Corrugated CPU cooler fins

[Sarofendor]

I am wondering why no big manufacturers make CPU air coolers with corrugated fins, like on a radiator, to increase surface area without increasing overall size of the cooler. The only cooler I have found that does this was an ancient one made by a brand I have never heard of and as far as I know it has not been done since. It seems like a good idea, but why have no companies introduced a cooler like this?

 

[patrick47018]

I would assume that the air being moved by the fans moves across flat fins better than corrugated fins in most 'tower cooler' style coolers.

 

[Sarofendor]

But if you have the fins corrugated similarly to a radiator, but with more room and less tight corrugations, then air flow shouldn't be affected. However i can see that it may require slightly more static pressure optimized fans.

 

[SinxarKnights]

You mean like the Cryorig H7? My assumption is perhaps cost to manufacture or maybe it wouldn't actually help. It is possible the core cooler (such as the heat pipe section) is at max heat dissipation without needing to go with a higher density arrangement.

Total guess though.

 

[patrick47018]

But if you have the fins corrugated similarly to a radiator, but with more room and less tight corrugations, then air flow shouldn't be affected. However i can see that it may require slightly more static pressure optimized fans.

Thinking on the question further it is more likely that the possible benefits in cooling performance are so minor that the extra cost of going with corrugated fins over flat ones just doesn't add up. So it is likely more down to cost and ease of manufacture than anything else.

 

[Sarofendor]

Ok thank you very much. I am surprised I didnt see the cryorig H7 earlier. I think it probably is a cost to performance thing, now that you say it.