We always use the same test system and tests with CPU coolers that we compare against each other. The full specifications of our test system are as follows:
Test system:
- ASUS P8Z77-V, LGA 1155 socket, Z77 chipset
- Intel Core i5 3570K with Gelid GC Extreme under the IHS
- 16GB Kingston HyperX 1866MHz DDR3
- AMD Radeon HD 5870 1GB
- 128GB Kingston SSDnow V100 (Boot Drive) and Samsung F3 1TB (storage)
- Antec High Current Gamer 620W
- Cooler Master Test Bench v1.0
We’d like to say a big thank you to ASUS, Antec, Kingston, Cooler Master and Intel for providing components that makes this testing possible.
Testing Methodology:
- We always use Gelid GC Extreme thermal paste to make sure testing reveals the efficiency of the tested coolers not the efficiency of the bundled thermal paste.
- Prime 95 is run for 10 minutes and then the average maximum temperatures as recorded by CPUID HWMonitor are noted
- The system is left in idle for 10 minutes on the desktop with as few applications and processes running as possible with Intel SpeedStep enabled and then the average minimum temperatures as recorded by CPUID HWMonitor are noted
- The average temperature across the four cores is taken on our quad core processor
- Fans are mostly left to operate at default PWM profile speeds, if this is not supported or appropriate then fixed fan speeds are used and sometimes a low noise adapter if appropriate/provided. If fixed fan speeds or low noise adapters are used it will be clearly pointed out either on the graphs or in the write-up. If default PWM profiles are used then the result will appear on the graph as the product name only – which is how most of the results appear.
- Delta temperatures are always used (Observed temperature minus ambient temperature) and we keep the ambient at 22 (+/- 1) degrees for all testing . Delta temperatures should correct for any marginal ambient differences between 21-23 degrees.
- Acoustic measurements are taken 10cm horizontally away from the CPU cooler with the VGA fan disabled, hard drive in idle and power supply isolated.
- The cooling performance tests are run at stock 3.4GHz (with Intel Turbo up to 3.8GHz) and overclocked 4.5GHz settings
- All other coolers in the graphs have been tested under identical settings
- Each test is repeated 3 times with 3 remounts for consistency of results
- There is approximately a 1 degree celsius margin of error in our temperature recording software
- There is approximately a 1dBA margin of error with our decibel meter
Software Used
I actually have the Asus P8Z77-V LK and a Cooler Master Storm Scout case. It says the top fan is 140mm so I was wondering if anyone knows if it would fit. I’d hate to buy this cooler and have it not fit.
Unfortunately I do not think it will. It supports a 140mm fan but there isn’t enough clearance for a rad as well. You’d be better off getting a H60 (rev2) or H80i and sticking it on the rear 120mm fan mount. Hope this advice helps, if you need any more assistance just ask here or you can email me at rmartin(at)eteknix(dot)com if you prefer.
Thanks for your speedy reply! I’m looking for some solid cooling without having to have some gigantic air cooler ( a la Noctua). Would the H80i perform a lot better then the H60? Do you think I’d have enough room to use a push/pull config with the H80i?
You can use the H80i in the CM Storm Scout case as push-pull in the rear 120mm fan mount. You will need to have a 120mm (or no fan) installed in the top fan mount for this to work, if you have a 140mm it will have to be taken out. The same applies for the H60. You can see compatibility here: (http://www.overclock.net/t/1144409/h80-h80i-h90-h100-h100i-h110-case-compatibility-thread-page-1-for-full-listings/110) With regards to performance you will get a fair amount more cooling using the H80i rather than the H60, this is because the H80i uses dual 120mm fans and a double thickness rad (54mm) compared to the H60 that uses a single 120mm fan a single thickness rad (27mm). Performance can be seen here: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Corsair-H80i-CPU-Cooler-Review/1709/7
Wow thank you for all your help. I’ll keep on the look out for H80i deals. So if I remove the top 140mm fand and take the 120mm fan I have in rear and put it in the top, the H80i will still fit you think?
Yes that is your best option that way you still have a top fan and the H80i comes with push pull so that will still give you good cooling performance. I am almost certain it will fit so I definitely think the H80i is worth the investment. The worst case scenario is that you can’t have a top fan (say for example you get some touching of the fan and H80i) but you won’t need the top fan because you will have more than enough cooling performance from the H80i and this shouldn’t happen because I haven’t seen anyone struggle to put a H80i in a CM Storm Scout!
Amazing, thank you!
anyone know how long the tubes are on this? thanks