We test the CPU coolers in the following test bed:

• CPU: Intel Core7-920 Retail
• Case: Open Air testbed
• Motherboard: Asus P6T Deluxe Bios 1403
• Memory: 3x1GB Crucial PC3-1066
• PSU: OCZ 720W
• HDD: WD 80JB
• Operating system Windows XP with all the latest updates installed
• Software: OCCT v2.0.1 & CoreTemp 0.99.3
• Thermal Paste: Tuniq TX-2
• Idle time: ~30min
• Load time: ~30min
• RPM speed controllable via SmartFan BIOS or via external hardware controller

We produced the highest possible temperature using the OCCT v2.0.1 software with a custom 30mins (mixed) operation.

We left both CPU cores running at full load for 30 minutes. All temperatures were logged using the CoreTemp 0.99.3 and the software itself. We took the measurements with the CPU running both at at stock speeds and under overclocking:

• Intel Core i7-920 @ 2.66GHz
• Vcore: 1.1000V
• Other BIOS values: Auto

• Intel Core i7-920 @ 3.60GHz
• Vcore: 1.26250V
• DDR3 Voltage: 1.66V
• Other BIOS values: Auto

For the noise tests we used a Precision Gold N09AQ Environment Meter. All measurements were made at 30cm distance from the cpu cooler running at full speed.