Coolers for Intel LGA775 processors
Date: 06.07.2005
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Cooling efficiency and conclusions
To check the efficiency of coolers, we assembled a test configuration based on Pentium4 660 (Prescott 2M, stepping N0). For that, the clock speed 3.6 GHz is too high and we decided not to subject the processor to overclocking.
As the contender we used the "boxed" copper-made Gigabyte 3D Cooler and Zalman 7700Cu coolers. We also used the Gigabyte 8AENXP-D (i925XE) motherboard. We have to admit it took much of our time and effort installing the Zalman 7700Cu cooler. The thing is the installation was impeded by two huge "bulbs" of solder on the reverse side of the motherboard, so we had to work the motherboard with a file and the cooler was successfully installed :)).
To heat up the processor, we used BurnP6 run in two instances. As the thermo interface we used the very popular KPT-8 thermo paste (out of the tub :). So, here are the following results:
The first what we note is that starting from t = 66Ñ there snaps on the internal protection against overheating (to determine that, we used the ThrottleWatch utility). Therefore, we can't recommend the "boxed" and ThermalTake Jungle525 AE coolers for use. Nor we recommend to reduce the speed to the minimum on the Gigabyte 3D Cooler.
Gigabyte G-Power runs quietly and demonstrates simply fantastic performance. Even at the maximum speed the noise of the cooler is tolerable enough and is about the same as that for 3D Cooler running at 3000 RPM.
Also note the low noise level for coolers like Scythe Kamakiri and Igloo 5070 Light. If the user is not ambitious about overclocking the processor, all these three coolers can be safely recommended for purchase. But if the user has a rotational speed regulator, then instead of the Light version I would recommend the "generic" model of series Igloo 5070. As regards the model Igloo 5070 PWM, much will depend on how well is the implementation of the onboard system that observes the dependence of the cooler's rotational speed on the processor's temperature. Remember that this cooler offers a 4-pin power connector, and all the speed controllers in this case are useless.
While Scythe Kamakiri demonstrated good results (and we recommended it for purchase), this can't be said about the other two coolers by this company. Neither Kamaboko nor Samurai models coped with cooling the test processor, which resulted in switching on the Throttling. This situation is aggravated by the absolutely inconvenient (and laborious) procedure of installation.
By the way, a word on the ease of installation. The absolute leader in this field is the Gigabyte cooler (that holds true for coolers of series Gigabyte 3D Cooler and Gigabyte Rocket). The fastener is so simple and convenient that we have permanently used the G-Power cooler from the very first day it arrived at our test lab. But the "boxed" coolers cause nothing but annoyance. That applies first to the Jungle525 cooler.
As regards coolers of series Igloo 5070 and 5050, the procedure of their installation is rather simple. But we have to admit one more shortcoming: the gluing layer on the enforcement plate is very sticky, so you can glue the plate only once (or twice, at best). Besides, the residues of the glue spoil the look of the motherboard, which has a negative effect in case of a guarantee repair.
Now a couple of words on the ThermalTake product. As regards the Jungle525 cooler, I note that it is not enough replicate the design of the "boxed" cooler and increase the size of the radiator and the fan. The gained 2 C advantage does not make up for the difference between the "shareware" boxed cooler and the ThermalTake cooler.
As regards the retail price, we see that all the products are novelties, and number of bids is not very high. Anyway, on the PriceWatch.com web site there is Gigabyte G-Power at 40$, while on the Russian price.ru there are offerings of Kamaboko and Kamakiri coolers at 35$ and 54$, respectively. As a result, at the "price/efficiency" ratio the cooler by Gigabyte looks beyond any competition (even if its price in the Russian retail chain rises to 50$).
Summing it all up, we can call the Gigabyte G-Power cooler as the best which has ever been to our test lab. So we can easily forget any 3D Cooler's and turn solely to G-Power. As regards competition versus Zalman 7700Cu, at that the G-Power proves a favorite since at the minimum speed it doesn't run louder than the Korean cooler! Somehow or other, the response from Zalman is at hand, and at Computex the company demonstrated the CNPS9500 cooler in whose design heat pipes were used.
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