Gigabyte Radeon HD 4850 1GB Passive Review

A Closer Look at the Gigabyte HD 4850 1GB cont.

The Multi-Core heatsink consists of two separate aluminum-finned sections: one directly above the core and another towards the backplate. Both are linked to the core via copper heatpipes but what makes things really interesting is the fact that there are four completely independent heatpipes; two for each heatsink. In addition, the front most heatsink’s fins actually protrude from the backplate by about ½” for some additional cooling surface area.


The heatsink that is furthest away from the core is slightly vaulted so it clears the additional chokes and capacitors mounted below it. It also integrates into its design a fair amount of copper in order to evenly distribute the heat from the heatpipes across the aluminum fins. This is actually a pretty unique approach considering most heatsinks just run the heatpipes directly through the fins so both metals touch each other. The two heatpipes terminate above the Crossfire connector without returning.


The heatsink above the core has pretty much the same approach to doing things but its heatpipes pass through the aluminum fins. The heatpipes disperse their heat by touching the fins in addition to using a single block of copper which touches 6 fins for additional cooling potential.


Unfortunately, while the Multi Core heatsink seems to be a beast it comes with a little side order of bowed PCB. While the bow isn’t pronounced enough to be worrying, it still points to the PCB being slightly stressed. Overall though, we can see this heatsink providing some great temperatures.