Test Setup, Test Methods, Test Results, and Noise

Test Setup

AMD AM2 3000+ in two modes (Stock – 1.8GHz 1.35V) and (Overclocked – 2.7GHz 1.55V)
Foxconn C51XEM2AA
1GB Corsair XMS2 PC2-8500
ATI Radeon X1900XTX
Hitachi 160GB SATA
Antec Sonata 2
Antec SP2.0 450W

Test Methods

“Idle” is defined as letting the CPU sit inactive with 0% utilization for 30 minutes and recording the average temperature in degrees Celsius achieved. “Load” is defined as running Prime95 (Small FTTs) for 30 minutes and recording the average temperature in degrees Celsius achieved. Temperatures were taken from nVidia’s nTune program, as well as a calibrated thermal probe on the CPU to achieve the highest possible accuracy. Noise was measure with a digital SPL meter from .5m away.

Results

CPU Temp Results
Stock 1.8GHz 1.35V	Idle (degrees Celsius)	Load (degrees Celsius)	Delta T (degrees Celsius)
AMD Stock Heatpipe Cooler@Auto	34	47	13
Zalman CNPS 9500 50%	31	41	11
Zalman CNPS 9500 100%	31	41	11

CPU Temp Results
Overclocked 2.7GHz 1.55V	Idle (degrees Celsius)	Load (degrees Celsius)	Delta T (degrees Celsius)
AMD Stock Heatpipe Cooler@Auto	38	64	26
Zalman CNPS 9500 50%	35	58	23
Zalman CNPS 9500 100%	34	55	21

Noise (dB) Background - 19dB
AMD Stock Heatpipe Cooler	40
Zalman CNPS9500 50%	31
Zalman CNPS9500 100%	44