Thermal Behavior

Thermal Behavior

This is a new section! We will present you some of our special measurements about Corsair H70 and Core i7 920 (overclocked). To become more specific this section is split into three categories:

• Input/Output airflow (push-pull) The Good
• H70 radiators heat dissipation efficiency (by % percentage) The Bad
• H70 contrary to our custom water-cooling setup and The Ugly

All tests have been taken using same ambient temperature and same test setup. We choose Core i7 920 as the most high performance processor at a reasonable price. So lets start with the results:

We present you the input and output temperatures of the push-pull configuration. As stated, Corsair uses the following aerial strategy: the first fan blows into the radiator. This air flows through the radiators fins and it gets hotter. The second fan exhausts this hot air out of your computer. The aim of this measurement is to make clear to us whether this system works properly or not. As you can see from the chart, there is a temp difference of about 6 C degrees at IDLE, while at stressful situation this difference increases to 11 C degrees. Thats good, really good. Push-pull works indeed!

The reason why we decided to make this test was in order to understand why H70 sometimes reached the second and third place in the previous charts when compared to our air-coolers. To put it simple, we have something to chill (for example our CPU) and two ways to do it: heatsink and radiator. What we wish to know is which of those two is the most effective one. Thats why we measure the heat dissipation efficiency of both heatsink and radiator. Heat generated by CPU must be dissipated to improve reliability and prevent premature failure. Techniques for heat dissipation can include heatsinks and fans for air cooling, and other forms of computer cooling such as liquid cooling or more exotic ones. By using the term heat dissipation efficiency we mean the ability that each material has to absorb the highest possible heat quantity of our wannabe cool device -- CPU.

As you observe the efficiency results, the thick H70 radiator, even though is it a 120mm one, is on top of all the others. That means that if our CPU has a temp of 100 C degrees, the H70s radiator can absorb the 87% of it, while Balders heatsink although placed at the bottom of the chart it absorbs 81%. Why does the Balder have similar CPU temps to H70? This measurement helped us understand that there are no any issues with the radiator since it has the highest heat efficiency. Hence, there is another faulty parameter. And that might be the copper coldplate.

The Balders base is excellent polished and reflects like a real mirror. Please take in mind that better contact improves the heat transfer from the processor to the heatsinks base. So if the Balders base has a temp of 100 C degrees, then the heatsink can absorb the 81% of it. The problem with H70 is the temp of its base the coldplate because it is not as that good as Balders, and its temperature (in our example) is far from the ideal temp of 100 C degrees. So lets suppose that it has a temp of 93C degrees and then radiator can absorb the 87% of it. Do the math, this is exactly similar to Balders performance with 81% of 100 C. Its bad because, although H70 has better heat dissipation efficiency, it finishes with pretty much the same CPU temperature with Balder which its heat efficiency is not at that high level as H70.  We firmly believe that if Corsair takes this into account, then the cooling performance could be boosted.

Corsair Hydro H70 Series is a watercooling kit, right? Yes sir. So, why does no one compare it with a custom watercooling system? The reason why is rather simple. One such comparison would probably place H70 in a shameful position. But how can you be certain of it if you dont test it? This is exactly what this section is about. The specifications of our custom watercooling setup are: MCP 355 pump, Apogee XT waterblock and triple Fesers radiator 360 mm thick.

As you can see from the chart above, our custom watercooling easily defeats H70 in the point that their temperature difference reaches the 15 C degrees. It is rather impressive that our custom setup manages to maintain the exact same ambient temp. Keep in mind that we made use of Fessers red coolant which has the ability to improve the overall systems thermal behavior.  Looking again, what we can tell you is that the performance of H70 is not that bad contrary to our custom setup, but its some kind of ugly though. Again for once more time, Corsair H70 is not supposed to compete with any watercooling solution, but its supposed to fight against common heatsinks and high-edge top air-coolers.