X-bit labs

SuperCoolers Return: Zalman CNPS9700 LED and Scythe Infinity (page 12)

Category: Coolers

by Sergey Lepilov

[ 12/11/2006 | 03:12 PM ]

Intel Pentium D Platform

Notwithstanding its hotness, i.e. high heat dissipation, the Intel Pentium D processor was overclocked to 3900MHz (a frequency growth of 39.3%) with a voltage increase to 1.4875V.

By the time I had to test the coolers on the Intel Pentium D I had run out of Zalman CSL850 grease. So, I tested the coolers on this platform using Arctic Silver 5 thermal grease.

Here are the diagrams:

This sample of the processor would begin to skip clock cycles (throttling mode) after reaching a temperature of 81.5-82°C. The Scythe Ninja got near this, yet managed to keep the CPU in max performance mode. The coolers from Scythe with a single 120mm fan didn’t do well in a closed system case, although the Infinity is a couple of degrees better than the Ninja.

But note how efficient the Scythe Infinity becomes if you install two low-speed fans on it for intake and exhaust – the temperature is 11°C lower then! This confirms the fact that the cooler’s plates cannot be cooled well by only one fan.

The Zalman CNPS9700 LED shows its worth finally. On an open testbed it is as efficient in the quiet test mode as the Scythe Infineon with its native fan is and outperforms the Thermaltake Big Typhoon and the Scythe Ninja by 3.5° and 2°C, respectively. The latter model looks better than on the two previous platforms.

The Zalman CNPS9700 LED is the most efficient cooler on an open testbed in max speed mode.