Intel Core i7 / LGA1366 CPU Cooler Roundup

High Speed Fan Performance Results

In these tests, we use a Scythe S-Flex G-series 1900RPM fan on the coolers that don’t include their own fans. Meanwhile, any unit with a stock fan capable of 1900RPMs, has its speed set to match that of the Scythe.

2.6GHz

Now that ALL the coolers are evenly matched in the fan department we can get a good idea of what designs work and which ones are less than optimal. As expected, most of the coolers here do quite well at this low heat level.

The Mega Shadow’s numbers are so close to its predecessor that they are well within the margin of error. The only reason they are not neck and neck is that the competition is so close and every 10th of a degree is contested hotly by all comers. Also not surprisingly is the fact that when at the same speed as the Scythe S-Flex G the Zalman stock fan is not all that great of a choice.

Unfortunately, at this speed and voltage settings our processor isn’t pumping out nearly enough heat to give us a clear indication regarding where our coolers really sit in the grand scheme of things.

3.42GHz

As expected, as the heat was turned up the heavy weights of the air coolers all stepped up and showed what they were made of. This is not as glowing a report as you may think as the Tuniq Tower 120 Extreme is still metaphorically hanging out in Mom’s basement eating Cheetos and playing W.O.W all day long. However, with the exception of that cooler the other big boys dominated this chart with the Mega Shadow, Megahalems and Zalman CNPS10X all leading the charge. Interestingly enough, the Zalman is in third place and its stock fan results push it way back.

It also does not come as too much of a shock that the Spire’s numbers tanked. It still easily beats Intel’s stock cooling…but that is like bragging that you can beat a one legged man in an ass kicking contest. While the Kingwin XT1264 also fell down the ranks, this is not that surprising either as its less than perfect base is starting to hold it back.

The True Spirit is starting to get its second wind and seems to be doing decently well with numbers that are almost as good as the venerable Xigmatek 1283.

3.8GHz

Fighting it out for title of worst in class cooling we have the Spire with its less than impressive design, the monstrously big Tuniq Tower 120 Extreme and the Kingwin XT 1264 with its poorly finished base. Needless to say all three are better than stock cooling by a HUGE amount, but all three need their high RPM and loud stock fans.

Fighting it out for best in class cooling we have a tie between both ProlimaTech coolers…both of which are obviously the same cooler just with different “dye jobs” and both kicking ass and taking names. The Zalman 10X once again shows how poorly (in comparison to the Scythe S-Flex G) its stock fan is, as the Scythe S-Flex G cooling numbers are much better. Though to be honest you do give up all those fancy remote control abilities by swapping out the stock fan….so maybe that does make up for it to some extent.

We have to say that we are actually impressed with the results we got from the True Spirit and while they may not be anywhere close to being best in class they are within two degrees of the TRUE Black’s numbers.