Reeven Okeanos and Brontes CPU Coolers Review

Brontes Features and Cooler Design

Features

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• Slim size with 59mm in height is perfect for ITX system
• Wide-spread AL fin jointed with 4 heatpipes increases capacity of heat dissipation
• Quick-installed mounting kit fits various types of CPU socket

Cooler Design

The Reeven Brontes CPU cooler is the newest member of Reeven's low profile cooler line, for use in any smaller build you may desire. The cooler is C-shaped to optimize its size and cooling potential, featuring a large horizontally oriented radiator with a thin 100mm fan blowing down through it. The unit features a thin-finned aluminum radiator with nickel-plated copper heat pipes and copper base plate. The unit's four integrated heat pipes are constructed out of copper to optimize heat absorption from the CPU base plate and heat transfer to the aluminum radiator. The aluminum radiator was designed to facilitate optimal transfer of the heat from the heat-pipes to the air medium. The thin nickel plating encasing the base plate and heat-pipes give them corrosion and scratch resistance, while not inhibiting heat transfer between the cooler's components and the system CPU.

Courtesy of Reeven

The Brontes' horizontal radiator was designed with a fin density of 13 fpi (fins per inch) with it being about the thickness of a standard fan. Reeven's horizontal radiator layout allowed them to add a larger radiator to the unit without impacting its height, adding a good amount of surface area across which to disperse the heat from the processor. The thickness of the radiator allows for use of a smaller fan without adversely affecting the unit's cooling potential. The fan sits on top of the radiator, oriented to blow air down through the radiator with the added bonus of additional airflow across the motherboard VRM heat sinks. The radiator fins are not soldered to the aluminum fins, but are snuggly press fit for an effective transfer surface between the coolers components.

From the front view of the cooler, you can more easily see the layout and design of the unit, as well as the top plate covering the radiator. The radiator's top plate is stampled with the Reeven corporate logo, held in place with four rivets at each corner and going through several layers of the radiator's fins. The unit's heat pipes terminate just under the top plate, maintaining the clean appearance of the cooler. The unit's fan sitting atop the radiator is a bit more than half of the thickness of the radiator. When removed, you can better see the slight indented shape of the radiator top, designed to alleviate the dead spot common with tradition fans and acting to add turbulence to the air flow through the radiator for better heat dissipation. Connecting the bottom of the radiator and the front of the base plate are two support wires, ensuring the the radiator cannot be pressed down into th base plate.

The side value better illustrates the C-shape of the heat pipes which go through the length of the radiator as well as the base plate. The support struts are also visible, illustrating their support purpose. Along the upper side of the radiator can be seen the mount channels for fixing the fans mounts in place. The wire fan holders have straight sections that lock into the radiator side channels to firmly secure fans to the top side of the radiator.

The rear-view of the Brontes cooler illustrates the layout and integration of the heat pipes into both the radiator and the base plate. The heat pipes sit in a row along the center of the base plate, designed for optimal heat absorption from the CPU. In the radiator, the heat pipes are equally spaced along the width of the radiator so that heat is dispersed equally across the radiator surface. The two holes in the bottom center of the radiator are the termination points for the support wires, giving the radiator structure further support adn strength.

The unit's base plate is a seamless copper plate with nickel-plating to prevent corrosion and surface scratches. The heat pipes run through the center portion of the base plate to ensure optimal heat transfer. The base plate is machined flat and polished to a mirror-like sheen, ensuring a near-perfect mating surface with the CPU.

Cooler Motherboard Mounting

Mounting the Brontes to the the MSI Z87 MPower board in its default configuration gives a good indication of the size and fit of the cooler, especially with the MPower's wrap around, three sided VRM cooler surrounding the CPU socket. The cooler fits the board like a glove with no contact between the cooler and the VRM sinks. From the top-down view, its evident that there may be some issues between the cooler and the upper DIMM slot in this side-ways orientaion, but more about that later.

The the unit oriented so that the heat pipes point towards the rear panel, the Brontes cooler still fits easily within the confines of the CPU socket and VRM heat sink. However, the radiator extends over the upper two DIMM slots, inhibiting use of those slots with modules using larger heat sinks.

The fit dynamic of the Brontes cooler changes significantly with cooler oriented so that the heat pipes pointing towards the memory slots. The cooler still fits well within the allocated socket area with the added bonus of no conflict with the memory slots.

The biggest challenge in using the Brontes cooler in its default orientation (with the heat pipes pointing towards the PCIe slots) comes with use of the upper DIMM slot. The radiator comes in contact with the upper portion of a DIMM seated in the upper slot, making proper mounting of the DIMM module difficult at best. This issue may be lessened by using a memory module with a low profile sink though.