Noise measurements
Recently all madshrimps staff collaborated in obtaining similar SPL meters. This is to provide our readers with the most accurate and consistent sound measurements we can. My Intelli Instruments AR-824 Smart Sensor SPL meter is currently being re-calibrated; however, I wanted to include a short section on acoustics. Sound and noise are one of the most misunderstood phenomena primarily because what may be noise to one person may be music to another. What is needed a is a universal standard of measurement, the basis for that standard is the unit known as the dB, defined below from
Understanding dB;
>dB is an abbreviation for "decibel". One decibel is one tenth of a Bel, named for Alexander Graham Bell. The measurement quoted in dB describes the ratio (10 log power difference, 20 log voltage difference, etc.) between the quantity of two levels, the level being measured and a reference. To describe an absolute value, the reference point must be known. There are a number of different reference points defined. Here are a few:
- dBV represents the level compared to 1 Volt RMS. 0dBV = 1V. There is no reference to impedance.
- dBu represents the level compared to 0.775 Volts RMS with an unloaded, open circuit, source (u = unloaded).
- dBm represents the power level compared to 1 mWatt. This is a level compared to 0.775 Volts RMS across a 600 Ohm load impedance. Note that this is a measurement of power, not a measurement of voltage.
- dbFS - relative to digital full-scale.
- dB SPL - A measure of sound pressure level
When we take into account frequency and human hearing we add what is known as A-Weighting to the db equation the result being the dBA standard of measurement. When frequency and its effects on human hearing are factored in we have a universal definition for "noise" (unwanted sound) a definition which takes into account noise levels damaging to human hearing. I've chosen to omit my results until my meter has been calibrated. I have been testing and re-testing with the new meter and results seem off. I can say this, at 1-meter from the source the case fans in Thermaltake's Kandalf veil any noise made by X20's fan/radiator which was mounted externally for all tests.
Temperature Test Results
I've been running
Midwest Cooling Technologies MCT-5 for over 8-months. To eliminate as many variables as possible I ran X20 with its included mixture and distilled water and then with MCT-5. Results found in the chart below represent
X20 running with MCT-5.
When comparing MCT-5 to the distilled water/XSPC solution, temps at IDLE were
4°C lower across the board with the distilled water mixture.
When running overclocked, temps at LOAD were
3°C lower on the AMD test system and
6°C lower on the Intel system running
MCT-5.
On both the AMD and Intel test-beds, the X20 kit was compared to each manufacturers stock HSF for that particular CPU model. The X20 was then compared to the
Alphacool CORA 662 Passive Water Cooling kit. This is also a 10/8mm ID system and one of the better performing passive systems on the market.
Conclusive ThoughtsThis review went two weeks past the deadline for one reason; I simply couldn't believe X20 nearly out-performed the Alphacool CORA 642 mated with the
NexXxos XP and their best pump. I re-tested several times ensuring ambient temps remained steadfast. I also found that using
MCT improved performance under LOAD, making it an ideal alternative for Overclockers.
XSPC has produced one of the best water-cooling kits money can buy. The best news is that the X20 kit is also one of the least costly. To be honest, when I first saw this kit packed in a box only slightly larger than a CPU Retail box, I thought its performance would match its size - small. Not only did this system perform as well as systems costing much more, it was fairly easy to install and quiet. One of the most appealing aspects is that X20 can accommodate AMD Sockets 939, 754, 940 and Intel Socket-T (775), 478, 603, 604 allowing end-users to upgrade without having to re-invest in their H20 system. Size matters in computer-science, such that good things do come in small packages where your PC is concerned. If you've been dipping your toes in the turbulent white-water of H20-cooling choices, I recommend taking the leap into X20's placid water.
PRO
Excellent Performance
Affordable
Masked front panel
Compact, and compact to ship, ergo lower shipping costs to you.
Without question one of the most universal mounting bracket on the market, made even better with the provided "O-Ring."CON
Possibility of pump detaching from reservoir base.
Extra adjustment ring needs to be included, two should suffice.
Stiff tubing - difficult to fit over fittings.At the time of writing the X20 high Performance water cooling kit is for sale in Europe/UK for
£79.99 at Watercoolingshop.com.
XSPC is currently looking for more resellers in UK, Europe and North America drop them a line if you a reseller and interesting in offering your clients a high quality water cooling kit.
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