Testing the cooler

Testing the cooler

Time to test. As stated in the introduction, the cooler works absolutely stunningly with any high-end processor (Core i5/i7 quad-core included) at default operating speeds.

Let me show you something; this is a Core i5 750 processor clocked at stock speeds being cooled by the CPU cooler (PWM controlled by BIOS / Windows set to performance mode):

• Core i5 750 in IDLE -- 27 Degrees C (80F)
• Core i5 750 with 100% LOAD -- 41 Degrees C (106F)

Now, that's PWM controlled and thus at low RPM. At this stage a near silent cooling solution really, we can already tell that the cooler will deliver great performance judging from these numbers.

So for some more serious testing we therefore test it with higher specs, mildly overclocked as a reference. With such baseline temperatures we change the processor frequency and voltage.

Methodology -- We use an eVGA p55 Classified 200 motherboard, equip it with a Core i5 750 processor, which we overclock to 3.3 GHz / 1.3 Volts. Now we'll test the cooler in two utilization stages:

1. Actively cooled - yet CPU has nothing to do (IDLE)
2. Actively cooled - four processors cores 100% stressed (LOAD)

Let's have a look at the results.

Now since this is a rather new test platform based on Socket LGA 1156 we have very few results available from other coolers, but you can see the big picture real fast -- the Venomous X cooler immediately positions itself in the high-end performance range. Granted -- all other coolers are mainstream heatpipe based coolers often twice as cheap.

Please understand for the above results -- temperatures are based on an overclocked processor with a little extra voltage (1.3v), and the fan speed locked at 80% RPM. Temperatures wise -- obviously LOWER = BETTER.

We tested the cooler with a single fan, and two fans in a push-pull configuration. So then -- at 100% CPU load on all 4 cores (Prime 95 stressed) is what you should focus on -- the red bar.

So for a cooler in this price-range it's pretty nice really. But let's have a peek at noise levels.

All fans cooling the CPU coolers in our tests have been fixed at 80% RPM -- roughly the fan speed your motherboard will apply when the processor is getting really hot. On average and especially with PWM controllers, the noise level as such will be much lower. The cooler does have another strong selling point, though not silent if the CPU is heating up -- it is not very noisy with its 1600 RPM rating. Our system maxed out at roughly 41 dBA with one fan, and a definitely louder 44 dBA with two fans installed.

Obviously since the cooler does not come with fans, you are free to use whatever 120mm fan you have in mind and that will effect noise levels as well.

But let's really push the cooler and overclock some more, shall we?