Updates Concerning the Xigmatek Achillies

[RealTelstar]

Considering the number of fans out there, why use the Ultra Kaze 3000? That thing operates at such a high RPM and has such a massive static pressure envelope that it would make even a lackluster cooler look like a champ.

Because has been tested with the TRUE already and I'm curious how the other top coolers will do with such a fan.
A comparison with a high speed fan is needed imo. There's people out there that are not obsessed about silent PCs. If somebody goes air, can also enjoy the woosh

[SKYMTL]

Because has been tested with the TRUE already and I'm curious how the other top coolers will do with such a fan.
A comparison with a high speed fan is needed imo. There's people out there that are not obsessed about silent PCs. If somebody goes air, can also enjoy the woosh

I am half deaf and I find the noise put out by the Ultra Kaze 3000 is on the high side. IMO, I like seeing reviews with a more "mundane" fan profile of 1200-2000rpm. I also think it is important to test with the included fan (if there is one) as well as doing tests with the same fan across the board.

The fact of the matter is that most people who buy a cooler will never change out the stock fan. So while testing with the same fan across the board plays up each unit's comparison to the next across a level playing field, I think stock vs stock is also an important benchmark. Heck, I have yet to even THINK about changing the fan on my ages-old AC Freezer 64 Pro and I probably never will.

[Kopi]

I have to agree, although, I like seeing reviews where multiple fans are used to show performance comparisons at whatever level you may be aiming for. Be it silence, or high performance.

[Tulatin]

Considering the number of fans out there, why use the Ultra Kaze 3000? That thing operates at such a high RPM and has such a massive static pressure envelope that it would make even a lackluster cooler look like a champ.

That's likely why. Even undervolted they produce fantastic pressure. It's a damn shame the two that I bought through Direct Canada click

[RealTelstar]

If you want something with similar performance but quieter (and much less available) test with the San Ace H1011:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...&postcount=214

[Spawne32]

I have to agree, although, I like seeing reviews where multiple fans are used to show performance comparisons at whatever level you may be aiming for. Be it silence, or high performance.

You gotta understand that its very time consuming and the results in most cases dont really prove anything useful, majority of the heatsinks that come with a fan are already designed to use a specific amount of CFM for maximum cooling performance. And granted if you use a fan that is putting out hurricane force winds its gona be able to cool even the crappiest of heatsinks really well. Which doesnt really say much for the review, other then more air = better in all circumstances with all heatsinks.

[Vapor]

I think the one place it's useful is how it deals with low CFM fans. Say, 800RPM. Above 1600RPM, most heatsinks tend to scale similarly in my experience.

[Spawne32]

I think the one place it's useful is how it deals with low CFM fans. Say, 800RPM. Above 1600RPM, most heatsinks tend to scale similarly in my experience.

Do you think its worth it i invest in the ultra kaze then?

[Vapor]

Which one?

[Spawne32]

Which one?

the 3000 model they are suggesting i use for the review

[Vapor]

I'd get an 800RPM fan over that for HSF testing.

Most stock fans are 1300-2000RPM, and above ~1400-1600RPM, modern heatsinks all scale basically the same (i.e., the HSF that wins at 1600RPM will win at 3000RPM).

In the other direction...a Scythe Infinity or Ninja Cu or Orochi with an 800RPM fan will perform closer to a HSF that handily beats it with a 1600RPM fan.


See the Infinity being most competitive at 800RPM (and the TRUE sucking)?

[Spawne32]

Yah good point, guess ill consider my options for testing while im ahead.

[Vapor]

If you get an YL D12SH-12, you can run it at 12V and 5V....you'd have a good, inexpensive ~75CFM fan and a ~40CFM fan all in one.

[Spawne32]

If you get an YL D12SH-12, you can run it at 12V and 5V....you'd have a good, inexpensive ~75CFM fan and a ~40CFM fan all in one.

i have the low speed, medium speed, and high speed loonies here amongst other models

[Das Capitolin]

I am half deaf and I find the noise put out by the Ultra Kaze 3000 is on the high side. IMO, I like seeing reviews with a more "mundane" fan profile of 1200-2000rpm. I also think it is important to test with the included fan (if there is one) as well as doing tests with the same fan across the board.

The fact of the matter is that most people who buy a cooler will never change out the stock fan. So while testing with the same fan across the board plays up each unit's comparison to the next across a level playing field, I think stock vs stock is also an important benchmark. Heck, I have yet to even THINK about changing the fan on my ages-old AC Freezer 64 Pro and I probably never will.

I agree completely, the Kaze 3000 is on the high side of noise. In our next article Benchmark Reviews will use the Yate Loon D12SH-12 120mm fan. It produces a static 88 CFM @ 2200 RPM. It's not nearly as loud, but what I would certainly consider at the edge of comfortable computing without a headset.

Your second point has also sunk in... it's a lot of work to test with two different fans on every cooler, but I think it's necessary. Everyone wants to know how the cooler will perform in stock form, just as much as with a high-volume fan.

Now I'm not expecting that the community will 100% back my decision, but I think that the TRUE should be tested using the D12SH-12 and the Xigmatek HDT-S12823's AD1212HX-A7BGL 120mm cooling fan. The AD1212HX-A7BGL is rated for 99.6 CFM @ 2200 RPM, but believe me, it never get's there.

[SKYMTL]

Your second point has also sunk in... it's a lot of work to test with two different fans on every cooler, but I think it's necessary. Everyone wants to know how the cooler will perform in stock form, just as much as with a high-volume fan.

You see, there is a bit of a flip side to this. There are some coolers out there (Arctic Cooling Freezer and their new Extreme for example) that only have mounts for their proprietary (and pre-installed) fan. Swapping out the fan is possible but it is a major pain in the butt.

I guess my issue here is that there is just no way to have a level playing field. Granted, some coolers don't come with a fan in which case it is necessary to use a fan with good static pressure values and good CFM.

Vapor, for low-RPM fans I believe the Scythe Kaze Jyuni 800RPM or the Ultra Kaze 1000RPM may be good choices as well, no?

I think the main issue is where reviewers draw the line between including enough info and busting their humps for days on end just for the very vocal enthusiast community. Take us at Hardware Canucks for example. We already test two different processors at stock and overclock settings and we will now be including a second overclock test as well. Adding seperate fan tests for each cooler as well would just completely push things too far IMO.

[Spawne32]

Well as you can tell by that month long air cooling roundup i have a passion for "serving the community" but theres only so much i can do, i cant appease everyone, but i try my best to make it informative. The basis of last years roundup was comparing everything on an even playing field with stock settings, and retail packages. For the thermalrights that dont include fans it was an issue but i decided to go with a medium speed yate loon because those are pretty much your run of the mill fan in cfm and rpm.