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
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 |
| Thermaltake Frio – 2 Fans – Low | 34C | 47C |
| Deep Cool Gamer Storm – Low | 34C | 48C |
Since two cables were included, we decided to test those. This included a 7V low-noise adapter and a 12V 4-pin PSU adapter. The 7V is labeled as Low, while the 12V is labeled as High.
Using the low-noise adapter, obviously, resulted in poorer results, with an idle temperature of 34C and a load temperature of 48C, the highest we’ve reviewed yet. Attaching the 12V adapter only resulted in an idle temp of 32C and load temp of 45C, which is just about the middle of the road in our current testing system.