Test Bed
- AOpen AK77 Pro(A)-133
- 1.2Ghz Thunderbird
- 256MB Crucial PC2100
- 3D Power Geforce 3
- Enermax CS-003-A106 case w/ 300w PSU
Like always I will be using Artic Silver 3 for testing, I will also be using an external Compunurse thermal probe for the temperature readings. I will be using 3 different fans to test this heatsink, here are the specs to all of them. The Panaflo is model # L1A, 24 CFM, 21 dB. The YS Tech is model # FD1281259B-2N, 47CFM, 36.90 dB. And the Delta is model # FFB0812EHE, 80.16CFM, 52.5 dB.
I let the test bed idle for about 20 minutes with each fan and took the readings. The Panaflo does not perform too well with this heatsink but the YS Tech and Delta put out great results.
I then used Prime95 to torture test the CPU and bring it to load. With the panaflo the CPU gets very hot, with the YS Tech and Delta the temperatures are still very good. The Delta as you can imagine is doing the best, 42.7 degrees Celsius at load is very good.
I then overclocked the 1.2Ghz Thunderbird to 1.4Ghz (9×156) with a Vcore of 1.85v. I decided not to use the Panaflo during the overclocked tests because at default the CPU got too hot. The AX-7 does not perform too well with the YS Tech but with the Delta its still doing really well.
Again I used Prime95 to torture test the CPU and bring it to load. As you can see with the YS Tech fan the CPU temperature goes over 54 degrees which is not too good. With the Delta its still at 48.5 which is pretty good, but this thing is loud.
Conclusion
The Thermalright AX-7 performs really well with the Delta compared to the others, however to get that performance you have to deal with 52 dB which is very loud. If you do want a heatsink that is going to keep your fast Thunderbird or XP nice and cool while overclocking this heatsink will do the job great while pared up with the Delta.
If you are not looking to overclock I would suggest another heatsink to you. Even though the clip is the kind I do not like, I like it because it uses all 6 tabs. This heatsink is relatively cheap, it goes for about $30 without a fan and is a great value.
Overall I would give this heatsink an 8/10. I would like to thank Thermalright again for sending this heatsink over for me to review.
Pros
- Good Performance
- Uses an 80mm fan
- The base is finished very well
- Good clip
- Great packaging
Cons
- May not fit on all motherboards
- Delta is loud
- Thermal pad
