How we test
Coolers are tested using Intel Core i5 2500K loaded LinX AVX Edition software, temperatures are taken wih RealTemp, which shows DTS (Digital Thermal Sensor) temperatures. Coolers are tested 3 times using different CPU overclock settings or until critical temperature is reached (e.g. when testing low-end coolers). We use the following overclock settings for i5 2500K: 3.7 GHz @ 1.22V, 4.2 GHz @1.3V and 4.5 GHz @ 1.35V. We take away room temperature and calculate the average maximum temperature of all four cores.
Testbed:
CPU: Intel Core i5 2500K
MB: Gigabyte Z68A-D3
RAM: Patriot 2x4GB DDR3 1600MHz 9-9-9-24-1
SSD: Samsung 830 256GB
VGA: MSI GeForce GTX 460 768MB Cyclone
PSU: Seasonic S12II-620 Bronze
Case: Silverstone Redline RL01 SST-RL01
Two fans are installed inside our test system case. In front we have a stock SilverStone Redline RL01 intake 120 mm fan running at about 1400 RPM and in the back one Xilence 120 mm fan running at 1500 RPM.