System configuration :

• CPU: Pentium D920
• Motherboard: Asus P5WD2-E Premium
• RAM: SuperTalent PC2-1066
• HDD: Samsung 160JJ SATA2
• VGA: Gecube Radeon X800GTO
• PSU: Spire Rocketeer VI 600W PSU

We decided to test the cooler by using the included thermal grease. We placed a layer on the CPU and left the system working in order for the thermal paste to stabilize for about 24 hours. The NK34TZ cooler does not offer fan speed control, so we took the readings at maximum operational speed 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 26 degrees Celsius at the time of the test. SpeedStep is not supported with our CPU stepping.

Don't have flash installed? then click here for a jpeg

Looking at the above results, we realized that the NK34TZ is an excellent performer, despite its low price tag. Good thing is that the cooler was not noisy at all too, which can make it entirely silent if you use a motherboard with integrated fan speed control or a fan controller. It maintained the Intel Pentium D920 at very good temperatures, even when over clocked. Unfortunately when we tried to raise the CPU voltage to high levels and raise the frequency even more, the cooler seemed unable to hold the load and the temperatures became critical easily. The Pentium D is a hot processor however and when overvolted it becomes thermally intense, so on cooler 65nm processors, such as the 6X1 series and the Core 2 Duo, it should work wonders.