Overclocked
Test Results
|
Intel
Cooler
|
Minimum
Temperature |
Average
Temperature |
Maximum
Temperature |
| CPU: |
31°C |
46.1°C |
61°C |
| Case: |
15°C |
15.6°C |
17°C |
| Ambient: |
|
11.5°C |
|
|
H20-120
Delta Fan
|
Minimum
Temperature |
Average
Temperature |
Maximum
Temperature |
| CPU: |
30°C |
42.2°C |
53°C |
| Case: |
16°C |
17.5°C |
19°C |
| Ambient: |
|
12.5°C |
|
|
H20-120
Vantec Fan
|
Minimum
Temperature |
Average
Temperature |
Maximum
Temperature |
| CPU: |
31°C |
44.4°C |
56.5°C |
| Case: |
18°C |
18.6°C |
19°C |
| Ambient: |
|
12.5°C |
|
Are the results any different when we have overclocked the system?
The only difference is that the gap widens between the 'best'
and 'worst' coolers. The stock Intel cooler was simply
not really designed to be overclocked that much, as in a 20+°C
room it could reach 70°C easily, and average well over 50°C
in our test. The H20-120 when paired with the Delta fan
does very well, with its maximum temperature basically 10°C
less than the Intel cooler, with its load results basically
hovering around 50°C where the Intel cooler is hovering around
the 57°C mark. With the quieter Vantec fan the H20-120
is a little warmer, with its average load temperature hovering
around the 53°C mark, about 3°C warmer than its slightly louder
companion, and quite a bit cooler than the Intel cooler.
The same phenomenon that we saw with the stock CPU speed when
the load is removed still applies here as it takes longer for
the water cooler to cool down the CPU to idle temperatures
One difference between the water based coolers and the Intel cooler
was that the case temperature went up a couple of degrees.
This could be attributed to the lack of a back 80mm exhaust fan
which was in the space the radiator is located on the case.
In any case the 3°C increase in case temperatures is more than
offset by the decrease in CPU temperatures under load.
Conclusion
So we've taken a look at all the different aspects of this particular
water cooling kit. What then can we conclude about this
system?
First is the packaging and documentation. Basically its
a brown package with packing peanuts and everything in either
bubble wrap or a plan white box. It wouldn't hurt Swiftech
to create a kit box design that allows for the marking of what
is in the box easily. Documentation is much like the packaging,
generic and basic, again better documentation would probably be
a good idea, especially for a water cooling 'newbie' such as me,
since this most likely part of their target audience. However
the parts themselves had the quality that we have come to expect
from Swiftech, from a completely copper water block to the tubing
and Coolsleeves.
Installation was fairly easy, with the hardest parts being the
PCI slot pass-through installation, routing of tubing and installation
of the water block (correctly). The water block installation
was probably the hardest especially when you think that the block
is actually on the CPU correctly, which is something for one to
always check before turning the system on. Otherwise making
sure that water is flowing is about the only concern that I had
with the system, but even that wasn't too bad.
One of the main reasons we have water coolers is for the performance
and quietness. In this the Swiftech system delivers, at
least compared the the stock Intel cooler. With the included
fan the H20-120 is fairly quiet, but when we put a Vantec Stealth
fan in it basically didn't register on our sound meter.
Cooling performance was very good especially when overclocked,
with the system being from 5-10°C cooler under load than the Intel
cooler. These results are more like how a water cooler should
perform, compared to my last water cooler review.
Now for the dreaded price, water cooling systems aren't really
a cheap product, so how much is this kit? The price with
this water block for the LGA 775 is in the $200US range at the
moment. This is close to/less than the Zalman noiseless
water cooling system, but produces more noise, though there is
no LGA 775 water block for some of the other kits out there.
Good
Points
- Quiet
system at stock
- Very
good performer
- Simple
to connect/remove tubing
- Everything
but water included
- Socket
775 water block
Bad
Points
- Water
block can be 'harder' to install
- Bad
Packaging
- Poor
Documentation
- Not
cheap
Bottom
Line
If you are looking for a quiet water cooling system that isn't
very expensive this is one very good performer. The only
problems are if you are new to water cooling it is harder to install
with the documentation, but well worth the time taken.
If
you have any comments, be sure to hit us up in our forums.
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