Turiq Tower vs. Noctua NH-U12 (More Fins vs. Extra Heatpipe)

[richnewman]

I started thinking about which of these heatsinks would benefit more from a ton of good airflow through a case, then I started to try to figure out which cooler is better and WHY is it better. So I guess that comes down to More Fins Vs. Extra Heatpipe, the Tuniq Tower having 55'ish fins/3 heatpipes and Noctua NH-U12 38 fins/4 heatpipes.

My initial impressions would be that an extra heatpipe would be better. With an extra heatpipe, heat would be transfered from the base to the fins quicker. Less but longer fins? Fine, cool the fins faster with a higher CFM fan or two. As long as the fins are cooler near the top and being cooled well, I can't imagine more fins would do much.

But what if three heatpipes take away all available heat from the base, a fourth one would be a belt with overalls... So if the three pipes is the sweet spot, more fins would be better. Or if even three heatpipes would be more than enough, that just means it will still be effective as possible with more heat.

If the Tuniq Tower benefits from having a fan in the middle, pushing and pulling the heat, wouldn't a heatsink exactly like the Tuniq Tower but with fins in the middle and high CFM fans on the outside of the heatsink (one pushing, one pulling) be better? If so, maybe the Noctua NH-U12 would be better.

Another thing I just thought of. The Noctua is taller, so taller heatpipes, less fins so the fins aren't as close (or are they thicker?). It's also skinnier even after taking away a 25mm (D) hole (so Tuniq is still thicker). The Tuniq Tower is shorter, so the 120mm fan is wasting some air by cooling nothing at the bottom where it sticks out. There's probably less total area on the Tuniq because of the fin design, even if it is thicker.

Tuniq Tower
- One fan (?) 120x25mm
- 55 Fins, Three Heatpipes
- 800g w/o Fan, 131mm (W) x 108mm (H) x 153mm (D)

vs.

Noctua NH-U12
- Two fans, any size
- 38 Fins, Four Heatpipes
- 700g w/o Fan, 124mm (W) x 155mm (H) x 70mm (D)

I'm not as interested in which is better as I am in what works and why. I realize both are good and probably only a few degrees different. I hope this isn't the kind of thread you "see everyday".

[Cooper]

Well that all depends on liquid boiling T in heatpipe, contact area of heatpipes with cooler`s copper block and contact area of heatpipes with fins. Which materials are used for soldering.
Actually Noctua`s heatpipe attachment aren`t that good. Pipes just placed between two copper blocks and not soldered.

http://www.overclockers.ru/images/lab/2006/04/12/09_u12tube.jpeg

Tuniq Tower has alot more surface to cover heatpipes from beyond.

http://www.overclockers.ru/images/lab/2006/02/06/tube.jpg

TTBT also has great contact area for heat transfer within the pipes

http://www.overclockers.ru/images/lab/2005/09/01/bt/09_bt_tt.jpg

It`s not all about heatpipes count or fins` total area, but heat transfer
Review prooves this

http://www.overclockers.ru/images/lab/2006/04/12/29_diagr_stand.png

I think Tuniq Tower would show even better results

[richnewman]

Pipes just placed between two copper blocks and not soldered.

The Big Typhoon and the Tuniq Tower don't look soldered. How do you tell if they're soldered?

The TTBT doesn't look like it's getting any better contact then the Noctua here:
http://www.overclockercafe.com/Reviews/cooling/Tt_Big_Typhoon/pics/1008.jpg

Tuniq Tower has alot more surface to cover heatpipes from beyond.

Huh? o_O Are you saying the heatpipes have more fins to get rid of the heat they're carrying?

[Cooper]

Huh? o_O Are you saying the heatpipes have more fins to get rid of the heat they're carrying?

No I mean contact with copper block which lies on CPU

TTBT and Tuniq - both have half of pipes contacting with block when Noctua has about half that area (if not less) in contact with copper ;)
See that each pipe of TT and Tuniq is surounded by copper block ? Noctua misses that too.
I`m not saying that it`s bad cooler, but this one surely is a miss in Noctua`s design

[richnewman]

No I mean contact with copper block which lies on CPU

TTBT and Tuniq - both have half of pipes contacting with block when Noctua has about half that area in contact with copper ;)

How do you know? I've been looking at the pictures since you said that, and they look practically the same. The copper block the TTBT and the Noctua have their pipes going into aren't doing the same thing. The copper block is a rectangle. The TTBT has them coming on the short way and the Noctua is coming the long way.

[richnewman]

No I mean contact with copper block which lies on CPU

TTBT and Tuniq - both have half of pipes contacting with block when Noctua has about half that area (if not less) in contact with copper ;)
See that each pipe of TT and Tuniq is surounded by copper block ? Noctua misses that too.

Ahh I see that. That makes sense. Is it possible to like... fill that in? o_O?

[Timmay]

Yeah, because the BT/TT has 1/2 round cut outs on the block so the pipes have more surface area to touch on the pad = better transfer.

[Nullvoid]

In terms of performance I'm pretty sure it goes:

Tuniq > Noctua > Big Typhoon

Check the graph on this (http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&number=11&artpage=1823&articID=419) page for a good summary of many of the top coolers right now (no ultra-120 or infinity).

edit - merging them with hartware's own summary (http://www.hartware.de/review_604_7.html) gives us an overall leaderboard something like this:

1st - Scythe Infinity
2nd - Thermalright Ultra-120
3rd - Tuniq Tower 120
4th Equal - Scythe Ninja & Scythe Miné
6th - Noctua NH-U12
7th - Thermaltake Big Typhoon

[Cooper]

In terms of performance I'm pretty sure it goes:

Tuniq > Noctua > Big Typhoon

Check the graph on this (http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&number=11&artpage=1823&articID=419) page for a good summary of many of the top coolers right now (no ultra-120 or infinity).

Very good find
But imo to test the coolers you must not use case, cos different designs may benefit or show opposite results in closed environment. I`m not questioning the review but this is how things go :)
And to proove that here`s another test chart from same review as it was shown on 2nd post - this time inside the case

http://www.overclockers.ru/images/lab/2006/04/12/28_diagr_case.png

[Timmay]

I have the chance to get BTs everywhere down here, but am waiting 5 weeks for a Tuniq Tower to arrive... I just want something better then a BT and something.... Well Different.

[[TAG]Imp]

why the BT hate?

[Cooper]

Imp']why the BT hate?

Hmm ?

[Shift]

I thought the Noctua beat the TTBT....

[Cooper]

10C diference
I`d say that`s a lot.

[fhpchris]

As I stated above, the board is a DFI NF4 LanParty and I have an AMD 4400 X2 installed on it running at 2361MHz @ 1.5V. I over-volted a bit to ensure those cores heated up real good.

I would say that whoever mounted a BT that badly is a retard.

WOW 2361 MEGAHURTZ!!!! :slapass:

1.5V on my FX60 didnt see temps that high.

Untill someone shows Navig's results are wrong,

TTBT = or > Tower 120.

Tower 120 cannot use 120x38mm fans.

Big typhoon is still the best cooler with a solid 120x38mm fan and real mounting hardware.

[Shift]

The Tower and the TTBT are basically at the same price range.... except that you can find the TTBT cheaper. Also the Tower 120 can't even be found in any e-retailer in the U.S.

I don't even know why every review of the same heatsink all get different results. At bit-tech, they say the Freezer 7 Pro beats the TTB by 1C, so now I'm not even sure which one is better.

I thought the Noctua was better than the Tuniqe, but right now I'd choose between the TTBT, the Scythe Infinity, and the ThermalRight Ultra 120.

[Timmay]

I don't hate the BT, but I don't want something that everyone else has... Besides I like its (Tuniq) style more.

[zakelwe]

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/tuniq-tower120_8.html

Xbit use a controlled test environment and set the ambient heat up to a high 30C so I think that their tests are pretty good. They are also repeatable which also is important.

I actually think that the graph they have done is probably a better fit to how good these coolers are compared to some other reviews I have seen ( where ambient changes ).

Regards

Andy

[Moonraker™]

I can't offer a performance review yet as my rig isn't fully built. But my TT120 has a really really smooth surface. Also, the default paste that comes with it isn't the best, but it's doing my mates XP 4600+ no problems. I've got some AS5 on the way, we'll see how that is.

[richnewman]

All I know is the Noctua looks freaking big and sweet :banana:

But looking at the Conroe records on air, I think I'll go with a Tuniq Tower once I get my hands on one.. Until then, box cooler baby :banana: :P

[xlink]

hey look what was posted...


1st - Scythe Infinity
2nd - Thermalright Ultra-120
3rd - Tuniq Tower 120
4th Equal - Scythe Ninja & Scythe Miné
6th - Noctua NH-U12
7th - Thermaltake Big Typhoon

scythes offical site
http://www.scythe-usa.com/product/cpu/024/scinf1000.html
some of the etailers have it for 52 and 54. I purchased mien from coolerguys just yesterday for 63.20 including shipping and handling(which isn't bad since i normally have a 7.75% CA state sales tax which would have brought it higher)

as fo this moment, I am patiently awaiting it...

[Shift]

All other indications point to the Tuniqe being the air-cooling champion. Also the Tuniqe is at least $10.00 cheaper than the Scythe Infinity. The only bad part is, the Tunique isn't in stock.

[xlink]

there are no direct comparisons of tuniq vs. infinity. if we throw each one out and review it against other things, both some out as champs... the way i see it is, worst case scenario, you end up with the second best by a smal margin...

also, the infinity is supposed to be retailed at 49.99, same as tuniq... I've found the infinitys(wow almost spelt 'infinities', How are you supposed to say infinity plural when it's a product name?) for 52ish so it's not THAT bad... again, after shipping/ handling, I ordered my infinity for less than I could get a tower for... Hoprible price gouging on the towers...

[Laiho]

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/8730/3fz0.png

And my 3200+@2.6Ghz is at 25°C now, sometimes he's at 20/21°C when the ambient temperature is not hot.

And at 1.65/1.7v, it does not exceed 30/32°C, (in idle).

So i think that the Big Typhoon would do better with a big difficulty.

[richnewman]

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/8730/3fz0.png

And my 3200+@2.6Ghz is at 25°C now, sometimes he's at 20/21°C when the ambient temperature is not hot.

And at 1.65/1.7v, it does not exceed 30/32°C, (in idle).

So i think that the Big Typhoon would do better with a big difficulty.

:toast:

I wonder why it seems everybody uses Tuniq Tower in the extreme overclocking section (the ones that OC on air) :shrug:

[Laiho]

Yes...

I forgot to specify it, but i've a Noctua NH-U12 with a Silverstone FM121 120mm.

[richnewman]

Yes...

I forgot to specify it, but i've a Noctua NH-U12 with a Silverstone FM121 120mm.

Hows that thing treating you?

[Laiho]

Which thing ? The Noctua or the Silverstone ? :p

And I am not sure to understand, what you want to say by "treating you" ?

Ps: I usually do not speak English, sorry.

[richnewman]

Which thing ? The Noctua or the Silverstone ? :p

And I am not sure to understand, what you want to say by "treating you" ?

Ps: I usually do not speak English, sorry.

Oh, all right =]

Well I guess I meant both. What's the Silverstone fan? (cfm, etc.)

When I said "hows it treating you?", I meant how well is working. :)

[Laiho]

Ah, ok ok ;)

It's that one:
http://www.mrpower.com.tw/images/SilverStone/fm121-2.jpg

Characteristics:
- 800 ~ 2400rpm
- 110.03 CFM
- Noise level: 17dBA at 800rpm and 39.5dBA at 2400rpm
- 4.8W (Max. 5.4W)

:)

But at the temperatures known as in the preceding post, I used the ventilator at least (800rpm).

[richnewman]

Ah, ok ok ;)

It's that one:
http://www.mrpower.com.tw/images/SilverStone/fm121-2.jpg

Characteristics:
- 800 ~ 2400rpm
- 110.03 CFM
- Noise level: 17dBA at 800rpm and 39.5dBA at 2400rpm
- 4.8W (Max. 5.4W)


Nice. Hows the Nactua working out?

[richnewman]

All other indications point to the Tuniqe being the air-cooling champion. Also the Tuniqe is at least $10.00 cheaper than the Scythe Infinity. The only bad part is, the Tunique isn't in stock.

Yeah.. I guess they're supposed to have them in the middle of September.

[richnewman]

there are no direct comparisons of tuniq vs. infinity. if we throw each one out and review it against other things, both some out as champs... the way i see it is, worst case scenario, you end up with the second best by a smal margin...

also, the infinity is supposed to be retailed at 49.99, same as tuniq... I've found the infinitys(wow almost spelt 'infinities', How are you supposed to say infinity plural when it's a product name?) for 52ish so it's not THAT bad... again, after shipping/ handling, I ordered my infinity for less than I could get a tower for... Hoprible price gouging on the towers...

Too bad, too, that's what I'm looking for :P

Yeah, I can't find the Infinity for $49.99..

[richnewman]

1st - Scythe Infinity
2nd - Thermalright Ultra-120
3rd - Tuniq Tower 120
4th Equal - Scythe Ninja & Scythe Miné
6th - Noctua NH-U12
7th - Thermaltake Big Typhoon

I'd go with:

1st - Scythe Infinity
2nd - Tuniq Tower 120
3rd - Noctua NH-U12
and the rest down there.. who cares.. :P

[Caubecari]

I don't think Scythe Infinity will be stand first place. I'll wait for TT120. I think TT120 is the one in first place.

[OCFX]

Big Typhoon + Silverstone FM121 is not a bad idea too..

[Laiho]

That's true, and the Infinity too... :D