Scythe Mine and Pentagram NXC-100Cu coolers
Cooling efficiency and conclusions
To check the efficiency of the coolers, we emulated the most demanding and most rigid conditions on one of the hottest processors. Therefore, the choice fell upon the Intel system, namely, Pentium4 (Prescott 2M) at 3.6 GHz. We conducted another series of tests, but this time the processor was running at 4.05 GHz (18õ225 MHz), at the nominal voltage.
To warm up the processor, we used two running instances of BurnP6 software. As the thermo interface we used a very popular KPT-8 thermo paste (out of the tub).
So, we got the following test results:
Here are the results produced with the 4.05 GHz processor (the second series of tests was run at a much lower room temperature):
Some comments. As we have repeatedly noted, the Gigabyte G-Power cooler shows superb results at the maximum rotational speed of the fan. But the noise level exceeds all the admissible limits and certainly prevents comfortable operation. With the rotational speed reduced to 1900-2000 rpm, the noise level becomes acceptable and the efficiency does not drop essentially. Therefore, this cooler is one of the main candidates for purchases, but it is almost impossible to come across that in the retail.
It is interesting to note that companies use varied units for measuring noise. Otherwise, how can it be explained that Scythe Mine with the declared noise level = 22 dB runs noiselessly and ThermalTake Mini Typhoon at the official mark 18 dB runs much louder. This problem occurs regularly, so we shouldn't be guided by the manufacturer's data when buying a cooler.
The ThermalTake Mini Typhoon cooler is good at first glance: it has a copper radiator with heat pipes. But the cooling efficiency does not meet our expectations. By its efficiency, it loses to its elder brother Typhoon which together with noiseless operation showed a result comparable to that of Gigabyte G-Power (also at noiseless operation).
As regards the Scythe Mine cooler, this product deserves only the highest praises. Its superb cooling level with the absolutely noiseless operation make us safely recommend it for purchase. At the same time, the user can improve the cooler's characteristics through replacing the fan with one more powerful.
However, our findings cannot be final since on the date of testing the retail price of any of the presented coolers is unknown. It is quite possible that the "price/efficiency" ratio may change the attractiveness of examined coolers. Anyway, that applies to only Scythe Mine and ThermalTake Mini Typhoo, since the Pentagram NXC-100Cu cooler showed the worst efficiency and thus can't be recommended for use with powerful Intel processors. If its price is at about $19, then we'd rather recommend it for non-overclocked AMD processors.
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