Big Air: 14 LGA 2011-Compatible Coolers For Core i7-3000, Reviewed
Tags:
-
Cooling
- Water Cooling
- Intel i7
- Compatibility
- Product
Last response: in Reviews comments
Crashman
February 16, 2012 3:00:04 AM
Do Intel’s Core i7-3000-series CPUs really need closed-loop liquid cooling? Today we're testing fourteen different LGA 2011-compatible air coolers on an overclocked Core i7-3960X in order to determine whose is the most effective.
Big Air: 14 LGA 2011-Compatible Coolers For Core i7-3000, Reviewed : Read more
Big Air: 14 LGA 2011-Compatible Coolers For Core i7-3000, Reviewed : Read more
More about : big air lga 2011 compatible coolers core 3000 reviewed
phamhlam
February 16, 2012 3:49:24 AM
CaedenV
February 16, 2012 4:48:31 AM
I was disappointed by the Evo's noise level in my own system, and found some very silent (rated at 8dB) Enermax fans, and threw 2 of them on and that did the trick very well. Even though they don't move a lot of air, the push-pull effect still gets me a lower overall temp on my CPU. So remember that with a lot of these coolers you are not stuck with the fans that they come with as they are very easy (stoopid easy) to replace.
Score
3
giovanni86
February 16, 2012 5:18:27 AM
Troublesome with the height especially concerning with the 8 DIMM slots so close by. I don't like the appearance of the NH-D14 but it does do the job and give you the clearance. Hopefully cooler manufactures will approach these new found boundaries and release ones that will clear all DIMM slots otherwise CPU water cooling looks to be in my near future.
On a side note i wish the "ZALMAN CNPS9900MAX-R" was reviewed as well considering on newegg it is compatible with LGA 2011, and I've been eye balling that one since it came out for my next build.
On a side note i wish the "ZALMAN CNPS9900MAX-R" was reviewed as well considering on newegg it is compatible with LGA 2011, and I've been eye balling that one since it came out for my next build.
Score
0
bison88
February 16, 2012 5:20:20 AM
BigMack70Meh... I still see no reason to even consider the Noctua over the $35 Hyper 212 Evo.If I were to consider a cooler in the ~$90 range, I'd be going water cooling anyways.
I've heard nothing but great things from CM's Hyper 212+ and Evo variants. Might I add the other powerhouse in affordable cooling, Thermalright's TRUE Spirit 120 for just about the same price. It seems the Hyper 212+ and TRUE Spirit have fallen off in Heatsink/Fan comparison charts despite kicking some serious ass against there competition price rise, and can even hang very well against high-end coolers costing 2-3 times as much.
I realize you have to compare modern products to modern products for the sake of it, but just a FYI for those not familiar with the cooling scene. Don't ever count out a product that first debut 2-3 years ago, they can still hang, the good ones at least.
Score
6
molo9000
February 16, 2012 5:22:05 AM
BigMack70Meh... I still see no reason to even consider the Noctua over the $35 Hyper 212 Evo.If I were to consider a cooler in the ~$90 range, I'd be going water cooling anyways.
Water cooling is a lot more expensive and a lot more complicated. Water cooling systems are not maintenance free and always add the risk of a leaking pipe.
$80-$90 is a small price to pay for getting a quieter PC without resorting to water cooling.
Score
3
theuniquegamer
February 16, 2012 6:13:29 AM
Anonymous
February 16, 2012 6:22:53 AM
I been using a Prolimatech Megahalems since its introduction back in 2009. I remembered that in a few months later Noctua took the crown as top performing air cooled heatsink. It is nice that new cpu heatsinks are becoming better in performance, but i don't like the fact that they are becoming bigger and heavier than previous cpu heatsink kings by only earning a degree or two above the rest. Could you guys do a heatsink Weight/cooling efficiency chart? This is to make readers see which manufacture did its engineering mission to make a much more effective unit than its competition. Not just slab more metal to defeat the other guy. To heatsink manufactures: Do something innovating if a wall seems to be in the way! Just look at PSU manufactures, they are reaching 92% Platinum rating, from 82% rating four years ago.
Example:
Noctua NH-D14 weighs 900g without fans and it did 45c at full load.
900g/45c= 20.00 efficiency ratio.
Panteck PH-TC14PE weighs 970g without fans, performing at 46c.
970g/46c= 21.09 efficiency ratio.
CM Hyper 212 EVO Weighs 580g with fan, performing at 51c.
580g/51c= 11.37 efficiency ratio.
Ideally, the lower the ratio, the more efficient a cpu cooler is. Other charts count as well when making a final decision.
Example:
Noctua NH-D14 weighs 900g without fans and it did 45c at full load.
900g/45c= 20.00 efficiency ratio.
Panteck PH-TC14PE weighs 970g without fans, performing at 46c.
970g/46c= 21.09 efficiency ratio.
CM Hyper 212 EVO Weighs 580g with fan, performing at 51c.
580g/51c= 11.37 efficiency ratio.
Ideally, the lower the ratio, the more efficient a cpu cooler is. Other charts count as well when making a final decision.
Score
-1
razor512
February 16, 2012 7:54:25 AM
builder4
February 16, 2012 9:10:00 AM
bunnywannyI been using a Prolimatech Megahalems since its introduction back in 2009. I remembered that in a few months later Noctua took the crown as top performing air cooled heatsink. It is nice that new cpu heatsinks are becoming better in performance, but i don't like the fact that they are becoming bigger and heavier than previous cpu heatsink kings by only earning a degree or two above the rest. Could you guys do a heatsink Weight/cooling efficiency chart? This is to make readers see which manufacture did its engineering mission to make a much more effective unit than its competition. Not just slab more metal to defeat the other guy. To heatsink manufactures: Do something innovating if a wall seems to be in the way! Just look at PSU manufactures, they are reaching 92% Platinum rating, from 82% rating four years ago.Example: Noctua NH-D14 weighs 900g without fans and it did 45c at full load. 900g/45c= 20.00 efficiency ratio. Panteck PH-TC14PE weighs 970g without fans, performing at 46c.970g/46c= 21.09 efficiency ratio.CM Hyper 212 EVO Weighs 580g with fan, performing at 51c.580g/51c= 11.37 efficiency ratio.Ideally, the lower the ratio, the more efficient a cpu cooler is. Other charts count as well when making a final decision.
By that logic, having no cooler at all is the most efficient... 0g/200c= 0 efficiency ratio. And a dead CPU.
Also, the higher the temperature (Bad), the lower the ratio, which doesn't make sense.
You would also need to use the ambient temperature delta rather than the absolute temperature in any sort of ratio for the results to be meaningful.
I think that the majority of people don't care how heavy their cooler is, only about the price.
Score
10
Anonymous
February 16, 2012 9:20:30 AM
Score
0
ztr
February 16, 2012 9:29:27 AM
sublime2k
February 16, 2012 11:28:03 AM
Crashman
February 16, 2012 12:10:46 PM
BattleshipLorenzen
February 16, 2012 12:12:26 PM
The A70 can often be had for $25 or $20 after MIR, and although their rebate company isn't great, Corsair IS great about fixing their rebate company's messes if you ask them. I have an A70 on my i5-2500k asrock z68 Extreme3 Gen3 in a Zalman z9 plus and the "push" fan fits over my G.Skill Ripjaws X RAM just by clipping it on a little higher (you can do that, easily, and it's fine). Sorry to bore with system details - I just put those in there for the sake of people googling to see if the A70 would work in their system
.
Also, controlling fan speeds with A70 is simple with the Asrock MOBO. Just don't plug it into a CPU header--plug it into a 3-in Chassis header and let Speedfan set the speed (with voltage regulation) based on CPU temp. With the inline resisters, I can get RPMs down to 1000-1100, which seems pretty quiet. Seems to have little effect on cooling - weird thing about the A70 is that higher CFMs don't change much unless you hit the 130+ levels. Maybe it doesn't conduct well enough?
.Also, controlling fan speeds with A70 is simple with the Asrock MOBO. Just don't plug it into a CPU header--plug it into a 3-in Chassis header and let Speedfan set the speed (with voltage regulation) based on CPU temp. With the inline resisters, I can get RPMs down to 1000-1100, which seems pretty quiet. Seems to have little effect on cooling - weird thing about the A70 is that higher CFMs don't change much unless you hit the 130+ levels. Maybe it doesn't conduct well enough?
Score
3
AppleBlowsDonkeyBalls
February 16, 2012 12:15:41 PM
Care to explain why you didn't bother to test the Corsair A70 using its included resistor, which reduces fan speed to 1600RPM?
Seems like a very biased review all around. If you're gonna give a prize to the Noctua NH-D14 despite its price and size on the basis that it's one of the top performers and it's quiet, you should have also tested the A70 at the lower fan speed and accordingly given it OR the Hyper 212 Evo a prize for being the best bang-for-buck for cooling performance or noise-to-performance-to-value ratio.
People that are gonna buy the i7-3820 probably care a little about value, too, and the money saved from getting a cheaper cooler could go somewhere else--like a faster/higher capacity SSD, more RAM, a more feature-rich motherboard, etc.
Seems like a very biased review all around. If you're gonna give a prize to the Noctua NH-D14 despite its price and size on the basis that it's one of the top performers and it's quiet, you should have also tested the A70 at the lower fan speed and accordingly given it OR the Hyper 212 Evo a prize for being the best bang-for-buck for cooling performance or noise-to-performance-to-value ratio.
People that are gonna buy the i7-3820 probably care a little about value, too, and the money saved from getting a cheaper cooler could go somewhere else--like a faster/higher capacity SSD, more RAM, a more feature-rich motherboard, etc.
Score
-6
Crashman
February 16, 2012 12:30:11 PM
fegefeuer
February 16, 2012 12:34:47 PM
Score
3
cknobman
February 16, 2012 12:35:23 PM
AppleBlowsDonkeyBalls
February 16, 2012 12:43:14 PM
CrashmanYou mean like, biased in the sense that every manufacturer got one shot to prove itself? Biased as in, everyone gets the same single opportunity? Is this the perspective gained from modern schools of progressive thought?
No, biased as in "you used a crappy testing methodology (by not using the included inline resistor for the A70 which would in turn lower fan noise)" and gave the top-performer the only award because, according to you, people buying i7s have completely disposable incomes. According to you, the people buying into this platform don't give two craps about performance for the money, and it doesn't matter that they could use the money saved from going with a less expensive cooler for something else like a better SSD or a more feature-rich motherboard.
Again, if you're gonna give the Noctua NH-D14 an award, you need to give one either to the Hyper 212 Evo or the Corsair A70, too, on the basis that they deliver the best bang-for-buck. With the A70 we don't even see an accurate comparison regarding fan noise, so it's impossible to know if it would've been the jack of all trades.
Score
-6
wiyosaya
February 16, 2012 12:54:32 PM
On any of the more noisy coolers, it is certainly possible to replace the stock fan with a much less noisy fan from a manufacturer like Scythe. However, lower noise may mean less fan speed and CFM of cooling air through the cooler. Fortunately, temps will be driven in part by the surrounding air in the case. With a case that is airy and supports several additional fans, I see it as entirely possible to build a quiet, yet sufficiently cooled PC.
I've been using Thermalright coolers in my builds recently, however on one build, I combined a Thermalright CPU cooler with a quiet Scythe fan, and several quiet Scythe case fans in an NZXT Gamma chasis. The result is much quieter than I expected, however, the system is well cooled.
I've been using Thermalright coolers in my builds recently, however on one build, I combined a Thermalright CPU cooler with a quiet Scythe fan, and several quiet Scythe case fans in an NZXT Gamma chasis. The result is much quieter than I expected, however, the system is well cooled.
Score
1
BattleshipLorenzen
February 16, 2012 12:59:51 PM
IMO the testing methodology was not flawed. Rather, like all testing methodologies, it can't be perfect for every purpose. Should the resistors have been used with the A70? They could have been, though then that opens up using the noise reducing options for all of the coolers. It may have been a nice page to have for some though.
What was the method of application for the TIM?
Thanks for the article! Glad to see my A70 doing well. I wish it had beaten the Evo by more than 1C based on its higher original price, but considering it can often be had for a little less, I'll take it
.
What was the method of application for the TIM?
Thanks for the article! Glad to see my A70 doing well. I wish it had beaten the Evo by more than 1C based on its higher original price, but considering it can often be had for a little less, I'll take it
. Score
1
billybobser
February 16, 2012 1:56:09 PM
Score
-4
icepick314
February 16, 2012 1:58:01 PM
I WAS going to get Noctua NH-D14 from Amazon based on the review but after reading the comments, I ended up with Corsair A70 from Newegg. Thank goodness Amazon didn't have enough stock so I was able to cancel order before my card charged.
I'm doing incremental upgrade for i7 3930k and only getting GTX 550 TI in SLI for now.
Later I will use water cooling and will get far better GPUs so $40 air cooler with $15 rebate will do nicely for now.
I'm doing incremental upgrade for i7 3930k and only getting GTX 550 TI in SLI for now.
Later I will use water cooling and will get far better GPUs so $40 air cooler with $15 rebate will do nicely for now.
Score
2
AppleBlowsDonkeyBalls
February 16, 2012 2:00:44 PM
battleshiplorenzenIMO the testing methodology was not flawed. Rather, like all testing methodologies, it can't be perfect for every purpose. Should the resistors have been used with the A70? They could have been, though then that opens up using the noise reducing options for all of the coolers. It may have been a nice page to have for some though. What was the method of application for the TIM? Thanks for the article! Glad to see my A70 doing well. I wish it had beaten the Evo by more than 1C based on its higher original price, but considering it can often be had for a little less, I'll take it .
The cooler should be tested with what it includes, so yes, it is flawed. If it comes with the resistor, test it with it. It doesn't open the door for using it on the others because they do not include it.
And again, the review simply ignored any basis for an award based on performance-to-value ratio because "LGA 2011 is for rich people that don't care about value". Very flawed, if not outright biased.
Score
-5
Crashman
February 16, 2012 2:07:20 PM
AppleBlowsDonkeyBallsThe cooler should be tested with what it includes, so yes, it is flawed. If it comes with the resistor, test it with it. It doesn't open the door for using it on the others because they do not include it.
But that wouldn't have been fair to the other guys, unless the Corsair cooler was tested only with the resistors attached. And then you'd be here complaining that it wasn't tested without the resistor.Remember, there's fourteen coolers here. Several came with resistors. Several more came with optional fans that weren't part of the package. Testing all possible configurations would have taken weeks, so "one test per device" was the only fair way to fit all of the coolers into one comparison.
As for the perspective of the award, you can argue that the value award should have been given to Cooler Master instead of the "best of" award for Noctua. But you're right when you try not to be: LGA 2011 is for rich people who don't care as much about value. If they did care about value, they'd buy LGA 1155.
Oh yeh, and resistors are a band-aid for broken motherboard fan controls, or an improperly designed fan, or both.
Score
8
czar1020
February 16, 2012 2:08:32 PM
masterofevil22
February 16, 2012 2:34:22 PM
I've had the Noctua D-14 in my system for over a year and although I've considered going to closed loop water, I never have because it cools so well and gets my CPU to MAX OC all while being very quite doing so.
My friend has the 1100t and a corsair H100 (in an NZXT case w/good cooling) and he can only get his CPU to about 3.8Ghz.
Under my D-14 with Arctic Silver 5 I'm able to get my 1055t to 4.2-.4.4Ghz(1.6v) and I've been running it at a very comfortable 4.02ghz since the chip came out, with a modest voltage of 1.45v.
Anyway, even under Prime or Cinebench this cooler keeps it under 63c and playing BF3 max'd for hours gets me no higher than about 46c; I idle around 36c.
Only CON about this and other big air coolers is that for the most part you will have to go with low profile ram.. just a consideration.
My friend has the 1100t and a corsair H100 (in an NZXT case w/good cooling) and he can only get his CPU to about 3.8Ghz.
Under my D-14 with Arctic Silver 5 I'm able to get my 1055t to 4.2-.4.4Ghz(1.6v) and I've been running it at a very comfortable 4.02ghz since the chip came out, with a modest voltage of 1.45v.
Anyway, even under Prime or Cinebench this cooler keeps it under 63c and playing BF3 max'd for hours gets me no higher than about 46c; I idle around 36c.
Only CON about this and other big air coolers is that for the most part you will have to go with low profile ram.. just a consideration.
Score
1
Dogsnake
February 16, 2012 2:46:20 PM
The Hyper has always been a good cost effective solution. I use a Noc. on an older i920 and love it. I was fortunate to have some cash when I built. There will always be products that do not make it into a review that are good products. As a Noc. fan I will say that having low temps. and good clearances for memory and video cards would be major considerations in my build. As with any overview article, it is a guide for builders to use. We all make our own decisions about what is best for us.
Score
0
Until such time as all of Crappermaster's PSUs bear honest labels (fact, not opinion; reviews at HardwareSecrets), I will continue to avoid, and recommend against, any product from this dishonest company, regardless of quality.
Fortunately, as reviews like this one show, they have equivalent or better competition, so you don't lose for refusing to support a dishonest business.
/rant
Fortunately, as reviews like this one show, they have equivalent or better competition, so you don't lose for refusing to support a dishonest business.
/rant
Score
-2
gm0n3y
February 16, 2012 4:38:05 PM
RedJaron
February 16, 2012 6:19:59 PM
cknobman said:
Just wondering why no Xigmatek?I remember them at one time having some of the best coolers around.
The Venus was included in this roundup.
Score
1
warezme
February 16, 2012 6:51:16 PM
sharkcicle
February 16, 2012 7:12:09 PM
I don't really see the usefulness of the "cooling value" statistic, which uses (relative temperature/relative price) as it's figure of merit. By that definition, a cooler with low temperature and low price would score the same as one with high temperature and high price. Obviously the former is more desirable. I think this performance would be better described by (relative temperature)*(relative price), so we can choose the cooler based on the lowest product of Degree-Dollars.
Score
1
Anonymous
February 16, 2012 7:20:26 PM
Where was the Frio? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Score
0
phump
February 16, 2012 7:41:52 PM
compa008
February 16, 2012 8:07:40 PM
If you really want to cool that processor get one of these fans. They move almost 2x more air then most fans. Compare the CFM on the other fans, it blows them out of the water.....just dont get them if you hate noise, their loud, very.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Score
-3
phump
February 16, 2012 8:18:11 PM
compa008If you really want to cool that processor get one of these fans. They move almost 2x more air then most fans. Compare the CFM on the other fans, it blows them out of the water.....just dont get them if you hate noise, their loud, very. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835185054
I would refer to x-bit's "fan roundup" series for very thorough CFM analysis.
Score
1
jaquith
February 16, 2012 8:37:21 PM
Great article Tom, good work! Holly Cow what a lot of work to get 14 HSF assemblies; off the top of my head there's 23+ so the companies that didn't send you one - hell with then
While I 'get' the seduction of the NH-D14, on the LGA 2011 it's a PITA {RAM, MOBO} compatibility. I really like Corsair Dominator's & GT RAM, and there's no way I'd take the top heatsink off.
On the LGA 2011 I recommend some form of water - custom Koolance or EK, or simple closed loop e.g. Corsair H100 and in possible in push/pull.
While I 'get' the seduction of the NH-D14, on the LGA 2011 it's a PITA {RAM, MOBO} compatibility. I really like Corsair Dominator's & GT RAM, and there's no way I'd take the top heatsink off.
On the LGA 2011 I recommend some form of water - custom Koolance or EK, or simple closed loop e.g. Corsair H100 and in possible in push/pull.
Score
1
Crashman
February 16, 2012 9:17:23 PM
sharkcicleI don't really see the usefulness of the "cooling value" statistic...By that definition, a cooler with low temperature and low price would score the same as one with high temperature and high price.
Actually you have it backwards: 1.) The average temperature of all coolers is taken
2.) Each cooler is given an INVERSE "percent score" by dividing the CLASS AVERAGE by its actual reading.
3.)The average PRICE of all coolers is taken
4.) Each cooler is given a DIRECT "percent score" by dividing its ACTUAL PRICE by the class average.
For example the NH-D14 scored 1.19 times the average cooling performance but costs 1.31 times the average price. Divide 1.19 by 1.31 and get the value score.
So, a cooler with low temperature gets a higher score because the number is inverted. A cooler with a lower price gets a higher score because its direct price percentage is the divisor. And all is well with the world.
The same calculations apply to "acoustic efficiency". This is normally explained in the article but the explanation was somehow left out this time.
Score
2
10tacle
February 16, 2012 11:53:21 PM
I've had the NH-D14 in my i2500k rig for a year now and besides the butt fugly looks in the Antec 900 window (even thought about taking it apart and painting the fans and fan cowlings black). Then recently I saw the Phanteks PH-CT14PE in blue to match the ASUS mobo & G.Skill Ripjaws and seriously thought about selling the D14. But it wasn't just about color, especially with a rig running at 4.83GHz and 1.396v.
Another tech site (overclockersclub) reports the Phanteks outperforming the Noctua by 5C at overclock load. Others have it showing 1-3C ahead. One has to wonder: why the rather large discrepancy in performance between the two here, Toms?
Another tech site (overclockersclub) reports the Phanteks outperforming the Noctua by 5C at overclock load. Others have it showing 1-3C ahead. One has to wonder: why the rather large discrepancy in performance between the two here, Toms?
Score
1
Crashman
February 17, 2012 12:12:59 AM
tchadwickWhere was the Frio? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835106178
Perhaps Thermaltake wasn't ready? Check this: Quote:
We invited every major CPU cooler manufacturer (that's right, all of them) to show off their LGA 2011-compatible heat sinks, and fourteen responded with products ranging from $30 to $99.10tacleAnother tech site (overclockersclub) reports the Phanteks outperforming the Noctua by 5C at overclock load. Others have it showing 1-3C ahead. One has to wonder: why the rather large discrepancy in performance between the two here, Toms?
Probably the fan position. Phantek's front fan is huge and had to be pushed about 1/2" above center to clear the RAM in this test. And so it lost to Noctua by less than a degree (1 degree after rounding).But the big front fan isn't just an issue for testing consistency, it's also a big issue for installation. Several of our cases are over EIGHT INCHES wide and still can't fit the big fan and mid-height RAM simultaneously.
Score
1
Marcus52
February 17, 2012 3:33:13 AM
bunnywannyI been using a Prolimatech Megahalems since its introduction back in 2009. I remembered that in a few months later Noctua took the crown as top performing air cooled heatsink. It is nice that new cpu heatsinks are becoming better in performance, but i don't like the fact that they are becoming bigger and heavier than previous cpu heatsink kings by only earning a degree or two above the rest. Could you guys do a heatsink Weight/cooling efficiency chart? This is to make readers see which manufacture did its engineering mission to make a much more effective unit than its competition. Not just slab more metal to defeat the other guy. To heatsink manufactures: Do something innovating if a wall seems to be in the way! Just look at PSU manufactures, they are reaching 92% Platinum rating, from 82% rating four years ago.Example: Noctua NH-D14 weighs 900g without fans and it did 45c at full load. 900g/45c= 20.00 efficiency ratio. Panteck PH-TC14PE weighs 970g without fans, performing at 46c.970g/46c= 21.09 efficiency ratio.CM Hyper 212 EVO Weighs 580g with fan, performing at 51c.580g/51c= 11.37 efficiency ratio.Ideally, the lower the ratio, the more efficient a cpu cooler is. Other charts count as well when making a final decision.
One reason I tried the Antec Skeleton "case" is that the mainboard lays flat using it. I don't like that heavy heatsinks and graphics cards are sideways relative to gravity. Unfortunately, the Skeleton can't use these tall coolers because the frame is in the way.
I don't actually know of any problem caused by vertical mainboards. It seems to me there would be added stress on PCIe slots, and vibration could more easily reduce the contact between cooler and CPU over the years. I did have to back off my OC on my Core i7 920, from 4.1 to 3.8 GHz (in a different case with a big cooler, the Cooler Master V8), after a couple of years, but I don't really know the cause.
However, I found a good solution, and this is where I "beg to differ" from your comment; CPU heatsink makers are indeed making lower profile devices that put less weight on the CPU and surrounding mainboard. They come in the form of closed system, easy to use liquid cooled ("water" cooled, though the solution used isn't all water by any means) devices, and the latest versions are competitive with the high end air cool systems we see today (and have had for several years now).
They aren't cheap; they are way cheaper than kit versions (significantly less effective, too), but they are in the price range of high end air cool devices - or cost more. However, you can get good cooling in a system that requires a low-profile solution, and if weight is a concern to you then I highly recommend you research the latest liquid cooling options.
I expect the kind of easy-to-install, closed system liquid cooling we see today will improve over the next few years, and they will become the thing to use for enthusiasts who overclock but don't want to put the time and expense into a full-blown liquid cooling system.
Score
0
Marcus52
February 17, 2012 3:53:02 AM
One thing I want to comment on - no CPU cooler review tells the whole story. This isn't out of lack or trying or competence, certainly, it is a difficulty in what it really takes to measure the difference over time and in multiple installations.
A better way to test them would be to do a dozen installs for each cooler; competence aside (and it is generally high in cooler reviews), I do think there is enough room for error in the process to account for some variation in test results. Also, components of different cooling systems age - for example, if there are rubber grommets that help maintain contact without allowing excessive force, they WILL deteriorate over time. (I'm in favor of a spring-loaded approach here if that kind of feature is added.)
Is measuring a temperature at a set overclock the same as measuring temperatures from custom overclocks designed to reach the maximum stable performance of a processor? It would be very time consuming to do custom overclocks on every installation, of course, so I have no complaint over the way coolers are tested - I just try to look at the bigger picture.
That being said, while it doesn't always top the charts of everyone's testing, the Noctua NH-D14 places high in every reviewer's test set (for an example). One way those of us that research these things prior to a new build can achieve the "multiple installation test", to some degree any way, is by reading as many reviews of these things as we can.
A better way to test them would be to do a dozen installs for each cooler; competence aside (and it is generally high in cooler reviews), I do think there is enough room for error in the process to account for some variation in test results. Also, components of different cooling systems age - for example, if there are rubber grommets that help maintain contact without allowing excessive force, they WILL deteriorate over time. (I'm in favor of a spring-loaded approach here if that kind of feature is added.)
Is measuring a temperature at a set overclock the same as measuring temperatures from custom overclocks designed to reach the maximum stable performance of a processor? It would be very time consuming to do custom overclocks on every installation, of course, so I have no complaint over the way coolers are tested - I just try to look at the bigger picture.
That being said, while it doesn't always top the charts of everyone's testing, the Noctua NH-D14 places high in every reviewer's test set (for an example). One way those of us that research these things prior to a new build can achieve the "multiple installation test", to some degree any way, is by reading as many reviews of these things as we can.
Score
2
tlmck
February 17, 2012 4:03:21 AM
AppleBlowsDonkeyBalls
February 17, 2012 6:11:01 PM
CrashmanBut that wouldn't have been fair to the other guys, unless the Corsair cooler was tested only with the resistors attached. And then you'd be here complaining that it wasn't tested without the resistor.Remember, there's fourteen coolers here. Several came with resistors. Several more came with optional fans that weren't part of the package. Testing all possible configurations would have taken weeks, so "one test per device" was the only fair way to fit all of the coolers into one comparison.As for the perspective of the award, you can argue that the value award should have been given to Cooler Master instead of the "best of" award for Noctua. But you're right when you try not to be: LGA 2011 is for rich people who don't care as much about value. If they did care about value, they'd buy LGA 1155.Oh yeh, and resistors are a band-aid for broken motherboard fan controls, or an improperly designed fan, or both.
Are you retarded? Then test all those that came with resistors with it. Are you stupid?
LMAO.
Score
-3
- 1 / 2
- 2
- Newest
!