MACS Triumph TEC CPU Cooler Review

Cooling/CPU Cooling by jmke @ 2006-10-30

Using a TEC/Peltier for CPU cooling is nothing new, water cooling lovers have been doing it for years, the MACS Triumph is a TEC powered unit for the air cooling folks, it performs best at high CPU wattage, something overclockers tend to unleash in current and older processors. Let´s find out if the Triumph can keep successfully keep your CPU and its own TEC cool.

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Introduction, Specifications and Up Close

MACS Triumph :
Supplied by: Dollarshop

About four years ago we tested a TEC/Peltier powered CPU cooling solution. The consensus on that cooler was rather positive performance wise, but less noise wise, a small fan was the cause of a high frequency irritating buzzing. Today I have a new CPU cooler in the test labs which is also based around a TEC/Peltier. The MACS Triumph features a 50W cooling element which aims to lower the CPU temperature more efficiently than a regular heatsink/fan combo. Let’s find out if the product is worth the cost.

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A large box for a large cooler, the MACS Triumph packs a 5.25” control unit which takes up some room inside the packaging.

Specifications:

There are 2 versions available of the Triumph; we are testing the K8/AM2 model (MA-7131-A)

Compatibility:
  • AMD: Athlon64/64+ Socket754/940/939/AM2

    Total Power Dissipation:
  • 0% loading / 5W,
  • 50% loading / 28W,
  • 100% loading / 50W

    A >350W Power Supply is recommended.

    Madshrimps (c)
    In the box: 5.25” control unit, detailed multi-lingual instructions manual, mounting gear for K8 and AM2, thermal paste, power cables and weight reduction wires


    Heatsink Dimensions (mm): 90 x 90 x 160 mm (DxWxH)
    Weight (with fan): 845 gram

    Fan included: 92 x 92 x 25 mm (DxWxH)
    Auto fan speed control linked to CPU temperature:
    Low-2000 rpm / 20 dB(A)
    Mid-2600 rpm / 24 dB(A)
    High-3600 rpm / 28 dB(A)

    Up close :

    The 50W TEC is squeezed between two copper plates; each copper plate is connected to two heat pipes, so there are a total of 4 heat pipes which transfer heat to the aluminum fins. At low CPU load the TEC is not enabled and so the 2 heat pipes connected to the lower copper plate take care of cooling the CPU. When the heat load increases the TEC is enabled, the lower copper plate is actively cooled by the cold side of the TEC, the top plate receives the heat from the hot side + CPU and dissipates heat through the heat pipes.

    This system allows for flexibility of the controlling the CPU temperature, preventing it from cooling the CPU too much, as this would cause condensation.

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    The 92mm fan is mounted onto the heatsink with 4 screws; there are rubber washers to reduce vibration noise. The heatsink itself consists of two separate sections of tightly packed aluminum fins.

    Madshrimps (c)


    At the opposite side of the fan the shroud is screwed tight to the heatsink only at the bottom, the top 2 holes are left open, as they are used for the cable retention system (weight reduction).

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