Do heatpipes work differently when oriented in different ways? I ask because my current brand new CPU cooler, a Scythe Mine-Rev B is performing well below the supposed ability it has on this review I read (and based my purchasing decision on):Scythe AMD K8 Heatsink Temperature Comparisons - SCMN-1100 FrostyTech Review
What I interpret that chart to mean is that with an AMD CPU outputting 125W of heat will be cooled to 20.4°C above ambient temp.
That would be great if it actually did that...
My CPU is an Athlon 64 X2 4200+ S939, which according to AMD and 'Core Temp' outputs a maximum of 84.4W, yet it idles at around 45-50°C, and under load, gets very close to the maximum safe temperature of 69°C, and I often have to stop what I'm doing to let the CPU cool (usually Crysis, or bizarrely Silent Hunter 4, which is far less demanding I would have thought). There is no way the air in the room is 50°C.
Now AFAIK, heatpipes are filled with a 'vapour' which is supposed to heat up, and circulate the heat along the whole pipe (because heat rises). If I'm right, then surely the 'sideways' mounting of the cooler in my tower case will compromise this? If the heatpipes are not working as well as they should be then this would explain why the Scythe cannot cool something that should be WELL within its abilities.
I would have thought that most computer cases are tower cases of some kind, so I can't see why there are so many CPU heatpipe solutions if they don't work very well when used in most cases.
I really can't figure out why my cooler is so poor considering the CPU it's dealing with and the alleged performance figures in that review. If I'm right about heatpipes, then do tell me, so I can find an alternative cooler which doesn't use them.
OR
Tell me what else could be causing such poor cooling results please .
(Already cleared out dust, and ensured good airflow)
Thank you.