KitGuru KitGuru.net – Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards
To test the performance of the Corsair H55, we built a powerful Z77 based system to push the cooler to its limits. It features an Intel Core i7-3770K which was overclocked to 4.7 GHz using a core voltage of 1.3 V.
Test System
- Processor: Intel Core i7-3770K
- Motherboard: ASRock Z77E-ITX
- Memory: 8 GB Mushkin Blackline 1333 MHz
- Thermal Paste: Arctic Cooling MX-2
- Graphics Card: AMD Radeon HD 7950
- Graphics Card (noise tests): HIS Radeon HD 5550 Silence
Software
- Prime 95 (64-bit)
- CPUID Hardware Monitor
- Corsair Link V2.2.0
For our temperature tests we loaded the system for 15 minutes using Prime 95 and recorded the CPU temperature using CPUID HWMonitor. We then restarted the system and left it idling at the desktop for 15 minutes before recording temperatures. Room temperature was maintained at 18 degrees Celsius for the duration of the tests.
The temperatures recorded are about what we expected from this cooler. The performance falls slightly behind the more expensive H60 but not by a significant margin. The overclocked temperatures are a little on the high side and we would recommend using slightly lower voltage for 24/7 usage if you pair a high performance processor with this cooler.
Why would anyone buy a closed loop cooler be is Corsair or any other brand when they are inferior to a quality heatsink/fan combo in thermally efficiency, cost and noise? In addition closed loop as well as open loop liquid coolers do and have leaked causing expensive PC damage.
When you can buy a quality heatsink and fan for less and it performs better without any risk of water damage, it would be foolish to buy a closed loop cooler.