	Home \| Reviews \| Articles \| Rankings \| MOBOT \| Forums \| Search \| Tools \| Folding
	Editor's Choice : Hardware Reviews : Motherboard Reviews

Rosewill Z5 Heatsink Review :: Rosewill Z5 Heatsink

Author: Doc Overclock · 02-01-2008 · Category: Hardware - Cooling

Model Z5
Brand	Rosewill
Model	RCX-Z5-Ultra
Specifications
Type	CPU Cooler
Fan Size	92mm x 2
Compatible ZIF Interface	Intel Core 2 Extreme (Socket LGA 775) Intel Core 2 Quad (Socket LGA 775) Intel Core 2 Duo (Socket LGA 775) Intel Pentium Extreme (Socket LGA 775) Intel Pentium D (Socket LGA 775) Intel Pentium 4 (Socket LGA 775) Intel Celeron D (Socket LGA 775) AMD Athlon 64 FX (Socket 939, AM2) AMD Athlon 64 X2 (Socket 939, AM2) AMD Athlon 64 (Socket 754, 939, AM2) AMD Sempron (Socket 754, 939, AM2)
Bearing Type	Two Ball + Long Life Sleeve
RPM	800 - 2400 ±10% RPM + 1200 ±10% RPM
Air Flow	Max 47 CFM
Noise Level	Max 21 dBA
Power Connector	4 Pin (PWM) + 3 Pin
Color	Transparent
LED	Blue (4 + 2 sets)
Heatsink Material	Hi-grade aluminum fins, 4 embedded copper heat pipes and copper base
Physical Spec
Fan Dimensions	92 x 92 x 25mm
Heatsink Dimensions	L113 x W105.4 x H135.2mm
Features
Features	Adjustable dual coolers / fin ensure perfect circulation for heat dissipation of CPU and other components 4 embedded heat pipes for excellent heat dissipation Copper base with nickel-plating finish Automatic PWM cooler speed control Super bright blue LED
Package Contents
Package Contents	CPU Cooler Thermal Grease User Manual Clips

Optimum Heat Dissipation
The copper base and four copper heatpipes optimize heat transfer and the fan-like aluminum fins provide an ultra-large surface area for excellent heat dissipation.

Adjustable Fans
The Rosewill RCX-Z5-Ultra’s two adjustable fans ensure perfect air circulation for premium heat dissipation of the CPU and other components.

Auto Fan Speed Controller
The PWM fan speed controller provides automatic control of the noise level and fan speed for exceptional cooling and quiet operation.

Brand	Rosewill
Heatsink Material	Aluminum & Copper
LED	Blue
Bearing Type	2 Ball
Air Flow	45-50 CFM
Fan Size	92mm
Compatibility	Socket 754 / 939 / AM2 / LGA775
Color	Transparent
Noise Level	20-25 dBA
Power Connector	3 / 4 Pin
RPM	Variable

The Z5 heatsink is made of aluminum and uses heat-pipe technology to help dissipate the heat away from the CPU block. This thing is really a strange piece of equipment as it opens like a slinky and changes positions according the platform it’s being used on. For example the Intel platform position of the Z5 is different than the position of the AMD. This thing looks really interesting up close I was surprised at how mechanical it looked in the photos. It is made fairly well, but it does seem to be a bit weak where the different heat fins attach at the base. Mmmmmm, very interesting!

Split Top

Split Bottom

Side Shot

If you look closely you will find the actual manufactures name tattooed in-between the heatsink fans in the middle part, Rosewill should have looked a bit closer and had that part re-tooled for them exclusively, as most rebranded items only sport the name of the brand its being sold under. Aluminum is not the best metal to have your CPU block made of as copper is the best, but Aluminum is not the worst either. When we receive the same designed part with one made out of aluminum and the other copper the copper always wins and has better heat management and heat dissipation. Adding a copper bottom could have added a few extra degrees of cooling to the Z5.

CPU Block

Heat Pipes

Heat Fins

The Gears

You can use the Z5 with many different platforms and ZIF Socket combinations and almost all of the modern AMD and Intel CPUs are compatible with it. It also comes with its own pre-applied thermal compound so you can just attach it to the ZIF without using any additional paste. The Z5 offers auto-adjusting fan control, which may be okay for users who want a very quiet system, but we always run the fans at full speed for optimal thermal protection. Many motherboards offer this fan control feature and the Z5 will work with them as well. This thing look awesome is made fairly sturdy and on paper should provide decent cooling; let’s throw it on a couple of different AMD and Intel motherboards and see how it fares.