A Roundup of High-end SocketA Coolers. Q1-2`2003
Igloo coolers
In our tests, we used three Igloo coolers made by Glacialtech. These are Silent Breeze, Igloo 2500 and Igloo 2500 Pro .
The most powerful is the Igloo 2500 Pro model which we'll be reviewing in maximum detail.
Unlike the already reviewed Aero 7 and Thermaltake Volcano 11 coolers, this Igloo cooler is quite mean in exterior. But let's better start the roundup with the package box - it is really colorful and fully localized into the Russian language.
The radiator is rather massive, but let me put it straight that despite the uniform color, it is made of two materials: a copper plate and an aluminum base with fins.
Interestingly, the fins are of variable height,
and on top of it there is a metal plate to which a 70 mm fan is attached.
More details about the fan: its rotation speed is 4500 rpm at 35 dBa noise level. The airflow generated in the process amounts to 37.1 CFM.
Installing the cooler is less convenient: the fastening clip has a hook on the 2 socket teeth (which is quite enough - the cooler mass is merely 282 g), as well as a small stop/plate for fingers. The dimensions of the plate do not hinder installation of memory modules (the way it is with Aero7 cooler). But you will definitely need a screwdriver when removing the cooler - you'd have to hook the clip with a blade.
The processing quality of the base is good enough (7/10 score points); there is a layer of thermal interface on top. Remarkably, Glacialtech has given up using thermal interface with silver additives and switched to using more traditional thermal interface. To protect this layer, a plastic cap is put on the base.
Besides, on the base there are 2 strips (most likely made of rubber) which do not let the cooler get warped during the installation. Therefore, the probability of damaging the processor core during the cooler installation by a rookie user goes down.
As regards the Igloo 2500, by its exterior it is a mirror copy of the Pro model. Among the changes made is the yellow color of the metal plate and the less speedy fan running as fast as 2800 rpm. Of course, as the speed goes down the noise will also get quieter (down to 26 dBa), so will the airflow (down to 22.7 CFM).
Finally, here is Igloo Silent Breeze - again, it's an exact copy of the two previous coolers. What has been changed is only the color (the radiator has turned fully golden) and the fan parameters. Its rotation speed is merely 2000 rpm, with the generated airflow being 16.1 CFM. Clearly, with these characteristics the cooling is enough only for nominal operation modes, and overclocking through Vcore raise is out of the question. But in the case of Silent Breeze the developers posed a different task - to maximize the noise level. I must admit they managed to do a good job of that - as per the manufacturer's, the noise is below 19 dBa.
I can prove it through real-life tests: the noise from the cooler is completely missing (this is verified through the short-term power-off of the cooler for 15-20 sec). As regards the noise made by the Igloo 2500, even if it is there, it doesn't make much nuisance. But the noise coming from the 2500 Pro model is a bit discomforting.
Note that I test all coolers through using the Tt Speed Control speed regulator.
So, Igloo 2500 Pro run in the High-speed mode took a lead over Igloo 2500 and Silent Breeze by 4 and 8 degrees, respectively. Upon switching to the Medium mode the fan on the Pro model was running at ~3500 rpm, and the efficiency completely coincided with that for the 2500 model. The same was observed upon switching to the Low model: the Pro fan was running at ~2500 rpm, but the efficiency and noise fully coincided with similar parameters of the Silent Breeze model.
This is no wonder though because as I already mentioned, the differences between Igloo coolers are only in the color and the fan's rotational speed. Therefore, I do recommend to buy a cooler of 2500 Pro model only with a speed regulator. In this case, the user has more freedom in selecting the operation mode between the most powerful (albeit noisy) and completely noisy.
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