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Improving the Scythe Infinity CPU Heatsink for extreme cooling

Modding/Small Mods by enz660 @ 2007-05-08

In this guide you can follow the steps required to unleash the full cooling power of the large tower CPU heatsink from Scythe. The Infinity is fitted with custom motherboard mounting, 2x120mm fans and cool black shroud. Read on to find out how much performance one can extract from this CPU cooler by doing some ghetto style modifications.

Dual Fan, Thermal Goop and Shrouding

Dual Fan Mounting

My main goal for the fin bending was to increase the friction of air with the fins as it passes through the heatsink, especially when using two fans in a push/pull configuration.

Madshrimps (c)

We’re not finished yet though…

Thermal Paste action

Making good use of the extra thermal paste I have lying around I fill the gabs between the heat pipes and the base/mini heatsink:

Madshrimps (c)

It took quite a while to get the thermal goop in all the small spaces using a toothpick.

Finishing the job: Shrouded

I used an old high school binder to cut up and build a custom shroud for both sides of the Infinity:

Madshrimps (c)

While the final modification does make the whole look neat the actual performance impact of the shroud was nihil.

Let’s find out how this modified Infinity stacks up compared to “stock” ->

Comment from Rutar @ 2007/05/08

What is the difference the thermal paste mess made?

Comment from jmke @ 2007/05/08

on the Infinity, minimal at best with slightly better contact between base and heatpipes, on the Tuniq more substantial as the heat pipes are soldered only to the top of the base not the top plate;

Comment from Sidney @ 2007/05/08

I assume using solder (silver solder) to fill the gaps will be easier and better heat transfer; good thinking on his part

Comment from Rutar @ 2007/05/08

I think it would be possible to insert the base in a mold and fill it with liquid tin so you end up with the heatpipes being inside a complete tin block

Comment from jmke @ 2007/05/08

that's the next step, good suggestion, solder would be more conductive than thermal goop?

Comment from Rutar @ 2007/05/08

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmke

that's the next step, good suggestion, solder would be more conductive than thermal goop?

at least, less messy and it wouldn't trap dust

Comment from Sidney @ 2007/05/08

http://www.dansdata.com/goop.htm

I'd say silver solder
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/th...ity-d_429.html

Comment from Massman @ 2007/05/08

Awesome article

Comment from geoffrey @ 2007/05/08

Nice article (y)

Comment from wutske @ 2007/05/08

nice articles, but the thermal goop isnt' going to help the way you usu it. It only transfers heat when it's a very thin layer. The more goop you use, the less conductive it gets until you reach a point where you could say it start isolating rather than conducting ...

Comment from Tarantula @ 2007/05/10

I feel like it isn't exactly a fair comparison between the modded infinity and the unmodded one.

there should've been used 2 fans for the unmodded one as well

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