SocketA Coolers Roundup. Q1`2004
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 |
Rotation speed |
Air flow |
Noise observed |
Processing quality of the base |
| Titan CU9TB/SC |
8 |
8 |
9 |
6 |
15$ |
4200RPM |
42.08 CFM |
36 dBa |
10 |
| Glacialtech Igloo 2510 |
6 |
6 |
8 |
8 |
~13$ |
2800RPM |
24.3 CFM |
26 dBa |
9.5 |
| Glacialtech Igloo 2510 Pro |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
~13$ |
4200RPM |
40.1 CFM |
35 dBa |
9.5 |
| Spire FalconRock II |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
~9$ |
2300RPM |
28 CFM |
25 dBa |
8 |
| Spire WhisperRock III |
7 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
~8$ |
2700 RPM |
37.87 CFM |
26.5dBa |
8 |
| Spire MicroFlow II |
7 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
~9$ |
4200 RPM |
33.8 CFM |
31.8dBa |
9 |
Most of the subjective parameters were measured in marks (noise, processing quality of the base etc.). That is, the higher the score, the better the parameter is (the quieter is the noise). We tested all the coolers with a Soltek Sl-75FRN2-L motherboard; as the monitoring utility we used Motherboard Monitor. We also used an AMD Athlon XP Barton processor that ran at 2GHz (10õ200) under the voltage 1.7V.
The processor was warmed up with the BurnK7 utility. Then, the tested system was assembled in an Inwin S506 housing, with the PSU brought outside. This PSU (PowerManFSP) has a fan of variable rotational speed (depending on the temperature), and its close proximity to the cooler might have affected the measurement results.
If the cooler had its own thermal interface, it was scraped off, and then the measurements were performed with KPT-8 silicon-organic paste. Here are the results:
The Titan CU9TB/SC showed frustratingly low performance level. Even though this cooler is the most expensive among those presented in this review. Its advantages are its exterior and the presence of a speed regulator. The latter allows minimizing the speed and attaining absolutely noiseless operation. However, with an overclocked processor and a housing of poor ventilation this trick won't work: the cooling efficiency drops considerably. Therefore, the cooler can't be recommended to overclockers and owners of powerful processors (XP3000+ and higher). But the fanciers of quiet operation, it may be of interest as an alternative to Igloo Silent Breeze I / II.
Conversely, Igloo 2510 Pro demonstrated excellent cooling level. But that result was achieved due high noise level (high fan speed) and strong pressing (even all the paste was squeezed out :). Anyway, its low price allows to forget about all the other shortcomings. Even more than that - the company offer the Igloo 2510 with a less noisier fan. However, to the PC enthusiast I would recommend the Pro model plus a speed regulator. This combination allows attaining a balance between the noise and the cooling efficiency.
When it comes to the Spire coolers, their major advantage is their low price that does not exceed $10. Despite the ornate names, all the coolers have approximately the same characteristics. Anyway, I liked the Spire MicroFlow II model best of all.
Read more on this topic:
 Cooler Gigabyte GH-PCU21-VG (3D Cooler)
A Roundup of Coolers for Pentium 4: Q4'2003
Comparison of coolers using heatpipes
Zalman 7000A Cooler Review
A Roundup of High-end SocketA Coolers. Q1-2`2003
 |
Top Stories: |
 |
 |
|
MoBo:
| |
|
|
VGA Card:
|
|
|
|
CPU & Memory:
|
|
