Pros: Ease of installation; Broad compatibility; Performance; Quiet Operation; Price/Value
Cons: Included fan only adequate
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.
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.
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 .