CPU Cooler Roundup - 22 Models Tackle Our QX6850
 

What better way is there to find out which CPU coolers excel than to throw them at our ultra-hot Intel QX6850? We took 22 different models and did just that. Some surprised us, some didn't. What we were left with were five different models that deserved our Editor's Choice award.

http://techgage.com/article/cpu-cool...le-our-qx6850/

explains their results; inside a case the whole ranking would be different...

Biased, in other words :-).

it puts coolers which have a fan blowing down on the motherboard an unreal advantage, as inside a case these will fall behind tower coolers due to their orientation.

Outside a case these coolers can be more efficient but only small % of people run their system outside a case;)