Testing
System configuration
• CPU: Core 2 Duo E6750 (Overclocked: 450MHz FSB, 1.45Vcore, 3.6GHz)
• Motherboard: Asus P5K3-Deluxe
• RAM: Kingston DDR3-1066
• HDD: Samsung 160JJ SATA2
• VGA: eVGA 7900GS
• PSU: Enermax Infinity Crossfire 720W
We decided to test the cooler by using the included silicone grease. We placed a layer on the CPU and left the system working in order for the thermal paste to stabilize for about 12 hours. We tested the cooler by running it with the motherboard fan speed control enabled at normal mode only. CPU load was achieved by running Prime95 torture test (blend) and Super Pi simultaneously for 30 minutes. The idle temperature measurements were noted after the system was resting at the windows desktop for 30 minutes. Ambient temperature is maintained (as accurately as possible) at 23 degrees Celsius at the time of the test. SpeedStep is disabled.
Performance Testing
| |
Idle Temperature (Celsius) |
Load Temperature (Celsius) |
| Asus Arctic Square (full fan speed) |
Stock Speed
(2.66GHz) |
37 |
45 |
Overclocked Speed
(3.6GHz, 1.45V) |
45 |
60 |
| Asus Arctic Square (1400rpm fan speed) |
Stock Speed
(2.66GHz) |
41 |
50 |
Overclocked Speed
(3.6GHz, 1.45V) |
51 |
67 |
Akasa Revo
(fan speed control in normal mode) |
Stock Speed
(2.66GHz) |
35 |
42 |
Overclocked Speed
(3.6GHz, 1.45V) |
43 |
58 |
Zerotherm BTF90
(fan speed control in normal mode) |
Stock Speed
(2.66GHz) |
39 |
46 |
Overclocked Speed
(3.6GHz, 1.45V) |
48 |
62 |
| ThermalRight SI-128 + Revoltec 1200RPM fan |
Stock Speed
(2.66GHz) |
37 |
44 |
Overclocked Speed
(3.6GHz, 1.45V) |
46 |
57 |
| Stock E6750 Cooler |
Stock Speed
(2.66GHz) |
48 |
62 |
Overclocked Speed
(3.6GHz, 1.45V) |
--- |
--- |
The performance of the Asus Arctic Square is very good. It kept our hot, overclocked E6750 cool enough even when we reduced the speed of the fan to make the cooler entirely silent. The thermal performance is certainly considerably better than that of the Intel stock cooler and on par with other coolers in the same class, but it does not outperform larger, more expensive coolers.
The acoustic performance of the Arctic Square is excellent; although the fan is clearly audible at full speed we do not consider it painful and it is entirely silent at 1400RPM. While this cooler is thermally controlled from the motherboard sensors it should remain fairly quiet most of the time even with overclocked systems.
