How Manufacturers Test Heatsinks @ FrostyTech

"Testing a heatsink with an actual CPU is perhaps preferable in several respects to some, because the uneven heating characteristics of a CPU die are what you'll actually find in the system. It's an extremely costly and unpredictable method once 'loading & stressing software' enters into the mix though."
We've always used real processors in our heatsink reviews; this is good in that the tests are done using real-world methods in a real-world environment. The only deviation is that our testing is done open air environment to reflect the best case scenario if in fact your particular case is well ventilated.

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