Performance FMB2 RCFH-4 - Loudest. Cooler. Ever
When Intel unveiled the dual-core processors of the Pentium D 80 series, the thermal power loss of its processors jumped dramatically again - suddenly there were two 90 nm CPU cores on a single socket that needed to be cooled. Intel's specifications stated a thermal design power of 130 W, pushing the coolers of the time to their limits, and sometimes even past them. In many cases, users were unable to benefit from the processors' full performance potential, because it had to throttle its clock speed (and thus its performance) to keep from overheating.
Loud - the Performance FMB
This development did not stop there, though, and Intel launched the Pentium Extreme Edition 840, running at 3.20 GHz. Intel's flagship CPU got even hotter than its siblings, which is unsurprising considering that it, too, was a dual-core part. It also sported Hyper-Threading technology, for a total of four virtual cores.
Performance FMB2
In order to adequately cool this CPU, Intel began bundling its press samples with the famous, or rather infamous, "Performance FMB". This was the first version of the box cooler to feature cooling fins pointing in the opposite direction of the fan. It also sported a small protective grid above the fan.
Hearing this fan in operation is anything but an enjoyable experience. Running at 61 dB(A), it can easily be made out even from a few rooms away. Cooling performance is also not really in line with today's requirements. Even when spinning its fan at full blast, which translates to almost 5000 RPM, the Performance FMB can only cool the CPU to 76°C.
A copper core is inset into the Performance FMB.
| Technical Data | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 100% load | idle |
| Temperature PWM | 76.5°C | 40.5°C |
| Noise | 61.1 dB(A) | 43.9 dB(A) |
| Fan speed | 4900 RPM | 2300 RPM |
| Weight | 534 grams | Row 4 - Cell 2 |
| Intel socket | 775 | Row 5 - Cell 2 |
