Testing
The following system was used in testing:
Case: NZXT Tempest
Motherboard: XFX 680i LT SLI
CPU: Q6600 @ 2.4 GHz
Memory: 2x2GB OCZ SLI Ready DDR2 800 MHz
CPU cooling:
– Masscool 8W553
– SilenX iXtrema IXC-120HA2
– Thermaltake DuOrb
– Titan Cool Idol
– Cooler Master GeminII S
– Cooler Master Sphere
– Cooler Master Hyper 212
– Zalman CNPS9300 AT
– Vantec AeroFlow FX 92
– Vantec AeroFlow FX 120
– Xilence Xilent Blade Pro
– Thermaltake MaxOrb EX
Video Card: XFX 9800 GTX Black Edition
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. Temperatures were obtained through SpeedFan.
|
CPU Cooler |
Idle |
Load |
| Masscool 8W553 |
46C |
70C |
| SilenX iXtrema – Low |
45C |
69C |
| SilenX iXtrema – High |
44C |
66C |
| SilenX iXtrema – 2x Fans |
44C |
64C |
| Thermaltake DuOrb |
47C |
67C |
| Titan Cool Idol – Low |
45C |
62C |
| Titan Cool Idol – High |
44C |
59C |
| Cooler Master Sphere |
46C |
61C |
| Cooler Master Hyper 212 |
44C |
54C |
| Zalman CNPS9300 AT |
41C |
55C |
| Vantec AeroFlow FX 92 |
46C |
60C |
| Vantec AeroFlow FX 120 |
43C |
58C |
| Xilence Xilent Blade Pro |
47C |
61C |
| Thermaltake MaxOrb EX – Low |
45C |
55C |
| Thermaltake MaxOrb EX – High |
43C |
53C |
Thermaltake’s research and design really paid off over the upgrade over the original MaxOrb. Even running on low speeds the MaxOrb still managed to outperform pretty much every single CPU cooler we’ve tested on this machine. On a low fan speed it reached 45C and only went up to 55C with 100% load on the CPU. The high fan speed decreased both of the temperatures by 2C. While the Idle speeds didn’t beat the Zalman CNSP9300 AT at 41C they did manage to beat its load speed of 45C.
Conclusion
I was pretty surprised with the results the MaxOrb EX achieved. I wasn’t quite expecting such good results. Good results though do come with a price at times. At the Thermaltake website the retail price is $69.99, but with a quick online search it can be found for closer to $50. I was also a little afraid whenever I first opened the box and found the push-pins, but I was reluctant to find the use of a retention frame to provide better support and an easy installation with these clips. ThinkComputers awards the Thermaltake MaxOrb EX CPU Cooler a 9 out of 10 score and our Recommended Award.
Pros:
– Great cooling temperatures
– Adjustable fan speed
– Pure copper construction
– Effectively uses the not so great push-pin installation
– Multi-CPU support
Cons:
– User manual could be more detailed