Testing
The following system was used in testing:
Case: NZXT Phantom
Motherboard: XFX 680i LT SLI
CPU: Q6600 @ 2.4 GHz
Memory: 2x2GB OCZ SLI Ready DDR2 800 MHz
Power Supply: XFX XXX 650W Modular
Video Card: XFX GTS 250
CPU cooling:
- Thermaltake Frio
- Corsair A50
- Corsair A70
- GlacialTech Alaska
- Deep Cool Gamer Storm
- Arctic Cooling Freezer 13
- Deep Cool Ice Blade Pro
- Arctic Cooling Freezer 11 LP
Tests were conducted under idle and load states. The computer was left to sit after 30 minutes after being turned on to check the idle temperature. The load temperature was found by running the latest version of Prime95 which supports multi-core CPUs by default. Temperatures were obtained through SpeedFan.
CPU Cooler | Idle (°C) | Load (°C) |
Corsair A70 | 30C | 42C |
Thermaltake Frio – 2 Fans – High | 33C | 44C |
GlacialTech Alaska | 32C | 45C |
Deep Cool Gamer Storm – High | 32C | 45C |
Corsair A50 | 33C | 46C |
Arctic Cooling Freezer 13 | 33C | 48C |
Thermaltake Frio – 2 Fans – Low | 34C | 47C |
Deep Cool Gamer Storm – Low | 34C | 48C |
Deep Cool Ice Blade Pro | 34C | 49C |
Arctic Cooling Freezer 11 LP | 44C | 57C |
Our test CPU, the Q6600 has a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 105W, which is 15W more than the recommended max wattage. This difference is most likely the reason for the large difference in temperatures, the highest we’ve reviewed with an idle of 44C and Load of 57C. The idle was 10C higher than our previous highest cooler and 8C higher under load conditions. The processor is sort of old, so I would recommend checking your processors TDP before purchasing this cooler.