• prev
  • 1
    •
  • 2
    •
  • 3
    •
  • 4
    •
  • 5
  • 6
  • next
  • «»
Page 5 of 6

Testing and Results

Methodology

Testing CPU coolers is a fairly simple process. We boot the computer into the operating system and use SpeedFan to measure the processor’s temperature – at idle and load. The CPU cooler which gives the lowest temperature is obviously the better one in terms of cooling performance.

The ‘idle’ processor state is achieved by running the system in the OS for 30 minutes with no applications running – except Windows’ needed ones. Once those 30 minutes are over, we run SpeedFan (a CPU temperature monitor utility) and note the CPU’s temperature.

The ‘load’ state is achieved similarly to idle. However, instead of no applications running for 30 minutes, we run a utility called ‘CPU Burn-In’ on each core of the processor. This puts the CPU under the highest stress threshold and therefore outputs its highest possible temperatures. The temperature is recorded again, after 30 minutes and by using SpeedFan.

A low temperature is not only what makes a CPU cooler better than another. More importantly – especially in today’s world of HTPC’s – noise is an important issue to take into account. Unfortunately though, measuring the noise output from CPU coolers needs very expensive sound recording equipment. And because the coolers usually generate less than 30dBA, the price tag for one piece of equipment is one Tech-Reviews at the moment cannot possibly afford. Therefore, the only way for us to give you a verdict on a CPU cooler’s sound output is for us to use our God given human ears and compare the cooler in testing with other competitor models. This result is by no means scientific, but it’s certainly a good representation of how quiet a cooler is in relation to other competitor models.

Throughout the testing of this CPU cooler and the other ones mentioned in the results, the current testing variables were as follows:

  • Ambient (testing environment) temperature: 20 Degrees Celsius
  • Thermal Paste: Tuniq TX-2
  • Processor: AMD 7750+ Black Edition
  • Stock Speed: 2.7ghz (200*13.5)
  • Overclocked Speed: 3ghz (200*15)

Results

Temperatures

From the idle results you can clearly see the Arctic Cooling Freezer XTREME performing about 10 degrees hotter than the other coolers. At load the margin between the Freezer XREME and the other coolers is even more noticeable.

Arctic Cooling Freezer XTREME Rev.2 CPU Cooler

Fortunately the idle overclocked temperatures are slightly more of an improvement with an 8 degrees increase over the competitor coolers. However, the load temperatures have an increase of 20 degrees! That’s not good.

Arctic Cooling Freezer XTREME Rev.2 CPU Cooler

Noise

In terms of noise the Freezer XTREME was the second quietest out of all the ones in the test. It would be a good quiet replacement for a stock AMD cooler.

('DiggThis’)
  • prev
  • 1
    •
  • 2
    •
  • 3
    •
  • 4
    •
  • 5
  • 6
    •
  • next
  • «»
Page 5 of 6

Search

Sponsor

NetPortal

Latest Article

CoolIT Domino i5 Testing

Back in July this year we tested the CoolIT watercooling kit using a heavily overclocked AMD 7750+ BE. It’s performance really surprised us with it absolutely caning the other coolers in question. However, processors have quickly moved on since July and we’ve got the likes of the Intel Core i7 and recent i5 dominating the market. For this reason, we thought some i5 testing using our trusty CoolIT Domino was in order. Let’s see if the performance from the Domino still survives in this day and age…

Read Article »

Related Content

Mar 17

Tsunami Ultimate II 3500 2xHDD JBOD Enclosure

The Tsunami Ultimate II is a dual hard drive enclosure which is JBOD/BIG capable. This enables it to be used as two independent drives or combining the capacity of two hard drives. Unlike many dual hard drive enclosures, the Tsunami Ultimate II 3500 is priced at only £22. Does this cheap price impact in poor performance and quality? Time to find out…

Read the Story »
Mar 16

OCZ ModXStream Pro 600 Watt

Quite some time ago we were kindly given the chance to review the OCZ Fatal1ty 700 Watt. Today, OCZ have kindly let us take a look at the 600W ModXStream Pro. Will this 600W Modular power supply perform to the standards of the other units we’ve tested? Time to find out…

Read the Story »
Mar 13

Coolink Lapchilla Laptop Cooler

Laptop technology has advanced greatly over the years with different releases of more powerful and compact systems constantly replacing the top notebooks of the year before. However, improving the performance of laptops usually has the knock on effect of producing more heat and so users will commonly seek advice in order to better cool their laptop. An often used approach to this problem is a Laptop Cooler.

However, most laptop coolers do more than simply draw hot air from your system. Many laptop coolers also have become a key feature in making the experience of using a portable machine at a desk more comfortable overall. Most coolers provide an elevated position for the actual laptop which usually features a sort of incline to the keyboard, thus allowing comfortable angles for typing during the longer sessions at the computer.

Read the Story »
Mar 12

Zaward Golf Fan II

Many of you wouldn’t have heard of Zaward before and don’t feel disheartened if you’re one, they’re a fairly new company specializing in specifically computer cooling. One of the most innovative products in their catalogue is what’s called the ‘Golf Fan II’. Unlike most case fans, the Golf Fan 2 features a patent golf-ball-like texture on its fins which according to Zaward reduces noise levels by 15% at the same RPM and airflow. Now I’ve reviewed a lot of case fans in my day and many boast large claims like this, to find out whether Zaward’s marketing department are not just playing about, let’s put it to the test and find out whether it’s true to its word.

Read the Story »