intel Core2 Quad Q6600 G0 @ 3.0GHz (334x9)
VisionTek Radeon HD3870 OverClocked Edition
OCZ Reaper 2x1GB PC3-10666 6-6-6-20
WD 74GB Raptor (10K), WD 500GB CaviarSE16 (7.2K)
NZXT Performance Power 800W
Lite-On 20x DVD±R/W SATA
Lian-Li PC-A77
Windows Vista Ultimate x64
CPU temperatures were taken using Everest Ultimate Edition, which returns the same temperatures as CoreTemp. Idle and load situations were measured with a blank Windows desktop as the idle scenario, and the OCCT Perestroika 2.0.0a stress test running on the CPU to create a nice full load scenario for an hour. The door of the case was closed for all testing. Fans in the case included 3x120mm front intake, and 2x120mm rear exhaust (one of which was replaced with the Thermaltake fan during ProWater testing). The ambient temperature for all testing was 25C. All temperatures are the highest found in their scenario. Gelid Solutions GC-1 thermal paste was used during all testing. For comparison, tests on the OCZ Vendetta 2 heat-pipe direct touch air cooler are included, which is the best performing air cooler I have tested to date.
As we can see, the ProWater performed in line with the best of the best in air cooling when on low fan speed. At low fan speed, the kit is basically inaudible. At high fan speed, we really see the potential of this kit, and this leaves us wanting to see how well we could do with a 2(or 3, or 4!)x120mm radiator, because that was obviously a limiting factor in cooling performance. The fan at full speed is extremely loud, though, easily exceeding the 30dBA rating given by Thermaltake.
Continue on as we draw some conclusions!
