Antec Kuhler H20 620 CPU Cooler Cases and Cooling   Page 5

Reviewer: RWL Staff Article Publish Date: 4/5/2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEST BED

 

 

 

 

My secondary i7 system with which i test all of my LGA1366 compatible CPU Coolers was called into service once more.

 

 

 

TESTING METHODOLOGY

CPU Coolers

GLACIALTECH UFO V51
THERMALTAKE SPINQ
NEXUS FLC-3000
COOLER MASTER V10
THERMALTAKE ISGC-300
NOCTUA NH-U12P SE
NEXUS LOW-7000
OCZ GLADIATOR MAX
THERMALTAKE V14AX
3R SYSTEM BOSS 2
SCYTHE MUGEN 2
COGAGE TRUE SPIRIT
GLACIALTECH IGLOO 5610 PLUS SILENT
EVERCOOL TRANSFORMER 4
SPIRE THERMAX II
COOLIT DOMINO A.L.C
THERMALTAKE PRO WATER 880I
SCYTHE KATANA 3
SCYTHE ZIPANG
SCYTHE ZIPANG 2
EVERCOOL HPK-10025EA
THERMALRIGHT ULTRA 120 EXTREME REVISION C
NOISEBLOCKER TWINTEC
THERMALTAKE SPINQ VT
CORSAIR HYDRO SERIES H50
COOLER MASTER HYPER TX3
GLACIALTECH F101
TUNIQ TOWER 120 EXTREME
THERMOLAB BADA
SCYTHE KABUTO
NOCTUA NH-D14
NOCTUA NH-C12P SE14
DANAMICS LMX
COOLINK CORATOR DS
THERMALTAKE FRIO
NEXUS VCT-9000
THERMOLAB BARAM 2010
DYNATRON GENIUS G950
PROLIMATECH ARMAGEDDON
THERMALRIGHT VENOMOUS X
ZALMAN CNPS10X PERFORMA
SCYTHE NINJA 3
GLACIALTECH IGLOO 5760 PWM
THERMALTAKE JING
SCYTHE YASYA
TITAN FENRIR EVO
COOLER MASTER V6GT
THERMALRIGHT SILVER ARROW
PROLIMATECH SUPER MEGA
THERMALRIGHT HR-02
ZALMAN CNPS9900 MAX
GLACIALTECH SIBERIA
ZAWARD VAPOR 120
THERMALRIGHT ARCHON
THERMALTAKE FRIO OCK
ALPENFOEHN PANORAMA
XIGMATEK AEGIR
PROLIMATECH GENESIS
ANTEC KUHLER H20 620

 

 

      Unlike others we do not test each CPU Cooler on its own and with different ambient levels and to reach that in the best possible degree we have created a valid CPU Cooler database through much effort. Testing a CPU Cooler automatically means that you need to know where it stands against the competition and to accomplish that we have spent both money and time, something that we continue to do so in order to get the most accurate results for the end user. Every cooler in this database has been tested with their bundled 140mm/120mm/92mm/80mm fans while working at 100% of their speeds for the temperature tests. Coolers that do not come bundled with a fan/s are measured using a Noctua NH-12P to test for the temperature tests but since it is not a stock/bundled fan we do not measure their SPL levels. For the dBA test every cooler in the database was measured both while on idle mode or with the fan controller in the minimum setting and while on load or with the fan controller all the way to the highest possible setting. PWM fans do that or their own without our intervention. Every single test takes place in a temperature controlled room of 23 degrees Celsius Ambient Temp with the help of two AC units placed diagonally inside the room. The Thermal Paste used for these tests is the proven Arctic Silver 5 and although better thermal conductive materials may exist as we speak, that could perhaps provide slightly better results, it is impossible to retest all of the coolers in this database. Worth noticing is that just because a CPU Cooler is better than another when tested with our test rig CPU, the Intel Core i7-920 that does not mean that the same performance differences will apply 100% for other CPU models and in other situations (such as different ambient temps and system configurations).

 

 

      To successfully record the load temperatures we use Intel's Thermal Analysis Tool for 64 minutes to push the processor to its limits and after that is done and the temperatures are recorded we wait for about 30 minutes for the CPU to cool down and record the idle temperatures. This is done to allow time for the thermal conductive material to achieve an optimal performance level. Same procedure is done with OCCT3 and Passmark BurnIn Test as a failsafe just in case TAT results are wrong. This procedure takes more time than the usual peltier/thermometer tests found around the internet but this way not only can we deliver real world results to our readers but we can also triple check the results using a variety of programs. Last but not least the temperatures were recorded using both the latest versions of AIDA64 and RealTemp while the noise level test is performed by using a high precision ExTech Decibel Meter placed about 10cm above the CPU Cooler. Still although the same testing procedure applies to all units do take into consideration that unlike the official numbers which are measured in special noise isolated labs with just the fans here we also have both the rest of the cooler and the rest of the system.