Copper TRUE compared to TRUE, IFX-14, 1284EE

[Vapor]

Finally ready to start putting up some numbers.....and there are a lot of numbers to be put up :p:

Let's run down what I tested and how I tested:

I have two different CPUs for testing, an extremely hot running E6700 and a very hot running QX6700. I was spending a lot of testing time up at TjMax on both processors....and one of the HSFs couldn't even hold my E6700 at or below TjMax with the lowest fan speed (though it was still totally stable....just the temperature data was useless). I ran the E6700 at 3555MHz (395x9) at 1.56v loaded on a Blitz Extreme. I ran the QX6700 at 3160 (395x8) at 1.46v loaded on the same Blitz Extreme. When swapping processors, only two BIOS settings were changed: multiplier and voltage. This was for simplicity....neither CPU is anywhere near maxxed out for being Prime/OCCT stable at these clocks, I just wanted to consistently create a lot of heat and have it run regardless of the temps it was enduring. On request, I can list more complete BIOS settings....I am, admittedly, pushing on the northbridge pretty hard (200 strap and 1.74v for starters), but it shouldn't affect results.

I used OCCT to load and record temperatures....it was getting essentially identical load temps and temperature outputs to a manual test of Prime95 + CoreTemp, but it's fully automatic and repeatable, and therefore more desirable for this kind of testing. Linpack was not used because, well, it was too hot--most of the time it would go over TjMax in no time at all (making all data useless), and sometimes it would crash (never fun). I suppose the next batch I can use Linpack implemented via OCCT 3.0b and use some lower clocks/voltages :shrug:

I have four HSFs here to test: a new Copper TRUE, an older TRUE which I have already lapped (amateurishly....just to rid it of its poor stock base), an older unlapped IFX-14 (the backside cooler was not used in this test, it doesn't do much in my experience though), and a new Xigmatek 1284EE with stock push-pin mounting and the "Crossbow" hard mounting.

On each set up, I tested 8 fan setups: 1) single Noctua P12 (1300RPM), 2) dual Noctua P12s, 3) single S-Flex F (1600RPM), 4) dual S-Flex Fs, 5) single Ultra Kaze 2000 (2000RPM), 6) dual Ultra Kaze 2000s, 7) single Panaflo U1A (2750RPM), and 8) dual Panaflo U1As.

Each test was repeated on two separate mounts and the data has been averaged. I really wanted to do three or more, but considering how much time two took, three was out of the question for my sanity, let alone more than three. Intake ambient temps were taken throughout testing and used to calculate deltas. I tried to maintain them between 23-24.5C for all testing to minimize the amount of error incurred by varying ambients.

I also did a few modifications of the HSFs, and are noted when appropriate. Here's a summation of notation:
Lapping1 = amateurish lapping job.
Lapping2 = a nice lapping job (mirror finish).
Lapping3 = significant base material removed and then lapped to a mirror finish.
Hi-Pres = washers or duct tape were used to increase mounting pressure significantly.

I've graphed four different sets of data extracted from the same tests: average sustained load, peak sustained load, average short load, and peak short load.

Average sustained load is the average of dTs over the span of 0:20 and 10:00 of the OCCT load.

Peak sustained load is the maximum delta between the span of 0:20 and 10:00 of the OCCT load (any core of the 2 or 4).

Average short load is the average of dTs over the span of 0:00 and 1:00 of the OCCT load.

Peak short load is the maximum delta between the span of 0:00 and 1:00 on any core of the OCCT load.

Some notes:
1) E6700 is lapped to a mirror shine, QX6700 is not lapped at all.

2) Pushpin 1284EE was not run on the QX6700 because one of the pushpins refused to maintain pressure that far along into the testing. I'm actually a big fan of pushpins--easy to mount (takes 5 seconds for any HSF), but these were amazingly low quality. I've enjoyed using pushpins from Intel and Scythe and Thermaltake sinks, but these were just bad, I can see why people have wanted to upgrade to the Crossbow.

3) Lapped 1284EE was not run on the E6700 because it performed worse than stock on the QX6700 and I didn't waste my time since it already performed so poorly on the E6700. Sorry (well, not really).

4) I really want to take my regular TRUE's baseplate down to within a millimeter or two of the heatpipes, but after a long, long time lapping just to get to "Lapping3" I felt it was unpractical to such significant time for so small of a potential gain.

5) All HSFs were bought via retail channels, none of the manufacturers know who I am, let alone arranged a review with me--hopefully these results are fully indicative of what you can expect from retail product.

6) My tests are just one set of results and while I've put a lot of effort into ensuring the quality of the data--it doesn't make other legitimate results any less valid, even if they disagree.

7) My main direction in this review isn't to find what is "best" but rather what is most useful in certain situations.

8) Ceramique was used and allowed no curing time. Upon removal, all mounts were considered at least "good" based on visual inspection. For the
'normal' HSFs, I used a dot in the center and for the HDT, I used a line perpendicular to the heatpipes.

9) All single fan configs were in pull (and the IFX-14 had the fan in the center) while all dual fan configs were in push/pull (with the IFX-14's fans in the center and the 'far' end of the airflow).

...So how about some results? :)

Sustained load tests first:
E6700 395x9 1.56v loaded, averages
http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/8431/esustainedavgdj6.png

E6700 395x9 1.56v loaded, peak deltas
http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/8519/esustainedpeakba3.png

QX6700 395x8 1.46v loaded, averages
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/8589/qxsustainedavgkz1.png

QX6700 395x8 1.46v loaded, peak deltas
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/6269/qxsustainedpeakjp0.png


Short load tests:
E6700 395x9 1.56v loaded, averages
http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/6769/eshortavgct4.png

E6700 395x9 1.56v loaded, peak deltas
http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/9209/eshortpeakzr4.png

QX6700 395x8 1.46v loaded, averages
http://img361.imageshack.us/img361/7065/qxshortavgqg9.png

QX6700 395x8 1.46v loaded, peak deltas
http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/3559/qxshortpeakec0.png

[philbrown23]

what program are you using to make those graphs??? I have a p[roject and need to make graphs just like that and cannot find anything.

[Vapor]

Excel 2008 :)

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/8794/picture1ht5.png

[jdmR]

oh wow, i thought the 1284 was sposed to be better with the new revision

[Ar3s]

So you will still go for the S-flex for performance / noise ratio ? I see its performance but only you would know the noise level on these heatsinks. I definately know the 2000 rpm fans weren't quiet.

[philbrown23]

wow all that on excell???I have excell for windows and just cant seem to make one like that

[[XC] 4X4N]

Wow, nice job Vapor :toast: It looks like just as with the regular TRUE, the copper TRUE benefits greatly from lapping. Which make me question again, why the hell don't they come that way?

[Vapor]

oh wow, i thought the 1284 was sposed to be better with the new revisionThe 1284EE is better than the 1284 from everything I've seen. It didn't fair well on my E6700, but did well on my QX6700. Not sure what caused it--higher power density, dual core, or being lapped. Could be something else entirely--isolating the variables to figure out the exact cause isn't as easy as it sounds :(


So you will still go for the S-flex for performance / noise ratio ? I see its performance but only you would know the noise level on these heatsinks. I definately know the 2000 rpm fans weren't quiet.I'd probably go with dual 1300RPM fans on any/all of the heatsinks. I'm curious what dual 1000RPM would do though. Anything more than an S-Flex F was too much for me to handle for a 24/7 setting--that's just my personal taste though.


wow all that on excell???I have excell for windows and just cant seem to make one like thatIt took some tinkering to get these graphs...maybe 2007 can do it as well? I haven't used that in awhile, can't say I remember.


4X4N;3460703']Wow, nice job Vapor :toast: It looks like just as with the regular TRUE, the copper TRUE benefits greatly from lapping. Which make me question again, why the hell don't they come that way?The TRUECu definitely benefited from lapping! Unfortunately I can't unlap my TRUE, otherwise that'd be thrown into the mix as well. I remember being astonished at the temp drops when I lapped it though :devil:

More graphs on the way in the coming posts so it's easier to read and compare certain pairings of HSFs :)

[Vapor]

Here's a 'zoom-in' of the Thermalright HSFs with just a basic lapping job and no pressure mounting :)

E6700 Sustained Average
http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/2778/esusavghh9.png

E6700 Sustained Peak
http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/385/esuspkrj5.png

E6700 Short Average
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/5766/eshortavgvc9.png

E6700 Short Pk
http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/4051/eshortpkww9.png

QX6700 Sustained Average
http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/7571/qxsusavgad4.png

QX6700 Sustained Peak
http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/1543/qxsuspkty4.png

QX6700 Short Average
http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/111/qxshortavgzw0.png

QX6700 Short Peak
http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/9306/qxshortpkkb9.png

[Vapor]

Here's a 'zoom-in' of the stock configured HSFs :)

E6700 Sustained Average
http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/9028/esusavgdy9.png

E6700 Sustained Peak
http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/22/esuspkps3.png

E6700 Short Average
http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/5808/eshavgqo9.png

E6700 Short Pk
http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/2350/eshpktf4.png

QX6700 Sustained Average
http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/6842/qxsusavgkt2.png

QX6700 Sustained Peak
http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/4395/qxsuspknt8.png

QX6700 Short Average
http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/2862/qxshavgzp1.png

QX6700 Short Peak
http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/9180/qxshpkpt4.png

[Vapor]

Here's a 'zoom-in' graph with each HSF tuned as best as I tested :)


E6700 Sustained Average
http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/5854/esusavgcu8.png

E6700 Sustained Peak
http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/5057/esuspkna1.png

E6700 Short Average
http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/3807/eshavgnv4.png

E6700 Short Pk
http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/4812/eshpkom2.png

QX6700 Sustained Average
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/5350/qxsusavgfk0.png

QX6700 Sustained Peak
http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/4343/qxsuspkjj6.png

QX6700 Short Average
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/2378/qxshavgpu0.png

QX6700 Short Peak
http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/2788/qxshpkqy4.png

[Vapor]

Here's a 'zoom-in' graph of all the TRUE-based results (TRUE and TRUECu) that I tested :)


E6700 Sustained Average
http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/6264/esusavgvt1.png

E6700 Sustained Peak
http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/8150/esuspkdl2.png

E6700 Short Average
http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/9092/eshavgcn1.png

E6700 Short Pk
http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/3350/eshpkuc8.png

QX6700 Sustained Average
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/1606/qxsusavgoe6.png

QX6700 Sustained Peak
http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/3694/qxsuspkjq5.png

QX6700 Short Average
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/2720/qxshavgzm9.png

QX6700 Short Peak
http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/9347/qxshpkll8.png

[Vapor]

Just noticed a typo in some of the QX6700 Sustained load graphs! "Lapped2 Hi-Pres TRUE" should really be "Lapped3 Hi-Pres TRUE"

I originally had Lapped1, Lapped1.5, Lapped2 as the three designations...but switched that to Lapped, Lapped2, Lapped3 sometime yesterday. Guess I forgot to update both the .xlsx files, oops :eek:

Lapped2 Hi-Pres TRUE doesn't exist anyway, so it shouldn't be that worrisome :p:

[tiro_uspsss]

soooo.. all things being equal, TRUE-Cu kicks ass? :D

[Retro]

soooo.. all things being equal, TRUE-Cu kicks ass? :D
Of course they do, it's 4 1/2 pounds of copper heat-grabbing goodness:cool:
Vapor's extensive testing in this excellent review confirms this heatsink's abilities, and as he mentioned, it does benefit from lapping.
Yes,they are expensive, and way too heavy for safe vertical use without additional support, but I admire Thermalright for bringing it out. And I have a strange lust for one myself:D

How is your TRUE-Cu doing? Are you pleased with it overall?
A shame about that rust on the bracket but it looks easy enough to clean off.

[ThugsRook]

information overload! :eek:

great work, as always :up:

[tiro_uspsss]

How is your TRUE-Cu doing? Are you pleased with it overall?
A shame about that rust on the bracket but it looks easy enough to clean off.

I dont really care about the bracket - the scratches on the HS itself however.. :shakes: :down: - i'll be trying to buff them out sometime this week hopefully :(

[Vapor]

Here are the core/heatpipe orientations I tested with the 1284EE:

E6700:
http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/3893/conroe1284ayv8.png

QX6700:
http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/4205/kents1284asz0.png


I'll try the following two orientations this upcoming week as well as a bunch of other things :D :D

E6700:
http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/8973/conroe1284bze9.png

QX6700:
http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/9210/kents1284beh9.png

[demonkevy666]

adding this together with two 4870 x2 must make one heavy computer. hehe

[HDCHOPPER]

thanks for the graphs Vapor !! eye usta be a system's analyst nice work:up:

am haveing a little trouble with em tho being blue green color blind:rofl:

[chuck4456]

It's not worth 105 bucks.

[silverphoenix]

Interesting that the High Pressure benefits the TrueCu on the E67 but not the Q67

[Vapor]

I didn't test a high pressure mount on the TRUECu and QX6700? I ran out of time and didn't get to it before I had to go out of town :(

[silverphoenix]

I didn't test a high pressure mount on the TRUECu and QX6700? I ran out of time and didn't get to it before I had to go out of town :(

Oh woops now it makes more sense lol

[emoners]

very nice Vapor! deserves to be another sticky! :up:

[luie]

Excellent review :up:

[Morais]

agree, took some time to read it all and worth it

[Migi06]

Really good review. Just wondering how IFX-14 would perform against T.R.U.E with 600rpm fans. Like IFX-14 with 3*600rpm fans VS T.R.U.E 2*600rpm fans... Someone said T.R.U.E isnt good with low speed fans..

This review shows that IFX-14 is best silent cpu cooler: http://66.196.80.202/babelfish/translate_url_content?.intl=fi&lp=de_en&trurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.silenthardware.de%2freviews %2fcpu%2fthermalright_ifx_14%2fkuhlercharts_silent _fanless%2findex.html

[Metroid]

After seen these graphs and details. I must admit Dr. Vapor would suit him better. There is one thing missing (the final verdict).

Good job regardless,

[Vapor]

Final verdict? I love it as a benching heatsink :D Its weight is sufficient to run it without any mounting hardware as well when doing a windows install or w/e, just as long as you keep the system flat....otherwise it'll slide/twist around :( Maybe they should make a pushpin bracket for easy installation, just strictly for horizontal uses only :p:

TRUE is going back into my regular system, IFX-14 into my HTPC I'm building (or maybe something else will...;):wasntme:), and the 1284EE is going back on the sideline I suppose. :shrug:

[FuriousSalesman]

Is there any way to make it work vertically? I just ended my water cooling system, and I am going the air cooling route.

When I was water cooling there were a few waterblocks that had high pressure mounts. For example, the pro-mount for the D-tek Fuzion V1. I think many tightened the mount all the way. I have no idea what the resulting pressure was, but I am sure it was a lot.

I know that water blocks have a lower profile than any air cooling setup. What are the exact dangers of running the TRUE Cu vertically? Is the height of the TRUE leaning or leveraging on the cpu going to cause damage?

After looking at how the hold down mechanism works for the true, Is it possible to but blue tac or kneadatite between the bracket and the top of the TRUE Cu to keep it from sliding. I know it sounds ridiculous.

[tiro_uspsss]

Is there any way to make it work vertically? I just ended my water cooling system, and I am going the air cooling route.

When I was water cooling there were a few waterblocks that had high pressure mounts. For example, the pro-mount for the D-tek Fuzion V1. I think many tightened the mount all the way. I have no idea what the resulting pressure was, but I am sure it was a lot.

I know that water blocks have a lower profile than any air cooling setup. What are the exact dangers of running the TRUE Cu vertically? Is the height of the TRUE leaning or leveraging on the cpu going to cause damage?

After looking at how the hold down mechanism works for the true, Is it possible to but blue tac or kneadatite between the bracket and the top of the TRUE Cu to keep it from sliding. I know it sounds ridiculous.

check out my sig :D it might help ;)

[FuriousSalesman]

I don't think I am that extreme.

[Metroid]

I don't think I am that extreme.

I placed it vertically on my Cosmos RC-1000 case. Do I care about long term motherboard issues?

Answer: no

I doubt I will keep this Asus P6T Deluxe running longer than 3 years anyway.

[FuriousSalesman]

I placed it vertically on my Cosmos RC-1000 case. Do I care about long term motherboard issues?

Answer: no

I doubt I will keep this Asus P6T Deluxe running longer than 3 years anyway.

I get spooked real easy when there is a chance of damage when using a certain product.

I know that motherboards are pretty strong. I had to take the backplate off a d-tek fuzion pro-mount by hand, the mother board held.

The motherboard is going to firmly mounted to the mobo tray standoffs. With the amount of heat pipes for the NB and SB should make the board more rigid.

You know, in my completely uneducated, unscientific thought process, I think it will work.

I think I will still use 2 part epoxy the mount to the TRUE.

[dal1en]

looks good

[Migi06]

Final verdict? I love it as a benching heatsink :D Its weight is sufficient to run it without any mounting hardware as well when doing a windows install or w/e, just as long as you keep the system flat....otherwise it'll slide/twist around :( Maybe they should make a pushpin bracket for easy installation, just strictly for horizontal uses only :p:

TRUE is going back into my regular system, IFX-14 into my HTPC I'm building (or maybe something else will...;):wasntme:), and the 1284EE is going back on the sideline I suppose. :shrug:

So you are saing IFX-14 is better for low speed fans? :)

I did own T.R.U.E but was disapointing results with two 720 rpm YateLoon fans (it just need more speed). And T.R.U.E base was just uber convace and I did lapped it but results was about 1 or 2 degrees. I have Q6600.
With disapointing results I did sell it and stronly going to water cooling or just get IFX-14(Better than HR1-plus)

Sorry metroid but if you want good aircooling then you need better case than cosmos its uber :banana::banana::banana::banana: without modding. It will need MUCH better intake to get good temps with aircooling and best way is get door out and put to front one 120mm intake fan.

[Metroid]

Sorry metroid but if you want good aircooling then you need better case than cosmos its uber :banana::banana::banana::banana: without modding. It will need MUCH better intake to get good temps with aircooling and best way is get door out and put to front one 120mm intake fan.

The cosmos is good enough. I have 3 intake fans [2 fans 120x25 top and 1 back]. The cosmos is good for people like me who prefers a low noise output than the temperature output. The Cosmos RC-1000 makes your louder PC quieter. It is all that I need.

[Migi06]

Metroid I know its good but have some little problems. I did have cosmos and its quiet but need lots of work to make extreme silence. My noisiest part was Enermax modu psu at that time.. :) I´m those people who like quitness too ;)

[Metroid]

Metroid I know its good but have some little problems. I did have cosmos and its quiet but need lots of work to make extreme silence. My noisiest part was Enermax modu psu at that time.. :) I´m those people who like quitness too ;)

You are right it has some little problems but I can live with that. There are 2 things to why I have chosen the Cosmos RC-1000 over the Cosmos S 1100 and many other cases.

First: Quieter.
Second: Dust free and big space.

Probably with some mods this case could become a winner choice.

[surdanis]

I am planning on getting the IFX-14 with 3 fans with a very high CFM (possibly up to 252). I feel that this setup can be the one to beat on air. Thoughts? I haven't seen a 3-fan review yet :(

[Migi06]

I am planning on getting the IFX-14 with 3 fans with a very high CFM (possibly up to 252). I feel that this setup can be the one to beat on air. Thoughts? I haven't seen a 3-fan review yet :(

There:
http://www.www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/thermalright-ifx14_10.html#sect0

[Vapor]

I am planning on getting the IFX-14 with 3 fans with a very high CFM (possibly up to 252). I feel that this setup can be the one to beat on air. Thoughts? I haven't seen a 3-fan review yet :(A single 2750RPM fan always beat dual 2750RPM fans in my tests....there's more to this than just raw airflow. And if you look at general airflow scaling, you'll see none of these coolers really benefit from insane amounts of airflow.

[gatecrasherlok]

I love my TRUE black edition. When you have sufficient case cooling alongside it really does make me feel proud. Only had a zalman cnpt9700 nt to compare with really (which did do a good job, and thats a good few years and cpu generations. However when I recently slapped on a true I was blown away. It had cut my temps down idle by 5-7 degrees. Then cpu at full load with prime @4+ hours only sees me reading 54 degrees max on real temp. I'll post my setup sometime on these forums. Just gotta get my hands on a camera :)

[Vapor]

In the next week I should have 3-5 more coolers tested :)

S1283, Orochi, HR-01+ and two secrets :p:

Then I move on to some more serious testing :)

[tiro_uspsss]

In the next week I should have 3-5 more coolers tested :)

S1283, Orochi, HR-01+ and two secrets :p:

Then I move on to some more serious testing :)

oo orochi & '2 secrets' - i'm very interested! :D :up:

[ThugsRook]

two secrets :p:
i hope one of them is a Noctua C12P :cool:

[Vapor]

I can tell you about the S1283 with a hardmount :lol:

Losing to the S1284EE on the dual core....yes, the S1284EE that wouldn't pass with a single 1300RPM fan on the dual core. Well the S1283 won't pass with a single 1300RPM, dual 1300RPM, or single 1600RPM :rolleyes:

Neither secrets are Noctua products...or Thermalright, or HDT anything, or Thermaltake, or Scythe, or...well, you could just run down the list I suppose :p:

EDIT: and I'm in the USA, so that eliminates the Danamics thing.

EDIT2: FWIW, I have the S1283 mounted as such:
http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/760/conroe1283ain8.png

EDIT3: Mount quality was abysmal, data scratched :)

[Migi06]

Then they are coolermasters v10 and v12 :P

[Vapor]

Getting colder :p:

[ex2cib]

hmmm, i wonder if i know what one of them are? :confused:


since i've heard you mention something that hasn't appeared in any of your tests yet. ;)

[Metroid]

Vapor, It looks like a single Noctua is better for me.

True Copper lapped:

4:00 to 4:41 Dual Noctua 1300RPM 54 CFM

4:42 to 5:02 Single Noctua 1300RPM 54 CFM

Interesting,

[Vapor]

Not every Prime test has the same amount of load. If you can....try IBT or specific repeatable tests (of Prime, or OCCT, or really anything that's repeatable) and try to monitor ambients somewhat as well :)

Anyway, it looks like your max temps came during the single Noctua timeframe?

[Metroid]

Not every Prime test has the same amount of load. If you can....try IBT or specific repeatable tests (of Prime, or OCCT, or really anything that's repeatable) and try to monitor ambients somewhat as well :)

Anyway, it looks like your max temps came during the single Noctua timeframe?

Yes and no.

4:42: single Noctua which took some time for the temps to come down.

It is like you said it is hard to figure it out. I found the 4K to 16k the hardest to contain the heat.

Thanks I will do it.

[Migi06]

Getting colder :p:

Then I hope you test cheaper options like artic cooling extreme wich is extreme cheap compared to TRUE.. 25euros :D

And other options can be peltier stuff and maybe some watercooling results..

[Vapor]

Too many low cost options out there for me to test....I'll let others test them to show they suck. Other than the 1284EE on my QX6700, the Xigmateks were largely a disappointment for me.

Here in the USA, the AC Extreme is ~$50 after shipping, the TRUE is like ~$55 at a couple places IIRC. AC Extreme has a proprietary fan attachment too....its really only meant to work with the included fan.

[demonkevy666]

Then I hope you test cheaper options like artic cooling extreme wich is extreme cheap compared to TRUE.. 25euros :D

And other options can be peltier stuff and maybe some watercooling results..

I would like to see, Sunbeam CCF and SilneX 120.

I'm not using stock fan on my CCF.