I think makers using titanium on their coolers is just a gimmick because in terms of thermal transfer qualities, titanium is lousy (when compared to other metals) with even plain old iron is 4 times more efficient. As with electricity, silver is the best metal conductor - when not tarnished, so rarely used. Gold next, but expensive. Then copper, which tarnishes (corrodes) too but is fairly easy to control, but it's heavy. Finally aluminum which has good conductive properties and is light. But it, and cooper too, scratches easily. Then way down the list of metals is titanium, a relatively poor conductor, light, but very strong and scratch resistant, and so minimizes the risk of trapped, insulating air pockets being formed in scratches and dents between the HSF and CPU die.
The simple remedy, of course, is don't scratch or dent the mating surfaces! And since just about any user who has ever had thermal paste on his fingers knows, it is probably not a good idea to allow the mating surfaces to get scratched and dented, and so we take care to protect those surfaces.
A quick search of NewEgg for titanium HSFs shows none!
OCZ has the Tempest Cooler with titanium over cooper - but it did not fare that well in
this Techgage review with final comments like, "the results are nothing amazing" and it goes on to recommend NOT using it for on dual core systems unless in a low demand HTPC. (and yet they gave it an 8 out of 10!!
)
So the only reason I see for HP to use titanium HSFs (actually aluminum with titanium coated plate) is so less care (therefore less time) is needed in shipping, packing, and handling - therefore saving a couple pennies per machine in production costs. Its always the bottom line with the big makers.
As to your original question, Verizon, I think since your temps are quite acceptable, great actually (are you sure you are monitoring the CPU temps? and not system?) then something else must be happening right - like the HS and case vents are clean of dust and dirt, the CPU fan is spinning freely, and you must have excellent front to back air flow.
Interesting Conduction Chart
