X-bit labs

Scythe Andy Samurai Master and Enzotech Ultra-X Coolers vs. Overclocked CPUs (page 7)

Category: Coolers

by Sergey Lepilov

[ 03/08/2007 | 11:04 AM ]

Specifications

The table shows the specifications of the coolers:

Testbed and Methods

The coolers are tested on an open testbed as well as in a system case with the following configuration:

• Mainboards:
  • DFI LanParty UT NF590 SLI-M2R/G (nForce 590 SLI, Socket AM2, BIOS 29/08/2006);
  • ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP (Intel P965 chipset, LGA775, BIOS 0804)
• Processors:
  • AMD Athlon X2 3800+ (2000 MHz, 1.30V, 2x512KB L2 cache, Cool & Quiet disabled, Windsor, BH-F2)
  • Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 (2133MHz, 1.325V, 266x4MHz FSB, 2x1024KB L2 cache, SL9S9 Malay, Conroe B2)
• Graphics card: Sysconn GeForce 7600 GT 256MB
• Thermal interface: Noctua
• Memory: 2 x 1024MB Corsair CM2X1024-6400C4 PC6400 DDR2 SDRAM (SPD: 800MHz, 4-4-4-12)
• Disk subsystem: Hitachi HDT725032VLA360 (SATA-II, 320GB storage capacity, 7200rpm, 16MB cache, NCQ)
• System case: ASUS ASCOT 6AR2-B Black&Silver with three system fans from Cooler Master (120mm, 1200rpm, 21dBA)
• Power supply: MGE Magnum 500 (500W) + 80mm GlacialTech SilentBlade fan (~1700rpm, 19dBA)

The Noctua NH-U12F and Scythe Infinity were tested in their out-of-the-box state with one 120mm fan and also with one additional fan for exhaust (I used two fans from Scythe for that purpose). The Thermaltake Big Typhoon was tested in its default state with a native 120mm fan at 1350rpm and with a more powerful 2000rpm fan from Thermaltake. The latter fan was also installed on the Scythe Andy Samurai Master. To cool the power circuit heatsink on the DFI LanParty UT NF590 mainboard I installed an 80mm fan at 1800rpm. On the ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP I replaced the standard passive heatsink with a Blue Ice Pro chipset cooler from Cooler Master.

All tests were performed in Windows XP Professional Edition Service Pack 2. SpeedFan 4.32 beta 17 was used to monitor the temperature of the CPUs, reading it from the CPU sensor.

The AMD CPU was heated by S&M version 1.8.2b for 15 minutes at 100% load.

The Intel CPU was heated up by means of Intel Thermal Analysis Tool for 18 minutes (according to the method we described in earlier reviews).

The mainboards’ automatic fan speed management was disabled for the time of the tests. The thermal throttling of the Intel Core 2 Duo processor was controlled with RightMark CPU Clock Utility version 2.2 (our processor would begin to skip clock cycles on reaching a temperature of 81.5°C).

I performed at least two cycles of tests in each mode (TAT and S&M). I waited for 25-30 minutes for the temperature to stabilize during each test cycle. The maximum temperature in the two test cycles was considered as the final result (if the difference was not bigger than 1°C – otherwise the test was performed once again). Despite the stabilization period, the result of the second cycle was usually 0.5-1°C higher.

The ambient temperature was monitored by means of an electric thermometer and remained at 24.5-25°C during the tests.