Posted on Tuesday, November 04 2008 @ 23:08 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
Bit Tech
received samples of Corsair's Dominator 2 memory modules which feature the new DHX+ heatsinks. In terms of passive cooling performance, the DHX+ is equivalent to the old DHX cooling of Corsair's memory modules but the new version is more aesthetically pleasing.
In some respects the modules follow on from the original DHX design - the PCB is taller than most and is still cooled in addition to the memory chips, however instead of the two fin approach, Corsair has modified the design into one thick-sink, then bolted on a line of chunky fins to the top.
The heatsinks appear to be glued to the PCB at the top, yet thermal-pads adhere it to the memory below. Unscrewing the Dominator 2 fins at the top just unlocks it from the two sinks on either side - the bar underneath provides a thread for the screws to bite. Corsair said that because of its ease of removal and direct connection to the heatsinks on both sides - this allows future mods or end user invention.
Corsair also told us that "[the] DHX+ is essentially equivalent to DHX in terms of passive cooling performance", although we'll be sure to test this for ourselves. DHX+ will also only be available on Dominator modules, DDR3 to start with and possibly DDR2 later on. The Original DHX will also be slowly phased out in favour of DHX+, although both will co-exist for a while, however there will be no "Silver DHX+" for performance-value modules like there is with current DHX parts - only the Dominators will get the premium coolers again.
