Review: Gigabyte G-Power 2 PRO

[KTE]

Thanks for the review.

Interesting design... does the heatsink actually become really hot with trapped hot air, as in starved for air?
Have you tried adding another fan nearby in various configs to see if that helps or detriments in cooling performance under load?
Do you have a pic or two of it mounted on your board?

BTW those DTS are obviously very faulty, reading ambient is -20C minimum real at 1.5V. Actual temps of core or IHS at 1.5V on any modern CPU will be flying sky high on best ac, plus 80C. But nevertheless maintaining a delta of -10C from the BT is quite good. What's the delta between the two at say 1.4V at similar MHz?

I know I'd never run 1.5V on air 24/7, not even 1.45V because of the load temps nearing the limit. 1.4V seems fine though.

[alexio]

Thanks for the review.

Interesting design... does the heatsink actually become really hot with trapped hot air, as in starved for air?
Have you tried adding another fan nearby in various configs to see if that helps or detriments in cooling performance under load?

I haven't tested these scenerios. The coolers both received a moderate amount of airflow in this test and I suspect adding more fans would maybe results in 1 -2C lower loads. Without any airflow the Big Typhoon held 3-4C higher loads than with it. I expect roughly the same results would be obtained with the G-Power.

BTW those DTS are obviously very faulty, reading ambient is -20C minimum real at 1.5V.

The temperature in my room was 17.5C (measured with 3 thermometers) and right above the coolers it was roughly 1.5C higher = 19C.

Actual temps of core or IHS at 1.5V on any modern CPU will be flying sky high on best ac, plus 80C. But nevertheless maintaining a delta of -10C from the BT is quite good.

If at these settings and with this room temperature the E6600 would be running 80C+ then the stock Intel cooler wouldn't be able to keep the CPU cool enough at stock in a hot country. That's what logic tells me

What's the delta between the two at say 1.4V at similar MHz?

I only tested 1.5V as quads are becomming the norm for testing high-end coolers and the E6600 is only dual-core. I'll test 3200mhz 1.4v for you but just with the G-Power. I don't feel like swapping the coolers again.

I know I'd never run 1.5V on air 24/7, not even 1.45V because of the load temps nearing the limit. 1.4V seems fine though.

1.5v is fine in a cool room IMHO. You just have to dare to tighten those nuts far enough

[KTE]

Thanks for the pics... it looks massive

If at these settings and with this room temperature the E6600 would be running 80C+ then the stock Intel cooler wouldn't be able to keep the CPU cool enough at stock in a hot country. That's what logic tells me

You're right, it won't.
No way in an office environment or in summer for many people. When I go on medical charity work in Africa/Middle East/South Asia/South America, systems like that will be fried dead inside a day there on stock cooler even at stock MHz (especially quads). I don't carry an AC around for them

I only tested 1.5V as quads are becomming the norm for testing high-end coolers and the E6600 is only dual-core. I'll test 3200mhz 1.4v for you but just with the G-Power. I don't feel like swapping the coolers again.

I agree, my only reason to ask was so I can compare with 3 air coolers I have (can run that TDP) and having the same MB available here (which BIOS are you using BTW?).
If, if, say your starting voltage was, 1.23V for 2400MHz B2 60.1°C TCASE_MAX @ 65W, then:

New TDP = 65*((3600/2400)*(1.5²/1.23²))
= ~145W

1.5v is fine in a cool room IMHO. You just have to dare to tighten those nuts far enough

I tried 1.368V with my Q6600 G0 running Linpack 32b with a typical TT120 inside a case under a desk, with a loud delta 152CFM 120mm, with 24°C ambient room and 34°C ambient heatsink temps... it throttled under 80 seconds going to 92°C. TAT had it go over 100°C and shutdown
With air cooling, it doesn't matter what's underneath it as long as the heatspreader and TIM exchange material is sufficient but what the TDP to be removed is. That above G0 was at 176W.

[MrHydes]

first time i've ever seen this cooler... and i know it isn't quite a recent cooler.

looks good and not bad at all performing.

Nice work alexio cheers mate