Conclusion

So why did the new Tuniq Propeller 120 cooler perform so low? Let’s check out the detailed results table for each processor core.

Click to enlarge

Note that the temperature difference between the cores cooler with the new Tuniq solution using core-contact technology is considerably bigger than by other two testing participants. In our opinion, it indicates that the heat transfer is not even and maybe there is no secure contact between the processor heat-spreader and the heatpipes in the cooler base, as well. Despite an almost ideal thermal compound imprint on the cooler base, one of the heatpipes could be pushed away from the processor heat-spreader when the cooler was pressing against it, or the 1.8 mm gaps between the heatpipes did have their negative say in the final result. However, it would be good to recall that Tuniq Tower 120 Extreme and Alpenföhn Nordwand have the same exact retention mechanism (although the heatpipes are configured differently in their base), but they work much more effectively than the new Propeller.

If we exclude the possibility of poor contact as well as any significant effect from the gaps between the heatpipes in the cooler base (the new TX-3 thermal paste didn’t help), then we could blame the too small heatsink that is simply unable to dissipate all the heat from the powerful processor. I believe that very high heatsink temperature during the tests as well as very high dependence on the fan rotation speed and airflow intensity could be considered indirect proof of this point. Besides, the heatpipes inside the heatsink arrays are not arranged in the most efficient way, either: the bottom of the heatsink plates is empty, while all four heatpipes go through the very top part of the heatsink arrays.

Despite its relatively low efficiency, Tuniq Propeller 120 does have a few advantages. The new cooler is universal, which means it supports all contemporary platforms. It uses simple and reliable retention that doesn’t require any special tools and guarantees secure hold and high pressure. Besides, Tuniq Propeller 120 comes bundled with a quality fan with blue LEDs that remains very quiet up until 1100 RPM and generates very moderate noise until 1400 RPM speed. Moreover, Tuniq Propeller 120 boasts unique looks and is very lightweight. And even though it won’t become the new “Big Typhoon”, we sincerely hope that Tuniq engineers will take into account our comments and will significantly improve their upcoming new versions of Propeller 120.