Phononic Hex 2.0 Peltier CPU Heatsink Review

Introduction and Technical Specification

Phononic Hex 2.0 Review

Introduction

As Monty Python once said, "And now for something completely different".  Why so?  Well the Hex 2.0 from North Carolina Based Phononic is a cooler of the type we've never tested before.  Although it might look like a standard CPU tower cooler, it is in fact so much more than that.  In simple terms it's a device which utilises the Peltier effect to cause a heat flux between the union of two differing materials.  The effect creates a temperature difference by transferring heat between two electrical junctions.  When a current is applied between the two conductors, heat is removed at one junctions and thus cooling occurs. The device is often referred to as a Thermoelectric cooler (TEC), and is also known as a Thermoelectric pump or Peltier device.  At just 125mm tall it's also petite enough to fit into a good many Small Form Factor cases.  So is this the answer to extreme cooling in small spaces?  Best you read on and find out.

Technical Specification

Dimensions125x112x95mm (HxWxD)
Weight810g
Intel2011 (incl v3) 115x
AMDAM2/+, AM3/+
Fan92mm
Fan Speed2650rpm
Airflow44CFM
Static Pressure3.1mmH2O
Noise33dB(A)
Power6pin Aux graphics cable
USBEnables Hex 2.0 dashboard

 

Key Features

Small Form Factor

High Performance Integrated and Swappable 92mm Fan

Supports TDP Power for Over Clocking Beyond 140W

Low Noise Design (33 dBA @ max speed)

Active/Passive Cooling (Using Phononic’s Thermoelectric Technology)

Integrated Electronic Control Applies Active Cooling only When Needed

Optional Application Software and User Interface Allows User to Adjust Performance Characteristics

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Most Recent Comments

26-10-2016, 15:08:04

dwatterworth
As always thanks for the great investigation and presentation of data! I'd be interested in knowing what sort of power draw the different TEC modes incur. If the draw is high enough to really justify that PCIe supply, how does that affect the case temperatures?Quote

26-10-2016, 16:14:49

SuB
holy cow a pelt!? the 00's called, they want their watercooling back!

in all seriousness I'm gonna have a nose through this later, but hawt dayum, seeing a pelt brings back some memoriesQuote

26-10-2016, 18:10:59

Thelosouvlakia
I think that heatsink/material design has gone that far that for something like cpu cooling a peltier module would be considered obsolete...

Why waste more energy in cooling a cpu other than one/two fans spinning...

Pointless..Quote

26-10-2016, 18:37:07

MadShadow
While the idea is interesting I really don't see the purpose of a peltier here. Surely as it requires a fairly high amount of electricity to be powered, it is going to be producing heat energy as well. Perhaps that might be contributing to its not-so-great performance.Quote

26-10-2016, 22:23:12

SuB
I'd be interested to know the power draw on this. Back in my day you 100% could NOT power a pelt off-of a normal PSU, they would totally burn them out. if it is indeed manageable, I'd imagine it's not a very decent pelt and thus seems a bit pointless?Quote
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