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For our CPU cooling tests, we use the same hardware, overclock and configuration for every test to minimize variables in testing. This allows for all results across all coolers tested on the platform to be viable as side-by-side examination for direct compare/contrast.
Intel i9 Test System Setup
| CPU | Intel i9-10850k LGA1200 (Comet Lake), all 10 cores 4.6Ghz @ 1.190v |
| (3.60Ghz stock speed, single core boost @ 5.2Ghz) | |
| Motherboard | MSI Z490 MEG Godlike (bios vers. 7C70v12) |
| Memory | Corsair Vengeance LPX, 32GB (4x8GB) DDR4-3000 |
| Storage | Corsair MP600 m.2 2280 NVMe, 500GB |
| Graphics | Gigabyte GTX 1050Ti |
| Power Supply | be quiet! Dark Power Pro11 1200w |
| Chassis | Corsair Graphite 760T |
| Monitoring | CrystalFontz CFA-633-TMI-KU, 4x Dallas One Wire WR-DOW-Y17 sensors |
| Fan Control | Corsair Commander Pro, 100%/50% PWM Speed profiles (liquid cooling pump always @100%, if applicable) |
| OS | Windows 10 Pro 64bit |
| Networking | Disconnected, not used |
| Thermal Compound | Arctic MX-4 |
All data reported for this article has been collected on the current Intel i9-10850k platform and will be maintained as like-for-like evaluation of ongoing cooling coverage. We’ve recently swapped the taller, Corsair Dominator RGB DIMMs with shorter Corsair Vengeance LPX for higher cooler compatibility for testing.
Prime95 v29.4b8 (no AVX) is used for two-hour intervals, one managing fans at 50% PWM and the other at 100% PWM with RPM measurements being taken every 3 seconds and averaged across the duration of each 2-hour capture. Omitting AVX instruction sets allows for accurate, 100% loads at chosen clock speeds, while allowing AVX instructions would provide higher, albeit, unrealistic synthetic CPU loads and excessive heat production, less indicative of real-world use.
This also allows for a greater range of CPU coolers to be tested and compared without the need to configure the system differently for smaller coolers which may not handle the excessive thermal loads being generated during testing, while larger coolers might be better equipped to manage heat output produced by the i9-10850k.
While the test platform is quite capable of a 10-core overclock at 5.0Ghz and 1.265v, we were seeing 360mm AIOs struggle to keep core temperatures in check at lower fan speeds, providing insight that the enthusiast-grade i9’s need excellent cooling if the goal is overclocking.
HWInfo64 is used for real-time core temperature readout, thermal throttling alerts, motherboard power consumption, CPU speed and logging of data, while a CrystalFontz CFA-633-TMI-KU is used to monitor and later average both ambient room (2 probes) and motherboard voltage regulator heatsink (2 probes).
