X-bit labs

New Super Cooler: ASUS Silent Knight Review (page 8)

Category: Coolers

by Sergey Lepilov

[ 01/12/2007 | 11:28 AM ]

Thermal Performance

The Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 (stepping B2) was limited in frequency by the weakest cooler in this test (Zalman CNPS9500 LED at 1400rpm), so I overclocked it from its default 1866MHz to 3360MHz (a frequency growth of 80.1%) with a voltage increase to 1.425V.

Two comments about the diagrams. First, the speed of the coolers’ fans is their real (not the specified) speed according to the monitoring tools. And second, Zalman’s coolers were tested at the min and max speed of the fan and I also tested them at some intermediate speed and low noise level when the noise from the fan was not distinguishable against the general noise from a quiet system case.

Here are the results:

So, in the closed system case the ASUS Silent Knight equals the performance of the Scythe Infinity (in its standard configuration) and of the Zalman CNPS9700 LED at 1850rpm. But I should confess the Silent Knight is a little louder than the Zalman and considerably louder than the Scythe Infinity under such conditions. Anyway, the new cooler from ASUS performs well in a closed computer.

On the open testbed it equals the Zalman CNPS9700 LED at 1250rpm and leaves behind the super-cooler of the past, Zalman CNPS9500 LED. It less efficient than the Zalman CNPS9700 and Scythe Infinity under such conditions but the difference of 2°C and 3.5°C, respectively, is insignificant. It’s up to you to decide which test mode (a closed system case or an open testbed) is more relevant for your practical needs.

Comparing the two coolers from Zalman, the newer and larger model wins by 3-5°C in the system case and by 7-8°C on the open testbed! I guess that’s a lot. The CNPS9700 LED also offers a wider speed adjustment range, providing more setup flexibility. I guess this is worth the difference in price with the CNPS9500 LED, which is about $20, but it’s up to you to decide, as always.