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MP3 SOUND RECORDINGS
These recordings were made with a high
resolution, lab quality, digital recording system inside SPCR's
own 11 dBA ambient anechoic chamber, then converted to LAME 128kbps
encoded MP3s. We've listened long and hard to ensure there is no audible degradation
from the original WAV files to these MP3s. They represent a quick snapshot of
what we heard during the review.
These recordings are intended to give you an idea of how the product sounds
in actual use — one meter is a reasonable typical distance between a computer
or computer component and your ear. The recording contains stretches of ambient
noise that you can use to judge the relative loudness of the subject. Be aware
that very quiet subjects may not be audible — if we couldn't hear it from
one meter, chances are we couldn't record it either!
The recording starts with 10 second segments of room ambiance, then the fan
at various levels. For the most realistic results, set the volume so that
the starting ambient level is just barely audible, then don't change the volume
setting again.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Scythe Big Shuriken: The best cooler of the
bunch, in a league of its own. Not only did it claim a substantial performance lead, Big Shuriken easily
has the smoothest, quietest fan. Our only but very serious complaint is the LGA775 stock
mounting mechanism — it is a very poor choice given the tiny space between them and the main fin array above it. Installation is almost a guaranteed
exercise in frustration unless you happen to be gnome.
Arctic Alpine Alpine 7 GT: The Alpine 7 GT is a fairly good choice for
a small LGA775 cooler, especially if it is to replace one of Intel's low profile
stock cooling units. At higher fan speeds, it is a step below the full-sized
Intel heatsinks, but as the fan speed is decreased, its wide fin spacing gives
it the advantage. Its fan is not the best, but at lower speeds it is fairly
innocuous, especially compared to the competition.
Thermolab Micro Silencer: The Micro Silencer performs about the same
as Intel's full-sized stock coolers with moderate airflow, but with low airflow
its cooling capability takes a hit, to the point where it struggles just to
beat its smaller brother, the Nano Silencer. Its fan is also poor acoustically,
so it's not a worthwhile substitute for a full-sized stock heatsink.
Thermolab Nano Silencer: The Nano Silencer's height made Intel's Q9550
low-profile copper core cooler its only fair competition in today's roundup.
Unfortunately, it only outperforms the Q9550 cooler at low fan speeds when cooling
becomes severely compromised. That's like winning a race to see who can jump
off a cliff first — it doesn't give it any real bragging rights. Its fan
does sound slightly better, but it is easily drowned out by the sound
of its most useful application: cooking bacon.
To be frank, except for the Big Shuriken and Alpine 7 GT, we wouldn't use any of
the heatsinks tested today placed in a system on a desk next to us. Their poor
acoustic qualities become noticeable with close proximity, whether you crank
the fans way down or not. At one meter's distance, they sound adequate at lower
fan speeds — you won't hear them unless you make an effort, your ears
are sensitive, or you're in a very quiet room. Also, we would only recommend
their use with 65W processors. The Shuriken is the
only one that can adequately cool a 95W processor quietly.
Our roundup is by no means conclusive; there are many other low profile heatsinks out there. But it seems likely that the niche of a quiet yet effective low profile cooler is underpopulated at this time. If readers have any good candidates for our next low profile heatsink/fan roundup, let us know in the forum discussion thread for this article.
Our thanks to Scythe,
Arctic Cooling,
Thermolab,
and Intel for the
heatsinks used in today's roundup.
* * *
Articles of Related Interest
Scythe Mugen-2 CPU Cooler
Scythe Katana 3: Same slant, new version
CNPS10X Extreme: Zalman's Extreme Makeover
ZEROtherm CORE92 Direct-Touch CPU
Cooler
Cooler Master Hyper N520 dual
92mm fan cooler
Prolima Megahalems: A Mega Nehalem
Cooler
* * *
Discuss this article in the
SPCR forums.
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