KitGuru KitGuru.net – Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards
Today we are using the latest Intel Core i7 990x Extreme Edition processor which we reviewed a short while ago. This is the current mainstream flagship processor from Intel.
While we could use an open test bench, we like to try and mirror more ‘realistic’ conditions, so we have built the system inside an Antec Twelve Hundred chassis. Room ambient temperatures are maintained at a steady 20c throughout testing. We use diodes to measure core temperatures.
Intel System:
Processor: Intel Core i7 990x
Motherboard: Asus Rampage III Black Edition
Thermal Paste: Noctua NT H1
Power Supply: Corsair TX850W
Chassis: Antec Twelve Hundred
Memory: GSkill RipJaws DDR3 2000mhz 6GB 7-8-7
Graphics Card: Sapphire HD5670 Ultimate Edition
Comparison coolers:
Corsair H50
Corsair H70
Coolit ECO A.L.C.
Coolit Vantage A.L.C.
Noctua NH D14
All other coolers were set to their default fan speeds for this section of the review. We are using high quality 120mm and 140mm Noctua fans on the Genesis cooler as highlighted on the previous page of the review. These are the same fans that are used on the class leading Noctua NH D14 heatsink.
The Prolimatech Genesis falls in right behind the Corsair H70 at reference speeds, by a tenth of a degree. It is hard to judge cooler performance at default voltages and clock speeds, so we are going to crank the Intel Core i7 990x to 5ghz at 1.5 volts.
Good results from the Genesis cooler with the dual fan cooling system in place. scoring within a degree of the Antec Kuhler H20 620.
Due to the fan pointing downwards on the motherboard, we recorded 2c lower temperatures from the installed memory.
There is no acoustics performance section in this review as the choice of fans is entirely up to the customer, there are none supplied with the product.
damn, I thought this was going to be awesome. I guess its pretty good, but outclassed by the D14. needs to be £10 less.
I like the idea, but I get the pain it would be to remove the memory. Not sure about it, I like the design idea and engineering quality but im not sure id take it over a frio. frio on low fan speeds is great.
The biggest problem is the market right now, everyone is cutting prices and offering coolers with fans. if they were selling this for £50 with two decent fans it would sell more. £50 without a fan? why not just cut out the middle man and get the D14? worth the extra 15 quid and you get two fans. dumb decision and seems rather greedy.
I bought this and I think its great. I do agree with the blocked memory. I dread ever wanting to change memory. You can get your fingers into it without removing the board, but I doubt changing memory would be possible. would need to be double jointed and a friend of mr elastic.
I think a purchase will boil down to the point if you have good fans at home already doing nothing. Otherwise as it says, the D14 becomes the more tempting option.
Personally I think the antec kuhler is the best of them all, and its small so you get access to the full motherboard without battling against the CPU cooler. Its very important. and I dont think companies are taking this into consideration anymore. I want to get access t o my board. I cant even get near the CMOS switch on my board if I wanted to use one of these coolers.