Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme

[RallyMaster]

Anandtech's own review

That's a lot of heatpipes.

 

[hox]

Here are my thoughts of the Anadntech Heatsink reviews, while helpful, there is a growing body of end user discrepancies in temperatures realized. This post is to stimulate discussion to determine why end users are not acheiving the same results (degrees C at idle and load) as reported in so many heat sink reviews.

I would like to know what you have enabled or disabled in the bios that controls CPU automatic throttling. Typically that would include Enhanced C1 control (C1E), SpeedStep, and for my Asus MB, something called CPU internal thermal control.

These settings affect how the cpu "handles" load and will affect the temps reported to the Ntune program. Programs like CpuZ and Coretemp and Ntune do not detect some of these rapid throttling instances, but the temps of the processor are reduced because of this throttling. The Righmtark CPU temp utility is one of the few programs I know that allows you to visualize this throttling even when you have several of the throttling paramters disabled.

This issue is important because the temps you are seeing, even at idle, are very different for several of your reviewed heatsinks then what end users will experience when they have altered these parameters in the bios.

I believe this will be helpful for end users to feel like the products your reviews are deeming as superior are performing in their hands in a manner similar to your review. Please provide the bios settings to help the end users decide if the equipment they have purchased is functioning properly.

I suspect by doing this, many RMAs and emails to the manufacturer would be reduced.

There is a clear 10C difference between the reported CPU temps at both idle and full load for my QX6700 cpu caused by changing these three settings. Enabling these parameters in the bios I routinely see temps of 33 to 35 C for the cores of my QX6700 at stock speeds, MB temp is 35C. Disabling these parameters, temps on all 4 cores rise to 44C. Thus discrepancy in temps could lead someone to think that the Monsoon II lite cooler I am using is malfunctioning, when in reality it is working properly.

Also it would be helpful if you also tested these devices with the quad core processors which have a higher heat output. By testing the quad core cpus the high end capacity of these heat sinks to move heat would be tested. Providing the thermal resistance Degrees C/Watt would also be a helpful guideling for these devices.

It would also be helpful to comment whether the side door will fit with the thermalright heat sinks. As far as I know this heat sink is taller than the Tuniq which caused end users to move side panel fans and vents.

Thank you

 

[tylerdustin2008]

I like it.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: hox

Here are my thoughts of the Anadntech Heatsink reviews, while helpful, there is a growing body of end user discrepancies in temperatures realized. This post is to stimulate discussion to determine why end users are not acheiving the same results (degrees C at idle and load) as reported in so many heat sink reviews.

I would like to know what you have enabled or disabled in the bios that controls CPU automatic throttling. Typically that would include Enhanced C1 control (C1E), SpeedStep, and for my Asus MB, something called CPU internal thermal control.

These settings affect how the cpu "handles" load and will affect the temps reported to the Ntune program. Programs like CpuZ and Coretemp and Ntune do not detect some of these rapid throttling instances, but the temps of the processor are reduced because of this throttling. The Righmtark CPU temp utility is one of the few programs I know that allows you to visualize this throttling even when you have several of the throttling paramters disabled.

This issue is important because the temps you are seeing, even at idle, are very different for several of your reviewed heatsinks then what end users will experience when they have altered these parameters in the bios.

I believe this will be helpful for end users to feel like the products your reviews are deeming as superior are performing in their hands in a manner similar to your review. Please provide the bios settings to help the end users decide if the equipment they have purchased is functioning properly.

I suspect by doing this, many RMAs and emails to the manufacturer would be reduced.

There is a clear 10C difference between the reported CPU temps at both idle and full load for my QX6700 cpu caused by changing these three settings. Enabling these parameters in the bios I routinely see temps of 33 to 35 C for the cores of my QX6700 at stock speeds, MB temp is 35C. Disabling these parameters, temps on all 4 cores rise to 44C. Thus discrepancy in temps could lead someone to think that the Monsoon II lite cooler I am using is malfunctioning, when in reality it is working properly.

Also it would be helpful if you also tested these devices with the quad core processors which have a higher heat output. By testing the quad core cpus the high end capacity of these heat sinks to move heat would be tested. Providing the thermal resistance Degrees C/Watt would also be a helpful guideling for these devices.

It would also be helpful to comment whether the side door will fit with the thermalright heat sinks. As far as I know this heat sink is taller than the Tuniq which caused end users to move side panel fans and vents.

Thank you

Basically you didn`t say a whole lot.
What you need to understand about heatsink testing is that each and every site does it differently. ASlso what needs to be understood is there is no way you can crown a king of the heatsinks. It just won`t happen.
I remember when the Scythe Ninja forst came out. People were scampering to own that heatsink. Then it seemed like almost immediately people ( not all people mind you) were posting how they switched heatsinks and there was no change in temps.
Why?
Well the short answer is because from system to system you have differing variables and some have more heat producing components and some cases they are put in different places and some people have more fans or positive verses negative airflow and the list keeps going.

Then this review just proves point I have been making for a few yeasr now -- that point is--Just settle on a Top of the line heatsink.....most all the teir 1 heatsinks are within 1c - 3c of each other no matter which one you use in your system.

In fact I have even said that if you like bling get a heatsink with bling.
If you like unusual looking or maybe all copper get one there are so many many good heatsinks on the market today!!!

With Anand`s heatsink reviews if they were disabling something or enabling or doing something that would affect the heatsink temps they would tell you right off the bat exactly what they did!!

Who owns a quad core??? No need to use a quad core to test heatsinks!

 

[hytek369]

thermalright takes the crown again

 

[hox]

 

[hox]

@Jediyoda

The reviewer of the product does not state what they did in the bios. I see no problem asking for this informaiton. What I said stands, the bios settings significantly affect the core temps under load and since quad cores put out a great deal more heat than dual core cpus it there is a good possibility that some options will not have sufficient thermal resistance to be a good solution for quad core cpus.

Who owns a quad core? Well just check the EVGA web site to see that EVGA has issued a cross ship recall to anyone with their MB to support the thousands of customers having FSB issues with this MB and Quad core cpus. At EVGA's expense. Please come up with something a little bit more telling of your understanding of the subject before making statements which have little substance, add litte to the discussion, and reflect poorly on your overall accumen.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: hox
@Jediyoda

The reviewer of the product does not state what they did in the bios. I see no problem asking for this informaiton. What I said stands, the bios settings significantly affect the core temps under load and since quad cores put out a great deal more heat than dual core cpus it there is a good possibility that some options will not have sufficient thermal resistance to be a good solution for quad core cpus.

Who owns a quad core? Well just check the EVGA web site to see that EVGA has issued a cross ship recall to anyone with their MB to support the thousands of customers having FSB issues with this MB and Quad core cpus. At EVGA's expense. Please come up with something a little bit more telling of your understanding of the subject before making statements which have little substance, add litte to the discussion, and reflect poorly on your overall accumen.

The reviewer did not say what they did because they did nothing......novel concept huh....

Sure people do own quad cores but I would hardly say everybody at EVGA website owns a quad core.......so whose right..you or me??

Surely your jesting thousands upon thousands of customers with quad core??
Maybe dual core...

Then again did you read and comprehend the review in its totality??
I read nothing about configuring the bios except when they over clocked the heatsink then it wqas very straight forward how and what they did.....

Again I would bet you they didn`t use a quad core because the percentage of users on Anand`s forum mostly used the core 2 duo or a dual core AMD or like me...are still using ols technology fort everyday apps and such.....

Personally I saw nothing wrong or even questionablke about Anand`s review of that heatsink!!

Then again I have quite a heatsink collection and have used all of them at one time or another.......

 

[hox]

@Jediyoda
I agree with you that the reviewer probably did not change anything in the bios. For some tests. That said how did they overclock the an X6800 cpu by 1ghz+ without disabling speed step and other throttling settings? Anyone who has disabled these settings sees a much higher CPU temp than listed in these reviews?

QX6700 # 1 CPU sold by Tigerdirect.com. There are plenty of folks out there with this CPU. It is a growing population especially with the Q6600 onboard. The QX6700 is the cpu used in vigor gamings top rig. So don't discount what is out there.

What's so wrong with asking for inclusion of a very popular processor?

 

[JEDIYoda]

sorry...had to delete will post later!! Good luck!!

 

[gramboh]

Hox you have a good point. Revealing these settings would add value to the review.

Jedi also has a point in that you can't compare benchmarks across sites due to different testing methodology/hardware/climate etc. I just look at the comparatives within a benchmark on a site to see where the different coolers perform relative to each other.

 

[JEDIYoda]

In all fairness those who overclock are usually in the minority.
There are so many boards on the market I see noway unless you have there exact board that what they disable as a whole would even be useful.
Also there are so many boards on the market to do a 12% over clock you do nothing more than go into the bios...etc.

I also must remind you that almost all heatsink reviews accross the board are geared towards the lowest common denominator which at this time is still the AMD and P4 people as well as the core2 duo.

Also heatsinks just are not toture tested like JonnyGURU would test a PSU. The main reason for that in my opinion is who wants to fry there PSU everytime they test a heatsink just to say you toture tested the heatsink?? or for that matter lose a mobo in the process.


Good Luck!!

 

[skubidoobie]

Well I just ordered a Thermalright Ultra 120 last week and it'll be here today. Go figure a newer and better version comes out! Not quite as bad as spending $630 on an AMD X2 4800+ then having it's price get cut in half a month later lol.... So yeah, this will be my 3rd Thermalright heatsink when I can get my paws on it. Currently using an XP120, my Ultra 120 will be here in about 2 hours, and it's already obsolete lol. I just love the rate technology advances at!

 

[NeoRecon]

I recently got the Ultra-120 and am very impressed by it. I definitely will buy from these guys again.

 

[ineedaname]

I can't wait for this thing 2 come out. I'm pretty sure i'm just gonna grab it as soon as it gets on the shelves.

 

[cyburzaki]

NCIX is taking pre-orders, in case anyone is interested how this thing might price out. Thermalright tells me it should be available at U.S. resellers by the second week in April...

NCIX is also now taking pre-orders for the IFX-14. Can hardly wait to see that one reviewed. I'm especially curious about the efficacy of that backside heatpipe. As far as I know Thermalright's the first to address beneath-the-board cooling.

 

[aimforsilence]

when does it come out?

 

[MrK6]

IFX-14 is sometime soon in April I've been hearing. Don't know abou the Ultra-120 extreme though, it seems to have taken a backseat to the IFX-14 in PR. There also seems to be an extreme version of the Ultra-90 coming out too, called the "Ultima-90" link. That's an insane amount of heatpipes. Anyway, lots of good stuff coming this way from Thermalright .

 

[continuum]

Still waiting for this to come out... as for the OCZ Vindicator that was just reviewed @ Anandtech, it looks decent-- but I'm surprised the reviewer didn't take SilenX's fan specs with a large grain of salt.

 

[cyburzaki]

Originally posted by: continuum
...the OCZ Vindicator that was just reviewed @ Anandtech, it looks decent-- but I'm surprised the reviewer didn't take SilenX's fan specs with a large grain of salt.

I had the exact same reaction. This quote:

• The SilenX IXTREMA 120 claims to provide the world's best noise-to-airflow ratio. The specifications certainly support that claim with an exceptional 14 dB-A noise level coupled with 72 CFM airflow.

is nothing more than a meaningless circularity. The specs are being cited as support of SilenX's claim that the fan has the "world's best noise-to-airflow ratio," when in reality it is the specs themselves that constitute the claim, and those go unchallenged by the reviewer.

 

[FireChicken]

Originally posted by: PirateMyke
when does it come out?

I called Thermalright in LA and spoke to a sales rep and I was told 2nd week of april

 

[aigomorla]

IFX-14 > All heat pipe coolers, from the looks of it.

Thats the only thing i would look at if i was needing to cool a hot Q6600, on AIR.

http://www.xsreviews.co.uk/ftopict-1397.html

Id like to see another heat pipe cooler perform like this.

 

[aigomorla]

Double post! ACK!

 

[cyburzaki]

Thermalright now swears the Ultra-120 Extreme will be available at select U.S. resellers this weekend.

But for the IFX-14 launch date, they answer: "there is no definite answer, most likely by end of May."

 

[Gigem]

Do we know which "select retailers" they are talking about?