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@ 2009/08/04Stock heatsink/fans that shipped with desktop processors were among the key catalysts that brought SPCR into existence. Their loud, nasty sounding fans were easily the biggest noise complaint among PC owners, at least until graphics cards became so powerful that they too required fans. Not only were they bad to begin with, heat and dust accumulation would inevitably take their toll on the bearings, and over time, they would get progressively noisier. By comparison, today's stock CPU coolers are much improved — they can actually keep the temperature reasonable (at least at idle) without sounding like jet engines. Represented today are PWM models from Arctic Cooling, Thermolab, and Scythe. Let's meet the candidates.
To be frank, except for the Big Shuriken and Alpine 7 GT, we wouldn't use any of the heatsinks tested today placed in a system on a desk next to us. Their poor acoustic qualities become noticeable with close proximity, whether you crank the fans way down or not. At one meter's distance, they sound adequate at lower fan speeds — you won't hear them unless you make an effort, your ears are sensitive, or you're in a very quiet room. Also, we would only recommend their use with 65W processors. The Shuriken is the only one that can adequately cool a 95W processor quietly.
To be frank, except for the Big Shuriken and Alpine 7 GT, we wouldn't use any of the heatsinks tested today placed in a system on a desk next to us. Their poor acoustic qualities become noticeable with close proximity, whether you crank the fans way down or not. At one meter's distance, they sound adequate at lower fan speeds — you won't hear them unless you make an effort, your ears are sensitive, or you're in a very quiet room. Also, we would only recommend their use with 65W processors. The Shuriken is the only one that can adequately cool a 95W processor quietly.
