Closer Look:

One of the first things to notice comparing the specifications to the box pictures is that the specs list a copper base w/ aluminum fins and heat pipes that aren't the typical copper color. The metallic material used to manufacture the base and pipes is in fact, silver colored copper. Typical copper color is of course, "copper". The choice to go with a matching color is actually a good choice as it keeps the whole silver and chrome concept in line.

Front

Back

Demo Pics

More Pics

Looking over Arctic Square, it has a very nicely polished chrome cap shroud. The two side shroud sleeves that run down the sides of the cooler like the earlier Square Series cooler has been omitted and shortened up. It also is made from the same polished chrome aluminum as well. Doing this is good idea in that it opens up the cooler to better air flow and movement. When you start implementing shrouds or sleeves, you take a chance in reducing the air flow which can hurt the cooling performance of the heat pipes and fan. Each side of the cooler has a nice little blue and white "Arctic" badge that kind of decorates the cooler in keeping with the theme.

Front Side

Back Side

About a half inch inward from both sides, you can see the 4 heat pipes running from one side to the other following the length of the cooler, through the copper base, and up the other side. The fins are plenty sturdy which don't seem to be attached to the heat pipes. It takes a lot of effort to flex even just a little which can be a good and bad thing. Being this sturdy means the heat sink handle years of use and abuse, but at the same time add to the overall weight of the cooler which totals 666 grams. Yeah, yeah, I'm quite sure it's just a coincidence and it won't cause your computer to turn evil or anything.

Bottom w/Pipes

Base, Pipes, and 4pin Fan Wire

The cooler comes with all the necessary mounting hardware for both Intel and AMD users. Judging by the manual, there is a new mounting method for Intel LGA 775 socket users. AMD users will like the fact that you only have to use the retention latch to lock the cooler in to place. If you are an AMD user, you have the luxury of just adding the latch that locks the cooler in to place utilizing the default CPU socket bracket. Intel LGA 775 socket users have it a bit less simpler in that it takes a few more parts. With that said, let's get on to the installation and testing.

Installation:

AMD users have a simple installation process. Remove your current cooler and install the Arctic Square pretty much in the same manner with the provided AMD latch-clip. Don't forget to use some good thermal compound. One should never pass up some good thermal compound when you see it on sale. While the cooler is a hefty 666 grams, the clip does quite well in stabilizing the cooler and preventing any shifting or tilting.

The Objective

Intel users have always seem to have the lesser luck of the draw. We have to pull our motherboard if we are using an aftermarket cooler in order to install the Arctic Square. Even if you are using a cooler that utilizes the same locking tabs like those found on the stock Intel cooler, you will still have to remove the motherboard. The Arctic Square's back plate has to be placed underneath the motherboard and a retention bracket of sorts has to be placed over the LGA 775 CPU socket on the motherboard. Four standoffs and screws hold the retention bracket in place. This process basically converts the LGA 775 motherboard CPU socket area in to that of the AMD motherboard socket. The same locking latch for the AMD system then locks the Arctic Square on the processor.

Mounting Kit

Retention Bracket

At first, I was somewhat curious how sturdy the process would be. But, the standoffs keep the retention bracket fastened in place and prevents the bracket from bending under the pressure of the four screws as they are tightened. The end results are a mounting method that is actually and most likely much stronger than the default CPU brackets on the motherboard. The retention bracket in the kit is made of very sturdy metal, most likely steel of some sort. Any reservations are now put to rest.

Latch Locked In Place

Looks So Nice

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