ThermalRight Cooler Review by OPB

[VictorWang]

Part I & II

We have seen so many "heavy duty" coolers since Intel's Core 2 Duo series processor hit the retail market. They are usually marked as "....can be applied up to some serious percentage after overclocking. However, what is the truth behind all those "heavy duty" CPU coolers? The most popular air cooling way of CPU coolers from the moment C2D appeared is so called the "heat pipe cooled" which focus on the low noise level but can reach high efficiency. Such kind of coolers are all over the market currently; from my personal point of view, there are some of them really can reach what they guaranteed from the advertisement and even give you beyond what you expect. Today, we are going to take a serious look on the newest product from Thermalright's improved version of Ultra-120 , "Ultra 120 Extreme".

From the website press release news, we can easily know that this version of cooler is really the one you need if its performance can be just as well as its advertisement. From this point, I am so looking forward to checking out this heat dissipation monster under the Intel's C2D flagship, the quad core extreme qx 6700 processor.. In this short review, I will have have 3 parts of analysis, they are:

Part I, The cooler and mainboards compatibility
Part II, The basic performance monitoring record and the serious heat load bench , (i.e., Orthos for multiplier CPU)
Part III:The efficiency of heat dissipation under 3d gaming. (full loaded)

************************************************** *****************************

now , let's look at the Cooler and its accessories. Note the changes compare with ultra 120 are really necessary not only by the cooler physical functions but also the mounting tools and "the electronic short circuit prevention from the back plate." I believe that you can't see that type of back plate from the utral 120.

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/cooler/u120e.jpg

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/cooler/plates.jpg

** I really like the screw with that type of spring without sticked to the screw, so when install the cooler, you can hold the spring and gentally use your hand screw that into the hold couple turns, and the whole cooler put on the CPU IHS will not out the position it should be.

well,now, we are looking is the bottom finish of U120 extreme. It has been a "must check" when you buy a new cooler. Even though it is not copper type of shinny bottom. However, you won't be disappointed by it's smoothy feeling and
cool looking.

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/cooler/bottom.jpg


Now it's the time to look more details about it. The main improvement from this monster is each side has extra 2 heat pipes compare with Ultra 120 without enlarge its physical size. Basically this change will speed up the heat dissipation from the base

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/cooler/12pipes.jpg

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/cooler/fins.jpg

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/cooler/sidepipes.jpg

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/cooler/sides.jpg


************************************************** ******************************

Now, the next , we are about to get the U120 extreme on the board and see if there any issu regarding installation and imcompatibilities.

Basically, this type of cooler has two orientations to choose from when you install. According to the Thermalright engineer told me, the better performace position of install is just as the picture I show below:


http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/cooler/onboard01.jpg

However, here is a little problem when I try to install HR05 on the P965 chip; from the picture show, you might feel is still has room for that. however, that is before I hook the fan wire clip on. If I hook the clip on, then I have no way to install HR05 on balance of that I965 chip, that would postively damage the ic itself

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/cooler/onboard02.jpg

see that space between them?

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/cooler/probhr0501.jpg

So I end up will place the second choice, Enzotech's pure copper nb cooler instead of the great HR05;)

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/cooler/onboard03.jpg


************************************************** ************************

Next, in order to be fair and accurate, I will show you where I plan to put the prob cable tip of DT200.
I figured there are 4 holes that tip can get in and won't block the socket T retention, meanwhile, the tip is also fairly closed to the place where we want to obtain the temperature.. so I decide it to put the prob tip there, it should be good enough to get temperature accurate.


http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/cooler/dt200prob01.jpg

Then next we need is plug in another k-type of prob cable to measure the ambinent temperature. and here shows about 26.9c for both T1 and T2.

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/cooler/dt200prob02.jpg

now everything is set, my testbed looks like this,

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/cooler/testbed01.jpg

From that p[icture, you might feel weird , yes it is really the P5b deluxe "1.10g", and I have no idea why they did not use right pcb and just use P5b-e Plus pcb,, I did have vmod on this board for VNB, Vdimm, vdroop, as well as Vcore. here you see the the red cable is vNB, green is Vdimm, yellow is UEI DT200 prob cable.:)

************************************************** ********************************************

** Before we get to the result page, here I also use another great and smart product from Thermalright, HR09, HR09 is for Mosfets cooler, I will have detrails introduction these couple days.

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/cooler/hr09su.jpg

installed:

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/cooler/hr09onboard.jpg

************************************************** **********************************************

Now for the performance and temperature monitor, I will do my best to get that under unbias and accurate. my testbed details is as followed:

CPU: Intel Core 2 quad extreme 6700
mainboard: Asus P5b deluxe rev. 1.10g bios 1101
PSU: Silverstone OP 1000W single rail 80a 12v
Hard druve: Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 IDE 100gb
OS: Windows XP sp2
RAM: Team Group pc8500 CL 4
VGA: Geforce MX4000 PCI
CPU cooler: Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme version with Evercool 120mm fan

************************************************** **********************************************

OK, let's begin the bench.

in order to the correctly records, we need to know what the exactly difference between bios and
UEI DT200 readings, so I cleared the CMOS and boot into bios , load the default setting and immediately save out to reboot into bios. I then check the pwm monitor page, the bios shows 28c for both CPU core temp and board temp.

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/piorthos4cores/biostemp01.jpg

The reason I use quad core for bench is because it will give me the max heat load compare with some x6800 is kind of cool and inaccurate. Here is the picture that you can see what I use. And the qx6700 is still in 1.34~1.35v for that, and dt200 reading is up to 31.5 already.:)

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/piorthos4cores/biostemp01.jpg

ok, after that, we make sure the difference is not that great like over 5 c or more, so I decide to add some voltage to desire fist attemp overclocking and also checking in bios again to compare .
Now, you can see is under the bios monitor page, CPU core temp has been up for 35,and DT200 just for 33.9, it is definitely correct because if bios reading is from the sensor IC of CPU area, I know it's from winbond sensor ic.

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/piorthos4cores/biostemp03.jpg

So now, we boot into windows. ALright, Samething every beginging of bench, is calling Super pi out. Now is not the time for play tweaking, so let's just be regularly bench.
here are couple pictures just totally surprising me at the moment when I took it.

Even that low 3.6g for dual super pi running at that low vcore usage, my qx6700 will have at least one error stop and need to reduce to around 8x445 so I can get pass for the 1m~8m. Honestly never dual 32m at that voltage , impossible. Certainly impossible., but look at that
dual pi 1m loaded from the asus prob II, 31c..tell me about that. and the moment immediately get the screen is 25c..wow. actually the more serious jaw dropping results are after pi running ...
here are all the prob II I catched from the moment super pi done for calculation.

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/piorthos4cores/1mfidol.jpg

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/piorthos4cores/1mloaded.jpg

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/piorthos4cores/8mfidol.jpg

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/piorthos4cores/dual32mfidol.jpg

well you might say , hey OPB, and where is the temperature you took from DT 200 during the run.?
Certainly, , Do I need to take the 1m , 8m? of course not.:D
how about the dual 32m , then you can understand that all. It just completely rulesall over.

I already put some notes in order not to forget what was the situation when I took the pictures
sorry about some pictures are not that clear, because I don't wanna use flash to ruin the pictures. and I will also need to took all the meters and monitors so I won't be doubt again say I am cheater:D, I also running the asus prob II for whole spi runnig.

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/piorthos4cores/dual32mtemp01.jpg

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/piorthos4cores/dual32mtemp02.jpg

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/piorthos4cores/dual32mtemp03.jpg

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/piorthos4cores/dual32mtemp04.jpg

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/piorthos4cores/dual32mtemp05.jpg


so now what? anything else? How about the 4 threads Orthos for over 2 hours , from that run, I never seen over 52c for 4 cores loaded 100, I did leave the task manager and resource chart.
Check again for idle temp


http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/piorthos4cores/idletemp.jpg

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/piorthos4cores/orthos10m.jpg

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/piorthos4cores/orthos30m.jpg

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/piorthos4cores/orthos01.jpg

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/piorthos4cores/orthos40m.jpg

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/piorthos4cores/orthos1hr.jpg



http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/piorthos4cores/2hr36morthos

alright, 2 hours .....sleepy..
http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/piorthos4cores/dual32mtemp05.jpg


So how's your feeling about this? not what I wanna seduce you guys, but this cooler just too good to give up.
Previously, I all think about Tunique Tower 120 is the one ever made that good. Well, compare with U120 extreme, Tunique tower 120's performance will not be even closed , I guaranteed you.

I will have follow up for 3d bench by using this and HR09 and 03 plus, please stay tune for further report.


OPB

[naokaji]

nice review of a good performing cooler...

but... anyone found it yet in the uk? if yes, where?

[SLi_dog]

Nice photos :toast:

One thing though, have you got any CoreTemp (http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/) readings while running the Prime95 v25.2 (http://www.mersenne.org/gimps/P95V252.ZIP) "Small FFT" test for 10 minutes?

Also, if you've still got your Tuniq Tower could you do a direct comparison?

Thanks :)

[kemo]

Nice review by OPB
Thanks for sharing Victor

[LuckyNV]

nice review of a good performing cooler...

but... anyone found it yet in the uk? if yes, where?

instock here

http://www.candccentral.co.uk/acatalog/Thermalright.html#aU_2d120_2dE

QuietPC had some, but all sold out within 2hrs.

[barzi]

Nice photos :toast:

One thing though, have you got any CoreTemp (http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/) readings while running the Prime95 v25.2 (http://www.mersenne.org/gimps/P95V252.ZIP) "Small FFT" test for 10 minutes?

Also, if you've still got your Tuniq Tower could you do a direct comparison?

Thanks :)

please do that :rolleyes:

[naokaji]

instock here

http://www.candccentral.co.uk/acatalog/Thermalright.html#aU_2d120_2dE

QuietPC had some, but all sold out within 2hrs.

thx a lot

[ineedaname]

Nice job victor.

That is some crazy air cooling temps for QC.

Like wut they said it would b nice to see some core temp measurements.

[DStealth]

27*C ambient
http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/cooler/dt200prob02.jpg

24* idle after 32m Quadcore@3600mhz
http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/piorthos4cores/dual32mfidol.jpg
and 25*
http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/piorthos4cores/idletemp.jpg


Are you kidding with us:confused:
Don't wanna start flame war , don't get me wrong, but come on, you just made a f@cking "Perpetuum mobile" disrupting ~100-150w with lowering its own temperatures i.e negative C/W :)

BTW nice pictures Andre with eos 5d and nikon d50, are you a photographer ?

[speedfreak86]

Looks to me like the temp probe reading ambient in his later pictures shows right around 25 degrees.

[Praz]

Looks to me like the temp probe reading ambient in his later pictures shows right around 25 degrees.
You're right. The first pic just shows that both probes are reading the same temperatures. It's not much of a leap to realize that the other pics were shot at a different time.

[DStealth]

PLS the picture with 27* iis taken at 22.05h ,as i know that's not the hottest time of the day :)
Even @ 25* ambient - 24* after 32M superPI and 25* in all other 4-5 pictures are pure lie with AIR cooler!
Shamino tested Apogee GT and Apogee paired with
pump is a Laing 12V D5 Vario Pump 1/2". Delivery height is 3.7M, Flow Rate is 1500L/h; dual 120mm Heatercore Style Radiator, fitted with 2 x 120mm fans
And his lapped qx6700@3600mhz is idling at 38-39 * with 26* ambient temps :p:
http://www.vr-zone.com/?i=4476&s=4


I also had all top air coolers and water cooling with some c2duos and these temps OBP i giving to us, are insane even with top WATER cooler and core duo, not quad, with such an ambient temperatures.;)

[biohead]

indeed, common sense tells me they're about 10 degrees off

[Speederlander]

These temps, especially the prime on that quad (1.4v quad nonetheless) seem too low, even for this heatsink. 47C load after 2 hours prime on OC'd quad? The best of the best water would be hard pressed to do that...

I run an enzo ultra-x (a good heatsink) with coolabs liquid crud and that 78mm delta fan. With that fan running full out 220 CFM, I pull at BEST, 39C idle and mid to high 60's load under small fft prime. My heatsink seating is solid and my ambients are equivalent. And I have only 1.3625 vcore, not the 1.4 vcore in this review.

[Speederlander]

You're right. The first pic just shows that both probes are reading the same temperatures. It's not much of a leap to realize that the other pics were shot at a different time.

No way air is giving those temps on an OC'd/Overvolted quad.

[DStealth]

These temps, especially the prime on that quad (1.4v quad nonetheless) seem too low, even for this heatsink. 47C load after 2 hours prime on OC'd quad? The best of the best water would be hard pressed to do that...

I run an enzo ultra-x (a good heatsink) with coolabs liquid crud and that 78mm delta fan. With that fan running full out 220 CFM, I pull at BEST, 39C idle and mid to high 60's load under small fft prime. My heatsink seating is solid and my ambients are equivalent. And I have only 1.3625 vcore, not the 1.4 vcore in this review.

If you look deeper in Orthos pictures with 46-47* load temperatures, 1.42v is under load,that responds something like you set 1.5-1.525v/depends on vdop/ in bios, if your MB have no mods ;)
:slapass:

[Speederlander]

If you look deeper in Orthos pictures with 46-47* load temperatures, 1.42v is under load,that responds something like you set 1.5-1.525v/depends on vdop/ in bios, if your MB have no mods ;)
:slapass:

Yeah, look at this guy running duo (not quad) with same heatsink:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=143203

Those are temps more in line with what you expect from the "best" air cooling.

[Supertim0r]

most Asus mobo can't read quad core temperature properly
using coretemp, it should probably read 60-75c

[Nosfer@tu]

No way air is giving those temps on an OC'd/Overvolted quad.

agreed, dont even se why this is posted?
It gives a fauls impression of the product I think.

[erwinz]

very detail review OPB.. :)

thanks for sharing Victor.. :)

[ineedaname]

so in the end did the hr-09 S fit on the top mosfets???

There really wasn't a picture of it installed on the top mosfets.

[Speederlander]

so in the end did the hr-09 S fit on the top mosfets???

There really wasn't a picture of it installed on the top mosfets.

Yes there is, go back and look again. Though no comment about how solid that fit is.

[syne_24]

It can't be right for 24-25C idle @ 3.6 on quad with air cooling. Unless ambient is way below that or only need like <1v @ 3.6 and that would be one amazing chip! I'm having trouble keeping my Q6600 37-39C idle on high end water. I would like to see what core temp reads; asus probe must be way off.

[ineedaname]

Yes there is, go back and look again. Though no comment about how solid that fit is.

No there isn't...

i said the TOP mosfets.

He had 2 hr-09's and there was only 1 installed.

[erwinz]

really :woot: @ OPB.. really brave and confident.. :)

*I think one reason for such low temperature.. is.. :D

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/qx6700rihs03.jpg

[agenda2005]

Dang! that's CPU PRON at is best.
I just got a Q6600 that heat up really bad. 73C 73C 68C 68C temps with ORTHO running all 4 cores. I might have to mail it to Freecableguy for some Naked goodness.

[dinos22]

why did he run LargeFFTs :confused:

cooler is pretty good in any case :clap: :clap:

it's the first time i've seen anyone have all cores loaded with dual orthos on a quad core CPU

[dinos22]

really :woot: @ OPB.. really brave and confident.. :)

*I think one reason for such low temperature.. is.. :D

[IMG]http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/qx6700rihs03.jpg

i think he used the IHS as i don't think he would have been able to mount the cooler otherwise

http://www.opbcorner.com/HWbench/tru120e/u120e/cooler/dt200prob01.jpg

[Revv23]

^why couldnt he have mounted it?

It's a pressure mount setup so i dont see any issues once you get rid of the hold-down bracket.

[Speederlander]

really :woot: @ OPB.. really brave and confident.. :)

*I think one reason for such low temperature.. is.. :D

No, his temps are still wildly off. Removing the IHS gets people mixed results, a few degrees at most. I almost tried it myself but after researching all the attempts of others and seeing tiny temp improvements, I decided to skip it.

[Speederlander]

No there isn't...

i said the TOP mosfets.

He had 2 hr-09's and there was only 1 installed.

Aight, you're right. :)

[VIctorj]

Whats that NB cooler?

[dinos22]

^why couldnt he have mounted it?

It's a pressure mount setup so i dont see any issues once you get rid of the hold-down bracket.

that is my point

he was using the hold down bracket there

but it would work if you remove it of course

the thing is i am only going off info supplied in this thread so you need to keep that in mind........i am not debating if it is possible or not.....................