Ram Sinks or Heat Spreaders?

[DaSuperchargedChef]

Newbie question here. I'm working on case air flow dynamics and am wondering which option is more efficient. I realize that the heat spreaders cover both sides of the ram but would ram-sinks do a better job of getting rid of the heat? I'm working on some baffles inside my case to run air right past the ram so I need to figure out which would be the best method to dissipate the heat.

 

[sodcha0s]

Sinks, but I don't think they are neccessary.

 

[glorygunk]

ramsinks work better for airflow IMO. if your mobo has 3 memory slots and you are only using two, plug in the sticks in the two outer slots. that way you can fit ramsinks on both sides

 

[glorygunk]

Originally posted by: sodcha0s
Sinks, but I don't think they are neccessary.

we don't know if he's overclocking his FSB, in which case it would be necessary

 

[DaSuperchargedChef]

Yes I am overclocking

Between the GPU and CPU I'm trying to get as much out of the system as possible before I add my watercooling setup. So sinks then?

 

[sodcha0s]

Originally posted by: glorygunk

Originally posted by: sodcha0s
Sinks, but I don't think they are neccessary.

we don't know if he's overclocking his FSB, in which case it would be necessary

Really? Hmmm.... I overclock my FSB just fine without them. Honestly, your CPU would fail way before your ram would, assuming you're using quality ram.

 

[DaSuperchargedChef]

I'm just wondering which is more efficient provided that I have adequate air flow across the ram. I would guess the sinks would cool better just because of their ability to disperse heat through the fins, where a spreader is smooth so it doesn't seem like much heat would transfer. Is there any way to actually test it?

 

[sodcha0s]

The sinks will have more surface area, and also extent away from the chips allowing heat to flow away from the modules. Heatsinks are definitely more efficient.

 

[fAlCoNNiAn]

sinks, since they dont transfer heat inbetween chips, and they have fins, which will improve heat dissipation

 

[Tiamat]

The obvious answer is sinks. They have more surface area to dissipate the heat.

 

[CycloWizard]

Originally posted by: DaSuperchargedChef
I'm just wondering which is more efficient provided that I have adequate air flow across the ram. I would guess the sinks would cool better just because of their ability to disperse heat through the fins, where a spreader is smooth so it doesn't seem like much heat would transfer. Is there any way to actually test it?

I'm not familiar with either, but I do know a lot about fluid dynamics and heat transfer... You're saying that RAMsinks create a smooth surface on both sides of the chips and the heat sink is a larger fin? Unless the heat sink has considerably more surface area than both faces of the RAMsink combined, the RAMsinks will be more efficient. I can explain why if you'd like, and I could tell you for sure if you posted some pics of what you're talking about.