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Xigmatek Gaia SD1283 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler bracket included dual fan push pull compatible

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#1 ·
Xigmatek Gaia SD1283 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler bracket included dual fan push pull compatible

Description:
Type: Fan & Heatsinks RPM: 800 - 1500 RPM Air Flow: 56.3CFM (Max.) Noise Level: 16 - 24 dBA Power Connector: 4 Pin with PWM Color: Black Heatsink Material: Base Material: H.D.T. (Heat-pipes Direct Touch) Fin Material: Aluminum Alloy Compatibility: Socket K8 / AM2 / AM2+ / AM3, Intel LGA 775 / LGA 1155 / LGA 1156 / LGA 1366
 

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#2 ·
Fantastic Solution Low Cost

review by kusanagi

I have an i5-2300 - a locked variant that is only capable of being overclocked by 800hmz per core (if all four cores are activated) - And with a BCLK of 103mhz I was finding that the stock cooling was simply not sufficient.

While video encoding - the CPU would run as hot as 95 C and idle in the mid to high 30s

This kit has brought my CPU load temps down to less than 45 C on load and idling in the very low 20s

It's all there - for less than ?25 / 40$ and a bit of patience for pulling your rig apart

ProsCons
Easy Assembly - Excellent Airflow Articulation - Dual Fan Capable / Incredible Performance Increase over Stockrequires MB removal from Case / Tray to Insert Grounding Pins

Ratings
Overall5
 
#4 ·
Excellent Hyper 212 Alternative

review by misternoisy

The Gaia is one of a number of CPU coolers from Xigmatek that use the same heatsink design (their Dark Knight II SD1283 and Balder SD1283 being the others), with the only real differences being in finish and fan selection. The Gaia model is positioned right against Cooler Master's benchmark Hyper 212+, matching it almost feature-for-feature and spec-for-spec and generally coming in within $5 of Cooler Master's offering.

The cooler itself is very similar to the current Cooler Master Hyper 212, using the same 'direct heatpipe contact design' (I suspect that this design is largely responsible for the low cost of these models), with the pipes pressed into an aluminum base and running through closely stacked aluminum fins. The Xigmatek largely differs in the use of three 8mm pipes in place of the Hyper 212's 4x6mm configuration, rubber cross pins in place of the H212's plastic frame for fan mounting and (to my eyes) a slightly nicer base, with a smoother finish and smaller gaps between the heatpipes and the rest of the heatsink.

Installation is dead-simple. A multi-socket compatible frame is captured under the CPU socket at each corner by thumbscrews and collars, with the threaded collars on top serving to lock down a pair of bars that ultimately anchor the heatsink to the baseplate. It's easy to install by oneself in less than ten minutes and provides a very solid mount that won't loosen over time. Fans are retained by rubber pins that slip between the heatsink's fins - an inexpensive naturally vibration-dampening solution that's unique to Xigmatek, but somewhat more fiddly than the Hyper 212's clip-on fan frames - they do give you enough of those pins for push-pull installation, though and replacements are readily available.

Performance is (perhaps unsurprisingly, given their similarities) almost identical to the Hyper 212 when using the same fans, but Xigmatek's bargain offering comes with a fairly low-power 800-1500 RPM unit seemingly more oriented towards quiet operation (which it excels at) than all-out cooling. Those seeking maximum performance will probably want to include one or two more powerful fans with their order, while 'quiet PC' types will likely be quite happy with Xigmatek's included fan.

In a vacuum, this would be an easy recommendation, but the existence of a number of very similar options at a similar price point - most notably the Hyper 212 referenced throughout this review - makes giving a definitive answer to 'which one should I buy?' a bit tougher. The Gaia's quiet included fan makes this a great option for those looking for performance and silence that blows away the cooler that came with their CPU, while overclockers will get great performance on a budget if they're willing to upgrade the fan to something a bit more stout.

ProsCons
Ease of installation; Broad compatibility; Performance; Quiet Operation; Price/ValueIncluded fan only adequate

Ratings
Overall4
 
#5 ·
Excellent Hyper 212 Alternative

review by misternoisy
I have been a long time Xigmatek user. Have 4 of the 1283 and 2 1284 with the larger heatsink base. I also have 2 CM 212 Hyper. I have put after-market fans on all of them as well as using the fans that came along with them...in a mix-n-match push/pull or single fan set up as the environment would allow. I have CM cases , a few, HAF 922, 690s and 690/692 II with the sata dock on top. .
I like the Xig soft pin set up and have re used those pins more times than i can remember. Far more durable than i ever expected and i have plenty of the spares i got, not needing them as often as i thought i would.
As you noted, they , and the CM 212Hyper are about equal, from set up to performance. only, I was able to mount my 38mm 2,500rpm with the pins easier. I get fantastic cooling with the Xigs and have 2 of the multi branded Asustek closed loop liquid coolers, with similar fan switching capacity, to be left in the dust by my very nicely priced Xig. I think the 1283s are more suitable for these smaller CPU chips than the 1284 but the model i have 3 of is the 4pipe 1284, which did wonders on my 965be never ever getting close to max heat under 24/7 max load testing. and, that is with the Xig thermal goop, it was 2°C less with AS 5 after cure time in same machine.
I use, currently, a 1283 with 2 fans, scythe slipstream on a 965be @ 3.67 and for 2yrs has been totally without incident, (i do keep it clean) It cost around $35. I use one S1284ee(the box only has s1284 on it, light green) but it is from before any of the 6core and up were around. I have the other one on a 1090T be which runs at 4.0 all the time and put the s1283 the 960Tbe, sleeper chip same size as the 1090T and tended to run hot at the amd od software OC, not with the 1283 though. cant offer enough praise for them. From among the many air coolers i have experimented with, the xigmatek and CM 212 hyper +/evo ,etc are stand outs. super easy installation, dependable and reliable use and adaptable for a whole long list of chips, even if they are not listed on the box as suited. the only thing to be careful about is the application of the thermal paste, as with any heat sink mounting, not to use too much .
 
#6 ·
Hyper who?

review by visionx

I know everyone wants to compare this with the hyper. That is fair. But to be honest, at a $20 price point this is its own beast. Granted the provided fan is geared more towards silence it still gets the job done. This cooler is pretty well the same size and shape as the hyper. It does have 1 less heat pipe. As stated in another review on here it however has a much better looking base. It is overall thicker and has a lot more aluminum to dissipate the heat built up at the base. The fins also seem less dense. I can not say weather that is a pro or a con but what I can say is less static pressure should make the air pass through the fins easier.

The fan is a 1500 max RPM Hydro bearing fan that is rated at 56.2 CFM and only 24 dbA max. It is NOT the most powerful fan on the market but I have to say is very quit for that much CFM. The cooler itself will also support push/pull with the provided rubber mounts to ensure silence.

The only and main con of this cooler would be the fact that the mounting system has been changed 3 times. Their is no indication of which mounting system the cooler will use so you are in for a lottery when opening the cooler to find out. The mounting system for my particular cooler was no where near hard to figure out but the directions I must say are very vague. At first I thought I was going to like the fact that simple thumb screws are used to attach the cooler but as the installation evolved It became clear that it was not meant to be installed in tight cases. If room is an issue around your cooler then I would suggest removing the motherboard to allow you to tighten the cooler down with minimal fuss.
DSCN0786_zpscf703331.jpg
DSCN0787_zps3b992a50.jpg
DSCN0788_zps9d9a105d.jpg

Some shots of it with the Hyper 212 non evo.
DSCN0816_zpsba8fe20c.jpg
DSCN0815_zpsb10ebbfa.jpg
DSCN0817_zps10340bd2.jpg
DSCN0818_zps27d121e5.jpg

As for overall performance, I am by far a pro at testing coolers but I did test the hyper with a burnt in application of MX2 and Prime95 small ftt's. After 30 minutes or so the Hypers results are as follows.
hypertest_zpsce243b03.png
53c after 30 minutes is not to shabby on a 1055t OC to 3.4

The same test where ran on the Gaia with a burnt in application of MX2 with its own fan. The results of that are as follows

Gaia_zps41617a2b.png

With a difference of 2 degrees I think It is fair to say that it will compete well with the hyper but at a few bucks cheaper. I will also say that with another more powerful fan it should match or beat the hyper all together.I did not measure ambient temps as I see that as useless when not every ones ambient temps will be the same. A cooler should be judged by how well it works in ANY temps to me. I do have to mention that my house was a lot warmer when testing the Gaia so it may have effected the overall temps.

So without further ado, I present the new top of the line Air cooler on a budget!!

ProsCons
Price, performance, appearance. Fan is so so. Mounting instructions could be better.

Ratings
Overall5
 
#8 ·
Hyper who?

review by visionx
I installed the Gaia on a build I did just a few weeks ago. I found it to be quite a good cooler. Honestly, for $20 it is a GREAT cooler competing with the Hyper quite well. I ditched the single fan and used a couple of led fans I had here already, I believe they were cooler master of nzxt's can't remember which. I liked that even though they include only one fan they include the hardware (err software lol rubber mounting thingamajigs) to mount an additional fan. I set it up in a push/pull config to blow directly out the rear exhaust fan. I agree, it is a VERY GOOD cooling solution for $20
 
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