Coolers for Pentium 4 `2002 Q3
Tests
Before testing the coolers I summed up all their specifications into a table (the higher the score, the better).
| Name |
Ease of installation |
Ease of removal |
Noise in the quiet mode |
Noise in the normal mode |
Price ($USA): |
Rotational speed @ |
Air flow @ |
Noise with air flowing @ |
Base processing quality |
| Thermaltake Volcano P4 |
9 |
4 |
* |
5 |
~8$ |
4,800 RPM |
30CFM |
37dBa |
5 |
| Elan Vital FSNW01-FC |
9.5 |
9.5 |
6 |
4 |
~16$ |
4,800 RPM |
NA |
38dBa |
5.5 |
| Titan TTC-W2T |
9.5 |
9.5 |
* |
8.5 |
~8$ |
4,800 RPM |
20.67CFM |
32dBa |
9 |
| Intel BOX (Sanyo) |
9 |
7 |
9.5 |
9 |
~8$ |
NA |
NA |
NA |
7 @@ |
| Thermaltake Dragon |
8 |
9.5 |
* |
2** |
~20$ |
6.000 RPM |
49.4CFM |
43dBa |
7 |
| Thermaltake Volcano 7+ |
7 |
4 |
7 |
5 / 3 |
~30$ |
6.000 RPM |
49.0CFM |
24-47dBa |
9.5 |
* The fan does change its rotational speed with temperature.
** Noise in the standard mode is impossible!
@ Manufacturer's data
@@ Note that the BOX'ed cooler touches the processor through a layer of foil interleaved, so the processing quality in this case does not play the leading part.
|
Idle |
Burn |
| Box (Sanyo) |
46 |
64 |
| Tt Volcano P4 |
45 |
63 |
| Titan TTC-W2T |
47 |
65 |
| FSNW01-FC |
47 |
65 |
| Tt Dragon (3000) |
47 |
67 |
| Tt Dragon (6000) |
45 |
62 |
| Tt Volcano 7+ (2700) |
45 |
60 |
| Tt Volcano 7+ (3000) |
41 |
57 |
| Tt Volcano 7+ (5000) |
39 |
49 |
| Tt Volcano 7+ (6200) |
36 |
47 |
Thermaltake Volcano 7+ made of copper was best at cooling, and Thermaltake Dragon was far worse. At the maximum speed, Volcano 7+ (started with CPUBurn) showed fantastic results, 47 C. This is as high as the aluminum coolers show in the standby mode.
Due to its powerful fan, the best among aluminum coolers was Thermaltake Volcano P4 . But the boxed Sanyo cooler was the best at the 'cooling/noise' ratio. Of note is the Titan TTC-W2T cooler - although it was not able to regulate the fan's rotational speed, showed excellent efficiency and low noise levels (not higher than that of the boxed one). Elan Vital FSNW01-FC is able to change the rotational speed, but that does not help much. I wouldn't recommend buying this cooler because of its poor thermal interface, high noise levels (even at low rpm's) and high price.
Conclusions
Here are the findings.
If you intend to run your Pentium4 at the rated clock speeds or at increased with the Vcore not exceeding 1.65V, then you can freely install an aluminum radiator cooler.
The threshold value Vcore = 1.65V is taken as a guide. Because any processor can easily withstand a 10% voltage increase.
Of these coolers, the best is the boxed Intel cooler (normally, manufactured by Sanyo). Other cooler may reduce the temperature by a couple of degrees (which may result in increased noise), but that won't produce a positive effect.
But if you are after a heavy overclocking, with the Vcore substantially increased, then a copper radiator cooler is needed. Of all the coolers tested I can recommend only Thermaltake Volcano 7+ whose radiator is able to withstand very heavy processor overheating. Another one, Thermaltake Dragon, because of its high noise levels and aluminum fins can't be recommended for purchasing.
Addendum 1
No doubt there are other coolers for Pentium4, having copper radiators. However, importers are reluctant to deliver them and they appear on stores by a pure chance. But as soon as such a cooler gets into our hands, we'll immediately test it to complement this review. Of special interest is the Zalman CNPS6500B cooler whose radiator is made of copper and weighs around one kilo :).
Addendum 2In conclusion, a few words about the quality of the cooler base surface. Not all coolers can boast mirror-like base, but nothing prevents you from bringing it to the perfect condition. That won't require any essential extra costs:use some grinding powder at the first stage (I use titanium carbide-based powder) Powders of various grain are normally sold in tube sets. Apply some powder on the solid smooth metal surface and add some lube oil (to prevent dispersion of the powder in case you sneeze :). Gradually move to the powder of finer grain and thoroughly clean the surface from the previously applied powder. Finally, the first stage is completed at the finest grain powder when the radiator base surface is smooth enough.But if you look at the copper base (grinding the aluminum base in this manner is an ungrateful job), you will see it has turned dark heavily. This is the grinding powder that stuck deeply into the base. And if you start using the radiator immediately, there won't be any effect of the grinding (or it will be minimum), since the remains of the powder hinder the adequate heat exchange.
Cooler base, factory-made.
After applying grinding powder.
The unwanted concavity in the base center was eliminated.
the base of mirror-like quality
Here comes stage 2: grinding with the GOI polishing paste. Apply some paste on a soft cloth with which you will polish the surface to the mirror-like gleam. The second stage is over as soon as you see your happy smiling face on the radiator base :))).
 |
Top Stories: |
 |
 |
|
MoBo:
| |
|
|
VGA Card:
|
|
|
|
CPU & Memory:
|
|
