Deepcool CPU Air Cooler Roundup: Playing it Too Safe?
by Dustin Sklavos on February 23, 2013 12:01 PM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
- Deepcool
Testing Methodology
If you've been keeping up with our case reviews, our testing methodology for the fans here is going to seem relatively similar in some ways. Our test system may seem a bit unusual in more than a few ways, but stick with me and I'll explain why I put it together and tested it the way I did.
| Fan and Radiator Testing Configuration | |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-2700K overclocked to 4.4GHz @ 1.4V |
| Motherboard | Zotac Z77-ITX WiFi |
| Graphics | Intel HD 3000 IGP |
| Memory | 2x4GB Crucial Ballistix Sport Low Profile DDR3-1600 |
| Drives | Kingston SSDNow V+ 100 64GB SSD |
| Power Supply | Rosewill Hive 650W 80 Plus Bronze Modular |
| Enclosure | BitFenix Shinobi XL Window |
The processor, with its healthy voltage boost and overclock, throws a pretty substantial amount of heat at our cooling system. Testing with an i7-2700K at stock speeds would defeat the purpose; Intel's own stock cooler can handle that, we want to "separate the men from the boys" so to speak.
I needed a case that could produce adequate airflow, handle all of the different cooling systems without much trouble, and did not include any sound dampening features. You might be surprised at just how difficult that was to find, but BitFenix came to the rescue and sent over a Shinobi XL. BitFenix's enclosure didn't get the best review when I tested it, but it's actually ideal for this testbed. I removed every case fan but the front intake, which I ran at 5V to prevent it from affecting acoustics while still providing adequate airflow.
Since a dedicated GPU wasn't needed, one wasn't used. This prevents a graphics card from generating additional heat or noise or deflecting airflow.
Thermal and acoustic test cycles were done the same way as our case reviews. First, the system is left powered and idle for fifteen minutes. At this point the sound level is tested, room ambient temperature is recorded, and idle temperatures are recorded. Then eight threads of small FFTs in Prime95 are run for fifteen minutes, and load temperatures are recorded.
Each cooler was tested using its available presets; the PWM-controlled coolers were tested between 30% and 100% using motherboard control.
Thank You!
Before moving on, we'd like to thank the following vendors for providing us with the hardware used in our roundup.
- Thank you to iBuyPower for providing us with the Intel Core i7-2700K.
- Thank you to Zotac for providing us with the Z77-ITX WiFi motherboard.
- Thank you to Kingston for providing us with the SSDNow V+ 100 SSD.
- Thank you to Crucial for providing us with the Ballistix Sport Low Profile DDR3.
- Thank you to Rosewill for providing us with the Hive 650W 80 Plus Bronze PSU.
- Thank you to BitFenix for providing us with the Shinobi XL Window enclosure.
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Sanidin - Saturday, February 23, 2013 - link
Thank you for calling out Intel on this. Last night I purchased a CM 212+ because the stock heatsink just isn't making enough contact anymore. Death to pushpins!kmmatney - Saturday, February 23, 2013 - link
It would be very nice to see the CM212+ or CM212 EVO in the charts, as this seems to be the bargain cooler a lot of us are getting.DLimmer - Monday, February 25, 2013 - link
+1When a Hyper 212 can be had for $20-35, it's frequently the cooler to beat.
ymrtech - Saturday, February 23, 2013 - link
You really should get a CM 212 in along with a Noctua ND-h14 for some reviews.The Noctua is rated one of the best air coolers pretty much all around the web and it even keeps up with some closed loop solutions while running quieter...
I put CM 212 because everyone loves it for it's price ($25).
ymrtech - Saturday, February 23, 2013 - link
Anddd It's only after I posted that I see you'll be getting some Noctua coolers in.woot :D
roberto.tomas - Saturday, February 23, 2013 - link
The performance of the different parts in green were all *head and shoulders* above the rest, in both cooling and noise. Yet the conclusion page almost makes it sound like: «If you want to get great cooling, but a decent cooler like the H55, but if you cant afford that, these Deepcool's will suffice.»The charts pretty clearly disagree with the conclusions. They show a different story. None of the coolers compare to even the worst performing Deepcool. And surprisingly, the cheapest Deepcool of the bunch is the best performer.
Itchrelief - Saturday, February 23, 2013 - link
I think you're reading the chart backwards. Longer bars are worse, thus the ones at the top performed the best, except for the Intel, which is a faulty data point.Treckin - Saturday, February 23, 2013 - link
Hey Dustin, good review :) Still wondering about a 920 review? Reason I keep asking is because I own one AND an antec 1100 case, so the reviews you post give me fantastic feedback on which cooler if any to switch to.Thanks so much
stickmansam - Saturday, February 23, 2013 - link
Having the h55 out perform the h60 is confusing me as I thought the h60 outperformed the h55 as per other reviews..Senti - Saturday, February 23, 2013 - link
Agreed, but I'd like to add there Thermalright Archon too.