enchancment at greatest and 3-5° C of enchancment typically, relying on the CPU he used.
It seems that the helpfulness of the Contact Frame varies with the CPU and cooler relying on how flat they’re to start with. Some CPU coolers made for Alder Lake come from the manufacturing facility with a slight curve to steadiness out the bend within the IHS, and Igor’s Lab’s latest overview discovered that they do not profit from the Contact Frame.
In their testing with three completely different fashions of CPU coolers, Igor’s Lab found that the body supplied an enchancment of 10° C with one, 6° with one other, and had no impact with the third. However, the perfect two temperatures they acquired, roughly 60° C, have been with the body.
Thermal Grizzly Contact Frame Via Der8auer
Igor’s Lab additionally examined one other resolution, the Alphacool Apex Backplate. It helps the socket from beneath and makes it extra inflexible however is not fairly as efficient because the Contact Frame: in testing, it solely supplied a 5° C enchancment. It’s additionally solely appropriate with Alphacool {hardware}.
However, the body is not essentially the higher product. Both Der8auer and Igor’s Lab warn that it may possibly apply an excessive amount of stress to the CPU within the socket, inflicting it to make a foul connection to the motherboard that may typically lead to reminiscence instability. The resolution to that is to reseat the reminiscence and dial again the stress by loosening the screws, however it’s tedious.
The Contact Frame additionally runs about €40 ($43), which is lots for a small aluminum bracket. The Alphacool Apex prices about $15. If you’re discovering that your 12700K or 12900K is cooking, although, choosing one or the opposite up — and even attempting the $5 washer trick — may be price it.
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