 |
|
Noctua NH-C12P CPU Cooler Conclusion
Submitted by jwhitakr on Tue, 01/13/2009 - 15:11.
|
|
|
Performance and Overclocking
After installing the CPU cooler we wanted to put it through its paces by overclocking the Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4GHz processor to 2.66GHz. To take temperature measurements I have three temperature probes attached to a small LCD on the front of my case.
To put the system under load I ran 3DMark06 in a loop for an hour. I also ran Avast Antivirus C: drive scan while rendering video in VideoStudio 11 when I actually checked the CPU temperature under load.
Test Setup
- Operating System: Vista Home Premium x64
- Motherboard: ECS G45-MT2
- CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad E6600 @ 2.40GHz
- Memory: 4GB G-Skill DDR2 6400
- CPU Heatsink: Noctua NH-C12P
- Video card: EVGA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB
- Hard drive: Hitachi 500GB SATA
 |
 |
The CPU temperature only rose 14°C average under load. At normal clock speed the idle temperature was 32°C and under load it was 46°C. After overclocking the processor the idle temperature was 35°C and 53°C under load. The computer ran fairly stable at 2.66GHz but there were instances during 3D applications when it would hang and every once in a while there would be the infamous Microsoft B.S.O.D (Blue screen of death) but the issue was not heat related.
Noise
In the noise category, it is definitely one of the quietest ones that you will find that utilize a fan. The two optional low noise adapters allow you to minimize the fan rotation speed and thus reduce any noise produced by the cooler. Each of the adapters is basically a power adapter with a built-in resistor that lowers the voltage causing the fan to spin slower. The U.L.N.A. (Ultra low noise adapter) lowers the fan speed to 900 RPM. I chose not use them because I need the maximum cooling it can give at its full 1300 RPM for performance.
Noctua NH-C12P CPU Cooler
The Noctua NH-C12P CPU cooling system is an absolutely effective way to cool your Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Quad processor. It is just as effective as the NH-U12P with much better aesthetics and case friendly design. Unlike the NH-U12P, which allowed a second 120mm fan to be installed, the NH-C12P is a single fan design but the C-Type design allows maximum airflow through the cooling fins and heat-pipes - making it a formidable cooling system and one that we highly recommend.
Pros: Great cooling efficiency, very quiet fan, C-Type design allows greater compatibility with motherboard designs.
Cons: Heavy heatsink, large fan.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5
 |
