 |
|
Spire VertiCool IV SP608B3-C CPU Cooler Conclusion
Submitted by admin on Fri, 06/22/2007 - 02:27.
|
|
Performance
To measure the performance of the VertiCool IV I used the CPU temperature readings from SpeedFan as well as the temperature readings from the BIOS. Load tests were conducted by running Folding@Home as well as running a game (either Quake 4 or F.E.A.R.) simultaneously for at least 1 hour. Also, since sound level is an important aspect to consider for any aftermarket CPU cooler, measurements were taken at the lowest fan speed setting and at the highest fan speed setting. The fan speed is easily adjustable using the included PCI slot fan controller, which is a nice addition to the package.
The testing was performed at stock CPU speed of 2.0GHz and at an overclocked CPU speed of 2.4GHz with the following setup:
- ECS KN1 SLI Lite motherboard
- AMD Athlon 64 3200+ at stock 2.0GHZ speed and overclocked to 2.4GHz
- Western Digital 160GB SATA HD
- 2 x 512MB Corsair DDR PC-3200 RAM
- PNY 6800GT with 256MB
- Lite-On 16x DVD burner
- Antec Sonata case with 2x120mm fans
- Windows XP Pro SP2
 |
 |
 |
 |
Test results showed that the VertiCool IV can hold its own against other high-end CPU coolers. With the CPU running at an overclocked speed of 2.4 GHz and the fan speed cranked to the highest setting, the resulting temperature of 39 degrees Celsius is impressive. The noise level at the highest fan speed is not exactly quiet, but is comparable to the fan noise of the 120mm case fans. With the fan speed set to low, the fan noise is barely perceptible and should satisfy even the most demanding users who want a near-silent PC. Unless you have a PC setup with extremely quiet fans, power supply, hard drives, and are obsessive about sound levels, the VertiCool IV will add only minimal noise to your system.
 |
 |
 |
| View of the base | View of the fan | VertiCool IV Installed |
Spire VertiCool SP608B3-C CPU Cooler
Overall, Spire has done a good job with improving upon their successful VertiCool design and the VertiCool IV is their best offering to date. The heatpipe design and larger surface area translate into a very effective air cooling solution for both AMD and Intel processors. In addition, the fan speed can be adjusted to fit your fan noise / cooling performance preference by using the included PCI slot fan controller.
The installation process was a bit tricky with having to remove the motherboard and the back plate, and clearer instructions would have made for a smoother installation. Also, be sure to measure the available space in your case to make sure you have enough room to install the VertiCool IV - the large size and heavy weight must be taken into account before you decide to purchase.
Pros: Above-average cooling performance, quiet operation at low fan speeds, compatible with nearly all CPU types, all installation and mounting clips / brackets are included.
Cons: Installation instructions could be more clear, large size and heavy weight.
The Verdict: The Spire VertiCool IV provides solid cooling performance and supports a wide range of CPUs, albeit at a hefty size and weight.
Rating: 4 out of 5
 |
