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SilverStone launches the 23mm tall Argon AR04 cooler

by Mark Tyson on 14 November 2013, 11:10

Tags: SilverstoneTek, Intel (NASDAQ:INTC), PC

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qab46v

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SilverStone Technology has launched a new member of its Argon high-value cooling range. The Argon AR04 follows a different tack to other products in the Argon series as it is a super-slim low profile design which targets space limited applications utilising the Intel LGA 115X chipsets with chips of up to 65W TDP.

Argon AR04 specifications

  • Material: Copper heat pipes with aluminum fins
  • Application: Intel Socket LGA115X
  • Heat Pipe Type: Ø6mm heat-pipe x 2
  • Cooling System: 80mm x 80mm x 10mm fan
  • Noise: 18~26 dBA
  • Bearing: Sleeve Bearing
  • Net Weight: 133g
  • Voltage Rating (V): 12V
  • Start Voltage (V): 7V
  • Air Flow (CFM): 48CFM
  • Speed (R.P.M.): 1500~3400RPM
  • Life Expectance (hrs): 40,000 hours
  • Dimension: 104mm (W) x 95mm (D) x 23mm (H)

Looking at SilverStone’s low profile design you can see that the company has utilised two 6mm direct touch copper heatpipes to aid heat conduction efficiency. This is paired with an aluminium block with cooling fins which has a recessed fan to keep the cooler height to a minimum.

The unit uses a custom 80mm fan which can spin between 1500~3400RPM, generating between 18~26 dBA of noise pollution. The fan blades are designed for the highest air pressure yet keep the noise down. The whole unit, at just 23mm tall is said to be “likely the best choice and the only choice for slim sized cases utilizing LGA 115X processors,” in SilverStone’s promotional blurb.

The AR04 is currently listed on Amazon.com at $26.99 but is out of stock at the time of writing.



HEXUS Forums :: 12 Comments

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The whole unit, at just 23mm tall is said to be “likely the best choice and the only choice for slim sized cases utilizing LGA 115X processors,”

*ahem*

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/northq-3392-cpu-vga-combo-low-noise-copper-coolerplusam2-775-and-nvidia-ati-graphic-cards

OK, 27mm tall rather than 23mm, but I'd like to see a case with only 23mm of cooler clearance (isn't a standard IO section taller than that?), and at only £6 it's a bit of a bargain, and it fits pretty much all current and previous sockets, not just 115x… ;)
Looks neat but what about AMD APU sockets? They make the most sense for small form factor HTPCs. Well, in my opinion anyway…
MustardCutter
Looks neat but what about AMD APU sockets? They make the most sense for small form factor HTPCs. Well, in my opinion anyway…

Similar price, a few mm taller but not as wide:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/zalman-cnps2x-heatsink-and-fan-socket-1150-1155-1156-775-fm1-fm2-am3plus-am3-am2plus-am2

Reviews say the 120W rating on the Zalman is rather optimistic, but as long as it is quieter than the stock Trinity or FX fans I have tried so far in my ITX build I will be happy. Should get to fit it tonight.
The NorthQ one I linked is very quiet even on its fastest speed (it comes with a bundled fan controller :D). Haven't done any serious load testing yet, mind, but based on the compatibility it should do up to 120W, and I'm hoping it'll handle 65W on its lowest speed, which is probably what you'd want for an mITX HTPC. Only issue I had during fitting is that the retention bracket is a bit loose when you screw it into the standard AMD backplate on FM1 (note: AM2/3/3+/FM1/2/2+ all use the same mounting holes), but once you get the cooler on its perfectly stable (and I suspect it'd be easy enough to pad the backplate to make it fit better, but my case is desktop orientation so doesn't really need it…).

Another good thing about the NorthQ is that it's assymetric and rotatable, so you can orient it whichever way you have most room on the mobo. In fact, it's a really nice cooler for £6. I should be getting commision from Scan for this ;)
I looked at the NorthQ, but the 60mm fan put me off. Stock fan at 72mm is too small.

I think the take home message here is we both think the Silverstone isn't impressive :)

Kind of fell into ending up with an ITX server, but trying to make the most of it now. It needs to move under the TV in the living room though, so I want it really quiet. I can see me changing the case if the Zalman doesn't work.