X-bit labs

Four Heatpipes for Two: AeroCool SilverWind and Xfire Coolers Reviewed (page 8)

Category: Coolers

by Sergey Lepilov

[ 02/19/2008 | 03:23 PM ]

Cooling Efficiency and Acoustic Performance

Intel Core 2 Duo Platform

Let’s check out the results on the diagram below:

I have to admit that AeroCool solutions didn’t impress us with their cooling efficiency this time. Yes, they are indeed more efficient than Intel’s boxed cooler, although just a little bit. Yes, they ensure very successful CPU overclocking, but Intel’s boxed cooler can do that, too (although it is much louder in this case). It is remarkable, but the less expensive Xfire outperformed a more expensive SilverWind cooler, however, an even cheaper Cooler Master Hyper TX 2 outperformed both of them. Our best advice for AeroCool would be to revise their pricing policy, not only in terms of reducing the prices overall, but also in terms of changing the price ratio between different coolers.

Acoustic Performance

The level of generated noise for our today’s testing participants was measured from 3cm, 1m and 3m distance. The results are given on the diagram below. The coolers are listed in the same order as on the diagram above:

As we have expected, the quietest cooler of all appeared AeroCool SilverWind when running at the minimal fan rotation speed. It demonstrated an indisputable advantage over the standard boxed cooler from Intel. AeroCool Xfire and Cooelr Master Hyper TX 2 demonstrated pretty equal level of noise. After that comes AeroCool SilverWind at its maximum fan rotation speed, and the loudest one is the boxed Intel cooler. To be fair I have to say that since this cooler supports PWM mode, the noise level gets significantly lower when the CPU is running under low workload and the fan rotation speed drops.