Three Low Profile CPU Coolers Tested - bit-tech.net Forums

Tim S · 11th Jun 2009, 12:37

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/200...lers-on-test/1

Having tested plenty of mini-ITX kit recently, we've been searching for a quality low profile cooler to squeeze inside our HTPCs. We've bagged three miniature coolers to find out if, when it comes to keeping your system cool, does size matter?

rickysio · 11th Jun 2009, 12:45

Suits me. My OEM casing only allows for coolers <140mm in height... Even though it's a full ATX case.

Of course, I'd probably best be getting a cooler using 92mm fans, rather than these HTPC coolers.

Jamie · 11th Jun 2009, 12:57

I swear I had a taller version of that Akasa cooler on my thunderbird 1.2 GHz about 6 years ago.

ThermoEngine

EnglishLion · 11th Jun 2009, 13:24

Surely testing in an ITX case would have been better afterall that is what these coolers were designed for. Sure it might limit airflow and that might affect the cooling ability of the coolers (maybe even discriminatory) but as that's what these were designed for that 's what the review should try to discover.

Apart from that, good review. Thanks

alpaca · 11th Jun 2009, 14:00

now you made me curious. does this have any value as GPU cooler (despite its size)?
regardless: good review.

The boy 4rm oz · 11th Jun 2009, 15:35

Funny, before I even read this review I knew the Zalman would win lol.

Jipa · 11th Jun 2009, 16:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by review

although it’s a little disappointing to see that there’s no PWM connection, meaning the fan will run at its full speed of 2,800rpm constantly.

Umm are you trying to tell that there was no on-board fan controllers before the PWM came along just a while back?

Surely most motherboards can control the CPU fan speed without 4-pin PWM...

Other than that, good review, and good to see Zalman still making atleast some decent products.

Baz · 11th Jun 2009, 16:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jipa

Quote:

Originally Posted by review

although it’s a little disappointing to see that there’s no PWM connection, meaning the fan will run at its full speed of 2,800rpm constantly.

Umm are you trying to tell that there was no on-board fan controllers before the PWM came along just a while back?

Surely most motherboards can control the CPU fan speed without 4-pin PWM...

Other than that, good review, and good to see Zalman still making atleast some decent products.

Not all motherboards have the option to do this. The only way to control a 3-pin fan's speed is by adjusting the voltage, a feature which many motherboard's dont support, and if they do, are controller by the motherboard, not the cooler. We'd just end up with a bunch of coolers all performing identically.As such, we test using only using the PWM option of the fan (which can, of course, be overridden by BIOS options itself) or, if a 3-pin, at full speed.

IanW · 11th Jun 2009, 18:49

My HTPC (Gigabyte GA-E7AUM-DS2H mobo) is currently wearing an Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 LP on its Intel E4400 CPU.

Jipa · 11th Jun 2009, 22:42

All mobos have PWM nowadays? Pheew I've clearly not up to date...

It just still seems a bit harsh. I know I've had a fan controller in all my mobos for the last 7 years.

Fod · 11th Jun 2009, 22:46

so, where ~~on earth~~exactly can you actually _buy_ the gelid cooler in the UK?

roy · 12th Jun 2009, 03:56

The gelid cooler fits to my zotac 9300ITX ultra silm HTPC project, where can buy it?

zoot2boot · 12th Jun 2009, 04:21

" If we’d testing in a small case then limited airflow might have favours one cooler over another."

... which, if we ignore the english for a second, is exactly what you'd be interested in in a low profile cooler. surely.

sadlydefiant · 12th Jun 2009, 04:28

The zalman looks good for my new SFF gaming setup as the stock e5200 cooler is just rubbish

CollinstheClown · 12th Jun 2009, 05:31

Is the US price for the GELID in the wrong currency?

-CollinstheClown

ashchap · 12th Jun 2009, 11:24

Every motherboard I've used has been able to use PWM without a fourth pin (yes, pwm - not undervolting).

Download speedfan and if it doesn't work straight away, play with the advanced settings - different motherboards use different types of PWM.

Using speedfan you can set the fans to any level you want - keep turning it down until it's silent and then you're sorted!

Baz · 15th Jun 2009, 11:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashchap

Every motherboard I've used has been able to use PWM without a fourth pin (yes, pwm - not undervolting).

Download speedfan and if it doesn't work straight away, play with the advanced settings - different motherboards use different types of PWM.

Using speedfan you can set the fans to any level you want - keep turning it down until it's silent and then you're sorted!

To my knowledge, PWM is impossible without the forth pin feeding back information from the temperature sensor onboard the cooler.

Some motherboards do allow you to adjust three pin fan voltages on the fly, where apps like speedfan work great, but they take information from the CPU temperature sensor. This feature, while useful, isn't available on all motherboards, and is usually limited to BIOS controls like Asus' QFan.

Either way, it doesn't take a genius to go out, grab a fan controller (or even a step down voltage cable) and drop the fan's voltage, but with these coolers that's going to dramatically impact on cooling performance. Perhaps not dangerously, but it adds another variable which somewhat undermines the whole point of conducting testing. Even a world beating heatsink will be rubbish with a fan running at 100RPM, while even a rubbish cooler can be good if you strap a delta screamer onto it. It's a matter of preference and if you choose to manually adjust fan speeds at the cost of cooling that's you're personal choice.

11th Jun 2009, 12:37	#1
Tim S Pewlius Caesar bit-tech Staff Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Ascot, Berks Posts: 18,021	Three Low Profile CPU Coolers Tested http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/200...lers-on-test/1 Having tested plenty of mini-ITX kit recently, we've been searching for a quality low profile cooler to squeeze inside our HTPCs. We've bagged three miniature coolers to find out if, when it comes to keeping your system cool, does size matter? __________________ Tim on Twitter \| Tim's Blog \| Tim's Flickr The bit-tech Blog \| bit-tech on Twitter \| Join the bit-tech & Custom PC folding team (#35947)

11th Jun 2009, 12:57	#3
Jamie bit-tech Staff Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 7,620	I swear I had a taller version of that Akasa cooler on my thunderbird 1.2 GHz about 6 years ago. ThermoEngine __________________ bit-tech hosted by tsohost.co.uk twitter \| flickr \| xbox live \| last.fm \| moot

11th Jun 2009, 13:24	#4
EnglishLion working for the good of mankind... Join Date: May 2008 Location: Peterborough, UK Posts: 349	Surely testing in an ITX case would have been better afterall that is what these coolers were designed for. Sure it might limit airflow and that might affect the cooling ability of the coolers (maybe even discriminatory) but as that's what these were designed for that 's what the review should try to discover. Apart from that, good review. Thanks __________________ Check out my site - Mods n Clocks - Latest update 23rd November 09 Latest: Review – Galaxy Black Mid Tower Case with Blue Bubble Light LED Strip Also: Review: 1GB XFX 4870 Graphics Card (HD-487A-ZDFC) Most Popular: Review: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 CPU – E0 stepping

11th Jun 2009, 14:00	#5
alpaca llama eats dremel Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Brussel/Leuven Posts: 274	now you made me curious. does this have any value as GPU cooler (despite its size)? regardless: good review. __________________ my English may not be as good as I think it is...

11th Jun 2009, 18:49	#9
IanW I am a Dremel Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: N.Wales Posts: 1,607	My HTPC (Gigabyte GA-E7AUM-DS2H mobo) is currently wearing an Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 LP on its Intel E4400 CPU. __________________ Q6600@3GHz / AC Freezer 7 Pro / Gigabyte EP35-DS3R / 8GB OCZ Platinum PC6400 / EVGA GTX260 SSC / LG DVDR / 9TB HDD / OCZ Modstream 780W / CoolerMaster 590 case / Dell E248WFP / Saitek Eclipse II / Logitech G9 / Ubuntu 9.10-64

11th Jun 2009, 12:45	#2
rickysio Multimodder Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 195	Suits me. My OEM casing only allows for coolers <140mm in height... Even though it's a full ATX case. Of course, I'd probably best be getting a cooler using 92mm fans, rather than these HTPC coolers.

11th Jun 2009, 22:42	#10
Jipa Licenced idiot. Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Tampere, Finland Posts: 3,063	All mobos have PWM nowadays? Pheew I've clearly not up to date... It just still seems a bit harsh. I know I've had a fan controller in all my mobos for the last 7 years. __________________ Abit IP35 - E6750 - 8800GT 1024 MB - 2 GB 800 MHz - enough HDDs - 750 W Silverstone - CM Storm Sniper Asus P5Q-VM - Q9450 - 4 GB - 400 W Silverstone - Fortress FT01 AllTheMods - MetkuMods - LedCalc

11th Jun 2009, 22:46	#11
Fod what is the cheesecake? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: London Posts: 4,904	so, where ~~on earth~~exactly can you actually _buy_ the gelid cooler in the UK? __________________ "Sesame Street is brought to you by the letters P, W, N, the number 3, and the letter D." I'm a pretentious git with a camera. ISPs want to spy on you. Join the fight against phorm XBL/PSN/Steam ID: FodT

12th Jun 2009, 03:56	#12
roy What's a Dremel? Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1	The gelid cooler fits to my zotac 9300ITX ultra silm HTPC project, where can buy it?

12th Jun 2009, 04:21	#13
zoot2boot Multimodder Join Date: May 2006 Location: aus Posts: 75	" If we’d testing in a small case then limited airflow might have favours one cooler over another." ... which, if we ignore the english for a second, is exactly what you'd be interested in in a low profile cooler. surely.

12th Jun 2009, 04:28	#14
sadlydefiant Minimodder Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Canberra Posts: 20	The zalman looks good for my new SFF gaming setup as the stock e5200 cooler is just rubbish

12th Jun 2009, 05:31	#15
CollinstheClown -Xbox Pwner- Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Norwood, PA in the USA Posts: 167	Is the US price for the GELID in the wrong currency? -CollinstheClown

12th Jun 2009, 11:24	#16
ashchap Multimodder Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Somerset, UK Posts: 110	Every motherboard I've used has been able to use PWM without a fourth pin (yes, pwm - not undervolting). Download speedfan and if it doesn't work straight away, play with the advanced settings - different motherboards use different types of PWM. Using speedfan you can set the fans to any level you want - keep turning it down until it's silent and then you're sorted!