DeepCool Adds Vapor Chamber to an Air Cooler: AIO-Like Performance at Air Cooler Reliability
While the market for high-end CPU coolers has decidedly shifted towards closed-loop all-in-one liquid coolers over the last several years, air cooling remains alive and well. Even at the high-end, there are still further improvements and innovations being made, such as DeepCool's vapor chamber-based tower cooler, which was demonstrated at Computex.
Named the Assassin IV VC Vision, DeepCool's design is an advanced concept vehicle that equips a tower cooled with both a vapor chamber in the base as well as has an LCD pad on top for extra flourish. The vapor chamber is said to increase the cooling capacity by 20W, adding a bit more of an edge to an already very powerful tower cooler design.
While we expect this one to come to market eventually, don't be surprised if both vapor chamber and the screen to land on other products together or separately. For example, the massive DeepCool Assassin IV VC Vision has a more compact brother that has a screen and a vapor chamber.
The unit builds on top of the already monstrous DeepCool Assassin IV that comes with seven 0.6-mm heat pipes and can mount up to three 120/140mm fans, depending on installation (one is magnetically attached). With a weight of 1.575 kilograms – almost entirely copper and aluminum – this one is already good enough to cool down even the highest-performing CPUs.
DeepCool is currently trying to figure out recommended pricing for its Assassin IV VC Vision cooler, but the original Assassin IV costs $99.99, so expect the unit with a vapor chamber and a screen to build on top of that.
Posted by The Techinical Support
ASMedia Preps USB4 v2 Controller and PHY 
The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) introduced USB4 version 2.0 in fall 2022, and it expects systems and devices with the tech to emerge later this year and into next year. These upcoming products will largely rely on Intel's Barlow Ridge controller, a full-featured Thunderbolt 5 controller that goes above and beond the baseline USB4 v2 spec. And though extremely capable, Intel's Thunderbolt controllers are also quite expensive, and Barlow Ridge isn't expected to be any different. Fortunately, for system and device vendors that just need a basic USB4 v2 solution, ASMedia is also working on its own USB4 v2 controller.
At Computex 2024, ASMedia demonstrated a prototype of its upcoming USB4 v2 physical interface (PHY), which will support USB4 v2's new Gen 4 (160Gbps) data rates and the associated PAM-3 signal encoding. The prototype was implemented using an FPGA, as the company yet has to tape out the completed controller.
Ultimately, the purpose of showing off a FPGA-based PHY at Computex was to allow ASMedia to demonstrate their current PHY design. With the shift to PAM-3 encoding for USB4 v2, ASMedia (and the rest of the USB ecosystem) must develop significantly more complex controllers – and there's no part of that more critical than a solid and reliable PHY design.
As part of their demonstration, ASMedia had a classic eye diagram display. The eye diagram demoed has a clear opening in the center, which is indicative of good signal integrity, as the larger the eye opening, the less distortion and noise in the signal. The horizontal width of the eye opening represents the time window in which the signal can be sampled correctly, so the relatively narrow horizontal spread of the eye opening suggests that there is minimal jitter, meaning the signal transitions are consistent and predictable. Finally, the vertical height of the eye opening indicates the signal amplitude and the rather tall eye opening suggests a higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), meaning that the signal is strong compared to any noise present.
ASMedia itself is one of the major suppliers for discrete USB controllers, so the availability of ASMedia's USB4 v2 chip is crucial for adoption of the standard in general. While Intel will spearhead the industry with their Barlow Ridge Thunderbolt 5/USB4 v2 controller, ASMedia's controller is poised to end up in a far larger range of devices. So the importance of the company's USB4 v2 PHY demo is hard to overstate.
Demos aside, ASMedia is hoping to tape the chip out soon. If all goes well, the company expects their first USB4 v2 controllers to hit the market some time in the second half of 2025.
Peripherals
ASMedia Preps USB4 v2 Controller and PHY
The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) introduced USB4 version 2.0 in fall 2022, and it expects systems and devices with the tech to emerge later this year and into next year. These upcoming products will largely rely on Intel's Barlow Ridge controller, a full-featured Thunderbolt 5 controller that goes above and beond the baseline USB4 v2 spec. And though extremely capable, Intel's Thunderbolt controllers are also quite expensive, and Barlow Ridge isn't expected to be any different. Fortunately, for system and device vendors that just need a basic USB4 v2 solution, ASMedia is also working on its own USB4 v2 controller.
At Computex 2024, ASMedia demonstrated a prototype of its upcoming USB4 v2 physical interface (PHY), which will support USB4 v2's new Gen 4 (160Gbps) data rates and the associated PAM-3 signal encoding. The prototype was implemented using an FPGA, as the company yet has to tape out the completed controller.
Ultimately, the purpose of showing off a FPGA-based PHY at Computex was to allow ASMedia to demonstrate their current PHY design. With the shift to PAM-3 encoding for USB4 v2, ASMedia (and the rest of the USB ecosystem) must develop significantly more complex controllers – and there's no part of that more critical than a solid and reliable PHY design.
As part of their demonstration, ASMedia had a classic eye diagram display. The eye diagram demoed has a clear opening in the center, which is indicative of good signal integrity, as the larger the eye opening, the less distortion and noise in the signal. The horizontal width of the eye opening represents the time window in which the signal can be sampled correctly, so the relatively narrow horizontal spread of the eye opening suggests that there is minimal jitter, meaning the signal transitions are consistent and predictable. Finally, the vertical height of the eye opening indicates the signal amplitude and the rather tall eye opening suggests a higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), meaning that the signal is strong compared to any noise present.
ASMedia itself is one of the major suppliers for discrete USB controllers, so the availability of ASMedia's USB4 v2 chip is crucial for adoption of the standard in general. While Intel will spearhead the industry with their Barlow Ridge Thunderbolt 5/USB4 v2 controller, ASMedia's controller is poised to end up in a far larger range of devices. So the importance of the company's USB4 v2 PHY demo is hard to overstate.
Demos aside, ASMedia is hoping to tape the chip out soon. If all goes well, the company expects their first USB4 v2 controllers to hit the market some time in the second half of 2025.
Peripherals
Micron Ships Crucial-Branded LPCAMM2 Memory Modules: 64GB of LPDDR5X For $330 
As LPCAMM2 adoption begins, the first retail memory modules are finally starting to hit the retail market, courtesy of Micron. The memory manufacturer has begun selling their LPDDR5X-based LPCAMM2 memory modules under their in-house Crucial brand, making them available on the latter's storefront. Timed to coincide with the release of Lenovo's ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 laptop – the first retail laptop designed to use the memory modules – this marks the de facto start of the eagerly-awaited modular LPDDR5X memory era.
Micron's Low Power Compression Attached Memory Module 2 (LPCAMM2) modules are available in capacities of 32 GB and 64 GB. These are dual-channel modules that feature a 128-bit wide interface, and are based around LPDDR5X memory running at data rates up to 7500 MT/s. This gives a single LPCAMM2 a peak bandwidth of 120 GB/s. Micron is not disclosing the latencies of its LPCAMM2 memory modules, but it says that high data transfer rates of LPDDR5X compensate for the extended timings.
Micron says that LPDDR5X memory offers significantly lower power consumption, with active power per 64-bit bus being 43-58% lower than DDR5 at the same speed, and standby power up to 80% lower. Meanwhile, similar to DDR5 modules, LPCAMM2 modules include a power management IC and voltage regulating circuitry, which provides module manufacturers additional opportunities to reduce power consumption of their products.
Source: Micron LPDDR5X LPCAMM2 Technical Brief
It's worth noting, however, that at least for the first generation of LPCAMM2 modules, system vendors will need to pick between modularity and performance. While soldered-down LPDDR5X memory is available at speeds up to 8533 MT/sec – and with 9600 MT/sec on the horizon – the fastest LPCAMM2 modules planned for this year by both Micron and rival Samsung will be running at 7500 MT/sec. So vendors will have to choose between the flexibility of offering modular LPDDR5X, or the higher bandwidth (and space savings) offered by soldering down their memory.
Micron, for its part, is projecting that 9600 MT/sec LPCAMM2 modules will be available by 2026. Though it's all but certain that faster memory will also be avaialble in the same timeframe.
Micron's Crucial LPDDR5X 32 GB module costs $174.99, whereas a 64 GB module costs $329.99.
Memory
Source: Micron LPDDR5X LPCAMM2 Technical Brief
![](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://compbuddey.blogspot.com/2024/06/deepcool-adds-vapor-chamber-to-air_25.html&text=DeepCool Adds Vapor Chamber to an Air Cooler: AIO-Like Performance at Air Cooler Reliability <p align="center"><a href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/21450/deepcool-adds-vapor-chamber-to-an-air-cooler-aio-like-performance-at-air-cooler-reliability"><img src="https://images.anandtech.com/doci/21450/IMG_1027-678_575px.jpg" alt="" /></a></p><p><p>While the market for high-end CPU coolers has decidedly shifted towards closed-loop all-in-one liquid coolers over the last several years, air cooling remains alive and well. Even at the high-end, there are still further improvements and innovations being made, such as DeepCool's vapor chamber-based tower cooler, which was demonstrated at Computex.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/21450/deepcool-adds-vapor-chamber-to-an-air-cooler-aio-like-performance-at-air-cooler-reliability"><img alt="" src="https://images.anandtech.com/doci/21450/IMG_1018-compact-base_575px.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>Named the Assassin IV VC Vision, DeepCool's design is an advanced concept vehicle that equips a tower cooled with both a vapor chamber in the base as well as has an LCD pad on top for extra flourish. The vapor chamber is said to increase the cooling capacity by 20W, adding a bit more of an edge to an already very powerful tower cooler design.</p>
<p>While we expect this one to come to market eventually, don't be surprised if both vapor chamber and the screen to land on other products together or separately. For example, the massive DeepCool Assassin IV VC Vision has a more compact brother that has a screen and a vapor chamber.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/21450/deepcool-adds-vapor-chamber-to-an-air-cooler-aio-like-performance-at-air-cooler-reliability"><img alt="" src="https://images.anandtech.com/doci/21450/IMG_1020-scr_575px.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>The unit builds on top of the already monstrous <a href="https://www.deepcool.com/products/Cooling/cpuaircoolers/Assassin-IV-Premium-CPU-Air-Cooler-1700-AM5/2023/17129.shtml">DeepCool Assassin IV</a> that comes with seven 0.6-mm heat pipes and can mount up to three 120/140mm fans, depending on installation (one is magnetically attached). With a weight of 1.575 kilograms – almost entirely copper and aluminum – this one is already good enough to cool down even the highest-performing CPUs.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/21450/deepcool-adds-vapor-chamber-to-an-air-cooler-aio-like-performance-at-air-cooler-reliability"><img alt="" src="https://images.anandtech.com/doci/21450/IMG_1026-compact_575px.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>DeepCool is currently trying to figure out recommended pricing for its Assassin IV VC Vision cooler, but the original Assassin IV costs <a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=45726&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2FDeepCool-Assassin%2Fdp%2FB0CC2QNF73%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Danandtech-us-2038795906289287965-20">$99.99</a>, so expect the unit with a vapor chamber and a screen to build on top of that.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/21450/deepcool-adds-vapor-chamber-to-an-air-cooler-aio-like-performance-at-air-cooler-reliability"><img alt="" src="https://images.anandtech.com/doci/21450/description_575px.jpg" /></a></p>
</p> Cases/Cooling/PSUs){kind=link}
![](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://compbuddey.blogspot.com/2024/06/deepcool-adds-vapor-chamber-to-air_25.html&media=https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vKpCAPezpybHwtyxSm1B_T_rarAoBHrSqlYqU5M3bny1eIbjPx5Ifu_uz9ii1BQXJbMuPCPH2sHysLc4oJtWEpNIyb6YCO9wSmkUGz-8bD9_YNPPTtpn8chBqc92fwLkGr&description=DeepCool Adds Vapor Chamber to an Air Cooler: AIO-Like Performance at Air Cooler Reliability <p align="center"><a href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/21450/deepcool-adds-vapor-chamber-to-an-air-cooler-aio-like-performance-at-air-cooler-reliability"><img src="https://images.anandtech.com/doci/21450/IMG_1027-678_575px.jpg" alt="" /></a></p><p><p>While the market for high-end CPU coolers has decidedly shifted towards closed-loop all-in-one liquid coolers over the last several years, air cooling remains alive and well. Even at the high-end, there are still further improvements and innovations being made, such as DeepCool's vapor chamber-based tower cooler, which was demonstrated at Computex.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/21450/deepcool-adds-vapor-chamber-to-an-air-cooler-aio-like-performance-at-air-cooler-reliability"><img alt="" src="https://images.anandtech.com/doci/21450/IMG_1018-compact-base_575px.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>Named the Assassin IV VC Vision, DeepCool's design is an advanced concept vehicle that equips a tower cooled with both a vapor chamber in the base as well as has an LCD pad on top for extra flourish. The vapor chamber is said to increase the cooling capacity by 20W, adding a bit more of an edge to an already very powerful tower cooler design.</p>
<p>While we expect this one to come to market eventually, don't be surprised if both vapor chamber and the screen to land on other products together or separately. For example, the massive DeepCool Assassin IV VC Vision has a more compact brother that has a screen and a vapor chamber.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/21450/deepcool-adds-vapor-chamber-to-an-air-cooler-aio-like-performance-at-air-cooler-reliability"><img alt="" src="https://images.anandtech.com/doci/21450/IMG_1020-scr_575px.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>The unit builds on top of the already monstrous <a href="https://www.deepcool.com/products/Cooling/cpuaircoolers/Assassin-IV-Premium-CPU-Air-Cooler-1700-AM5/2023/17129.shtml">DeepCool Assassin IV</a> that comes with seven 0.6-mm heat pipes and can mount up to three 120/140mm fans, depending on installation (one is magnetically attached). With a weight of 1.575 kilograms – almost entirely copper and aluminum – this one is already good enough to cool down even the highest-performing CPUs.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/21450/deepcool-adds-vapor-chamber-to-an-air-cooler-aio-like-performance-at-air-cooler-reliability"><img alt="" src="https://images.anandtech.com/doci/21450/IMG_1026-compact_575px.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>DeepCool is currently trying to figure out recommended pricing for its Assassin IV VC Vision cooler, but the original Assassin IV costs <a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=45726&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2FDeepCool-Assassin%2Fdp%2FB0CC2QNF73%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Danandtech-us-2038795906289287965-20">$99.99</a>, so expect the unit with a vapor chamber and a screen to build on top of that.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/21450/deepcool-adds-vapor-chamber-to-an-air-cooler-aio-like-performance-at-air-cooler-reliability"><img alt="" src="https://images.anandtech.com/doci/21450/description_575px.jpg" /></a></p>
</p> Cases/Cooling/PSUs){kind=link}
![](https://web.whatsapp.com/send?text=DeepCool Adds Vapor Chamber to an Air Cooler: AIO-Like Performance at Air Cooler Reliability <p align="center"><a href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/21450/deepcool-adds-vapor-chamber-to-an-air-cooler-aio-like-performance-at-air-cooler-reliability"><img src="https://images.anandtech.com/doci/21450/IMG_1027-678_575px.jpg" alt="" /></a></p><p><p>While the market for high-end CPU coolers has decidedly shifted towards closed-loop all-in-one liquid coolers over the last several years, air cooling remains alive and well. Even at the high-end, there are still further improvements and innovations being made, such as DeepCool's vapor chamber-based tower cooler, which was demonstrated at Computex.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/21450/deepcool-adds-vapor-chamber-to-an-air-cooler-aio-like-performance-at-air-cooler-reliability"><img alt="" src="https://images.anandtech.com/doci/21450/IMG_1018-compact-base_575px.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>Named the Assassin IV VC Vision, DeepCool's design is an advanced concept vehicle that equips a tower cooled with both a vapor chamber in the base as well as has an LCD pad on top for extra flourish. The vapor chamber is said to increase the cooling capacity by 20W, adding a bit more of an edge to an already very powerful tower cooler design.</p>
<p>While we expect this one to come to market eventually, don't be surprised if both vapor chamber and the screen to land on other products together or separately. For example, the massive DeepCool Assassin IV VC Vision has a more compact brother that has a screen and a vapor chamber.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/21450/deepcool-adds-vapor-chamber-to-an-air-cooler-aio-like-performance-at-air-cooler-reliability"><img alt="" src="https://images.anandtech.com/doci/21450/IMG_1020-scr_575px.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>The unit builds on top of the already monstrous <a href="https://www.deepcool.com/products/Cooling/cpuaircoolers/Assassin-IV-Premium-CPU-Air-Cooler-1700-AM5/2023/17129.shtml">DeepCool Assassin IV</a> that comes with seven 0.6-mm heat pipes and can mount up to three 120/140mm fans, depending on installation (one is magnetically attached). With a weight of 1.575 kilograms – almost entirely copper and aluminum – this one is already good enough to cool down even the highest-performing CPUs.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/21450/deepcool-adds-vapor-chamber-to-an-air-cooler-aio-like-performance-at-air-cooler-reliability"><img alt="" src="https://images.anandtech.com/doci/21450/IMG_1026-compact_575px.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>DeepCool is currently trying to figure out recommended pricing for its Assassin IV VC Vision cooler, but the original Assassin IV costs <a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=45726&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2FDeepCool-Assassin%2Fdp%2FB0CC2QNF73%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Danandtech-us-2038795906289287965-20">$99.99</a>, so expect the unit with a vapor chamber and a screen to build on top of that.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/21450/deepcool-adds-vapor-chamber-to-an-air-cooler-aio-like-performance-at-air-cooler-reliability"><img alt="" src="https://images.anandtech.com/doci/21450/description_575px.jpg" /></a></p>
</p> Cases/Cooling/PSUs | https://compbuddey.blogspot.com/2024/06/deepcool-adds-vapor-chamber-to-air_25.html){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=DeepCool Adds Vapor Chamber to an Air Cooler: AIO-Like Performance at Air Cooler Reliability <p align="center"><a href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/21450/deepcool-adds-vapor-chamber-to-an-air-cooler-aio-like-performance-at-air-cooler-reliability"><img src="https://images.anandtech.com/doci/21450/IMG_1027-678_575px.jpg" alt="" /></a></p><p><p>While the market for high-end CPU coolers has decidedly shifted towards closed-loop all-in-one liquid coolers over the last several years, air cooling remains alive and well. Even at the high-end, there are still further improvements and innovations being made, such as DeepCool's vapor chamber-based tower cooler, which was demonstrated at Computex.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/21450/deepcool-adds-vapor-chamber-to-an-air-cooler-aio-like-performance-at-air-cooler-reliability"><img alt="" src="https://images.anandtech.com/doci/21450/IMG_1018-compact-base_575px.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>Named the Assassin IV VC Vision, DeepCool's design is an advanced concept vehicle that equips a tower cooled with both a vapor chamber in the base as well as has an LCD pad on top for extra flourish. The vapor chamber is said to increase the cooling capacity by 20W, adding a bit more of an edge to an already very powerful tower cooler design.</p>
<p>While we expect this one to come to market eventually, don't be surprised if both vapor chamber and the screen to land on other products together or separately. For example, the massive DeepCool Assassin IV VC Vision has a more compact brother that has a screen and a vapor chamber.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/21450/deepcool-adds-vapor-chamber-to-an-air-cooler-aio-like-performance-at-air-cooler-reliability"><img alt="" src="https://images.anandtech.com/doci/21450/IMG_1020-scr_575px.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>The unit builds on top of the already monstrous <a href="https://www.deepcool.com/products/Cooling/cpuaircoolers/Assassin-IV-Premium-CPU-Air-Cooler-1700-AM5/2023/17129.shtml">DeepCool Assassin IV</a> that comes with seven 0.6-mm heat pipes and can mount up to three 120/140mm fans, depending on installation (one is magnetically attached). With a weight of 1.575 kilograms – almost entirely copper and aluminum – this one is already good enough to cool down even the highest-performing CPUs.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/21450/deepcool-adds-vapor-chamber-to-an-air-cooler-aio-like-performance-at-air-cooler-reliability"><img alt="" src="https://images.anandtech.com/doci/21450/IMG_1026-compact_575px.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>DeepCool is currently trying to figure out recommended pricing for its Assassin IV VC Vision cooler, but the original Assassin IV costs <a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=45726&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2FDeepCool-Assassin%2Fdp%2FB0CC2QNF73%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Danandtech-us-2038795906289287965-20">$99.99</a>, so expect the unit with a vapor chamber and a screen to build on top of that.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/21450/deepcool-adds-vapor-chamber-to-an-air-cooler-aio-like-performance-at-air-cooler-reliability"><img alt="" src="https://images.anandtech.com/doci/21450/description_575px.jpg" /></a></p>
</p> Cases/Cooling/PSUs&body=https://compbuddey.blogspot.com/2024/06/deepcool-adds-vapor-chamber-to-air_25.html){kind=link}
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