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COMPARISONS
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CPU Coolers (ref. 140mm fan): °C Rise Comparison
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Heatsink
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Fan voltage / SPL @1m*
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9V
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7V
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6V
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18~21 dBA
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13~16 dBA
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11~13 dBA
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Thermalright Archon SB-E
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37
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40
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42
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Prolimatech Armageddon
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39
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42
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45
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Thermalright Venomous X Silent Edition
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40
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43
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44
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Thermalright HR-02 Macho
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39
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43
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45
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NZXT Havik 140
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40
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43
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47
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Noctua NH-C14
(top mounted)
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40
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44
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48
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Noctua NH-C14
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40
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44
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49
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Thermalright Silver Arrow
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39
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45
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49
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| *Note: there are minor differences in measured SPL due to the variety of fan orientations and mounting methods offered by the compared coolers. |
As a single fan heatsink, the Macho doesn't really stand out against the other top tier coolers we've tested. Its cooling proficiency was similar to the smaller Venomous X.
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Dual Fan CPU Coolers (ref. 140mm fans): CPU °C Rise Comparison
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Heatsink
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Fan Voltage / SPL*
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8V
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7V
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6V
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18~20 dBA
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15~17 dBA
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12~14 dBA
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Prolimatech Genesis
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36
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37
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39
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Thermalright HR-02 Macho
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36
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37
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40
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Noctua NH-C14
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37
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39
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41
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Thermalright Silver Arrow
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37
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39
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41
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Noctua NH-D14
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38
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40
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42
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Thermalright Venomous X
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39
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41
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42
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NZXT Havik 140
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39
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40
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43
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*Note: there are minor differences in measured SPL due to the variety of fan orientations and mounting methods offered by the compared coolers.
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The HR-02 is a much stronger performer when a second fan is added, challenging the Prolimatech Genesis for the champion's crown.
FANLESS
The HR-02 is marketed in part for its fanless cooling potential. In Taipei last month, Chris Lee of Thermalright urged SPCR Editor Mike Chin to test the Macho without direct cooling in a case equipped with an exhaust fan. Chris felt the HR-02 would take on all comers in such a setup.
We decided to test Thermalright's claim by installing it on a system in a case with modest airflow. We used our small heatsink test platform featuring an overclocked/volted Core i5-2400 running at 3.6 GHz with 1.30 V, which produces more heat than a i5-2500K at stock settings. We are quite sure that our standard 1366 test platform simply produces too much heat for any fanless cooler to handle.
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Inside our test system.
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A closer look.
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The system was installed inside a popular quiet case, the Fractal Design Define R3. We used the two included stock fans, one mounted as a rear exhaust, and the other installed in the upper intake position. The two ceiling fan placements were unblocked to maximize ventilation. A passively cooled Radeon HD 5450 was used for video but it doesn't contribute much heat.
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Passive Cooling Results: Thermalright HR-02 Macho
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Fan Voltage
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Exhaust Fan Only
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Exhaust + Intake Fan
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SPL@1m
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CPU Temp.
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CPU Temp.
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SPL@1m
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12V
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24~25 dBA
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68°C
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66°C
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26~27 dBA
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9V
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20~21 dBA
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71°C
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69°C
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22 dBA
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7V
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18 dBA
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76°C
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74°C
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18~19 dBA
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5V
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15 dBA
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87°C
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83°C
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15~16 dBA
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Ambient temperature: 22°C.
CPU throttling temperature: ~100°C.
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The Macho didn't blow us away in passive operation but it performed well enough to keep our test CPU from overheating with very limited airflow. With only a single stock fan running at just 5V, the CPU remained stable, albeit with a very high temperature of 87°C. An 11°C improvement was attained at 7V, a much safer level, but any higher and the system would no longer be considered quiet by our standards. Having an intake fan didn't make a huge difference in the grand scheme of things. There was a 4°C improvement at 5V but this was cut in half at higher speeds.
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