Installation:

Referring to the directions, I located the page and diagram showing the installation processes for both AMD and Intel based processors. AMD users will in most cases leave their motherboard installed as the Ultra-X uses the stock socket mounts. Intel users will have to remove their motherboard to properly attach the cooler using the 4 point mounting plate. Everyone may find it necessary to remove your memory modules so you can get your fingers underneath to tighten thumbscrews later. Probably the most important detail is to double check that the Ultra-X is evenly level and making good connection with the CPU. And if you really want the cooler to perform, don't forget the Artic Silver 5!

If you are an AMD user, the Ultra-X already comes with the Intel plate already mounted which requires removal of four screws in to the base, otherwise the plate will conflict with the mounting brackets on the AMD motherboard. Inside the kit bag, you'll find a single chrome thumb clip that slides over the motherboard bracket on both sides and is then turned to the opposite which locks the Ultra-X down firmly. The mounting kit also includes an optional CPU bracket in the event you need one for your AMD motherboard.

Let's Begin

Simple Components

PCI Fan Control

Control Mounted

Intel users have a four bolt mounting plate that goes underneath the motherboard which means you will have to remove it. Sure, we may always get the bum deal, but there are other alternatives like [VH]Sludge's modification to your case's motherboard tray to save yourself time in the future. Once the original heat sink and motherboard are removed, the Intel mounting plate is placed underneath and orientated so that the four bolts slide through the motherboard.

Next, the Ultra-X is placed over the top of the processor sliding on to the four screws thanks to the already connected Intel base plate. At this point, four spring thumb screws are tightened on, alternating opposite corners at a time to ensure an evenly elevated CPU cooler over the processor.

Bracket In Place

Slides Down

Tighten Thumbscrews

Install Memory

You can easily see underneath and around the cooler which means a lot of easy air flow that will make contact with various components. It benefits both the memory and the copper PWM and chipset heat sinks. Who needs any optional cooling fans when you can have just one large fan doing the job of several all at once?

Memory & PWM

PWM & Chipset

Close Up Underneath

Testing:

Once the system booted up, I immediately checked the BIOS as a safety precaution to check the preliminary CPU temperatures. It only takes a few seconds to get to the BIOS, so I find it the quickest route to make sure the CPU is being properly cooled by the Ultra-X. The BIOS was reporting a healthy 26 Celsius preliminary temperature which suggested it was making good contact.

Ample Copper Heat Sinks + Big Fan = Great Cooling

Test System:

• Intel E6600 Core 2 Duo (2.4GHz)

• ABIT IN9-32X MAX Motherboard

• 2x1GB OCZ PC2-6400 Flex XLC

• Geforce 7900 GT PCIE 256MB

• Bluegears 7.1 Oxygen Enspirer

• Enermax 720W Infiniti SLI Power Supply

To allow the Ultra-X and Artic Silver Thermal Paste to properly set, the system was tested after a couple days. This method helps break in the system allowing for closer to typical results. The benchmarks include Battlefield 2142, Fear, and Prime 95 to fully heat up the processor so as to see how the cooler performs. Room temperatures were idle at about 22C and all system fans were turned off.

The Ultra-X speed control was set to the lowest setting. Idle temps ranged 29 to 30C after the system sat for 2 hours. After running the system through BF2142 and Fear demos, the system reached 34C which is a pretty small change from idle temps. This test shows the average performance a user can expect when the system is used for desktop programs, video and audio. Gamers can also expect pretty much the same results. Despite the fan being on low, the cooler still moves a bit of cool air over the surrounding components. The motherboard's MOSFET and Power Management sensors also showed a lower temperature reading over the Coolermaster Eclipse which had originally been on the system.

Keeping the fan on low speed, the system was then put through both CPU Burn and Prime 95 to push both cores to full load processing. Temperatures will always change when both processor cores are given a program that lets them stretch their legs. These two programs brought the Ultra-X to 35 to 36C after a couple hours of testing. This isn't a huge change at all and are quite good results.

Now that the low fan speeds has been tested, let's have a look at performance with high fan speeds. With the highest speed setting comes higher noise levels. At about 2 feet from the CPU cooler, the DB-Meter displayed a 38db reading. Inside the case, the noise was about 28db which isn't too bad at all when you consider how much air is being moved by the fan. Another thing that is literally very cool is the fact that all that air blowing through the heat sink hits every component around it.

Overclocking means more voltage and a lot more heat. AMD cores have reached their final core cap with the AMD 64 6000+ while the Intel Core 2 Duo and Quads are just now stretching their legs. Keep in mind that your results may vary depending on your processor and motherboard. Since there is a Core 2 Duo in the test system, the E6600 was overclocked to 3.3GHz. This is an above average overclock that many Intel 975X and NVidia 680i chipsets are able to reach.

What I personally like about the Ultra-X is the amount of area that is also cooled by its 120mm fan. It overhangs so many other components that even the system benefits the moving air. Overclockers should find this an excellent benefit over the optional chipset fans that tend to screech more than blow air. Here are a few screenshots of what ABIT's OC Guru reported for temps. The motherboard's MOSFETS and PWM temps dropped more than just a few degrees. For an overclockers, this equates in to a much greater chance of higher than average frequencies.

Fan @ High

Fan @ Medium

Fan @ Low

I also like that the base plate's black heat sink is actually working to cool the processor and not some useless feature. And finally, the open design which allows so much more air flow between the top major heat sink and the base. Using the heat pipes as actual heat sink stabilizers is pretty daring, but are obviously quite strong enough to handle the job. And I we aren't forgetting the modders who are looking to pretty up the CPU cooler. It doesn't really need it at all, but if you feel so inclined to add an optional LED fan or what not, then the heat sink is easily adaptable.

Conclusion:

The results were so good, that it seemed too good to be true. Just to be thorough, the tests were performed twice to confirm the results. The Ultra-X is very capable of cooling the simplest and most extreme systems. Personal preferences will always dictate what levels of temperatures you are willing to accept when comes to how far you are willing to take your system. Personally, anything above 60C is too warm, especially if the system is overclocked. It's nice to know, however, that the cooler can more than handle a hot processor and is up to the extreme tasks.

The performance results speak the most against any reservations you might have based on a new comer to the CPU cooling solution market. The design, quality of copper, and the mirror finished base are what help the Ultra-X perform so well. Enzo Technology has had time to perfect, improve, and adapt their cooling solutions to perform the best as processors have evolved. The installation methods for both AMD and Intel are very simple and easy.  The EnzoTech Ultra-X cooled the Core 2 Duo better than any CPU cooler heat sink to ever come across this desktop. It's performance surpassed my most trusted CPU coolers which makes it my current number one recommendation.