Value Cooling: Two Towers for under $30
by Wesley Fink on January 23, 2007 3:50 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Overclocking
When cooling solutions do a better job of keeping the CPU at a lower temperature, it is reasonable to expect the overclocking capabilities of the CPU will increase. In each test of a cooler we measure the highest stable overclock of our standard X6800 processor under the following conditions:
Memory is set to Auto timings on the 680i and memory speed is linked to the FSB for the overclocking tests. This removes memory as any kind of impediment to the maximum stable overclock. Linked settings on the 680i are a 1066FSB to a DDR2 memory speed of DDR2-800. As FSB is raised the linked memory speed increases in proportion. The same processor is used in all cooling tests to ensure comparable results.
Both the Thermalright MST-9775 and the Scythe Katana enable higher overclocks than the stock Intel cooler. Neither of the coolers under test, however, comes close to the overclocking performance of the Tuniq Tower 120. Where the stock cooler reached 3.73GHz with this CPU, the Thermalright extends this to 3.78GHz, the Scythe Katana allows a stable 3.81GHz, and the same processor reached a stable 3.90GHz with the Tuniq Tower.
When cooling solutions do a better job of keeping the CPU at a lower temperature, it is reasonable to expect the overclocking capabilities of the CPU will increase. In each test of a cooler we measure the highest stable overclock of our standard X6800 processor under the following conditions:
CPU Multiplier: 14x (Stock 11x)
CPU voltage: 1.5875V
FSB Voltage: 1.30V
Memory Voltage: 2.20V
nForce SPP Voltage: 1.5V
nForce MCP Voltage: 1.7V
HT nForce SPP <-> MCP: Auto
Memory is set to Auto timings on the 680i and memory speed is linked to the FSB for the overclocking tests. This removes memory as any kind of impediment to the maximum stable overclock. Linked settings on the 680i are a 1066FSB to a DDR2 memory speed of DDR2-800. As FSB is raised the linked memory speed increases in proportion. The same processor is used in all cooling tests to ensure comparable results.
Both the Thermalright MST-9775 and the Scythe Katana enable higher overclocks than the stock Intel cooler. Neither of the coolers under test, however, comes close to the overclocking performance of the Tuniq Tower 120. Where the stock cooler reached 3.73GHz with this CPU, the Thermalright extends this to 3.78GHz, the Scythe Katana allows a stable 3.81GHz, and the same processor reached a stable 3.90GHz with the Tuniq Tower.
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takumsawsherman - Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - link
Why is the Tuniq tower 120 being compared against much cheaper coolers with smaller fans? Why not pit it against the Thermalright HR-01, which would be more of an apples to apples comparison?I am sure that Scythe must have a more worthy competitor as well, though I am not familiar with their line.
LoneWolf15 - Thursday, January 25, 2007 - link
Scythe's Infinity is probably the closest competitor. I believe there may be a few other sites that have reviewed it.
Wesley Fink - Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - link
You neglected to mention that we also compared the performance of the Scythe Katana and Thermalright MST-9775 to the Intel Retail HSF that comes with the Core 2 Duo processor. Until we test a cooler that might perform better than the Tuniq the range of performance is "real-world" between the Intel Retail HSF and the Tuniq. We believe most readers want to know how a tested cooler compares in this rnage - so they can decide if the features or cost are worth the performance drop from the best we have tested.In the future we will be testing some new tower coolers that should challenge the Tuniq. We also plan a value cooler roundup of coolers under $30.
Zoomer - Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - link
Seconded!I'm looking forward to seeing the Arctic Cooler 7 Pro review. In cooler climates with a core2 duo, there is really no need to spend the extra $30 for a huge tower heatsink.
Calin - Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - link
The comparison was between the baseline (the included cooler) and the best air cooler there is (at least known/proven until now).Should the Tuniq Tower be compared to the best air cooled equipments out there? Yes, and it would be nice to compare it to a not very expensive water cooled system too.
Jodiuh - Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - link
Well if that's not reason enough to get a Tuniq.LoneWolf15 - Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - link
Getting one dropped my temps from my old Swiftech by 5-8C when idle and 8-15C under load.It sure was a good enough reason for me. And that's with the fan at a quiet 1400rpm.
And I agree (with what I think you're saying) that, if you're going to spend $30 for an aftermarket cooler, and the Tuniq will fit, why not spend an extra 20-25 for best aftermarket cooler you can get?
Avalon - Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - link
I think it's a good addition to AT to include cooling reviews. However, you guys should see if you can expand temperature gauging a little more to also include PWM temps and other important temperatures, as some HSF solutions have a large affect on these, while others don't.Also, really want to see the Coolermaster Hyper TX in the next roundup!
Vidmar - Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - link
What was the orientation of the CPU/heatsink during the tests? Was the case (and MB) in a horizontal or vertical orientation? Since these new coolers use heatpipes and since the heatpipe technology relies on a liquid that turns to gas when heated then back to liquid when cool, the orientation of the heatsink/heatpipe plays a huge role in how the well it will perform.I would like to think that you are running these tests with the case in a vertical orientation like what a large portion of your readers would be using. But since you never say we don’t know. If these tests are being conducted with the case in a horizontal orientation (laying flat on a table), I would expect that the results would be different than what people would get at home (mostly vertical).
Thanks!
Wesley Fink - Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - link
Noise measurements were run with the case horizontal and an open side. Cooling tests were run with the case in the standard upright position, as our readers will most likely use them at home.