X-bit labs

Little Coolers for a Big Processor: AURAS TwinW, APACK ZEROtherm CF900 and Scythe Shuriken

Category: Coolers

by Sergey Lepilov

[ 05/07/2008 | 08:21 PM ]

Can inexpensive compact cooling solutions be of any use for an overclocking fan? How noisy and efficient are they? Our today’s review will introduce to you three compact solutions like that and check them out on a quad-core Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 processor.

Table of contents:

• AURAS TwinW (SMF-660)
  
• Package and Accessories
  
• Design and Functionality
  
• Installation Tips
  
• APACK ZEROtherm CF900
  
• Package and Accessories
  
• Design and Functionality
  
• Installation Tips
  
• Scythe Shuriken (SCSK-1000)
  
• Package and Accessories
  
• Design and Functionality
  
• Installation Tips
  
• Technical Specifications and Pricing
  
• Testbed and Methods
  
• Cooling Efficiency and Acoustic Performance
  
• Cooling Efficiency Tests
  
• Acoustic Tests
  
• Conclusion
  

Have you ever thought that your system case takes up too much room, that it is too big and bulky and doesn’t fit into the room interior concept, and that it is too noisy as well? If you haven’t then your beloved wife or girlfriend may have reminded you a few times, and your son or daughter who just started walking is trying to open the front or the side panel of the notorious case, as it is too big to fit anywhere safe. If you have never had any of the above mentioned thoughts or problems, then this article is hardly for you.

All others may consider compact Mini- and Micro-ATX cases and their desktop modifications as a solution to all these problems, as they take less room than standard ATX systems. Today we are going to discuss three “baby” coolers for compact and barebone cases like that that should replace a standard cooling system for Intel processors. Is it possible to overclock processor with these mini-coolers and are they any better than a standard boxed cooling solution? Our article will answer all these questions for you.

AURAS TwinW (SMF-660)

Package and Accessories

AURAS TwinW (SMF-660) ships in a small box made of thick cardboard. The front is decorated with the cooler picture, while the other sides of the package are covered with cooler’s technical specifications and key features description:

At the bottom of the box there is a retention bracket for LGA 775 mainboards, a syringe with thermal compound, four retention screws and a brief installation manual: