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 testing the high, medium, and low settings with the fan controller. To get the idle temperatures I booted up the computer and let it idle for about 20 minutes. To get the load temperatures of each speed I used Prime 95 for about 20 minutes.
At the low setting the fan is very quiet and the results are a very good, a lot better than I thought they would be. The load temperature was only 45.7 degrees Celsius.
At the medium setting the fan was a little louder but not bad, the temps also improved with more CFM flowing. The load temperature after torture testing the CPU was 44.2 which is a 1.5 degree drop from the low setting.
At the high setting the fan was a little loud, at least for me. The load temperature at load with the most CFM going that this fan can put out was 42.2 degrees Celsius which is a 3.5 degree drop from the low setting and a 2 degree drop from the medium setting. I am very impressed with the cooling that this Volcano 7+ provides.
Conclusion:
I really like this heatsink, the Volcano 7+ has a lot to offer. The Volcano 7+ comes with everything you will need for either Intel or AMD. They give you thermal compound, which is a lot better than a thermal pad. You get a fan control device which lets you control the speed of the fan which also lets you change the loudness.
Not only do you get a lot with this heatsink but the performance of it is excellent. Even at the lowest setting the load temperature was only 45.7 and very quiet. The only negative things about this heatsink is the fact that the clip design is poor, at the high speed the fan is pretty loud and if you are going to buy this heatsink be prepared to spend about $45 for it.
Overall I would give the Volcano 7+ a 9/10 and award it the OCmodshop Seal of Approval. I would really like to thank Thermaltake for sending me this heatsink to review.
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Thermal compound included
- Works with AMD and Intel
- Fan control device included
- Solid copper design
- Quiet at medium and low speeds
Cons
- Poor clip design
- A little expensive
