First of all I would like to say a big thanks to all my generous sponsors for supplying me with the material required for an article like this one. 2cooltek, Nerdsbyte, CoolerGuys and Millisec, you all rule! I never could of done this without you guys.

I've always preferred the slot format to the socket. They are easier to install, usually more solid (the CPUs) and most important, slot heatsinks are always bigger! This format was first introduced with the Pentium 2 because the L2 cache was external. The first Athlons where also introduced in slot format for the same reason.

Unfortunately, now that both Intel and AMD produce CPUs with internal cache, the slot format has become useless. Both companies plan to make their future CPUs in socket format. So yes, the slot format is doomed. However, Intel still produces its fastest CPU in slot format. And you will still be able to find both AMD and Intel chips in slot at least for the next year and maybe beyond. Here is a picture of the height (8) heatsink I tested.

From top left going right: VOS32, P3125, FLK-32/38, K702, P3D-5030, VGS-08, cheap no name (out of the test, it could not handle the peltier), Golden Orb and the K7D-5032.

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