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COOLING RESULTS
Note that these heatsinks were tested on our new AM3 test platform. An Athlon
II X4 630 with 95W TDP is the processor. The CPU/VRMs on our new platform draw
between 85W and 91W DC (depending on temperature) at the AUX12V connector, slightly
more than the problematic LGA775/Pentium D950 set up we had been using in the
past. For full details, please see Postscript 2 of SPCR's 2010 CPU
Heatsink Test Platform on the new
AM3 heatsink testing platform for small and low-profile heatsinks
|
Gelid Silent Spirit w/ stock fan
|
|
Fan Voltage
|
SPL@1m
|
Temp
|
°C Rise
|
|
12V
|
32 dBA
|
44°C
|
21
|
|
9V
|
26 dBA
|
45°C
|
22
|
|
7V
|
20 dBA
|
48°C
|
25
|
|
6V
|
15~16 dBA
|
58°C
|
35
|
|
5V
|
12 dBA
|
76°C
|
53
|
|
Gelid Silent Spirit w/ ref. 92 mm fan
|
|
12V
|
16 dBA
|
53°C
|
30
|
|
9V
|
12 dBA
|
59°C
|
36
|
| °C Rise: Temperature rise above ambient (23°C)
at load. |
The Silent Spirit with its padded and frameless stock fan delivered very good
performance at 9V and 12V with a thermal rise over ambient of just above 20°C.
The CPU heated up by 3°C at 7V and at 6V there was an additional 10°C
jump. It's effectiveness weakened dramatically as the fan speed was reduced
to quiet levels. At 5V, the temperature climbed 18°C higher than at 6V.
Our reference Nexus fan performed 5°C better at 12V/16 dBA compared to
the stock fan at 6V/15~16 dBA. At the 12 dBA level, the Nexus crushed the stock
fan by an unbelievable 17°C. Note that the Nexus was placed flat on the
heatsink without any support. Swapping the fan in this manner in a real-life
scenario would require an alternate method to secure the fan, such as twist-ties.
|
Scythe Samurai ZZ w/ stock 92 mm fan
|
|
Fan Voltage
|
SPL@1m
|
Temp
|
°C Rise
|
|
12V
|
34-35 dBA
|
44°C
|
21
|
|
10V
|
29~30 dBA
|
46°C
|
23
|
|
9V
|
25 dBA
|
48°C
|
25
|
|
8V
|
18 dBA
|
52°C
|
29
|
|
7.7V
|
15 dBA
|
53°C
|
30
|
|
7.5V
|
<11 dBA
|
55°C
|
32
|
|
Scythe Samurai ZZ w/ ref. 92 mm fan
|
|
12V
|
16 dBA
|
48°C
|
25
|
|
9V
|
12 dBA
|
54°C
|
31
|
| °C Rise: Temperature rise above ambient (23°C)
at load. |
At higher fan speeds, the Samurai ZZ was comparable in performance to the Silent
Spirit, but generated a lot more noise, but at lower fan speeds, the Samurai
ZZ was far superior. At 8V/18 dBA, the thermal rise above ambient was 25°C.
This barely increased at 7.7V/15 dBA, and there was only a 3°C rise at 7.5V
even though the fan had become inaudible. The Samurai ZZ performs superbly with
very limited airflow.
Our reference Nexus fan attained the same thermal rise at 12V/16 dBA as the
stock fan at 9V/25 dBA. At 9V it was slightly louder than the stock fan at 7.5V,
but 1°C better, making it wash at that level.
Comparison Tables
|
°C rise Comparison (stock fan)
|
|
SPL@1m
|
HDT-SD964
|
Samurai ZZ
|
Big Shuriken
|
Arctic Alpine 64
|
Silent Spirit
|
|
18 dBA
|
-
|
29
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
17 dBA
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
34
|
-
|
|
16 dBA
|
-
|
-
|
30
|
-
|
35
|
|
15 dBA
|
22
|
30
|
-
|
43
|
|
14 dBA
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
13 dBA
|
27
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
12 dBA
|
34
|
-
|
-
|
46
|
53
|
|
11 dBA
|
-
|
37
|
-
|
-
|
|
<11 dBA
|
-
|
32
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Paired with its stock fan, the Samurai ZZ's greatest asset is its amazing performance
at lower fan speeds. When operating at fan speeds that generate 18 dBA@1m or
less, its cooling proficiency barely changed. So while it may be a poorer heatsink
than a 92 mm tower cooler like the Xigmatek
HDT-SD964 at higher fan speeds, for ultra quiet operation, the Samurai
ZZ is the better choice.
The Silent Spirit is a few degrees behind the Samurai ZZ and Big
Shuriken at the 15~16 dBA level, but at 12 dBA, its performance drops
to the point where it is beaten handily by the Arctic Alpine 64, which incidentally,
can be purchased online for as little as US$10.
|
°C rise Comparison (reference fan)
|
|
Heatsink
|
Nexus 92 mm fan voltage / SPL@1m
|
|
12V
|
9V
|
|
16 dBA
|
12 dBA
|
|
Scythe Ninja Mini
|
23
|
27
|
|
Xigmatek HDT-SD964
|
24
|
30
|
|
Scythe Samurai ZZ
|
25
|
31
|
|
Scythe Big Shuriken
(Nexus 120 mm fan)
|
24
(12V)
|
33
(7V)
|
|
Gelid Silent Spirit
|
30
|
36
|
Using our reference Nexus fan seems to make things a little more even, but
the Samurai ZZ still holds a substantial lead over the Silent Spirit, and is
only 1°C off the performance of the HDT-SD964.
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