As a reference we are using the Zalman CNPS7000-CU which has proven to be a very formidable opponent in the past, delivering solid performance at low noise levels.

JMke's Test Setup
CPU	Intel P4 2.4 "C" @ 3 Ghz
Mainboard	Asus P4C800
Cooling	* TTIC NPH-1 * TTIC NPH-101 * Zalman CNPS7000-CU
Memory	2 * 256Mb PC3700 OCZ Rev.2
Video	nVidia Geforce 4 Ti4600

The Zalman was tested on High and Low setting with the help of the included Zalman speed regulator. The Everflow fans were tested on the TTIC heatsinks in a multitude of combinations. If 2 fans were used then they were in Suck/Blow configuration, this proved to be the most effective setup.

To further lower the generated noise we hooked the two 3700rpm fans to a Cooler Master Aerogate II unit and cut their rotation speed in half. At this setting we basically had a silent setup.

We noted down maximum load temperatures after running two instances of CPUBurn for ~30 minutes, here are the results:

First up, Suck versus Blow


A massive 4°C difference between the 2 setups, Suck/Blow it is!



The first 2 entrees in the graph pretty much speak for themselves; the NPH-1 and NPH-101 perform identical! I couldn’t find any performance differences between the two heatsinks. Switching to the two lower speed fans results in a temperature increase of only 1°C, while the generated noise is deafening.

Using 2 fans the performance of the TTIC heatsinks is spectacular; our trusty Zalman doesn’t even come close. When we start decreasing the amount of fans used as well as their speed the temperature slowly creeps up, and stops at 51° with 1 fan running at its most silent setting, exactly the same as the Zalman @ low speed. While we can still hear the fan of the Zalman spinning, the small 70mm fan running at 7v is completely without noise!

Noise Graphs

To give you a better idea of how noisy each heatsink/fan combination was we ranked them according to this table. A bit too subjective for you? Fine, just skip it then. ;-)

Noise Measuring
0	passive
1	inaudible in open air
2	inaudible in case
3	audible if you pay attention
4	well audible, far from annoying
5	well audible, but not annoying
6	too loud for working (intolerant to noise)
7	too loud for working (tolerant to noise)
8	too loud for gaming
9	too loud for LAN party's
10	headache within minutes

Onto the conclusion ->