I wonder why manufacturers don't do this:
See this?? Remove the fan brackets and get rid of the pins adjacent to the mounting screws, and toss a larger version of the blue cap onto the sides of the heatsink's base. Ultra surface area, huge turbulence (efficiency), good thermal conductivity, good clamping system, what's not to like? Except price... although those willing to go the watercooling route should be able to swing it.
See this?? Remove the fan brackets and get rid of the pins adjacent to the mounting screws, and toss a larger version of the blue cap onto the sides of the heatsink's base. Ultra surface area, huge turbulence (efficiency), good thermal conductivity, good clamping system, what's not to like? Except price... although those willing to go the watercooling route should be able to swing it.