Testing powerful coolers. The first one.
THERMALTAKE BIG TYPHOON 120 VX VS NOCTUA NH-U12P.TVETUA NICH 50-55 $
Preface

To date, many different coolers are represented in the Ukrainian market. Among them are expensive, and affordable models are focused on different categories of users. Most are a purely budget class, but there is a Hi-End Class Cooler that are expensive. It is also worth noting that very expensive models do not always demonstrate the desired performance, and cheap is not always bad. There are many famous companies on the market, but sometimes it is also small, who are trying to conquer the celebrity and popularity with high-quality and more available models.
By the first, I would probably take thermaltake, which produces many accessories for modding, power supplies, housing and, naturally, cooler. Perhaps the most famous cooler of this company is the legendary Typhoon, who helped accelerate old processors under 939 and 775 sockets for pentiums. There was a lot of time, but many users do not change, and some even buy it. In this review, I picked up the opponent Typhoon from the Noctua camp, NH-U12P cooler. The company has long been selling its products in the territory of Western Europe, but we have almost disseminated in Ukraine.
Perhaps today there was such a situation when you can buy a good processor for respective money ... and then essentially, let's say, speed it up. For this we must thank modern technologies, and in particular Intel, which released a very successful architecture. For more or less adequate prices, we must thank AMD, which is trying to survive in this market segment. Well, these companies in turn must thank us, for buying their processors.

Test platform and testing conditions.

So, Introduction will be finished, go to practice. For testing, I used the following system:
Processorintel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (G0)
Maternal fee P5K Premium / WiFi-AP
CouplersThermaltake Big Typhoon 120 VX,
NOCTUA NH-U12P
RAMGOODRAM 2 GB DDR2 800 MHz X2 (4GB)
Video Cardagigabyte X800GTO 256MB + Zalman VF700-CU
Hard diskSeagate ST3750330AS 750GB
SoftwareThermaltake ToughPower 750W
Drivesus DRW-1814
CorpsCooler Master ELITE 331 (1x12 cm Fool)
IPSAPC Back-Ups CS 500
Operating systemWindows Vista 64bit SP1

On the eve of me, a pre-configuration of the system and stability test was made. It is necessary to confess, dispersed the processor to the frequency of 3.6 I failed. More precisely, it was possible, but the system worked in an OST about an hour, and then I watched the "screen of death". And so repeated several times. Perhaps the reason was in the overheating of the northern bridge, although it is definitely not known. But I set myself the task to squeeze the maximum while maintaining complete stability, and when the system has steadily worked for 6 hours, I counted overclocking successful.

So, at the FSB 400, the multiplier was 8, the total frequency is 3.2. 1: 1 memory divider, efficient frequency - 800 MHz. Bios settings:
CPU Voltage 1,4.
CPU PLL Voltage 1.6
FSB Termination Voltage 1.3
Dram Voltage 1,8.
NB Voltage 1,4
SB Voltage 1.05
Load Line Calibration (VDROop) Enabled
CPU GTL VOLTAGE REFERENCE 0,63X
All other settings are delivered in the car. Fans control is turned off, with the exception of multiple tests.

voltages on the nucleus

Well, now we turn to the experimental:
P.S. I will not stop on cardboard and plastic boxes, but I will note that the Taufuna package looks solid, about the configuration - read below:

It has long been a season of vacations. And many could already taste the entire charm of summer weather. The bright rays of the sun surround us everywhere these days. The temperature in the shade reaches sometimes thirty degrees. But how does it feel in such conditions "Iron work" - a computer? To admit, in such conditions he has to be tight. But no one asks him, and he is just as obedient continuing his daily work. But the biggest burden at such moments is in the main processor ...

Instead of cool air, which should receive its cooler outside the housing, to cool the "flaming heart", it gets hot air flows, whose presence once again stimulates a further increase in temperature. And what to do in such cases? For most enthusiasts on the expanses of our Motherland, it has long ceased to be a problem. On the market now in a large assortment you can find a stunning choice of various cooling systems. And if with the choice of water systems, there are minor problems in terms of availability and prices, then there are no problems with air. We can meet representatives of a huge number of different manufacturers such as: Zalman, Thermaltake, Coolermaster, Scythe, Glacial Tech, Arctic Cooling, Ice Hammer. Each of them provides the buyer a choice of cooling system, based on its financial supply, need for specific efficiency, etc. When choosing a cooler, a person of the uninitiated may have a lot of questions about the fact that it is still preferred. But in the stopper can enter the person knowledgeable in this area. Since the choice and variety is too large. Various manufacturers are sometimes very similar in the appearance of the cooler. Their designs and method of heat removal are often similar. In such a situation, the buyer and the question arises about the feasibility of buying a particular cooling system. In such cases, he addresses the media to clarify the situation in this matter. The benefit that today on the Internet is a mass of various testing of most coolers. We are similar to this instance. Today I will try to answer some questions that may arise from a person who has stuck before buying a cooler for the processor.

THERMALTAKE BIG TYPHOON.

Today we have a representative of the famous company THERMALTAKE, BIG TYPHOON. We meet!

He gets to us in a bright beautiful packaging, without the opening of which you can already see the appearance of the cooler, or rather its fan. Only taking this box in hand, feel the weight and dimensions of this cooling system. It is worth saying that in front of the packaging nothing except the title we will not know. It concerns the lateral part. But behind the manufacturer gives us some information. Including barcode and, more interesting, information about the possibility of installing various fans, but also later. But, perhaps, on this I should stop looking at the packaging, but you need to proceed to the extraction of the cooler from its "cocoon".

And finally, he appears before us. His dimensions are really great. A similar impression is created, first of all, due to the resonance of the size of the lower and top. At the bottom of the lower part we have only a base, and in the upper large 120mm-pylon, which has a pleasant characteristic of the thermaltake, an orange color, covered with a metal casing with an emblem, respectively, of the same manufacturer. "TT" - this is how it is usually reduced by the name "Thermaltake". For me, this is superfluous mention of heat pipes. Speaking about this corporation, it is worth mentioning that they establish very quiet fans on these coolers. Moreover, the manufacturer himself reminds us that it is possible to install two more types of fans. One of them is very similar to the one that we already have, but it is distinguished by the resistance regulator, whose presence, I, honestly, is incomprehensible. A similar thing would be useful in the time of Volcano, also produced thermaltake. But here we have a "fat" low-blurred fan. He is like a regulator, nevertheless, not really needed. Although it is worth saying that this manufacturer always loved to delight the buyer with various baubles. We can remember this phenomenon in the corps of their production. Returning to our configuration, we do not have revolutions. But confess, I am not very upset. Since there is always the ability to connect a 5V cooler. Speaking about the second version of the possible fan, then its difference is the presence of LEDs. What will help embellish your body blue backlight. On this, we turn from the description of the fan to the look at the design of the cooler, the benefit that we have something to see. Power cord, which is a fairly standard 3-pin, to my surprise, is covered with a beautiful white aesthetic material. Acknowledge, this will meet infrequently. But this once again emphasizes the magnificent view of the cooler. But this cord has a serious minus. This is his length. She is very small. Therefore, you will not be able to put the cooler in any way, otherwise it will not allow the power cord that will not reach the context on the motherboard. Still, this is not a very pleasant moment.

And again, we can appreciate the dimensions of this giant. It is worth saying that it has six copper heat pipes (and also they!), Soldered to the base, and passing through a radiator consisting of thin aluminum ribs having a relatively small thickness. The ribs are located fairly tight to each other. The distance between them is very small. How it will affect how the air flows will pass through these cracks, say hard. But, I hope, Kudesniki from Thermaltake did not missed this moment. But what can be said exactly, so this is the fact that the distance between the ribs will be clogged with dust, and it will be quite problematic to clean it from there. So, if you decide to use this cooler in your case, do not forget to take care that you do not lie in your housing. This may affect the future not the best on the effectiveness of the "Big Typhoon".

And now take a look at the base. And here the THERMALTAKE clearly did not try. We can see the very poor quality of the formation of the base. Traces of cutters are clearly visible to the eye. However, such a omission is available in most coolers of this manufacturer. There is no problem in too much orders, and the fact that the gentlemen from thermaltake do not have time to treat the base? It is worth noting that such flaws can strongly affect the efficiency of the cooler. We now turn to the configuration that goes along with Big Typhoon. All, this content we can see in a black box lying on the bottom of the packaging. After extracting its components, we can see:

First of all, installation instructions. With this, confess, the manufacturer pleased me. We have an instruction with printing comments illustrated by color photographs. This will not even meet with Zalman. Whose illustrations are still black and white and represent exactly pictures, rather than photography. A similar approach Thermaltake cannot but rejoice. And when assessing the cooler, such moments can play an important role. Since the right setting is precisely what caused the problems with most experts from various sites. Because of what we can meet serious discrepancies in the results. We could observe such a situation in the case of Zalman 9500. In the case of which, however, there was some defectiveness of the foundation, namely a small bulge in the center. But also often it was possible to see problems associated with a lack of clamp of the cooler, which inevitably led to low performance. Returning to our cooler, it is worth saying that in the configuration we also have three bags. In one of them we have fasteners, screws, nuts, etc. In the other two, you can see back-plate for various sockets, as well as fasteners. What else can be pleased with the manufacturer, so it is a thermal ward. However, today each manufacturer has equipped its cooler with such a thermal interface.

Before installing the motherboard, Typhoon has been a test of a small ground polishing with a guy and woolen fabric. Such an operation was carried out with all air-cooling systems tested today. This is necessary first of all in order to eliminate all the factory shortcomings on the processing of the base and to identify the most effective design during testing, without care for roughness to the bottom of the coolers.

And now we turn to the installation of Big Typhoon on the motherboard. In this case, the Socket 939. Talking about other sockets, it is worth saying that everything is enough, it seems. In all cases, we use the standard Back-Plate from thermaltake, which is fixed on the back side of the motherboard with the help of long screws, on which on the other side we wear red strips and screw the yellow aluminum washers.

Next, we use the same Back-Plate, only this time we place it on the basis of the cooler. Depending on the socket, the number of screws used differently. For Socket A, 478,775 it is four, for Socket 754/939 we will need two screws, which can be seen in the photo.

Next, from the top we fasten the screws with small nuts, which, to admit, death is like. This is a long enough procedure, if you do it carefully and seek good stiffness. I personally used a little wrench and frozenly twisted them the nuts. In general, the installation for Socket A, 478,775 is the same, the difference consists only that for Socket 775 we use another fastener frame. For mounting on Socket A, 478,775, two installation options are used. One is referred to as Alternative, and I already described it. It is identical for all sockets. The second is called as Standard. Theoretically, this method is very simple. We use the standard Back-Plate, which is complete with the motherboard, and already screw the fastener from Big Typhoon. But it was impossible for me. The length of the screws lacked. How much effort I did not fit, but this did not give anything other than the scratching of the base. By spinning one of the screws, it was not able to cope with the second. From my effort the metal fastener began to bend, and I decided to stop attempts to such an installation. Unfortunately, suitable screws for installing the cooler I could not find. I decided to use the method called Alternative, but instead of nuts, I decided to twist the yellow washers that we fix the back-plate. In the result, it looked as shown in the photo above.

It is worth saying, due to the fact that the fan on the cooler is placed on the top, it immediately removes all sorts of problems with its rotation. Since all the air is taken from above, and not on the side, as in the case of most coolers on heat pipes.

Further, respectively, the motherboard was placed in the housing. It is worth saying that with this method of installation it is possible to remove or install a cooler without the extraction of the motherboard from the case. Although it is still not so convenient, as the wiring arms between the wires, it is sometimes possible not so correct installation, but rather an uneven clamp, due to different tightening the washers.

In the housing, the cooler looks amazing. It is worth noting that there is no problems with contact with wires or radiators of the north bridge. Typhoon stood in the case very well. The video card remains about 1.5 cm, which is quite enough. Although, problems are possible if your card has large radiators in memory. But in most cases they will still be accommodated slightly lower than the cooler fan. And in the area where thermal tubes and the contact radiator should not be. At the base, Typhoon also does not hurt any batteries on the motherboard. And it is worth noting the important fact that today among the tested coolers it was at Typhun that there were no problems with the screw of the screw, which consolidates the motherboard in the central part, not far from the processor.

In the photo above, we can more clearly make sure that the brainchild from Thermaltake is located close enough to the video card.

Despite the fact that the IDE was used by the IDE hard disk, there were no problems with loops. Contact does not happen both with them and with wires from Molex, going to the motherboard. In our case, cooling on the North Bridge is located under the video card, which accurately guarantees the lack of problems when installing the overall cooler on the processor. But I can say you confidently that on other motherboards with the standard location of the radiator on the north bridge there will also be no problems.

After carrying out some tests and removal of the cooler from his legitimate place, the thermal papers on processors were such as you see it in the photo above. Well, clamp is more or less evenly, but there is a deviation in the left side. There is located outlined from the rest of the thermal interface. After that, I was decided to re-test, but when installing, it was very careful to monitor the spin of the washers and ensure sufficient fitness. Still, it complicates the situation that in the case of Socket 939, we have only two mounting holes on the motherboard for screws. In this case, it is necessary to be as accurate and correct when installing. Next, the cooler passed a full cycle of tests. The results we will see later.

After that, I decided to decide the standard fan. And the cooler appeared in front of me only with a bare radiator.

Next, a fan from Titan was installed on the cooler. It was with him that Scythe Ninja tests were held. The fan on the maximum turnover is rather noisy, but it develops a decent level of revolutions, namely about 2200rpm. Compared with the standard, whose turnoves according to the claimed characteristics are 1300rpm, I have been set to about 1400RPM during testing. It is worth saying that in this version the cooler works very quietly. For me, this mode can be considered almost silent. The noise level is much lower than that of standard corpses 80-ok. When the fan is connected to 5V, the cooler from almost silent turned into completely silent. And for it THERMALTAKE Many thanks. True, it is worth saying that despite the statements, both the company itself and the owners of this cooler, Typhoon does not have such a plus as blowing elements of the motherboard. On 5V, feel the air flow is quite difficult even by hand, which was detached close to the radiator of the cooler, which is here to talk about the motherboard, which is located on a tet of centimeters below. Although not everything is so sad, at maximum speed, the cooler still creates a certain airflow capable of getting to some extent to the elements of the motherboard. But, sorry, I would not call this blowing. But it is worth noting that after installing the fan from Titan, blowing really began to be made and with what is very serious. The temperature of nutrition elements on the motherboard after that has dropped significantly, approximately 7 degrees. Although the temperature on the processor has not changed much. It is worth noting a very serious drop in the efficiency of the cooler after the transition from 12V to 5V. In this case, the air flow becomes too weak, and in this mode, I would not recommend using it on the overclocked processor. Regarding the description of Thermaltake Big Typhoon on this all. It is worth only to say that its retail price is about $ 35-38.

And now we turn to his immediate opponents.

Cooler Master Hyper 6+

Let's start with his first opponent. They are a representative of a large Cooler Master.

Let us turn to his inspection. It gets complete with a 100-mm fan, which is a little fading compared to the 120th from thermaltake. Since for adequate radiator purge, this coolers require a large airflow, which can create only an overall fan. In our case, he is slightly smaller than it could be expected. In this case, it is worth waiting for a sufficiently high noise level. The manufacturer declares the fan turns from 1800 to 3600! With that in the latter case, we can only get such revolutions if there are PWM on the motherboard. Our today's motherboard DFI Nforce 4 Ultra LP, unfortunately, does not possess such, so the tests took place on a relatively minimum turnover of 1800RPM. It is worth saying that from the model Hyper 6, the model with the index "+" differs quite strongly. First of all, the material of the ribs. In this case, it is aluminum instead of copper. But also changed dimensions. "Hyper" became more noticeable. Also increased in size and fan. Now, as I said, it is 100mm, instead of 80m, like the model "without a plus". Also changed and weight. This time it is 795, while the past modification weighed near a kilogram! Speaking about the design of Hyper 6+, it is worth saying that it is already a fairly standard scheme for most coolers on heat pipes. These are six heat pipes made of copper, which in turn aluminum ribs in turn. The ends of the tubes are soldered to the copper base. Couple ribs are closed with metal sidewalls.

A metal casing is also attached to the cooler, which is screwed together with a fan-running.

On the top of the cooler, we can see the affiliation of this cooling system to Cooler Master. Also, our goggle appears the ends of the emerging heat pipes.

The foundation of Hyper 6+ as in all tested coolers today, passed the processing of GIO paste. But it is worth saying that in the initial delivery of Hyper 6+ comes with a very good quality of the foundation. There are no traces of cutters, no roughness. There is a small mirror reflection. In this case, we have a polar situation in comparison with the cooler from thermaltake. In this moment Cooler Master tried. Quality is comparable to the version from Zalman.

Next we will proceed to the installation. It is worth saying that for all sockets it is the same, as in the case of Big Typhoon. It is an installation on the cooler you need the fixing frame depending on which Socket will install. Next, screw into it going to the kit the screws and rearly fasten with large nuts. Unfortunately, the use of Back-Plate had to abandon, due to the problems with the length of the screws. And here we meet the same flaws that we could see with thermaltake. So it was decided to put Hyper 6+ in the same way as Big Typhoon. Used theermaltake back-plate:

But this time the screws were not fixed by the washers, and the cooler immediately put on them, since otherwise the fastener frame rests in the washers. So as a result, after installation, it looked like this:

There was also a problem associated with the cooler power conetek. The capacitor, standing nearby, did not allow insert the power cord, which, unlike the typhoon, has a greater length and gifted by 4 pin. So I had to use near the location of the cabinet fan.

After installing the cooler on the motherboard, we see that one of the holes intended for fastening the motherboard is quite complicated. To twist the screw will have to seriously try. However, the previous cooler did not have any problems.

In the housing, the Hyper 6+ is located very spacious. There is a serious space between it and the video card:

But Molex cords are already resting in the casing of our cooler:

When installing the Hyper 6+, it was located in such a way that the air be fed back to the body fan on the rear wall of the housing.

Including the system, we see a pleasant backlight from the fan of our cooler. Similar we can meet, for example, at Zalman 9500.

After removing the cooler, I discovered serious problems with the contact of the base of the Hyper 6+ and the processor. This conclusion can be done on the basis that the main part of the thermal paste remains on the heat dissipation cover of the processor. Several times I had to remove the cooler. I used various attachment methods, but it did not lead to positive shifts. It is worth saying that the cooler himself was pretty hard on the motherboard. What was connected bad clamp, it was not clear to me. I can assume that the case is in a defective fastener, perhaps something else. But one thing is clear that there are problems in the mount. This also said that during tests, the cooler was almost not heated. His upper part was cold! And this is in situations where the processor worked at temperatures about 70 degrees! Speaking about the noise cooler, it is worth saying that there are no problems with this. At 1800RPM, it works quite quietly, although louder Big Typhoon at 1300RPM. Unfortunately, the lack of PWM on our motherboard did not give us the opportunity to test the cooler at maximum turns. Which, as I said before, make up 3600rpm. At the same time, Hyper 6+ makes an incredible level of noise. According to Cooler Master about 46.4 DBA! In general, the cooler is fully fulfilled, and if incomprehensible clamping problems could show more serious results than what I got. Cooler Master Hyper 6+ retail price ranges $ 45-50, and in general it is a rather rare guest in our market. This turn to the next opponent TT Big Typhoon, but already produced in Japan.

Scythe Ninja.

Already had a place to be on our resource, but I still rush once again on its characteristics and raise some points that have not been considered before.

I will begin with the fact that this cooler has Japanese production, which in our days some rarity is more than Korean, Chinese and Taiwan production. First of all, such a pedigree causes some confidence from most users. And whether the cooler justifies it, we still find out.

Ninja has very large dimensions compared to the cooler just considered. Dimensions are 110x110x150, which cannot but cause a sense of respect for such a structure. Although in general the structure itself is quite standard for coolers on heat pipes. Since we have already begun to observe 6 thermal tubes to which aluminum plates are risen, and also characteristic is a copper base. But that, perhaps, knocks out from the framework of the analogues of this cooler, this is the length of the tubes. From the part it may seem that they are 12, in fact, as I said, they are 6, but they have a very big length, and forming half-up, pass through the base and have their ends on the top.

At the ends of the tubes there are aluminum tips. And in the center of all plates there is a large round hole.

The base area is large enough, as well as Big Typhoon, but still has a rectangular shape than square. After some time using this cooler, I have, on the basis of some traces, testifying to a sufficiently rough installation, which is quite true, because when installing, I really had to apply force. In the original delivery, the base of the cooler has very good processing quality and initially has a mirror reflection, which cannot but rejoice.

First of all, the cooler is a passive cooling system. But we have the opportunity to install a 120mm fan on it with a diameter. By the way, it is worth mentioning that Scythe has a solution already with an initially installed fan. It is referred to as Scythe Ninja Plus, whose retailer is slightly higher than the usual version and is about $ 45. The price of the passive version is about $ 40. Installing the fan is performed using the wires intended for this, which are included. Also, we have the ability to install the second fan. But for this, it is already necessary to invent with what you will be attached. The usual copper wire is quite suitable for this role, which, with appropriate bending, would allow the fan to consolidate. And the theoretically cooler allows the installation of a whole 4-fan fans!

But we will be content with one, since in that case there are no problems with the effectiveness. For tests, the Titan fan was used again, which allows you to develop 2200rpm.

It's time to start installing. First I will describe how the cooler is put on different sockets. Firstly, Socket A support is not at all, most likely due to the fear of the manufacturer for the fact that a similar dimensional cooler is capable of leaving the Crystal of fragile Athlon XP processors with the appropriate fit. In general, their cautions are not in vain, because the weight of the cooler is 665. Although in the case of Cooler Master Hyper 6+ and Thermaltake Big Typhoon, even with much more weight (the difference is more than 100g), the manufacturer still endowed these coolers with Socket a. Although in the case of Scythe Ninja there are some specific points. But about this later. To begin with, the simplest is the installation on Socket 478, in this case the standard fastener is used, for which the cooler is clinging. In the case of Socket 775, the situation is slightly complicated. We will have to install from the back of the BACK-PLATE motherboard, to it from the front part to fasten the corresponding fasteners and for them to hook Ninja. When installing on Socket 754/939, we will need to use the standard back-plate to which the fastener is screwed from the front side, identical to the one that we can meet on Socket 478:

Unlike last time (last article on Socket 775), the installation went easy enough. Latches are easily entered into the corresponding holes. Remembering the past installation, it is worth mentioning one important fact. Namely, that after long use of the cooler (about a month), after my attempt to remove the cooler from its place, problems arose. To be accurate, there were problems with the back-plate, the sticky part of which did not want to separate from the motherboard. With all my attempts, still extract the back-plate, did not lead to success. The metal plate with sticky base did not want to separate. More precisely, the metal part it was possible to separate, but what was located under it, unfortunately, no. So before proceeding with today's testing, I did not have a back-plate for Ninja. But fortunately, it is not necessary for installation on the Socket 939, since the standard Back-Plate is used. Buyers I advised to pay attention to it. If, for example, something happens to your motherboard, you can no longer be able to use the warranty department. It is worth noting that such adhesion occurs precisely with a debt of use (more than a month), and at the same time your processor should be hot enough (in my case it was the most flaper option in the face of the overclocked smithfield) to constantly heat the near-the-platform of the maternal Boards, which will stimulate an increasingly sticking back-plate.

Let's go back to Socket 939. By installing a cooler on the motherboard, we see that he takes her most part!

It is worth noting that the wire used to install the fan, rest in the latches and interfere with the installation of the cooler.

It is worth saying that Ninja holds very hard. Such mount provides a magnificent clamp. In this approach, the Japanese have greatly succeeded.

In the Ninja housing, there is quite a lot of space. Although, for example, the video card remains quite a long distance. The cooler does not contact any of the elements of the motherboard. And even with the past testing on the Maternal Place ASUS P5WD2, near the socket of which the overall radiator is located on the northern bridge, there were no problems.

A sufficiently small distance remains to the plumes and Molex cords. When using the fan, they can get into its blades at all. So it is possible an option to install on a metal casing fan. The main problems arose with a wire that comes from the hard disk to the motherboard.

Scythe Ninja was tested in three versions: in passive, with a fan connected to 5V and 12V. After testing the cast, the thermal paste on the processor was as shown in the photo above. It is worth saying that with clamp, as expected, there are no problems. As with his strength, and with uniformity.

If you work, the fan from Titan on the maximum turnover works quite noisy, although there are no noise problems with noise.

Box-Close Cooler AMD

The last TT Big Typhoon opponent has become a standard Box from AMD.

Fully aluminum radiator with thick ribs and a small rather noisy fan. All this is characteristic of standard cooling. Although, it is worth saying that AMD still makes BOX high quality and cool not as an example of Intel, which even when the smithfield appears on the market continued to compose them with the same ineffective, noisy coolers. Fan speeds make up a range from 1200 to 3600rpm.

The base made completely from aluminum, as in the case of all the already described coolers, was also manually polished with the goe paste to mirror reflection. It is worth saying that already initially the quality of the foundation was pretty good.

Before this testing, this cooler was already used enough on today's system, because the thermal stroke looks like that as it can be seen in the photo above.

Today Box I was extremely pleased. Its simplicity and relatively normal noise level allow me to speak out about it only in a positive key. And now after a long rhetoric, it's time to proceed to the main thing, namely to testing. But at first we look at the consolidated table of the characteristics of the tested coolers, with the exception of Box:

Characteristics of tested coolers

Characteristics of coolers	Cooler Master Hyper 6+	Scythe Ninja.	THERMALTAKE BIG TYPHOON.
Couple sizes, mm	88 x 88 x 35	110 x 110 x 150	122 x 122 x 103
Rated voltage, V	12	0	12 (7-start)
Rated current, a	—	—	—
Power consumption, W.	—	—	~3.6
Material radiator	Aluminum plates strung on 6 thermal tubes and copper base		Aluminum plates on the copper base and 6 copper heat pipes
The area of \u200b\u200bdispersion, sq.mm	—	—	—
Fan rotation speed, RPM	1800 ~ 3600	—	~1400
Airflow created by fan	31.33 ~ 72.14	—	54.4
Noise level, DBA	20.6 ~ 46.4	0	16
Quantity and type of fan bearings	1, rolling	—	1, sliding
Full weight, g	795 (without fan)	665	813
Ability to install on CPU connectors		Socket 478, LGA 775, Socket 754/939/94	Socket 462 (A), Socket 478, LGA 775, Socket 754/939/940
Additionally comes in a set	Thermal Cooler Master	Scythe thermal panel on silicone basis	Thermaltake thermal paste
Approximate retail price, $	~45-50	~40	~35-38

Test Stand and Testing Method

It is worth saying that on the day of testing the temperature indoors was about 32 degrees! Outside the window it was possible to observe approximately the same values. It is in this meaning that the results of the coolers in a calm state will be renowned. Before proceeding with the description of the equipment used and testing techniques, I will briefly describe the questions to which the work should be answered:

• THERMALTAKE BIG TYPHOON - rational purchase?
• KTT-8, is there any equal?
• Cheap housings and coolers on heat pipes, does it make sense?
• Is it necessary for Athlon Venice high-performance cooler?

It is for these questions that I will try to answer. However, not only on them.

Test stand:

• Athlon 64 Venice E6 3000+ (200 * 9) MHz
• DFI NF4 UT LP (NForce 4 Ultra)
• 2 * 512MB Kingston KVR
• Sapphire [Email Protected]
• SAMSUNG 80GB 7200RPM (IDE)
• THERMALTAKE TOUGHPOWER 550W.
• Inwin S508.

A cheap solution from Inwin was intentionally used as a hull. I was interested to establish the actual rationality of the use of "super-coolers" in such conditions.

When testing in the case, the fans from thermaltake are used for 80mm, with the level of revolutions to 3000rpm. They were put on them on the front of the body below and worked on the blow. The second was on the back of the hull and worked for blowing. The third was installed on the door of the hull and worked for blowing. Testing was conducted in two versions: with the side fan turned on and without.

Tested coolers (in order of priority testing):

• AMD Box Cooler.
• Cooler Master Hyper 6+
• Scythe Ninja.
• THERMALTAKE BIG TYPHOON.

As you see the "main nail of the program" was tested last.

The processor was tested in two versions: at nominal frequencies and voltage (1800mHz, 1.4V) and with acceleration and raised voltage (2600MHz, 1.68V). In the overclocked case, I specifically took a very high level of voltage to create a maximum load for air cooling systems tested today.

In all cases, the KPT-8 thermal interface was used as a thermal interface, which has long earned the confidence of many Runet enthusiasts.

The processor warming was produced by two methods. In the first case using Burnk7:

And in the second case, using S & M, the processor load is 100%.

Let us finally go to the test results.

Test results

And here is the long-awaited test results. In such a light mode, even in such heat surprises did not happen. All coolers are approximately one level. You can only attribute Box to the outsiders, working in 5V and Scythe Ninja, which was deprived of its fan and was a passive option. It is also worth saying that "TT BT 12V *" is related to the TT Big Typhoon, to which the Titan fan is installed. It is worth saying that the temperature in the IDLE completely rested into the room temperature, and therefore it could be less than 32 degrees from it.

While you can state a clear parity between the thermaltake and ninja cooler when using the same fan.

But in the most severe mode, explicit leaders are revealed. Most coolers with similar tension on the processor were not able to work correctly, missing the temperature of the stone for 70 degrees. This also applies to the box cooler and the passive version of Ninja. However, when using the fan on 5V, the Japanese cooler was also unable to withstand the S & M test. Similar to take into account and Big Typhoon, but only on minimal revs. Since on the maximum, it did not have any problems. This cooler has demonstrated a lented level of performance with a small back surpassing Scythe Ninja.

Next, I turned on the fan on the door of the housing. Such a manipulation allowed the cooler from thermaltake to further improve their result, while Ninja almost added. As for confidence, it can be said that in the cooling of the processor, even in such difficult conditions, Big Typhoon has quite succeeded, and what can be said about the cooling of elements of motherboards?

In general, the results of coolers are in a similar level, regardless of whether the fan is used on the side door of the body or not, but there are two explicit leaders, it is again TT Big Typhoon and Scythe Ninja. But it is worth noting that when using a standard fan, Typhoon shows very modest results, yielding even Box-y, due to it primarily with a rather weak air flow. Yet on 1400rpm, the power of the air flow is too small to adequately cool the motherboard. But what is the most interesting, when using a TT fan by 5V, we observe and at all modest results. Only in this case, the temperature of the motherboard went for 60 degrees! So, as standard, Typhoon, as a means of blowing a motherboard, is still quite weak, although when using a more involuntary fan in this component, it can become a leader.

Well, we considered the performance of the coolers tested today. Now it's time to answer some questions. To begin with, take a look at how Thermaltake Big Typhoon allowed to disperse our processor:

As we see, overclocking is very weak. It affected, of course, the fact that the processor initially has a sufficiently high voltage -1.4V, and not 1.3. So, after a voltage of 1.55V, the processor for its increase almost does not react. But most importantly, such an overclocking was on all cooling systems without exception, including Box. So here you can state the fact that standard cooling is suitable for overclocking athlon venice. Of course, if you have a hotter processor, the use of a cooler on heat pipes is almost necessary. But Cold Venice is not needed. With moderate tension, even Box will be able to cope with the acceleration of this processor.

As we see, even in such heat with not very high voltage when the Big Typhoon acceleration holds the processor within 50 degrees. For this, he can put a solid five! Effecturity at height.

Next, I was carried out a test thermal paste, which was complete with some of the coolers, and compared their effectiveness with the CCT-8. As you see, the "People's Thermal Cap" once again justified itself, showing excellent results, which once again proves the rationality of holding all tests precisely using this thermal interface.

conclusions

And now it's time to go to the conclusions. I hope, according to today's testing, it is safe to say that thermaltake Big Typhoon is the best that you can find in today's market in a free sale. With its low price, this cooler shows the highest level of efficiency, according to this component, surpassing a more expensive model from Scythe in the face of Ninja. Of course, the product from TT also has its own shortcomings and there are quite a lot of them. Firstly, this is the insufficient length of the screws that are included, which does not allow to safely install the cooler. Further, a serious disadvantage is very weak efficiency when using small revolutions, but with the amendment that their very use is quite irrational, due to the fact that even 12V cooler works almost silently, but at the same time demonstrates much more serious performance. As for the replacement of the fan, in this case this operation makes sense only if you need a serious blowing of the elements of the motherboard, in the other case, the installation of a more noisy, but also a more efficient fan for cooling the processor will not betray anything new.

Speaking about the effectiveness of the thermal paste KPT-8, it is worth saying that the surprises did not happen. She once proved that there is no equal to her yet, with a serious burrow, bypassing rivals.

Next, today's testing clearly showed that the use of coolers on heat tubes in cheap corps makes sense. And that is the most amazing, so it is that the inclusion of the fan on the side door of the case almost did not affect the results of the tested coolers.

Speaking about the rationality of using highly efficient coolers on Athlon Venice, it is worth saying that from my point of view, it is quite unreasonable, due to the lack of influence of the efficiency of the cooler on the accelerating potential of the processor. In this case, it is enough and a box-ovoy version.

THERMALTAKE BIG TYPHOON. - Magnificent cooler with a stunning level of efficiency and at the same time a very low price. But despite this, there are shortcomings in terms of performance (quality processing) and configuration (insufficient length of fastening screws). I would gladly recommend this cooling system as one of the best coolers at the moment.

Scythe Ninja. - Excellent level of performance. The ability to install multiple fans, which allows you to call this solution most effective, but still quite extreme in terms of noise. The recent field in connection with the Ninja Plus exit, once again raises interest in the Japanese article. This cooler can also be recommended to lovers of silence. Even in passive Ninja mode, it easily copes with not very hot processors even with a little acceleration.

Cooler Master Hyper 6+ - relative rarity, overpriced price, the impossibility of using a cooler on maximum turnovers on most motherboards, that's all that does not allow to speak positively about this cooler. Unfortunately, incomprehensible problems with the clamp of the base were never solved. This product can be called enough raw. This is also visible in not the most rational solutions in terms of the installation of the cooler and in terrible noise at the maximum turnover. But it is worth noting that along with Hyper 6, this decision is one of the first on the basis of heat pipes that became popular, and only for it he should pay tribute. Today, this cooler did not comply.

Box. - Standard cooling pleased me. It has a worthy level of efficiency, never annoys the noise. This cooler fully copes with its processor cooling responsibilities, both in normal mode and acceleration.

The company ThermalTake and its products have a double impression. On the one hand, this is an unconditional respect for the manufacturer who brought the production of coolers (and in the subsequently of other cooling devices) to a separate branch of computer equipment. At one time, the buyer had a simple choice: either a standard piece of aluminum with a fan, or the thermaltake cooler, which ensured the significantly better cooling efficiency. Let me remind you that it was a time when the first systems on the AMD Socketa platform appeared on the market, which were very favorably accepted overclockers and computer enthusiasts. Since such processors easily accelerate, the need for powerful cooling systems has grown multiple times. And Thermaltake very successfully released the ORB series coolers.

Subsequently, other companies that tried to snatch their piece of sweet cake (or get the share of the fast-growing market, began to go to the cooling device market. But Thermaltake tried not to miss his leadership, and constantly pregnant more and more new products. Currently, the range of the company is very large, ranging from enclosures and ending with water cooling systems.

However, from a certain point, TT products have ceased to me, and some products resembled a frank halica (high price, high noise level and low efficiency). In particular, in recent times, not one of the products Thermaltake did not receive a positive assessment in our reviews.

Therefore, I, with some distrust, reacted to the Thermaltake Big Typhoon cooler, who came to the present test for pure randomness (there were no other coolers with heat pipes in the nearest computer stores). Waving to the price (more than 1200 rubles) and under the impression of the mass and dimensions of the cooler, I agreed on mandatory Manibek and began to examine.

Like most other coolers, Big Typhoon is packed in a transparent plastic boxing:

In addition to the cooler, in the box we found a set of fastenings for all popular platforms (LGA775, S478, S939754) and colorful installation instructions on two glossy sheets.

As we have noted, the cooler is striking with its sizes:

For the best illustration of its size, we give a photo Big Typhoon installed on the ASUS P5WD2-Premium motherboard (on the i955x chipset).

The design of the cooler does not differ in principle from similar products. So we have a copper base from which six heat pipes come out:

Tubes rise up and enter aluminum radiator:

Metal frame installed on the radiator

On which the giant is attached 120mm fan:

What would prevent the body parts from entering the fan, or, do not give God, cables and train plumes, a protective grille is installed on the fan.

We list the technical characteristics of the fan: rotation speed 1300rpm, the created air flow 54.4cfm, and the noise level is 16DBA! Honestly, I did not watch those. Characteristics before the first launch of the system with the Big Typhoon cooler, and was very surprised by the silent operation of the fan (if you listen very carefully, you can only distinguish the rust of air). The last silent fan was made by Thermaltake I met only in the water cooling system Aquarius II (an instance was from the first parties).

Now let's look at the quality of the processing of the base, for which you can put a "strong four":

Last on what we will stop are a description of the installation procedure. To be brief, a metal amplifier plate is installed on the opposite side of the motherboard. Through it is installed 4 studs with carvings, which are fixed with special nuts. Next, the cooler is installed on the processor, on the basis of which the same metal frame is found. Studs pass through the holes in this plate, and the second set of nuts is installed on them.

In general, the procedure is a bit wisp, but when you hold the set of fasteners in your hands, everything becomes intuitive. However, we note the two points that we have arisen. First on the ASUS P5WD2 Premium board on the back side of the board were hefty tin blambes, which prevented the installation of an amplifying plate. I remember, on some kind of Gigabyte board, we encountered a similar problem, and we were finalized with a file with a file. But P5WD2 was a pity, and we just put an additional gasket:

By the way, if the P5WD2 was installed on the P5WD2 board. Cooling Stack Cool, then there was no such problem. However, in order to save (or for other reasons), ASUS stopped putting such plates, but limited himself only to the inscription on the board (from which, of course, it will not be colder).

Another point concerns the tightening of the second set of nuts. This operation can be performed in a matter of seconds if the nuts are pre-naked, press each side of the plate, and a pair of movements scroll into a nicketer into several revolutions.

Luxury novelties against Intel Core 2 Extreme

In the field of our attention - the next new items of beautiful and expensive coolers on heat pipes from the famous manufacturers who (coolers :)) will once again compete for the right to adequately cool the elite older model of the top-end dual-core Intel desktop processor on the CONROE victorious core.

• "Core 2 Extreme against Zalman CNPS9700 LED and CNPS9500 AT and not only. Or extreme processor - extreme cooler "and
• "Cooler Master Mars, Hyper UC, Hyper TX and others against Intel Core 2 Extreme - and again aluminum against copper and thermal tubes"

we looked at some of the most advanced coolers on thermal tubes from the elite of modern "coolers". However, our task was not only to separate the coolers actually, among which the Zalman CNPS9700 LED and Cooler Master Hyper TX, but also to deal with the user who are waiting for the new Intel processors with Core 2 Duo / Extreme and This did not consider it necessary to pay enough attention to their cooling, which mood on "40% lower" their power consumption. After all, as we have already noted in the "previous series", underwater stone (and at the same time, a stumbling block for a number of coolers) when cooling Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Extreme is that the maximum permissible instrument specifications in the center of the Hitpreder of these processors is only 60.1-61.4 degrees Celsius, which is almost 10 degrees less than allowed for previous generations of Intel Pentium 4 processors, Pentium D and their fellow. That is, the same 40 percent savings in Intel Core 2 energy consumption, which is promoted by the corporation in relation to the Pentium D ruler, actually "eaten" more stringent requirements for the maximum permissible operation temperature, and new Intel processors need no less efficient coolers than were used. For their much more voracious predecessors of the Linek Pentium 4 and Pentium D.

First of all, we will get here with the top currently in the line of universal from Cooler Master with a fresh Eclipse cooler, who did not sleep towards our previous testing of the "tubular" products of this manufacturer. And "on the second" in today's exquisite menu at the request of some permanent visitors to our restaurant "Pisks for the mind" :) - a new old friend, namely: the famous cooler Thermaltake Big Typhoon in the recently updated and improved reincarnation Big Typhoon VX.

And at the same time, in addition to this - we clearly with the numbers on the "dish" with the situation with the "right" and "wrong" orientation of the coolers on heat pipes in space, since so far some "gourmets" have "wrong orientation" to this account. This menu item is added again "at the requests of regular visitors." :)

Cooler Master Eclipse (RR-CCB-WLU1-GP)

As we said, now this cooler is topped in the lineup (that is, the title in the section "Chef's offers" on the manufacturer's website) universal (K8 / LGA775) of the air coolers of this company.

I do not know what "eclipse" or "permanent" - namely, the word translates from English eclipse - Found on the heads of the marketing department of this company, who released the "to the positive market" such an ambiguous name (and thereby giving the reason to suit observers;)), but looking at it I have the impression that the cooler Master engineers entered into a similar phase, generating One after another (remember Mars) products in which the originality and "steepness" of the appearance dominates the concern about the actual efficiency and the consumer wallet. :) However, as if in the excuse of the name and design of Eclipse on the manufacturer's website, the following tirade is given:

"The Look Is Different, Because This Cooler Is Different. Cooler Master "S Brand New Cooler - Eclipse Is The Realization Of A Lifestyle That Integrates Style and Function, Beauty and Technology. Eclipse" S Exceptional Design of a Gliding Fan Duct Impeccably Channels The Airflow to Cool Down NOT Only CPU Itself, But Also The Surrounding Components (VRM, Memory, NB Chipset, and etc). "

Updating promotional slogans like "looks like others because it is really different," the translation of it can be reduced to the fact that the special design of the "built-in" fan and the "pipes", in which it is placed, "unmistakably" guides the air flow for cooling not only the processor act , but also the surrounding components (VRM, memory, chipset). As far as this idea is "with a turbine" Nova (and Different), I do not undertake to judge, but similar (well forgotten;)) immediately come to mind.

However, in Eclipse, of course, there is a rational grain, since here a 4.5 mm copper base is connected to a radiator of 0.5 mm aluminum plates not only with four standard 6 mm heat pipes, but also directly, that is, part of the ribber ribs themselves concern the foundation of the cooler. Unfortunately, the contacts of the contacts of the ribs with the base and heat pipes are just a mesmer cut of the copper millimeter edging holes and edges of the ribs, and the edges in the joints of the joints can be easily moved with the finger (I did not find the tracks of the thermoclause). This method, of course, is easy to produce and is applied by many (including in other nothesive coolers of this manufacturer), but the thermocontact is not the best.

The Eclipse Ords Square in the alas specification is not specified, and it is considered to consider it yourself - a good task for entrance examinations in mathematics on fisteh due to the complexity of the form of most ribs. :) The dimensions of the radiator - 132 by 120 by 105 mm. The weight of the cooler is a lot (670 grams), despite the use of aluminum. Complements the "Eclipsency" (in order not to say in Russian;)) the design of the transparent dark "semi-boring", in some places (well, very "places") the air entering the air seems to be down (although in fact who knows where). Moreover, the angle of inclination of this casing can be changed. The dimensions of the cooler with the casing - 147x146x110 mm.

A non-standard "turbine" fan of 66 68 mm on a sliding bearing (long-life, a 40,000 hours resource) has cylindrically curved blades, designed for the maximum current up to 580 mA and is equipped with a 4-pin connector (for PWM control) with optional 3 -pin speed switch (jumper). In manual adjustment mode with jumper, its minimum and maximum speed of rotation (according to specifications) is 1,800 and 3300 rpm. Accordingly, however, with a pulse latitude and pulse (that is, PWM) from the motherboard, the rotational speed may vary from 900 rpm. At the maximum speed, the fan performance is at the level of 39.8 CFM. Noise at a minimum revolutions - 17 dBA. Unfortunately, such a constructive solution for the rotational speed switch is inconvenient to place either on the front or on the rear panel of the PC housing, unless you use the optional wires and the output switches.

Fastening the cooler to the motherboard is carried out either by the standard clip (for AMD processors, in the photo above), produced in two slots through the ribs of the radiator, or frame on 4 screws with fixation of nuts from the reverse side (for all Intel processors LGA775 form factor). In the latter case, the counter-frame that prevents the bomb of the board, the supply kit, unfortunately, is not provided. But there is a hexagon to twist the nuts with a conventional screwdriver. The manufacturer declared an interference-free installation, but in practice it turned out that installing Eclipse, for example, on the Intel D975xBX board is possible only in one orientation, since in three other interference between the radiator, the fastener frame and the details on the board prevented this.

The cooler is supplied in a large packaging (more at the coolers I do not remember and remember) with numerous inscriptions (specifications, a list of supported AMD and Intel processors dr.). Included, there is everything you need, including a tube with a branded thermal storage (the sole is protected by a sticky sticker). Separately, it is noted that the cooler is ROHS-compatible, that is, it is made without the use of lead.

THERMALTAKE BIG TYPHOON VX (CL-P0310)

Despite its "Giantism" (or "Propitality"? :)), that is, the impressive dimensions, this wagon (K8 / LGA775) has a completely intelligible price (20 dollars cheaper Eclipse) and excellent performance characteristics that put it in one row with Top products of competitors.

The radiator with dimensions 122x122x103 mm consists of a composite copper base of 50x50x9 mm with six-6-mm copper thermal tubes fixed in it (3 from opposite sides) and 142 aluminum ribs with a thickness of 0.3 mm with a total area of \u200b\u200babout 7000 sq. Cm, going with a step of 1 mm (this distance is critical to the scoring of dust, and besides, the edges are not very uniformly). Thermocontact tubes with ribs - crimp clip and thermoclaim. Culera weight as much as 827 grams.

The large 12-cm fan TT-1225A of the corporate thermaltekovsky color blows not only the ribs and the base itself, but also components on the motherboard around the socket. The consumption of propeller does not exceed 250 mA, the rotational speed is adjusted in the range from 1300 to 2000 rpm. Through a miniature potentiometer installed in one of the corners of the fan grid (output voltage in a minimum - 7 volts). Despite the relative slowness, this fan provides airflow up to 86.5 CFM when passporting noise from 16 to 24 dBA.

From the progenitor Big Typhoon updated model with VX index is distinguished not only

• faster (maximum) fan and
• the presence of a built-in revolt controller, but also
• the cooler mounting mechanism to the board.

The fact is that the mechanism applied in the former Big Typhoon caused many complaints - and the complexity / complexity of the installation, and the risk of a cooler skew with a violation of thermal contact. Now they did it easier: for LGA775, a metal frame is attached with standard rotary plastic pistons (as on the box cooler), and for AMD K8 processors - a pressure lever (the disadvantage of which is, however, use only one of the hooks on each side that with such A considerable weight of the cooler is fraught with chips and not very dense clamp). However, with a new mounting mechanism, the installation of the cooler has simplified significantly. By the way, the design of the cooler is so successful (compact at the base), which allows the installation to most of the boards in any of the 4 orientations.

Comes Big Typhoon VX in a red-black cardboard box with a transparent plastic liner and enumeration of characteristics, specifications and basic advantages. The package includes two collected fastening mechanisms (clips), a white and sufficiently liquid thermal packet in the package and a brief installation guide. We use this cooler below to test heat transfer in the 3 most characteristic orientations of thermal tubes in space.

Table 1. Specifications of discussed coolers.

Model	Cooler Master Mars. (RR-CCX-W9U1-GP)	Cooler Master Eclipse (RR-CCB-WLU1-GP)	Thermaltake. Big Typhoon VX. (CL-P0310)
Supported processors	LGA775 and Socket 754/939 / 940 / AM2 / F
Refractory price retail	55 USD.	60 USD.	40 USD.
Thermal resistance, ° C / W	there is no data	there is no data	there is no data
Weight, G.	672	670	827
Radiator
Dimensions, cube. MM.	132x120x105.	132x120x105.	122x122x103.
Number of heat pipes	3	4	6
Material	Copper base, thermal tubes with a diameter of 6 mm, aluminum ribs of the heat dissipant
Fan
Dimensions, cube. MM.	90x90x25	66x68 (turbine)	120x120x25
Bearing	sleeve.	sleeve.	long Life.
Rotation speed, rpm / min., ± 10%	900-3000	900-3300	1300-2000
Rotation speed control	jumper and PWM (4-PIN)	jumper and PWM (4-PIN)	manual controller (3-PIN)
Maximum Performance, CFM	55,3	39,8	86,5
Max. air pressure	-	-	2.22 mm H 2 O
Working voltage in	+5…+12	+5…+12	+7…+12
Current consumed, and	0,4	0,58	0,25
Noise level, dBA	17minimism 25 Middle	17 minimum	16-24
Lifetime	40 000	40 000	-

Test methods of heat transfer

As before, in order to confront the coolers, the Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800 (2.93 GHz) operating on the clock frequency of 3.20 GHz was selected, which operates on a clock frequency of 3.20 GHz by increasing the processor multiplier. The clock frequency FSB and memory on the Intel D975XBX board was the nominal 266 (533/1067) MHz. In such conditions, the processor highlights approximately the dual-core CPU, the following in the line of X6800. In addition, the frequency of 3.2 GHz is the almost guaranteed level to which the current CONROE is accelerated without any effort from overclocker. So we at the same time check the "abilities" of the coolers to overclocking CORE 2. The company has made all the coolers on heat pipes from two of our earlier reviews (see links at the beginning of the article).

The DDR2 processor and gigabyte board was located inside the closed MIDI-ATX PALO ALTO PA-810 case with the Hipro HP-W460GC31 power supply (460 watt), the ASUS AX800 XT (ATI X800 XT), the WD800JD hard drive, and one frontal 90-mm hard disk Fan running on the speed at a speed of 2500 rpm. The same Zalman ZM-STG1 liquid thermal panel was used for all coolers other than Big Typhoon VX (it was tested with "native" paste). The room temperature in the measurement process was maintained at 22 degrees Celsius. To measure the temperature of the processor and the motherboard (near the voltage stabilizer on the processor), built-in thermal sensors and utilities of Everest Ultimate Edition 3.01.652, Speedfan 4.30 and Intel DCC under MS Windows XP SP2 were used. At the same time, the speed of rotation of the fan of the processor cooler was recorded. The processor load with calculations was simulated in the S & M. 1.8.1 optimized for the CONROE program for three different download levels:

• 100% (the highest possible heating, practically not found in real work),
• 75% (according to the approval of the creator of S & M, this is the level of a typical game environment) and
• 50% (according to the approval of the creator of S & M, this is a level of typical office work, although such an approval needs to be added).

Of course, measurements were carried out and with the total idleness of the system and the processor (0% of the download). EIST technology in the measurement process was involved, since it best corresponds to a real situation (it is it, and not just naked numbers of temperature, we are trying to simulate here). Therefore, at moments of short-term inactivity, the processor dropped the frequency to 1.6 GHz, which was clearly visible on the work of the utility V 2.15. With the best, the lack of trolling in the process of our measurements was also monitored (the standard mechanisms of activation of trottling we disconnected during measurements).

Cooler Master Eclipse was tested by us in three modes of fan operation: with diet + 12V, with fixed low revs (jumper \u003d 2-3) and at the lowest revolutions (fully open jumper). For THERMALTAKE BIG TYPHOON VX, tests were carried out at two extreme positions of the regulator of its revolutions.

And was there a boy? (Does the orientation affect?)

So, first, we will check whether there is a dependence of the heat transfer of a cooler on heat pipes from its orientation in space relative to the direction of gravity. After all, many still think that there is, since pairs are lighter than liquid. ;)

It is quite convenient for such an inspection by the cooler is Big Typhoon VX, which allows you to install yourself without any problems in various positions, as well as equipped with a revolution regulator. Big Typhoon VX was taken out in three spatial orientations:

• Vertically, pipes in the vertical plane ("vertic");
• Vertically, tubes in the horizontal plane ("Horiz");
• The board is horizontal (the body is put on the side; without designation).

This will hope to allow us to trace the dependence of the heat transfer of the cooler from the orientation of heat pipes in the field of gravity, if this suddenly detects. ;) Take a look at the charts with the results of tests at two speeds of rotation.

It is obvious that there is no dependence on orientation, and the cooler is equally well (within the measurement error) cools the processor for all modes of operation. Why is this happening? Yes, the manufacturers of heat pipes still do not lapties humping and perfectly realize the need to get rid of gravitational "anisotropy", for which it is placed inside the heat pipes, a porous material, according to whom, due to the capillary effect, the liquid is well moved well along and against the direction of gravity. By providing evaporation on the hot end of the tube, wherever he is. :)

By the way, from these charts, it is clearly clearly seen that lowering the speed of rotation of the Big Typhoon VX fan by a third (with a corresponding decrease in its noise, see below), almost does not lead to the loss of its heat transfer - the temperature of the components cooled to them increases on average only for degrees! That is, the design of the radiator of this cooler is such that even at 1300 rpm. The efficiency of the cooler is close to saturation (with higher revolutions a narrow place serve the tubes, their joints with soles and ribs, and may also be insufficiently free air locked between the ribs - it can be a little resaced to). So, a special point to raise the turnover of this cooler to 2000 per minute. :)

Test results of heat transfer

Now we turn to the actual comparison of different coolers. Let's start, as usual, with the case of the limit (100%) loading of the dual-core processor in S & M, extremely rarely occurring in practice for a long time.

And even in such harsh conditions, a slight overclocked "extreme" processor, almost all of the coolers discussed here on heat pipes are fully coping with its cooling to the passport temperature (remind you that the temperature of the processor crystal is measured in several degrees, which is specified by the Intel specified by the temperature lid of his heathspreder). Slightly worse the rest, however, there is a pathos Mars from Cooler Master, but the last Eclipse turned out to be on a good account, making a "warm company" (sorry for the pun) much cheaper CM Hyper TX and GT Igloo 5700 MC. Large Typhoon frankly pleased, showing the results at the level of a more expensive Zalman CNPS9500 AT and lifting only the super-elotone 9700-Mu Zalman! Moreover, Big Typhoon VX turned out to be unconditionally better at a fan reduced to 1,300 revolutions, demonstrating practically no deteriorating heat transfer (see above) and essentially ahead of even Zalman CNPS9700 LED at the same speed of rotation! By the way, Big Typhoon VX turned out to be one of the best and when cooling the motherboard near the processor.

If we proceed to a more realistic load of the central processor (75% by S & M, the diagram above), it turns out that the disposition of the coolers almost did not change: Big Typhoon VX is still the third on full revolutions, rival with CNPS9500 AT, and the best on low revs. , Confident ahead of CNPS9700 LED and better than all of the cooling fee. Cooler Master Eclipse turns out to be at a good account, walking in a CM Hyper TX and GT IgLoo 5700 MC on full revolutions and turning out to be one of the few cooler capable of low revolutions to cool our processor to standard temperatures.

If such a powerful processor use "in a manner unusual" on "half-load" (50% on average S & M, chart 3), then the situation is simplified, and already practically with any of our employees, even working on reduced turns, you can use acceleration CONROE up to 3.2 GHz. Leaders here are all the same.

In the state of inactivity (IDLE mode, diagram 4), we can not be worried about Core 2 kernel, if the system has an expensive cooler. :) :) :)

Testing acustics

Measuring the noise of coolers was carried out with the help of a noiseomer of the WSV-003-M3 according to the procedure developed earlier (see and). The results are shown in the diagram along with the testimony of the fan tachometer.

The most quiet on low revs (in PWM mode) was Cooler Master Eclipse with a small-diameter turbine fan, while even Zalman CNPS9500 AT, operating at 660 rpm! Unfortunately, if such in fact, in general, it is able to cope except with the "office" (50 percent) loading of our monster processor. Whereas on medium fixed revolutions (1900 per minute) Eclipse, in principle, copes (in our cooling conditions inside the case), even with a 100 percent S & M loading of CONROE 3.2 GHz, demonstrating noise at 26 dBA (relatively quiet , but still heard). Approximately the same noise makes Big Typhoon VX at minimum, reduced to 1300 revolutions per minute. However, its heat transfer at the same time is incomparable above! Considering that the noise of a large typhoon increases to a very noticeable 38 dBA, and the heat transfer almost does not change, I think there is no need to say that the use of such a work mode is almost meaningless. :) And the "additive value", which is due to the use of a more powerful fan and the presence of revolt regulator - unjustified. By the way, Cooler Master Eclipse on full revolutions turned out to be the most noisy of our employees, and given the above data on the heat transfer, it apparently does not have much sense to operate in this mode, limiting the average fixed speed or PWM control.

Conclusion

So, we got acquainted with the next novelty of Cooler Master - the turbine model Eclipse on 4 heat pipes, as well as with a bit modified relative to the one-year-old model with a Big Typhoon VX cooler from Thermaltake. Unfortunately, Eclipse turned out rather in the spirit of the Mars cooler of the same manufacturer (demonstrating a moderate heat transfer at an impaired appearance and price), rather than continued the tradition of the successful semi-budget line of the Hyper TX of this manufacturer, worthy of all silence. In particular, it turned out that the Eclipse heat transfer is generally not better than Hyper TX, although the noise of its work is significantly higher (in comparable modes). Can we recommend a 60-dollar Eclipse user if there is a $ 27-dollar Hyper TX of the same manufacturer, or, say, even more efficient 40-dollar Big Typhoon VX from Thermaltake (about Zalman coolers I'm silent now)? I think the answer is obvious. Another thing is Big Typhoon VX, which confirmed its highest efficiency, although its design, as we could ensure, are not free from the flaws: its operation at elevated more than 1,300 revolutions per minute is simply inexpedient.