TRUE & Megahalems: Performance with different fan configurations (Rd 2)

[muddocktor]

OK, after all my troubles and problems and working around them and fixing them in the last thread, I decided to just start this thread over again with the new round of testing. I will do some cutting and pasting of basic parts of my posts from the last thread, as well as the fan data from there too. Anyways, here goes nothing.

After being a long time user of Thermalright products, I finally got tired of having to lap the base of every heatsink I've bought from them in the last 3-4 years because of substandard base finishes. Then, the Prolimatech Megahalems came out and I started seeing very good results from them being posted here without having to resort to lapping the base straight out of the box. So I decided to get myself one and see what the Megahalems is all about. Since I already own a lapped TRUE, it made for a chance to do a comparison on the performance between the two heatsinks too, using the same fans is several different configurations and see how the performance of both compare.

The fans I am using for this comparison are as follows:

Sanyo Denki - San Ace 109R1212H1011 (X 2)
Specs:

• Fan Size: 120mm x 120mm x 38mm

• Speed: 2600 RPM

• Airflow: 102.5 CFM

• Noise: 39 dBA

• Static Pressure: 64.7Pa (~6.6mm H2O)

• Bearing: Ball bearing

• Power: 6.24 W

Panaflo - M1A/M1BX - Model # FBA12G12M (by Matsu****a Electric) (X2)
Specs

• Fan Size: 120mm x 120mm x 38mm

• Speed: 2100 RPM

• Airflow: 86.5 CFM

• Noise: 35.5 dBA

• Static Pressure: 47.1Pa (4.80mm H2O)

• Bearing: Hydrowave bearing (essentially the same as the Sony FDB bearing)

Panaflo - L1BX- Model # FBA12G12L (by NMB-MAT) (X2)
Specs

• Fan Size: 120mm x 120mm x 38mm

• Speed: 1700 RPM

• Airflow: 68.9 CFM

• Noise: 30 dBA

• Static Pressure: 32.4Pa (3.30mm H2O)

• Bearing: Hydrowave bearing (essentially the same as the Sony FDB bearing)

• Power: 2.16w W

Scythe - S-Flex SS21G (X 2)
Specs:

• Fan Size: 120mm x 120mm x 25mm

• Speed: 1,900 RPM

• Airflow: 75.0 CFM

• Noise: 35.0 dBA

• Bearing: S-FDB (Fluid Dynamic Bearing by SONY Corporation)

• Power: 2.88 W

Yate Loon High - D12SH-12 (X 2) (bought from PTS)
Specs:

• Fan Size: 120mm x 120mm x 25mm

• Speed: 2200 +/- 10% RPM

• Airflow: 88.0 CFM

• Noise: 40 dBA

• Bearing: Sleeve

• Power: 3.6 W

Yate Loon Medium - D12SM-12 (X 2) (1 from PTS, 1 from Jab-tech)
Specs:

• Fan Size: 120mm x 120mm x 25mm

• Speed: 1650 +/- 10% RPM

• Airflow: 70.5 CFM

• Noise: 33.0 dBA

• Bearing: Sleeve

• Power: 3.6 W

Scythe - Gentle Typhoon D1225C12B5AP-15 (by Nidec Servo Corp) (X 2)
Specs:

• Fan Size: 120mm x 120mm x 25mm

• Speed: 1850 RPM

• Airflow: 58.3 CFM

• Noise: 28 dBA

• Static Pressure: 20Pa (2.06mm H2O)

• Bearing: Double ball bearing

• Power: 4.32 W starting, 1 watt running

Noctua NF-P12 - NF-P12-1300 120mm Fan (X1)
Specs:

• Fan Size: 120mm x 120mm x 25mm

• Speed: 1300 +/- 10% RPM

• Airflow: 54.3 CFM

• Noise: 19.8 dBA

• Bearing: SSO-Bearing

• Power: 1.08 W

Scythe Slipstream (medium) - SY1225SL12M (X1)
Specs:

• Fan Size: 120mm x 120mm x 25mm

• Speed: 1200 RPM

• Airflow: 68.54 CFM

• Noise: 24 dBA

• Bearing: Sleeve

• Power: 3.12 W

Some notes on the fans:

• Specs for the fans were pulled off of the Petra's Tech Shop website, Jab-tech's website, Sidewinder Computer's website and also the manufacturer's websites.

• One Yate Loon Medium fan was bought from PTS early this year by me. The other Yate Loon Medium was donated to me for this test by Jab-tech. I would like to thank Jab-tech for sending me the second Yate loon Medium fan when I was ordering extra fan clips for my Megahelams so I could test with 2 Yate mediums in push-pull. Jab-tech also helped on the price a bit on the TRUE Rev C and Venomous X heatsinks. Thanks John, I really appreciate it!

• Also, I would like to thank Gary at Sidewinder Computers for donating a Panaflo L1BX for this test. I had one already but he donated a brand new one along with the other that I ordered so I could test with 2 brand new Panaflo L1 fans for the push-pull tests. Thanks very much Gary, it is much appreciated!

• I only had 1 Noctua NF-P12 fan and I wasn't going to cough up another $20 to get another for this test, so I subbed in a Scythe SY1225SL12M Slipstream to take the second fan's place in push-pull configs. Previous testing of this fan showed me similar results to the Noctua fan so I think it's a valid substitution for a second NF-P12.

• I have no measuring equipment to test this, but I think the cfm figure is inflated and the noise figure is deflated for the Noctua fan.

• I believe the cfm figure is greatly inflated for the Slipstream.

• Gentle Typhoon - slight high pitched but very smooth sound to them. No perceptible bearing noise and would be very easy to live with in a push-pull config. The highly swept 9 blade impeller configuration really does a good job of cutting down tip noise from the blades.

• Panaflo L1BX - Not as highly pitched as the Gentle Typhoon, but more tip noise. You can hear a slight raspyness to the impeller noise, but the overall sound is both low and smooth. Another fan that wouldn't be hard to get used to. The 7 blade rotor definitely makes more noise, but then this fan also pushes more air than the Gentle Typhoon also, with significantly higher static pressure. No perceptible bearing noise.

• "G" model S-Flex - These are the first of the "G" models I've ever owned and tested and they were actually noisier than I expected. The sound from them is lower pitched than the Gentle Typhoon but much raspier sounding from tip noise. They move much more air than the Gentle Typhoon and it's hard to tell if they move less or more air than the Panaflo L series fans. They are definitely noisier than the Panaflo fans and if you are very sensitive to noise I don't think these would make a good choice for you unless you hook them on a fan controller. No perceptible bearing noise

• The Panaflo M1A sounds much like it's lower speed brother except it's slightly higher pitched due to the faster rpm is spins and it's also louder. These are not fans to use if you have to have absolute silence. I would classify them as in the same loudness class as the Scythe S-Flex G fans (which is actually reflected by the manufacturer's dB ratings they give for them).

• Sanyo Denki fans - Remarkable fans, move a large amount of air for the noise they make. They move more air with a higher static pressure than the Panaflo M1 fans, yet aren't much louder. They are a little higher pitched than the M1 fans, but the tip noise from the impeller isn't any louder. These are not silent fans by any means, but they also aren't screamers that will deafen you either.

• I also want to note that the Gentle Typhoon fans I received are essentially closed corner fans, which needed to be opened up for use with the TRUE wire clips. And all the Yate Loon fans were originally closed corner fans that I opened up with my Dremel tool.

The test configuration is a system made of various spare parts I had laying around, consisting of:

Antec 1040 style case (Actually a Chieftech clone)
Hiper M1000 psu (O_W review sample I bought from him) - TRUE Rev C and Venomous X tests used Corsair VX450
Gigabyte P35-DS3R mobo used for original TRUE and Megahalems tests - TRUE Rev C tests used Gigabyte P35-DS3L mobo. The Venomous X tests used an Asus P5Q Pro mobo due to yet another Gigabyte board biting the dust on me!
Q6600 overclocked to 3600 with the voltage running between 1.52 to 1.48 at load. I wish I could have gotten a little more voltage, but this Gigabyte board has no load line calibration and absolutely horrid vdroop and vdrop. These voltages were what I saw when I had 1.6v vcore set in bios. Even at this overclock, that works out to a 200 watt heatload according to this page. And for the testing of the Venomous X, I used a P5Q Pro board, which does have load line calibration in bios. I set the vcore at 1.4875 in bios and OCCT shows it as staying right on 1.48v while OCCT is running.
eVGA 7900GTX vid card
2 X 1 gig kit of OCZ PC2-8500 Platinum DDR2 ram
old 20 gig 7200 rpm IDE Maxtor hard drive
Lite on IDE dvd burner
OS: Win7 RC, 32 bit version

I used OCCT version 3.1.0 as the heat source since it will run a one hour test automatically and also gives a graphical result as a series of png files at the end of the run for each core. I then went through the pics and pulled the high and low temps off of each core. I maintained room temps as close as I could to a range between 20.55-21.11 degrees C (69-70 F).

I decided to do this comparison inside a case instead of open air to see what actual performance differences might be seen in something that the normal person would actually use (instead of enthusiasts like us who will run them nekkid ). The case design is an older one that uses 2-80mm fans on the back side for ventilation and while it's not as good as newer cases in this regard it's still not bad, just a little noisy. And I don't have the i/o backplane panel installed around the i/o ports of the mobo so that gives extra room for the push-pull configurations to exhaust air. After running into clearance and crowding problems when trying to get viable numbers off of push-pull setups using the 38 mm thick fans, I decided to mod the exhaust fan area on this case for better ventilation and more room. I did this by removing the 2 internal 80 mm exhaust fans off the back side of the case and then opening the holes up and installing 2 Panaflo 92 X 25 mm M1BX fans externally on the back side of the case. That gives me another inch of room between the back of the case and the fans mounted on the heatsinks, which makes for much better efficiency for the a push-pull config with 38 mm thick fans. And I believe the results I am now showing with the fans in push-pull configuration reflect the better exhaust venting due to this modification. If you are running an older Antec SX 10xx style case (and the clones included), I would highly recommend that you make this relatively simple mod to your case for better airflow.

 

[muddocktor]

Here are the results I got with my lapped original TRUE and various fans:

TRUE with 2 San Ace fans in push-pull:
Max temp - 64.25 C
Min temp - 32 C
CPU1 max temp - 64.25 C
CPU2 max temp - 64.25 C
CPU3 max temp - 59 C
CPU4 max temp - 58.25 C

TRUE with 1 San Ace fan in push config:
Max temp - 64.5 C
Min temp - 32 C
CPU1 max temp - 64.25 C
CPU2 max temp - 64.5 C
CPU3 max temp - 59 C
CPU4 max temp - 59 C

TRUE with 2 Panaflo M1BX fans in push-pull:
Max temp - 65 C
Min temp - 32 C
CPU1 max temp - 65 C
CPU2 max temp - 65 C
CPU3 max temp - 59.5 C
CPU4 max temp - 59.5 C

TRUE with 1 Panaflo M1BX fan in push config:
Max temp - 66 C
Min temp - 34 C
CPU1 max temp - 66 C
CPU2 max temp - 66 C
CPU3 max temp - 61 C
CPU4 max temp - 61 C

TRUE with 2 Panaflo L1BX fans in push-pull:
Max temp - 66 C
Min temp - 32.25 C
CPU1 max temp - 66 C
CPU2 max temp - 66 C
CPU3 max temp - 60.25 C
CPU4 max temp - 60.25 C

TRUE with 1 Panaflo L1BX fan in push config:
Max temp - 67 C
Min temp - 35 C
CPU1 max temp - 67 C
CPU2 max temp - 67 C
CPU3 max temp - 62 C
CPU4 max temp - 62 C

TRUE with 2 Scythe S-Flex SS21G fans in push-pull:
Max temp - 66 C
Min temp - 33 C
CPU1 max temp - 66 C
CPU2 max temp - 66 C
CPU3 max temp - 61 C
CPU4 max temp - 61 C

TRUE with 1 Scythe S-Flex SS21G fan in push config:
Max temp - 67 C
Min temp - 33.5 C
CPU1 max temp - 67 C
CPU2 max temp - 67 C
CPU3 max temp - 61 C
CPU4 max temp - 61 C

TRUE with 2 Yate Loon Highs in push-pull:
Max temp - 66 C
Min temp - 33 C
CPU1 max temp - 66 C
CPU2 max temp - 66 C
CPU3 max temp - 61 C
CPU4 max temp - 60 C

TRUE with 1 Yate Loon High in push config:
Max temp - 67 C
Min temp - 33 C
CPU1 max temp - 67 C
CPU2 max temp - 67 C
CPU3 max temp - 61 C
CPU4 max temp - 62 C

TRUE with 2 Yate Loon Mediums in push-pull:
Max temp - 68 C
Min temp - 34 C
CPU1 max temp - 68 C
CPU2 max temp - 68 C
CPU3 max temp - 62 C
CPU4 max temp - 62 C

TRUE with 1 Yate Loon Medium in push config:
Max temp - 70 C
Min temp - 35 C
CPU1 max temp - 70 C
CPU2 max temp - 69 C
CPU3 max temp - 63 C
CPU4 max temp - 63 C

TRUE with 2 Scythe Gentle Typhoon D1225C12B5AP-15 fans in push-pull:
Max temp - 67.75 C
Min temp - 32 C
CPU1 max temp - 67.75 C
CPU2 max temp - 67.75 C
CPU3 max temp - 62 C
CPU4 max temp - 62 C

TRUE with 1 Scythe Gentle Typhoon D1225C12B5AP-15 fan in push config:
Max temp - 68 C
Min temp - 35 C
CPU1 max temp - 67 C
CPU2 max temp - 68 C
CPU3 max temp - 62.5 C
CPU4 max temp - 63 C

TRUE with Noctua in push and Scythe Slipstream in pull config:
Max temp - 70 C
Min temp - 34 C
CPU1 max temp - 70 C
CPU2 max temp - 70 C
CPU3 max temp - 63 C
CPU4 max temp - 63 C

TRUE with Noctua NF-P12-1300 in push config:
Max temp - 72 C
Min temp - 37 C
CPU1 max temp - 72 C
CPU2 max temp - 72 C
CPU3 max temp - 66 C
CPU4 max temp - 66 C

TRUE with Scythe Slipstream (medium) - SY1225SL12M in push config:
Max temp - 71 C
Min temp - 36 C
CPU1 max temp - 71 C
CPU2 max temp - 71 C
CPU3 max temp - 67 C
CPU4 max temp - 67 C


Now the Prolimatech Megahalems test results:

Megahalems with 2 San Ace fans in push-pull:
Max temp - 61 C
Min temp - 31 C
CPU1 max temp - 61 C
CPU2 max temp - 61 C
CPU3 max temp - 56 C
CPU4 max temp - 56 C

Megahalems with 1 San Ace fan in push config:
Max temp - 63 C
Min temp - 32 C
CPU1 max temp - 63 C
CPU2 max temp - 63 C
CPU3 max temp - 58 C
CPU4 max temp - 57.5 C

Megahalems with 2 Panaflo M1BX fans in push-pull:
Max temp - 63 C
Min temp - 31 C
CPU1 max temp - 63 C
CPU2 max temp - 63 C
CPU3 max temp - 58 C
CPU4 max temp - 58 C

Megahalems with 1 Panaflo M1BX fan in push config:
Max temp - 64.5 C
Min temp - 33 C
CPU1 max temp - 64.5 C
CPU2 max temp - 63 C
CPU3 max temp - 58.25 C
CPU4 max temp - 58.5 C

Megahalems with 2 Panaflo L1BX fans in push-pull:
Max temp - 63 C
Min temp - 32 C
CPU1 max temp - 63 C
CPU2 max temp - 63 C
CPU3 max temp - 58 C
CPU4 max temp - 58 C

Megahalems with 1 Panaflo L1BX fan in push config:
Max temp - 66 C
Min temp - 34 C
CPU1 max temp - 66 C
CPU2 max temp - 66 C
CPU3 max temp - 59 C
CPU4 max temp - 59 C

Megahalems with 2 Scythe S-Flex SS21G fans in push-pull:
Max temp - 63.25 C
Min temp - 32 C
CPU1 max temp - 63 C
CPU2 max temp - 63.25 C
CPU3 max temp - 58 C
CPU4 max temp - 58.25 C

Megahalems with 1 Scythe S-Flex SS21G fan in push config:
Max temp - 67 C
Min temp - 33 C
CPU1 max temp - 67 C
CPU2 max temp - 67 C
CPU3 max temp - 60.5 C
CPU4 max temp - 61 C

Megahalems with 2 Yate Loon Highs in push-pull:
Max temp - 65 C
Min temp - 32 C
CPU1 max temp - 64.75 C
CPU2 max temp - 65 C
CPU3 max temp - 58.75 C
CPU4 max temp - 59 C

Megahalems with 1 Yate Loon High in push config:
Max temp - 65.25 C
Min temp - 33 C
CPU1 max temp - 65.25 C
CPU2 max temp - 65 C
CPU3 max temp - 60 C
CPU4 max temp - 60 C

Megahalems with 2 Yate Loon Mediums in push-pull:
Max temp - 66 C
Min temp - 33 C
CPU1 max temp - 66 C
CPU2 max temp - 66 C
CPU3 max temp - 60 C
CPU4 max temp - 60 C

Megahalems with 1 Yate loon Medium in push config:
Max temp - 67 C
Min temp - 34 C
CPU1 max temp - 67 C
CPU2 max temp - 67 C
CPU3 max temp - 61 C
CPU4 max temp - 61 C

Megahalems with 2 Scythe Gentle Typhoon D1225C12B5AP-15 fans in push-pull:
Max temp - 65 C
Min temp - 33 C
CPU1 max temp - 65 C
CPU2 max temp - 65 C
CPU3 max temp - 60 C
CPU4 max temp - 60 C

Megahalems with 1 Scythe Gentle Typhoon D1225C12B5AP-15 fan in push config:
Max temp - 67 C
Min temp - 35 C
CPU1 max temp - 66 C
CPU2 max temp - 67 C
CPU3 max temp - 60.25 C
CPU4 max temp - 61 C

Megahalems with Noctua in push and Scythe Slipstream in pull config:
Max temp - 66.25 C
Min temp - 33 C
CPU1 max temp - 66.25 C
CPU2 max temp - 66 C
CPU3 max temp - 60.25 C
CPU4 max temp - 60 C

Megahalems with Noctua NF-P12-1300 in push config:
Max temp - 69 C
Min temp - 35 C
CPU1 max temp - 69 C
CPU2 max temp - 68.5 C
CPU3 max temp - 63 C
CPU4 max temp - 63 C

Megahalems with Scythe Slipstream (medium) - SY1225SL12M in push config:
Max temp - 69 C
Min temp - 35 C
CPU1 max temp - 69 C
CPU2 max temp - 68.5 C
CPU3 max temp - 63 C
CPU4 max temp - 63 C

Now for the TRUE Revision C results. These might not be directly comparable to the previous 2 runs due to the mobo change. I will do some test runs with the Megahalems and my original TRUE to double check their results on this mobo after I test the Venomous X:

TRUE Rev C with 2 San Ace fans in push-pull:
Max temp - 61.5 C
Min temp - 33 C
CPU1 max temp - 61.5 C
CPU2 max temp - 61 C
CPU3 max temp - 56 C
CPU4 max temp - 56 C

TRUE Rev C with 1 San Ace fan in push config:
Max temp - 62 C
Min temp - 33 C
CPU1 max temp - 62 C
CPU2 max temp - 62 C
CPU3 max temp - 57 C
CPU4 max temp - 57 C

TRUE Rev C with 2 Panaflo M1BX fans in push-pull:
Max temp - 62 C
Min temp - 32 C
CPU1 max temp - 62 C
CPU2 max temp - 61.5 C
CPU3 max temp - 56.75 C
CPU4 max temp - 56.5 C

TRUE Rev C with 1 Panaflo M1BX fan in push config:
Max temp - 63 C
Min temp - 32 C
CPU1 max temp - 63 C
CPU2 max temp - 63 C
CPU3 max temp - 57 C
CPU4 max temp - 57 C

TRUE Rev C with 2 Panaflo L1BX fans in push-pull:
Max temp - 62.75 C
Min temp - 33 C
CPU1 max temp - 62.75 C
CPU2 max temp - 62 C
CPU3 max temp - 57 C
CPU4 max temp - 57 C

TRUE Rev C with 1 Panaflo L1BX fan in push config:
Max temp - 64.25 C
Min temp - 33 C
CPU1 max temp - 63.25 C
CPU2 max temp - 64.25 C
CPU3 max temp - 58.75 C
CPU4 max temp - 58.75 C

TRUE Rev C with 2 Scythe S-Flex SS21G fans in push-pull:
Max temp - 62 C
Min temp - 32 C
CPU1 max temp - 62 C
CPU2 max temp - 62 C
CPU3 max temp - 57.75 C
CPU4 max temp - 57.75 C

TRUE Rev C with 1 Scythe S-Flex SS21G fan in push config:
Max temp - 65 C
Min temp - 35 C
CPU1 max temp - 65 C
CPU2 max temp - 64.75 C
CPU3 max temp - 59 C
CPU4 max temp - 59 C

TRUE Rev C with 2 Yate Loon Highs in push-pull:
Max temp - 62.75 C
Min temp - 33 C
CPU1 max temp - 62.75 C
CPU2 max temp - 62.75 C
CPU3 max temp - 57.75 C
CPU4 max temp - 58 C

TRUE Rev C with 1 Yate Loon High in push config:
Max temp - 63.25 C
Min temp - 34 C
CPU1 max temp - 63 C
CPU2 max temp - 63.25 C
CPU3 max temp - 58 C
CPU4 max temp - 58.25 C

TRUE Rev C with 2 Yate Loon Mediums in push-pull:
Max temp - 65.75 C
Min temp - 34 C
CPU1 max temp - 65.5 C
CPU2 max temp - 65.75 C
CPU3 max temp - 59 C
CPU4 max temp - 59 C

TRUE Rev C with 1 Yate Loon Medium in push config:
Max temp - 66 C
Min temp - 35 C
CPU1 max temp - 66 C
CPU2 max temp - 66 C
CPU3 max temp - 60 C
CPU4 max temp - 60 C

TRUE Rev C with 2 Scythe Gentle Typhoon D1225C12B5AP-15 fans in push-pull:
Max temp - 64.25 C
Min temp - 34 C
CPU1 max temp - 64.25 C
CPU2 max temp - 64.25 C
CPU3 max temp - 59 C
CPU4 max temp - 59 C

TRUE Rev C with 1 Scythe Gentle Typhoon D1225C12B5AP-15 fan in push config:
Max temp - 66 C
Min temp - 35 C
CPU1 max temp - 66 C
CPU2 max temp - 65.5 C
CPU3 max temp - 60 C
CPU4 max temp - 60 C

TRUE Rev C with Noctua in push and Scythe Slipstream in pull config:
Max temp - 65.5 C
Min temp - 35 C
CPU1 max temp - 65.25 C
CPU2 max temp - 65.5 C
CPU3 max temp - 60 C
CPU4 max temp - 60 C

TRUE Rev C with Noctua NF-P12-1300 in push config:
Max temp - 68.75 C
Min temp - 35 C
CPU1 max temp - 68.75 C
CPU2 max temp - 68 C
CPU3 max temp - 62 C
CPU4 max temp - 61.75 C

TRUE Rev C with Scythe Slipstream (medium) - SY1225SL12M in push config:
Max temp - 66.75 C
Min temp - 34 C
CPU1 max temp - 66.5 C
CPU2 max temp - 66.75 C
CPU3 max temp - 60.25 C
CPU4 max temp - 60 C

Now for the Venomous X results, which will be worth waiting for I think. I also had to go to yet another mobo for this round of testing as the P35-DS3L cooked off a FET shortly after starting testing (3 runs completed then it fried). I re-ran all tests after the mobo swap to keep everything in the series constant. I also double checked the completed runs against the new runs with the Asus board and they were within a degree or so.

Venomous X with 2 San Ace fans in push-pull:
Max temp - 59 C
Min temp - 31 C
CPU1 max temp - 59 C
CPU2 max temp - 59 C
CPU3 max temp - 56.25 C
CPU4 max temp - 56 C

Venomous X with 1 San Ace fan in push config:
Max temp - 60 C
Min temp - 31 C
CPU1 max temp - 60 C
CPU2 max temp - 60 C
CPU3 max temp - 56.25 C
CPU4 max temp - 55 6

Venomous X with 2 Panaflo M1BX fans in push-pull:
Max temp - 59 C
Min temp - 31 C
CPU1 max temp - 59 C
CPU2 max temp - 59 C
CPU3 max temp - 56 C
CPU4 max temp - 56 C

Venomous X with 1 Panaflo M1BX fan in push config:
Max temp - 62 C
Min temp - 31 C
CPU1 max temp - 62 C
CPU2 max temp - 62 C
CPU3 max temp - 59 C
CPU4 max temp - 58.5 C

Venomous X with 2 Panaflo L1BX fans in push-pull:
Max temp - 61.25 C
Min temp - 31 C
CPU1 max temp - 61.25 C
CPU2 max temp - 61.25 C
CPU3 max temp - 57 C
CPU4 max temp - 57 C

Venomous X with 1 Panaflo L1BX fan in push config:
Max temp - 63 C
Min temp - 31 C
CPU1 max temp - 63 C
CPU2 max temp - 63 C
CPU3 max temp - 59.25 C
CPU4 max temp - 59.25 C

Venomous X with 2 Scythe S-Flex SS21G fans in push-pull:
Max temp - 60.5 C
Min temp - 30.5 C
CPU1 max temp - 60.5 C
CPU2 max temp - 60.5 C
CPU3 max temp - 57.5 C
CPU4 max temp - 57.5 C

Venomous X with 1 Scythe S-Flex SS21G fan in push config:
Max temp - 62 C
Min temp - 31 C
CPU1 max temp - 62 C
CPU2 max temp - 62 C
CPU3 max temp - 59 C
CPU4 max temp - 59 C

Venomous X with 2 Yate Loon Highs in push-pull:
Max temp - 60 C
Min temp - 31 C
CPU1 max temp - 60 C
CPU2 max temp - 60 C
CPU3 max temp - 57.75 C
CPU4 max temp - 57 C

Venomous X with 1 Yate Loon High in push config:
Max temp - 62 C
Min temp - 31 C
CPU1 max temp - 62 C
CPU2 max temp - 62 C
CPU3 max temp - 59.25 C
CPU4 max temp - 59 C

Venomous X with 2 Yate Loon Mediums in push-pull:
Max temp - 63 C
Min temp - 31 C
CPU1 max temp - 63 C
CPU2 max temp - 62.25 C
CPU3 max temp - 58 C
CPU4 max temp - 58 C

Venomous X with 1 Yate Loon Medium in push config:
Max temp - 63 C
Min temp - 31 C
CPU1 max temp - 63 C
CPU2 max temp - 62 C
CPU3 max temp - 59 C
CPU4 max temp - 59 C

Venomous X with 2 Scythe Gentle Typhoon D1225C12B5AP-15 fans in push-pull:
Max temp - 61 C
Min temp - 31 C
CPU1 max temp - 61 C
CPU2 max temp - 61 C
CPU3 max temp - 58 C
CPU4 max temp - 57.75 C

Venomous X with 1 Scythe Gentle Typhoon D1225C12B5AP-15 fan in push config:
Max temp - 63 C
Min temp - 32 C
CPU1 max temp - 63 C
CPU2 max temp - 63 C
CPU3 max temp - 59 C
CPU4 max temp - 59 C

Venomous X with Noctua in push and Scythe Slipstream in pull config:
Max temp - 62.25 C
Min temp - 32 C
CPU1 max temp - 61 C
CPU2 max temp - 62.25 C
CPU3 max temp - 58.5 C
CPU4 max temp - 58 C

Venomous X with Noctua NF-P12-1300 in push config:
Max temp - 66 C
Min temp - 31 C
CPU1 max temp - 66 C
CPU2 max temp - 66 C
CPU3 max temp - 61 C
CPU4 max temp - 61 C

Venomous X with Scythe Slipstream (medium) - SY1225SL12M in push config:
Max temp - 64.5 C
Min temp - 31 C
CPU1 max temp - 63.25 C
CPU2 max temp - 64.5 C
CPU3 max temp - 60 C
CPU4 max temp - 60 C


NOTES:

• The Megahalems consistently showed better performance with the same series and number of fans compared to my TRUE. I tried multiple mounts with the TRUE to make sure that I wasn't getting poor mounts with it. And this TRUE is lapped, as it came with a pretty mediocre base finish, but not nearly as bad as the finish that came on my Cu TRUE. And I used the newer mounting system that Thermalright is now shipping with the newer Rev C TRUE heatsinks, along with using the backplate that Swiftech sells with their waterblocks. I used it instead of the backplate included with the new TR mount as it gives you a mount with less slack before the springs start taking up tension when tightening the heatsink brackets down. This gives a little more clamping pressure and made for a very secure and stout mount. With the new bracket you won't be easily rotating the heatsink like with the older scissors bracket.

• The Megahalems is stock out of the box, with no modifications done to it at all to either the heatsink base or mounting system.

• The TRUE Revision C is also stock out of the box and uses the latest mount revision, just like I used for the original TRUE tests. The base finish is much better than the finish I got on my original TRUE and my copper TRUE. It was pretty flat width-wise and slightly convex longitudinally across the length of the base. This makes for much better contact with the IHS, much like a bowed waterblock.

• The Venomous X comes with a very nice, mirrored base finish with the same basic shape as the TRUE Rev. C. It easily has the best base finish I have ever seen on a Thermalright product and I applaud TR for finally taking quality control on base finishes seriously. No more having to lap your expensive heatsink right out of the box, everyone!

 

[muddocktor]

This is a picture post showing why I had to modify the case to 92 mm fans that are mounted externally instead of having 80 mm internally mounted like it came from the factory. There was just too little clearance for effective exhaust cooling as the case came stock with today's high performance heatsinks. And using 92 mm fans instead of 80 mm fans gives quite a bit more exhaust flow for the case too, without having to resort to extensive mods to the case.

Here is the stock configuration with a TRUE with 25 mm thick fans mounted in push-pull:



And here is the stock configuration with the TRUE with 38 mm thick fans mounted in push-pull:



And the clearance was even tighter with the Megahalems mounted since it's a bit thicker than a TRUE.

After modification, here are pictures of a Cu TRUE heatsink and 38 mm fans mounted in push-pull. The Cu TRUE is exactly the same size as the original TRUE (for reference):

And here is a pic of the fans mounted externally on the back side of the case The fans being used are Panaflo M1BX 92 X 25 mm fans, which are rated 48 CFM @ 2450 RPM, 30.0 dBA, 1.8w, 150 mA:



As you can see, this mod gives much better room and ventilation with 38 mm fans rigged up on the heatsink.

 

[muddocktor]

<<<Reserved>>>

 

[Conumdrum]

Mega looks like a few C better. Yes?

 

[muddocktor]

Yes, I'm definitely seeing better performance out of my Megahalems. I was going to try some testing with my Cu TRUE also, but started having some more memory problems (damn D9 chips). And also Christmas intruded into testing time also. Hopefully later on I will get some replacement ram that doesn't have D9 chips that will last longer than 6 months and I can resume some testing.

I'm also waiting for TR to release the Venomous X heatsinks too. I wouldn't mind givng that one a testing too down the road.

 

[Conumdrum]

JohnnyLucky on Toms Hardware has one on the way. Not sure if it's purchased or a 'gift'. Look in the Coolers and Heaksink forum.

 

[bing]

Thanks Mudd, those temp results really shows that Mega indeed better than TRUE.

Question, the True with San Ace 2 fans vs 1 fan, both have almost same result ?

 

[burebista]

I was going to try some testing with my Cu TRUE also[...]

Copper will win at very high TDP (aka high frequency and Vcore) and very high CFM.
Thanks man beautiful tests, I like them cause they're in case and you're almost "crazy" as my friend Ramiro with his tests.
I'm still waiting with patience your verdict about Noctua NH-D14 which looks like best air solution ATM.
Until then keep it up.

 

[trents]

Doesn't do much for AMD users since the Mega doesn't come in a socket AM2 version. For AMD folks the TRUE may still be the best air cooler, at least when lapped and paired with high pressure fans.

 

[burebista]

Doesn't do much for AMD users since the Mega doesn't come in a socket AM2 version.

Adapter purchased separately.

 

[muddocktor]

Thanks Mudd, those temp results really shows that Mega indeed better than TRUE.

Question, the True with San Ace 2 fans vs 1 fan, both have almost same result ?

Yeah, makes me wonder if the TRUE is getting close to the point of diminishing returns after 100+ cfm of airflow.

Copper will win at very high TDP (aka high frequency and Vcore) and very high CFM.
Thanks man beautiful tests, I like them cause they're in case and you're almost "crazy" as my friend Ramiro with his tests.
I'm still waiting with patience your verdict about Noctua NH-D14 which looks like best air solution ATM.
Until then keep it up.

Thanks man. As for the Noctua, that will have to wait a bit for testing. I just ordered both a TRUE Rev. C and a Venomous X for testing when I get back in from the rig. John over at Jab-tech is giving me a good price on both for me to test them against the Mega and original TRUE. He's a small vendor and can't afford to give out coolers for testing but he is giving me a cost break on procuring them. And I really appreciate the help he's giving me too. And with John, I don't worry about getting me a cherry-picked sample as he ships from the stock he receives from the Manufacturers. I have had reservations on the past on reviews made by various websites on cooling products because I thought the review samples were cherry-picked, compared to my results from the same manufacturer's product (Do you hear me, Thermalright? ).

 

[trents]

Adapter purchased separately.

Oh, wow! Didn't know that was available. Egg is selling it for $13 plus $6 shipping. Gets spendy!

 

[muddocktor]

I got in from the rig last night and checked out my new purchases D ) and this morning I started messing with my test setup, which wouldn't boot. To make a long story short, that damn DS3-R mobo burned the 4 pin 12v P4 connector and the socket, so that mobo is down for the count. I do have a P35-DS3L board that I can sub in for it though and the layout on that board is very close to the DS3-R layout. And until I get a chance to fix the 4 pin plug, I am going to sub in a Corsair VX450 for the psu. So testing is being set back by a day or so at least, but I should be able to get something running and testing by tomorrow.

EDIT: The motherboard swap went very well and painlessly; Win7 didn't hiccup at all about the swap. I just hooked the hard drive to the board and booted and 1 reboot later was at the desktop with no problems. I'm presently making a single run with the Cu TRUE as a test run to check and make sure I have no problems with testing and that the tests will be close enough for valid comparisons with the previous set of runs.

 

[qisoed]

very nice test U did, it really shows the megahalems performance, also am concluding up to 2600rpm both megahalems and true performance still affected by high cfm, since like my old ninja copper the higher the cfm doesn't much affect in CFM more than 2000rpm

 

[bing]

Mud, really wish you could try the mounting from Venomous X at the TRUE to see if there is any significant difference.

 

[muddocktor]

very nice test U did, it really shows the megahalems performance, also am concluding up to 2600rpm both megahalems and true performance still affected by high cfm, since like my old ninja copper the higher the cfm doesn't much affect in CFM more than 2000rpm

Yeah, your copper Ninja has a lot bigger fin spacing than any of these heatsinks, which is why more cfm doesn't help any more with it. It's a matter of fin area and density.

Mud, really wish you could try the mounting from Venomous X at the TRUE to see if there is any significant difference.

Oh, don't worry, I had already though of trying that, bing. BTW, on that test run I made with the Cu TRUE with 2 Denki fans I saw temps right around what the Megahalems posted.

 

[muddocktor]

Sorry it's taking me so long to get more results up, but I have been having to fight through "issues". My latest issue turns out to be clock throttling at fairly low temps, like in the 60's. I think it's all due to the bios on this DS3L being kind of weird too. I have all throttling turned off in bios, but still was having clock throttling problems when temps got to the mid 60's and this was confirmed by monitoring with RightMark CPU Clock Utility while running OCCT. Luckily, RMClock also lets you disable clock throttling, but I am having to re-run the benches I already had run on the TRUE Rev C to avoid any false readings due to clock throttling. I will attach a couple of the png files generated later on to this post and show how the clock throttling was affecting temps.

This is core 0 on the first run with the Noctua and Slipstream fans in push-pull.

Now this is a run with the same fans but with all that throttling nonsense turned off with RMClock.

 

[Leonardo]

Muddocktor + heatsinks + fans = ever an interesting adventure!

How's it going Mudd? You are in your element. Thanks for the good thread-article.

 

[muddocktor]

Thanks Leo. I'm about to start testing with the Venomous X right now. I ran into a slight problem with the backplate on it contacting some longer leads that Gigabyte left on the back side of the mobo and initially I couldn't boot up with it installed. But after I took it back down I noticed the long leads making contact with the backplate and cut them down, the problem was cured. Just another thing to watch out for with this new backplate I guess.