Test methodology
Test Bench |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7 980X (3.33GHz, 12MB L3 cache, hexa-core) | |||||
| Motherboard | ASUS P6X58D Premium | |||||
| Memory | Corsair Dominator 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 @ 1,600MHz | |||||
| Graphics | AMD Radeon HD 5850 1GB | |||||
| Disk drive | 120GB OCZ Vertex SSD | |||||
| Optical drive | Generic 24x DVD-RW | |||||
| Chassis | Corsair Obsidian Series 800D | |||||
| Power supply | Corsair HX1000W | |||||
| Operating system | Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit | |||||
Comparison Coolers |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooler | Corsair Hydro Series H70 | Corsair Hydro Series H60 | Corsair Hydro Series H50 | Noctua NH-D14 | Prolimatech Megahalems Rev B | Intel DBX-B |
| Fan(s) | 2x Corsair 120mm | Corsair 120mm | Corsair 120mm | Noctua NF-P14 & Noctua NF-P12 | 2x Akasa Apache Black 120mm | Intel 100mm |
| Maximum fan speed | 2,000 RPM | 1,700 RPM | 1,700 RPM | 1,300 RPM | 1,300 RPM | 1,800 RPM |
| Radiator dimensions | Width: 120mm Height: 152mm Depth: 48mm |
Width: 120mm Height: 152mm Depth: 27mm |
Width: 120mm Height: 152mm Depth: 27mm |
- | - | - |
| Pump / Heatsink dimensions (inc. fans) |
Height: 30mm Diameter: 74mm |
Height: 30mm Width: 66mm Depth: 66mm |
Height: 55mm Diameter: 70mm |
Height: 160mm Width: 140mm Depth: 158mm |
Height: 159mm Width: 130mm Depth: 124mm |
Height: 140mm Width: 100mm Depth: 70mm |
| Approx. price (inc. fans) | £75 | £60 | £50 | £60 | £65 | £10 |
Benchmarks
To get a feel for how well the six coolers compare, we start our tests by running the Core i7 980X at its default frequency and recording the temperature each minute for 30 minutes whilst the system idles. We then repeat the process with the system under load (defined as Prime95 tasking all 12 threads).
We then do it all over again, only this time with the Core i7 processor overclocked to 4.125GHz and CPU voltage increased from 1.16V to 1.35V.
Temperature for each of the CPU's six cores is logged every minute, and in order to provide stabilised readings, we then calculate an average across all cores from the last 10 minutes of testing.
Actual CPU temperature is recorded, but to take into account the fluctuating British weather and the fact that we don't have a temperature-controlled lab, we also graph the delta temperature - that's CPU temperature minus ambient temperature.
Finally, we overclock the Core i7 chip to find the limits of the H60 cooler and provide a human-ear assessment on noise levels.
Notes
During testing, our Corsair Obsidian Series 800D chassis is equipped with its default fan configuration; a 140mm drive-bay fan, a 140mm lower compartment fan and a 140mm rear exhaust. The rear exhaust is removed and replaced by the inward-blowing Corsair radiator/fan when testing the H50, H60 and H70 coolers.
All dual-fan coolers are installed in a push/pull configuration, and our trio of air coolers are configured to exhaust hot air out of the chassis. Both the Prolimatech Megahalems and Intel DBX-B are installed facing the rear of the chassis, but Noctua's gargantuan NH-D14 is simply too big to implement horizontally and had to be used with its fans facing upward. As a result, one of its two fans is in close proximity to the GPU and with no top exhaust in our chassis, it delivers sub-optimal results.