Radical CPU Coolers from CoolIT

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Test System And Methodology

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System Hardware
Processor(s) Intel Core 2 Duo e4300 (1.8 GHz overclocked to 2.25 GHz), 2 MB L2 Cache
Platform Biostar T-Force 965PT (socket 775)Intel 965 chipset, BIOS vP96CA103BS
RAM Patriot Signature Line1x 1024 MB PC2-6400 (CL5-5-5-16)
Hard Drive Western Digital WD1200JB120 GB, 7,200 RPM, 8 MB cache, UltraATA/100
Networking On-board 1 Gb Ethernet
Graphics Card EVGA Geforce 8800 GTX (PCIe)768 MB GDDR3
Power Supply Thermaltake Toughpower 1200 W
System Software & Drivers
OS Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.10.2600, Service Pack 2
DirectX Version 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Graphics Driver Nvidia forceware 158.22

I overclocked the e4300 CPU to the limit its stock cooler can handle, 2.25 GHz from the stock 1.8 GHz. Now, I'll compare the cooling performance of the Freezone and Eliminator to the stock cooler, and, for more variety, the Koolance Exos-2 water cooling system.

Note that the Freezone has only two tested settings - low and high - compared to the Eliminator's three settings - low, med, and high. This is because the Eliminator has a three-setting switch while the Freezone has an infinitely adjustable dial. Because of this, I tested the Freezone at the maximum and minimum setting of the dial.

Don Woligroski
Contributor

Don Woligroski was a former senior hardware editor for Tom's Hardware. He has covered a wide range of PC hardware topics, including CPUs, GPUs, system building, and emerging technologies.