HEXUS.net - reviews :: LGA 775 CPU Cooler *Mega Test*

[chuckskull]

The ShinEtsu arrived from MTG this morning. Nice big syringe full. Once I've got the last of this mornings beer out of my system and the heat has died off a bit, I'll clean off the AS5 and put it on.

And current temps, using AS5(i'll have forgotten them by the time I've swapped TIM's).

E4300, 3.3ghz@1.45v (horrid vdroop on this mobo).

Idle measured 1 hour after CPUburn ended, system left to idle, no background programs except Everest for temp monitoring.

To burn the CPU. Orthos, Small FFT's (up to 10c hotter than the normal blend test) Test ran for six hours.

Results are a little high, but it's boiling weather here and orthos all afternoon in the heat. I'll compare the Shinetsu tomorrow afternoon when the temps are high again. Then again in a couple of weeks once the ShinEtsu has had time to set properly.

Idle-
CPU: 41c Cores: Both rock solid at 49c

Burn-
CPU: 54c Cores: Both at 83c

[chuckskull]

Well here's the results of the ShinEtsu gunk(I dont think it has a product name yet, well I don't know it at least ) and they put put AS5 to shame.

Not even bedded in yet, which according to ShinEtsu should take 2 weeks. Could go either way, it may loose some performance or gain some. Every other thermal paste I know usually gains a couple more c. If there's any major difference I'll update this post.

The gunk was thicker than AS5, which makes it more difficult to apply, but it's not much at all it's like saying tying your shoelaces is harder than wearing flip flops. This thickness gave a much more 'solid' contact with the chip though. once pressed into place it wouldn't shift, I couldn't slide or twist it with pulling it back off completely first. Whereas AS5 just works like a lubricant until it's set. My only gripe with the fitting would be the syringe needs a smaller nozzle, but I don't think mine was in the final packaging or anywhere near it.

Anyway, numbers. Same setup as before:

Idle-
CPU: 38c Cores: 44c

Load-
CPU: 47c Cores: 74c

3c idle drop. Not a huge drop, but makes a lot of noise difference when Q-fan is active. 7c under load is just amazing considering this is compared against AS5. The current market leader.

For some comparison between Small FFT's and the more common blend test the CPU was 49c during blend. So you can see these are very good temps on air. When I have more time I'll try it on my 8800GTS and see how it performs. not sure when that'll be, didn't go out this weekend so I will be next weekend

If anyone's curious this was done with a Zalman 9700NT, running at 12v for consistency. All settings the same, ambient hotter if anything than yesterday. I doubt there's any real difference though. Everything else is in "My system". Gotta admit I was pretty ready to bash this stuff, but it's proved me wrong.

[prits_88]

man this is some really good reviewing.
i needed something to back up the zalman 9700 i wanted, and this did it.

again well done, it must have taken alot of time and effort

[Andrzej]

...only difference is the variable speed fan...

You could be lucky here - maybe not

Some people find variable fans annoying (especially when the sensitivity is set to low - and the things keeps kicking in & out)...

...but that is going to depend on the 'pitch' of the old one in 'constant motion'


When Matt is COMPLETELY BORED - then here is another test just begging to be done...

...not only to look at noise levels in terms of dB...

...but also the average 'note' produced

It is much easier to ignore a louder, low note than a quieter note at a higher pitch


(In me mind) I am seeing some kind of graph showing volume against note for each fan - let's see if Matt listens...

[MTG]

chuckskull


told you d00d

;o)

[MTG]

by the way its no longer made by shinetsu, its made by the guy that made it orignally created it that no longer works for the company. Hes out on his own..

details to come for you all..

[chuckskull]

The ShinEtsu(or whatever it is now) has further improved. Idle now: 32c Load: 45c.

[Nub1]

I registered just so I could say ... fooled ya Not gonna mention sound but many thanks for a great round up/ review of cpu coolers.

Being a total noob at building can I ask a few questions?

The Thermaltake Big Typ VX, is it compatible with a quad core QX6700 cpu? Their website mentions core 2 chips but not quad core. Is the Scythe Miné ?

Also on the coolers that you could orient whatever way you wanted (I think the thermaltake was one of them) which way did you set the fan? Blowing air out the back of the case or thru the top of the case? Would this be likely to make a difference?

Sorry if the questions are foolish but as I've said I'm a noob at all this?

many thanks for your replies

[MTG]

do I speak the truth, or do I speak the truth ??

lol

[MD]

I registered just so I could say ... fooled ya Not gonna mention sound but many thanks for a great round up/ review of cpu coolers.

Being a total noob at building can I ask a few questions?

The Thermaltake Big Typ VX, is it compatible with a quad core QX6700 cpu? Their website mentions core 2 chips but not quad core. Is the Scythe Miné ?

Also on the coolers that you could orient whatever way you wanted (I think the thermaltake was one of them) which way did you set the fan? Blowing air out the back of the case or thru the top of the case? Would this be likely to make a difference?

Sorry if the questions are foolish but as I've said I'm a noob at all this?

many thanks for your replies

Both the thermaltake and Mine are compatible with QuadCore

These were put in a tower. The fans blow downward through the heatsink, so its not THAT applicable, case flow is more important in such circumstances, not just the heatsink itself.

Matt.

[Nub1]

Thanks for that MD, realised yesterday that my question about fan orientation was foolish to say the least . Fan is on top of heat sink not the side. Doh! All I can say is total lack of , coffee and too much beer. That and reading so much about heat sinks I was just getting plain muddled up.

Anyways guys thanks for the response and thanks for the mega-review. Thermaltake is now on order.

[Nub1]

Sorry to double post but I've just installed the Thermaltake and found there is an orientation. i.e. which way the fins are directed. On page 73 hexus.net/content/item.php?item=8757&page=73 of the review the photos show both orientations. The top has the fins parallel to both the RAM and the back of the mobo while the second photo has the fins perpendicular to the RAM.

I don't mean to be picky but I installed the heatsink like in the top photo and have noticed that I get a lower temp if I have the top fan on low (temp difference is 1-2C on the cpu). Would you reckon this is due to airflow disruption within the thermaltake fins by the top fan?

If the heatsink were orientated the other way this shouldn't happen as much, as the fan at the rear is smaller. I could leave the rear fan on low and increase the top fan and see if it lowers the temps anymore. Hmmm. If I have time I might try to reorientate the heatsink but am not sure it'll clear my northbridge.

Anyways, once I installed it, it took 10C off my idle temp, down to 42C with all fans, case and heatsink on low. Heatsink fan on low is silent, moving it up to medium speed does produce a low volume whine (but not noticeable if pc kept under desk) and dropped the cpu temp by another 2C.

Anyways I was just wondering which way you guys had the heatsink orientated? And seeing as the photos show both ways did you try it both ways, was there a difference?


thanks again for the review

[Andrzej]

...Sorry if the questions are...

Don't be daft - questions is what this place is all about

If you are new to all of this - visualising the products, how they sit and what they can do for you can be a little confusing

Are you ever in London ?

If you had a chance to pop in to see the guys & kit at YOYOTech, then I am sure you would find many of your questions would get answered in less than 20 minutes

[MTG]

If your in devon I'll help you out...

[Nub1]

Thanks guys, I do live near London so I'll give YOYOTech a try. Just been checking them out, so when I'm up I'll call in. Sorry MTG I'm not in Devon often but next time I'll let you buy me a pint

I never made it clear in my earlier posts that I am using the Antec 900 case (because of this site) and then they go and do this review as I get near to completing my first build. The timing was perfect. To top it off the forums are friendly/ helpful too. How cool is that.

thanks guys for the pointers and offers of help.

[MTG]

Sorry MTG I'm not in Devon often but next time I'll let you buy me a pint

you can have a pint and a play in the server room no problems mate!!