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TEST RESULTS
Note: All the comparison tables below are aligned to the closest SPL levels.
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Intel Stock Cooler: Aluminum vs. Copper Core
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Intel Aluminum HSF
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Intel Q6600 HSF
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Fan Voltage
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SPL@1m
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Thermal Rise
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Fan Voltage
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SPL@1m
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Thermal Rise
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12V
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31 dBA
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24
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12V
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25 dBA
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30°C
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9V
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23 dBA
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29
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9V
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19 dBA
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37°C
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8V
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21 dBA
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34
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7V
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14~15 dBA
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46°C
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7V
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16 dBA
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42
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6V
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13 dBA
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50°C
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The Q6600 heatsink at 9V is quieter and slightly cooler compared to the all-aluminum
heatsink at 12V. This is the only point of comparison where it has a clear advantage.
At the next two lower fan speeds, the Q6600 cooler delivers temperatures 3-4°C
lower while generating an extra 2 dB noise. At best, the copper core design
is only marginally better than its aluminum counterpart.
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Mid-sized Battle: Micro Silencer vs. Alpine 7 GT
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Thermolab Micro Silencer
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Arctic Alpine 7 GT
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Fan Voltage
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SPL@1m
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Thermal Rise
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Fan Voltage
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SPL@1m
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Thermal Rise
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12V
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37 dBA
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26°C
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9V
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29 dBA
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29°C
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12V
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26 dBA
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38°C
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7V
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20 dBA
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36°C
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9V
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20~21 dBA
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39°C
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5V
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15 dBA
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48°C
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7V
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15 dBA
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46°C
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6V
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14 dBA
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52°C
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The Micro Silencer makes an interesting opponent for the Alpine 7 GT. Both
heatsinks have almost the same height and fin thickness, but the Alpine is taller,
has much wider fin spacing and a smaller fan. At 7V, the Micro generates a similar
level of noise to the Alpine at 9V, but takes a 3°C lead in temperature.
Both coolers can be considered quiet at this level. At 5V the Micro is the same
noise level as the Alpine at 7V, but this time, the Alpine has a 2°C advantage.
As airflow is reduced, the Alpine's wider fin spacing gives it the edge.
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Vertically Challenged: Intel Q9550 HSF vs. Thermolab
Nano Silencer
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Intel Q9550 HSF
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Thermolab Nano Silencer
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Fan Voltage
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SPL@1m
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Thermal Rise
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Fan Voltage
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SPL@1m
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Thermal Rise
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12V
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31 dBA
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29°C
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12V
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26 dBA
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26°C
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9V
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22 dBA
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37°C
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9V
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18 dBA
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40°C
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8V
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18 dBA
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42°C
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7.8V
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15 dBA
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51°C
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7V
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15 dBA
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49°C
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7.5V
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14 dBA
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55°C+*
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*Testing stopped after thermal rise exceeded 55°C.
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Of the two smallest coolers in our roundup, the larger Q9550 stock cooler dominates
the Nano Silencer at 12V, generating 5 dBA less measurable noise while simultaneously
delivering better cooling — 3°C's worth. The difference narrows at
the 18 dBA level. The Nano does not surpass the Q9550 heatsink until the fan
is dialed down so that it produces 15 dBA of noise. At this point however the
CPU temperatures are so high that we would not recommend using either unit.
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